Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Yarmouth Marina - Day Two


Well, today was an education. Yankee Marina is certified by every manufacturer I can think of and I believe they know their business. I had them look at my Panda genset and the Volvo diesel since neither had been professionally serviced for quite awhile. The discussion that ensured was enlightening. The fuel pump/oil filter combination were mounted backwards. Teflon was used in the diesel fitting joints, a no-no, it degrades when in contact with diesel fuel. Non-marine grade fuel line was used (automotive type) and it was under-sized per the mfg specs. Panda specs were not followed in the mounting of the genset resulting in excessive noise transmission to the cabin and a potential for mechanical failure of the bedding. It goes on and on. The Volvo was much better but when the alignment was done, the extreme upper end of the adjustment screws were used, not recommended by the manufacturer. All this is in the process of being corrected and should be completed by Wednesday night.

Meanwhile, we decided to rent a car for our two days at Yankee Marina for trips to Freeport (L.L. Bean), Hannafords for reprovisioning and Portland. We found an Enterprise auto rental dealer in Portland which offered a small car for only $35/day and they would come and pick you up for transport to their center at no charge and return you when you returned the car. So after conferring with Yankee Marina on what was to be done, we headed to Freeport.

L.L. Bean has expanded enormously compared to the last time we were there (10 years ago?). The single Bean store has morphed into five equally large specialty stores, just a huge complex. Unfortunately, the rest of Freeport seems to have shrunk. Although the area had been attractively upgraded (new stores, brick walkways, landscaping) many of the tenants have left. Although L.L. Bean was better than ever (big boot and all!), we left somewhat dissatisfied due to the lack of other stores.

We found a Hannafords nearby and restocked on the way home. We were sitting on the back of the boat when we saw this contraption go by (see photo). It turns out that it was a valid entry into the lobster boat races and did very well given the twin 200 hp outboards mounted on the rear. The bottom hull was cut from a lobster boat and the car has a lobster pot hauler mounted on the left front wheel – so it met all the qualifications for a lobster boat per the race specs! We’ll explore Portland tomorrow while the last of the boat projects are completed by Yankee Marina.

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