|
I met a
Canadian, Evan. He is about 60 years old, and every day he comes rowing in from
his anchorage. Over a cup of coffee I told him that he ought to get an outboard
motor, since I myself have tried being to shore, only for the wind to pick up.
Rowing back in rough wind and sea is demanding. "I already have one. It just
hasn't worked for 18 months". I can never resist a challenge, so soon afterwards
I separated the small 2.5 hp motor. And like at least half of all motor problems
caused by dirt and lack of maintenance. I tried out the motor on my own dinghy.
And for a long time too, since I had so much fun. I had never tried a motor on
it, and that is still number one on my wish list.
It was a happy Evan who sailed back. He had bought me two bottles of wine even
before I gave judgment to the motor. I don't drink wine, but my two friends
Louis and Gee later appreciated that.
When I saw Evan rowing again the following day, I felt bad. Especially because I
was "paid" for it. (Un)fortunately it turned out to be because he had left the
motor on the dinghy overnight. Due to wind and heavy sea it had turned upside
down and spent hours like that. In the morning he had managed to get it started
(oh no). And after a couple of minutes, it seized up with a bang. Because of its
age and make, it certainly would cause great difficulties acquiring expensive
spare parts. So it received its death sentence. The crank bearings were bad, and
the piston and cylinder wall looked like something from a gravel pit. We all
learned a lesson we will never forget. If you are the owner of a motor for a
dinghy, you MUST take it off at night. Or at least lift it a little out of the
water, so turning upside down is impossible.
After arriving at Porto Santo, I have begun exploring the option of going back
home by plane for a week's time to see the kids. Something I would like to do
before starting the greater crossings(/distances/passages).
From now on, I really need to make use of my anchor. The travel down through
Europe didn't offer particularly many possibilities to come to anchor. As
expected, it turned out to be fairly expensive - even with(/for) a small boat
like mine. The daily rent was often equivalent to what I spend on food for a
week. Food is not too expensive. I love rice, pasta, groats(/grains/grits),
etc., and I eat that along with fish or just vegetables. As long as my stomach
is full, then it isn't too critical(/upset).......
When I left for Gran Canaria, I made the plan to spend the night on the quite
small Selvagem Grande Island, situated 180 miles from Porto Santo. |