Marathon - at last!

 

Marathon has reinstalled their dinghy dock, nice

We decided to take advantage of 5 kt winds with smooth seas as predicted by the NOAA coastal forecast. PredictWind and Windy agreed also so we set out. Although the wind was as predicted, it was a little lumpy, nothing to be concerned about but not glass smooth - but then, it’s the ocean. 

Anyone for a slightly used belt?

Everything was going as expected until about an hour out of Marathon. All of a sudden, I noticed the smell of antifreeze and Ann heard the over-temperature alarm go off (we complement each other, she can hear, I can smell). She turned the engine off and we coasted to a stop. We were out in the channel, a mile or so off shore so there were no obstructions nearby. 

It’s always nice to relax at a calm, quiet anchorage (mooring in this case0

The engine was steaming. Much of the antifreeze had boiled over the top of the overflow tank. The problem was immediately obvious, the engine belt had parted ways with the engine, it was a has been. I had a spare and proceeded to loosen the nuts on the alternator to allow slack to put in a new belt. That was easier said then done. To make a long story short - an hour later, I had the belt installed and tightened. 

Next came refilling the coolant tank. It took a gallon of antifreeze mix (50/50 ready to use mix, I carry spare antifreeze) and I got most of it in the the overflow tank (another story). With fingers crossed, Ann restarted the engine with me watching down below and it seemed to run okay - it got us to Marathon, an hour run, and stayed at the proper running temperature. 

Oh well we were doing so well! Remember, as Captain Ron says, “If it’s gonna happen, it’s gonna happen out there!”