2023-07-16 Why are boat projects so hard? - At least we have good food

We made our way over to Fairfield Connecticut on Monday, where were we needed to do two things.  First on the agenda - of course - was to pick up some packages that we shipped to an Amazon dropbox, but more importantly - lunch at Super Duper Weenie.   For those that don't know, Dean used to work almost across the street from this famous restaurant (Yes famous - was featured on Food Channel show) and ate their weekly.   We go there for lunch anytime we are in the area.

Can't say much for the decor, but -----

They make good dogs and fries.

One of the Amazon packages was  new set of screwdrivers.  It is hard to keep things non-rusty on the boat, and the screwdrivers we had were some of the same ones we had on What If - 9 years ago.  It was time to clear out the screwdriver stash.

All 32 screwdrivers on board

OK, still have 20, but its better.

The only issue, is that Kris hates to throw things that still have use in them away, so the old screwdrivers are still onboard, until she can find a place to donate them.

We also met with our friend, and financial advisor while in Fairfield.  Bob was kind enough to allow us to ship our new (used) heat exchanger to his house.   We had a good meeting with him, and he treated us to lunch at the Boca Oyster Bar.  If you are ever in the Bridgeport, CT area near the water - it is excellent food.

Feeling good with two excellent lunches under our belt (our loosened belt after all the food), we opened up our heat exchanger to clean and prep for install when Kris said "Uh Oh".

Yep, they sent us the wrong part.  Kris had a little panic, checked to make sure it was not her mistake, and then contacted the company in the Netherlands.  Of course - they were already closed, but next day they agreed, they had shipped the wrong item and they would give us a full refund, and pay to ship the part back to them.   

Of course, this left us without a heat exchanger, and having to find a place to ship back the part.  So instead of heading further NE up to Rhode Island, back across the sound to Port Jefferson / Setauket we went.   

Still being down an engine, Kris got online, and luckily found a new Heat Exchanger for only $1400 (ouch).    She called them, and they confirmed it was the right one, and was in stock.  So after a little crying, we pried open the wallet and purchased it.  Order placed, we focused on returning the one shipped from the Netherlands.  Found a place to ship the part back, so Dean hauled the 35 lb part, up hill for 1.5 miles to the shipping place, where they said it would be $350 to ship it back to the Netherlands.    So Dean hauled it back downhill 1.5 miles and back to the boat.   We did stop and get some great sandwiches at Se-Port Deli in Setauket.  They have huge tasty sandwiches.

1/2 a Se-Port Deli sandwich.

Contacted the Netherlands, and let them know the shipping, so they agreed, and arranged shipping through their account.   So next day - yep - back up the 1.5 mile hill to the shipping place with the heavy part, but this time we got it shipped.    Back to the boat, and got an email saying the heat exchanger that was in stock - was actually not in stock - so sorry, but they could get one in 5 to 7 days.    We didn't not trust them anymore so Kris contacted the Volvo Penta dealer we worked with when we had What If, and we have used for parts when in the Northern U.S -   McDonnell Marine Service.  Kris had talked to them when this all started, but they said there were no exchangers and were backordered.

Lucky for us, they were now 2 in the U.S. Volvo warehouse.  And now only $1,500 dollars.  The used one from the Netherlands was only $600.   Ordered that - and still have high hopes it actually exists and is in shipment.    We now had some time to kill, until it arrived so had time for some touristy stuff.   Port Jefferson is a touristy town, and we normally don't go there, but they had a Farmers Market that looked interesting.

Port Jefferson used to be quite the shipbuilding area.

Port Jefferson - Farmers market in the background

Downtown near the ferry terminal

Marina and ferry terminal at Port Jefferson

Farmers market was too expensive for our tastes, so we enjoyed a nice walk around, but then back to boat.   

Dean continued to look for a dinghy leak - as it is still losing a bit of air, and Kris worked on making new sunshades for the cockpit.   The new shades are larger, and different material.

New cockpit sun shades.

Kris also has done a bit of kayaking, as the winds have been calm in the mornings.  It is interesting to see the waterfront homes.  Wonder how these poor folks can stand to live in some of the run down shacks 😄

One of the medium sized homes.

We shipped our new heat exchanger to our friend John over in Connecticut - and it should arrive Monday or Tuesday, so we will leave today, and hopefully have a nice sail the 44 miles to our next spot.  Usually we take a free mooring in a small cove by where John lives, but it is tight, and we don't feel comfortable going in on one engine, so we will try a new anchorage in the river.  We will see how it goes.