Diesel Woes After 1,000 Miles
Tazzarin is berthed along the bulkhead in front of the Royal Newfoundland Yacht Club in Long Pond, not far from the main port of St. John's. The weather yesterday was in the upper 70s and today may have hit the mid 70s. Unusually warm for Newfoundland this time of year. The lilacs here are just blooming, more than a month behind Massachusetts; their scent filled the air this morning as I ventured out on foot.

The main issue on my mind is the diesel engine on our boat. We actually had a remarkably fast passage to southern Newfoundland. The wind was strong and favorable; we largely sailed the 1,000 miles here in seven days of sailing. Not bad for a 36-foot boat like Tazzarin. Surely it represents some of the fastest sailing for the boat. Now, with yesterday's failure of the diesel engine onboard, we face another challenge.
Several people all recommended the same man, Jerry, as the best marine diesel mechanic in St. John's. I had tracked him down by about 0800 this morning. He spent two hours with me over Tazzarin's engine. Clearly the problem is a fuel supply issue. Plenty of diesel in the tank, we changed primary and secondary fuel filters and fuel is flowing through them nicely. But, somehow, fuel i not making it to the injectors. The fuel pump seems to be working. The engine is supposed to be self-bleeding to get air out of the fuel line. jerry, the mechanic, ran out of time available in his schedule. He said, " sometimes you run across a new type of problem in this business. He is stumped on just why and where the fuel is getting stopped.

So, good news that there is no serious mechanical problem. Good news that my spare parts kit is quite complete. Bad news that in two hours a good mechanic can't solve it. Also, bad news trying to find another mechanic. I have been trying to track people down, even hitching a ride to go to one mechanic's home and track him down. So far, I can't find anybody else to tackle the job and it seems more complex than I can solve. And, diesels aren't really all that complicated.

Tomorrow the hunt for a mechanic continues. I really need the engine before continuing north. Not only does the engine move us in and out of tight harbors and forward when there is no wind; it is our main source of electrical power for lighting, GPS, navigation instruments and other items.
Greg, Carl and I did spend a little time wandering St. John's this afternoon. It is an amazing port. Among the most intriguing of the vessels in the harbor are huge ultra-seaworthy supply vessels that service the big drill rigs out on the continental shelf around Newfoundland. These vessel are built to continue duty in any kind of savage weather. The harbor is always abuzz with activity. Smaller pilot boats stand by to take harbor pilots out to inbound vessels to guide them in; they too are able craft from which the pilots have to make a leap across the waves to board the vessels they will take command of for a brief amount of time. Daring work by seasoned professionals.

So, tomorrow, pray for a good mechanic for me...
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