2026-11-08 - In the water and now things start to fail. Guess the boat projects were not done

We had an uneventful couple of days on the hard, relaxing as we thought our boat projects were done.  We had completed our list of items to do.  Some before we left the boat, and some when we returned. Only about 5 real projects, the rest was getting the boat ready to be on the hard, and normal maintenance items.

So we relaxed, lulled into a sense of complacency and satisfaction of some jobs well done.

Monica and Jason with two fools at our favorite restaurant

We should have known, we were forewarned.    When we first got back to the boat - the refrigerator control would not work - ended up being wiring - we replaced the wire, patted ourselves on the back and continued on.

Wednesday morning we headed to office to pay, and pick up some forms to take for checking out. 

Powerboats Office upstairs

Walked to Immigration to check out.  Had to wait as a man checking out had not brought his wife, and Immigration wants to visually see all persons leaving, so yes, instead of them handing us while he walked back to get her, we sat and waited.   She arrived, and all was good, but a mistake was made on a form - so redo that in triplicate.   The husband and wife tempers were rising and bickering ensued - so we did have a bit of entertainment.   After about 45 minutes waiting, it was our turn.  Immigration agent asked our boat name, then went in back office to request paperwork to be pulled and readied.  15 minutes later it was done, and we headed over to Customs.  A line at Customs, but only 1/2 an hour later we were done.

Back to the boat for launch at 11:00.  Boat was ready.  

 Our friend Monica from Breathe made a very nice video for us.

Launch went well, until we tried to start the starboard engine.  It would not start.   Kris started looking for issues with relays, the starter, anything.  Was sure it was not the battery, as she had thought ahead and charged them.  We finally paralleled our port engine to starboard, and then it started right up, it was the battery.   

We stopped and got fuel, and filled with water and then headed to our first anchorage at Scotland Bay. 

Looking behind at Chagauramas

When we backed out of the fuel dock, the starboard engine had a funny ticking noise in reverse, so when we got our anchor down in Scotland Bay - Dean jumped in the water to check out the prop.  Everything looked good, so he got out, and went to rinse off, but no water.  He thought maybe we had turned off the stern shower valve, so headed inside to the shower that we have been using for the past few weeks with no issue - and no water.  So Kris then checked the breaker was on, checked the fuses, checked voltage - all was good - but water pump would not turn on.   So hand pumped from the sink some fresh water into a jug for Dean to rinse off with.

We had a spare water pump, so installed that -and yes, it worked.   Now we are thinking - what is going on - is the starboard side cursed?

Evidently yes it is - as when we left the next morning for our motor trip to our next bay of Grand Riviere on the north coast of Trinidad, we could not get our AIS and navigation computer to work.   We pulled out the starboard side drawers and took out the frame to get to them, and Kris tested for power.  No power.  She fiddled with tracing wires for a bit, unplugged and plugged in a couple connections, and still nothing.  So we left using our other system, with which we can navigate fine, just no AIS.   About an hour later - it suddenly just came on.  Kris decided to look at it later.

So, frig controls, starboard engine battery, starboard engine noise in reverse, electronics for navigation - what else could go wrong - DON'T ASK.   

Next day, pleasant motor sail to Tobago.   Water on the floor in starboard head.  Leak from toilet.  So shut off water and continued on.

Nice sail, found a mooring in Charlotteville in a nice spot.

On our mooring looking toward town

Went in, found Customs, and lucky for us Immigration was right there as well.  They needed some copies, and since they had just moved offices (month or so ago), and they did not have a copier yet, they gave us the papers, and we walked to a mini-mart where the lady made copies in her back office for us.  Only $2 TT for two copies. Which is about .30 cents in USD.

Along the waterfront road in Charlotteville, Tobago

Large building ahead houses Customs and Immigration plus a lot more

We were all done in less than 1/2 hour, so back to the dinghy - which some local kids were using as a swim platform - but no harm done, and then back to the boat to relax for the remainder of the day.

Saturday Dean worked on the leaky head and got it fixed with just a replacement O-ring.  Of course, he wasn't sure where the leak was coming from, so it ended up he took it apart 6 times before finding the issue.  As you take it apart - replace a seal, put it together, find it still leaks - so apart again, replace another item - and repeat.

Today Kris will tackle the sail drive, battery and electronics issue - maybe, or maybe just relax - time will tell.  

Lesson learned - never get smug thinking everything is fixed and working good - or fate will turn around and smack you upside the head - consider ourselves smacked.   And the boat is filthy again, needs a good wash.  Think that with the sailing and moving in the ocean, dirty grime came out of the mast and ran down the sides of the deck and hull?  Or just dirt in the air that has settled?  Don't know, but we need to clean and re-was a couple spots already.   Boat life - gotta love it.