The Campfire Trail: February 5

February 5, 2021

Day 36 - 329 Days To Go

24 Days Until March 1

Base Camp Coffee of the Day: Lost in the Fog (Guatemala Decaf)

After spending two days on the water, island hopping around the Florida Keys, it was time to head back to the home port in Marathon. We woke up to a beautiful sunrise but also some wind had picked up overnight. The outer banks of the Keys was pretty choppy with swells of four to five feet. The boat could handle it okay, but we were taking a bit of a beating ourselves. After a couple hours we had passed by Key West and made the decision to go back and come up inside channel. Hopefully, it would block us from the south wind and not bounce us around so much. We also were beginning to have some trouble with one of the engines. Mike says "All you need to get peoples attention is to mention that you hit something with the boat, or the Coast Guard boarded you or something fell overboard". I said "Maybe engine trouble with work the same way!'"

As it turned out, there really was a problem with the fuel system. Ironically, the heavy waves was probably the thing that helped identify one more of the pre-cruise maintenance issues. With the on-board generator stopped and both of the engines struggling, we pulled back into Man of War Harbor to try and identify the problem. Evidently, all of the shaking in the heavy surf must have stirred up some sediment in the fuel tank. (It had been setting for close to five years with no "open water" time) The two sediment filters leading from each fuel tank were clogged with algae. That was a new one to me. Mike explained that a type of algae will actually grow in the fuel if it sets for a long time but assured me there is a treatment to prevent it.

After rinsing the filters and re-installing them, the two diesel motors fired right up like nothing was ever wrong. The generator, which runs off the same fuel took a little coaxing, but finally started and ran normally as well. Even though the problem was a minor one and an easy fix, the whole experience made me grateful there is a well qualified mechanic/engineer on board. After the repairs, we decided to travel back on the Florida Bay side of the Keys. The water was almost flat on this side of the islands, unaffected by the wind and made for a pleasant, smooth ride back home. It also gave Mike and Adreane some experience in plotting an alternate course when the open water on the ocean side is rough. By the time we reached the seven Mile Bridge at Marathon, the water was almost glassy.