Our second morning off Elbow Cay, we awoke to southeast wind
in excess of 15 knots. The breeze
discouraged us from launching the paddle boards after breakfast yet we desired a
bit more playtime before sailing over to Marsh Harbor to re-provision food,
water, and fuel. We loaded up Rosebud
with the snorkeling gear and cast off into the breeze Intent on motoring to an area where I paddled over a spotted
eagle ray the day before.
The engine demons laughed.
The dinghy motor would start full choke and full throttle, but die once placed
in gear. After a couple minutes of false
starts, I angrily gave up on the motor
and shipped the oars. Rosebud has many fine
qualities as a dinghy, but rowing is not on her list of attributes. We gained the lee of Tahiti Beach and worked
our way ashore. Once in the shallows I
attempted to have Anne hold the dinghy in place while I tinkered with the
engine. This proved futile. We walked the dinghy upwind of C’est la Vie
and, with the aid of a few corrections from the oars, sailed the bare hull back
home. I tied Rosebud alongside C’est la
Vie and attempted to tinker with the engine. This proved futile due to wakes generated by
boat traffic in the area. Frustrated we
gave up, stowed the snorkeling gear, placed the ailing outboard back on the
stern rail, and readied C’est la Vie for departure.
 |
| Our 2HP Honda Outboard hanging on the stern of C'est la Vie |
Sailing off the anchor we fell onto a pleasant broad reach
to Matt Lowe Cay. Rounding Point Set
Rock we jibed onto a beam reach towards Marsh Harbor. The sailing cooled my aggravation with the
outboard. Had I not run out all the bad
fuel? Had the bad fuel damaged the
carburetor? Will I need to find a
mechanic in Marsh Harbor?
 |
| Hub of the Abacos |
Clearing Marsh Harbor’s outer buoys, we started C’est la
Vies engine, rounded into the wind, furled the genny, and gaped at the number
of vessels at anchor in the Harbor.
Assuming we would need to row Rosebud to and fro from shore, we sought
out a spot to anchor near the town dock.
While snaking among the stationary boats, we heard a cry of Hello! Patty on SV Lutra was waving just off our
starboard bow. Last summer we were
hauled out next to Lutra in Beaufort, NC.
It is pleasant to discover familiar faces in foreign places. We dropped the hook just south of Lutra and
within a few hundred yards of the town dock.
Shortly after setting the anchor Patty stopped by to say
hello and introduce her father. He was
joining her as crew for her return trip to the States. She could not recommend a local outboard
mechanic, but referred us to her friend Richard on SV-Hello Texas.
Still convinced the outboard was suffering a bad fuel
hangover, I went back to running the engine while it hung off C’est la Vie’s
stern. Within seconds of starting on
full choke and full throttle, the motor began to request, via stuttering engine
speak, that I lean out the fuel mixture by reducing the choke. I took this as a good sign. After a few minutes of running with no choke
and at varying RPMs, my confidence grew and we lowered the engine onto
Rosebud. Not willing once again be
fooled by the engine demons, I took solo trip around the harbor. All went well. I’m guessing it simply took more time to run
the bad fuel out of the lines and carburetor than what I anticipated.
Buoyed by the restored health of the dinghy engine we set
off to town in search of food and beverage.
The first store we visited left us wanting for fresh vegetables. At our next stop, Bristol Distributors,
purveyor of beer, wine, liquor we inquired as to a grocery store with a better
selection of fresh foods. The clerk
proved less that helpful as she appeared more interesting in her conversation
with a prior customer who was now consuming the second of three beers he
purchased on site, this is a bit different than ABC or liquor stores in the
States. The woman behind us in line
piped up and made the suggestion we head over to Maxwell’s Grocery Store. She provided directions and we set off. Moments later a blue Honda Fit, pull alongside
us. The woman providing us directions
introduced herself as Wendy and asked if we need a ride to Maxwell’s. We pile in the car and off we go.
Maxwell’s Grocery is impressive. We felt as though we are back in the States
as we marveled at the clean, well lit isles loaded with a diverse
selection. Wow. After a prolonged browse through the produce
section, a search for almonds, and two
pounds of sliced lunch meat from the deli counter, Wendy finds us in the frozen
foods section. She offers to wait for us
to complete our shopping and give us a ride back to the town dock. In awe of her generosity we quickly agree to
her offer. On the ride back to the town
dock we discover her children attended Camp Carolina and she has visited
Brevard, North Carolina. In light of our afternoon the world seems
small and strewn with people with whom we share common threads.
On the way back out to the boat, we detoured over to Lutra
to invite Patty and her father over for sundowner’s aboard C’est la Vie. She in turned invited us over for dinner as
she and SV Hello Texas already had plans.
Winding down a long day, we returned to Lutra a bit later
and enjoyed our evening.
Patty – Thanks for the dinner and the opportunity to meet Richard
and Nikki traveling on SV Hello Texas a beautiful 38’ Krogen. Hopefully our travels will bring us together
again.
Wendy – Thanks for your compassion and generosity.
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