Back to the Blue(s) :(
The next morning, alone aboard Swell again, I happily sorted and sifted the towering piles in an effort to restore livability and order to my sacred little space.
āHmmā¦thatās oddā¦I could have sworn that box of tea wasnāt munched yesterday?ā More clues followed to conclude that there was yet another rodent aboard. I sighed and pulled out the trap, thread, and jar of cashews again. āWell at least Iām floating.ā
After securing the cashew to the trap, I went to wash my hands and heard the water pump suck air. I opened the floorboard that covers the bilge to reaffirm that the water tank was empty. It was; but to my horror, 5-6 inches of water shimmered at the bottom of the bilge. My mind went numb. I slowly pulled off the stairs and pointed the light on the infamous location of the leak, dreading what I thought Iād seeā¦
Sure enough, there was saltwater trickling out of the same old leaky placeā¦
Shortly following, water trickled from my tear ducts too. How could it? What? No? It isnāt so? I shined the light again just to be sureā¦there was no denying it, Swell was still leaking…
Whispers trailed through the boatyard upon my disclosure of the news. People patted my back or gave a nod of quiet mourning for my situation. It appeared that Option B, remove and replace shaft log, would have to be enacted. But I couldnāt go back outā¦not right awayā¦the yard would shut down for Christmas in little more than a week. Then Iād be stuck on land for the vacation and andā¦my thoughts trailed off into sorrow. I went back to Swell and curled up in a wad under the fan.
That evening, the owner of the yard, who rarely converses with the clients, stopped me as I climbed off Swell onto the dock. My eyes were swollen. I felt fragile and forlorn. He took me by the shoulders and looked me in the eyes. āDonāt worry, okay? Take a break for the holidays, make a tour of the islands to forget about this for a while. Iāll clear it up with Customs and you can start again after the New Year.ā
āOkay,ā I sniffled. āA little break will help. I just canāt bear the thought of starting again tomorrow. Thank you, Jacques.ā
4 Comments
Todd Hansen
January 4, 2010Liz,
There could be worse places to have a boat with a leak. If you were here in Chicago you would not have a water leak for a few months as it is in the single digits. Keep plugging away and you will get it taken care of. If first you donāt succeed try, try, ā¦.
Ed Champagne
January 5, 2010Liz,
Been following your adventures… sorry about your leak setback…not good. I sure you checked your stuffing box for the leak. That would be easy to fix. Just had to ask. I wish you the best. Wish I lived closes I would be there in a minute to help I love doing that work! take care
Brian T. Snader
January 5, 2010Lizzy,
Good grief. Just remember as bad as it seems, some of us would still trade going to work in 18 degree weather for your problems. Keep enjoying life and hang in there. Remember, You can earn more money, but time is limited. Good luck with your probs.
B.
Brian T. Snader
January 21, 2010Wow, Little too much beer when I wrote that one. I meant time is limited, so cherish it, and don’t panic. You can make money to fix your boat eventually.
B