 |
| The inside of the Cracked Conch, not fancy but very good conch - the best is the conch sandwich |
I finally bought a new 6 hp Mercury outboard. Shelter Bay Marina had a special on their 2014 Mercury motors which I took advantage of. The 6 hp model was $1400 as opposed to the $1759 price that West Marine wanted for the current model. The 2014 model was brand new, still in the packing crate. So with the new outboard in the trunk of our rental car, I advertised our old motor for $500. As it turned out, I saw two guys in a dinghy struggling like I had trying to start their outboard and offered them my previous Mercury for $400 and gave them my card. He later called back and I offered to lower the price to $350 but no lower. He later thought that was a good deal and I took the old motor over to his boat around 4:00 pm. I gave him 24 hours to decide if he wanted to keep it and he's currently testing it around the marina.
 |
| Nobody does conch better |
Our new motor is working fine. It's also a 6 hp Mercury, just a never used 2014 model. I' m determined to use only non ethanol fuel which you can get at marinas down here so I'll fill up on the supply which ought to last until I return south in the fall.
 |
| Free snow removal!! |
Meanwhile I rented a car for the next day and we replenished our food supply, not much, just a few odds and ends. What we did splurge on was a late lunch at the
Cracked Conch. It's a local restaurant mostly visited by locals. Their speciality, of course, is conch. Their preparation is such that the conch they serve is always tender which is not always the case in other restaurants. The food network did a special on the restaurant several years ago. Around here it's an institution. They pride themselves on always being open, even during hurricanes (the locals have to eat somewhere...)
 |
| Some go all out for solar down here on a boat, 20 panels in all |
It is so much easier going to a dock with a working motor! It's especially comforting to know it will always start and not die when you're at an inlet anchorage with a 2 kt current going out to sea when I take Hoolie ashore in the evening which is the main reason we got a new motor.
 |
| And we end with a sunset, as always |
5 comments:
I have several needs for no ethanol gas. Many of the QT (Quik Trip) gas stations carry it. Look for pumps in the center, in front of the entrance door, for pumps with red handles. Red handle means no ethanol gas. Also if you have an iPhone an app called "Pure Gas" provides locations based on your current location of gas stations that carry no ethanol gas. Some Kangaroo stations carry it too. Good luck!
I read your blog every day.
Question - On average, how deep is the water where you anchor when traveling on the ICW? Do you use all chain? I'm glad to hear you have a dependable outboard. All your readers have learned a valuable lesson from your experience. Thanks for sharing.
Bob--
We're sorry to learn you and Annie had to go to such expense although I'm sure Hoolie appreciates the investment--A Lot!
Also, Ann's artwork is terrific. Maybe you should do a little "Traveling Gallery" when you get home. You might offset the cost of the new motor. In fact, if you set up a little business--Fleetwing Gallery, LLC--you might deduct the cost of your "research" travels south every fall and back, eh?
N'any case, take care and keep safe!
Scott'n Kitt
s/v HyLyte
Bob,
In a pinch..if you just cant find non ethanol fuel at a marina or gas station.... Ive purchased pre mixed 50:1 gas at Home Depot and Lowes. Walmart may carry it as well. They sell 32 oz. cans of TrueFuel. Its not inexpensive... about $7.50 a can. Not cheap!..but in a pinch it will work great.
I started using it on my lawn power tools a couple of years ago.. my leaf blower and string trimmer.. its great...everything starts first pull.. no ethanol problems since.
Anonymous, I just found the list of stations carrying non-ethanol gas via Pure Gas with a Google search, thanks.
Janice, I usually anchor in 7 to 12 feet of water along the ICW, rarely deeper. In Maine I anchored in 35 ft often and thought nothing of it and rarely put out more than 100 ft of rode due to the sticky mud up there. In pulling the anchor in the morning I usually found that 1:1 scope would have held, very sticky mud. The mud and sand alone the ICW is not nearly as grabby but I usually but 60 ft of 3/8 in BBB and another 10 to 20 feet of nylon is plenty. I use the combination of 60 ft chain and the nylon just because it's faster than fooling with snubbers and with 66 lb Spade anchor it's always held. If I spent time in the Caribbean I would go with more chain, maybe all chain, too much coral around to chew up nylon. Also, if you anchor in very deep water like Alaska (200 ft at times), all chain keeps the boat from veering around
Scott, I don't think IRS would ever go for that! Nice thought though. Ann was pleased with your comments on her artwork, thanks.
Fred, good advice, will probably do so in the future at home.
Post a Comment