A little engine surgery

Appears Ostinato's damper plate on the starboard engine decided it had over served its duty Monday morning. The first clue was the yelling and hollering from crew and captain as we attempted to grab a mooring ball. Let me just say "not pretty" and leave it at that. It was finally determine that it was boat error not operated error. Of course!

Ed and King got battle ready with a trip to Home Depot. We drug home wood beams, clothes line bolts and some major metal to hoist the engine. Cliff's bed was torn apart once again bright and early and the work began. By 4:30 a successful install had been achieved. and the tension that filled the day melted away.

On our other projects..... The dinghy engine ended up being bad fuel. The guys cleaned it out and got it started. Just to be sure, we dropped it off at the local Honda dealer where it got a clean bill of health.

Last but not least, the refrigerator. Temperature is still not where we would like but I think we're going to enjoy today's success and think about that tomorrow.

Just so you know, we are doing a little more than working on the boat. Cliff experienced his first Key West sunset last night. I think he like the fire eaters the best! He wants to go back tonight to find the dancing girls.

Update on electronics. AIS is fully operational thanks to Ed To find us, google Marine Traffic. Then search Ostinato III or wdg2021 is the call id. This, along with SPOT will be our main tracking along the coast. AIS lets us recognize any boat in our vicinity on our chart plotter. Additionally, the WIi antenna is working (Ed again) but .... No available free service so we are hanging at McDonalds enjoying their apple pie and wi if.