[Ed.note - May 20-21 have been summarized from original blog.]


Wed.May 20/Day 81:   Left Sunset Bay Marina at 07:50, travelled 61 miles to Sebastian River Marina and Boat Yard at 14:30/2:30pm – primarily a ‘working’ yard with 60 slips and only 4 transients.  Only 1 bridge to call. Lots of boats  Real estate changing with bigger homes. Tide only 1ft.  Staff friendly and masking/distancing, especially for transients.  Amazon delivered new joker valves. The strange water dripping noises we heard in Stuart turned out to be only that. 

Thurs. May 21/Day 82: winds and waves picked up [17-25mph]. Confirmed reservations as far as St.Augustine. Some photos of the marina and Peter the Pelican.  Repaired the aft door lock; Marg cleaned all the inside; dockmaster agreed our belt problem likely is bad bearings on alternator shaft. And, always sign off with stay safe while keeping distancing!


Comments:

Wayne  •  21 May, 2020:  Safe travels on your journey North, we talked about meeting you two somewhere on the East coast but with Covid it probably will not happen, darn. Keep using Janice's sanitizer.

Jon  •  21 May, 2020:  any chance you will see the maned rocket next Wednesday?

Ernie R  •  21 May, 2020:  No, no, speed up not slow down, will help keep fenders clean dragging in water all day!! The above seemed to indicate new pictures of belt wear but I did not see any? Still nice and cool in good ole Alabama! Safe travels!

Rob  •  25 May, 2020: We will be in St.Augustine on the 28th so won't likely see it, Jon. Hope Robin [and you] are doing ok.

Ernie R - 22 May 2020: Rob, can’t tell from picture, but is belt centered on the two tensioners it runs on? If alternator pulley/bearing is worn enough to cause misalignment doubt it would have lasted this long even at your slow speed!

Rob - 25 May 2020: There are 5 pulleys total: 2 smooth faced, 3 rib-bed. The tensioner is new and is the 2nd new one, replaced under warranty per Saunders in Orange Beach; don't think it is the culprit. The alternator has an observable, mild wobble, compared to port side; stbd also has a palpable faint 'click' or movement. So...based on my powers of scientific reasoning and deduction, it would seem the most likely culprit is the stbd alternator/pull))ey bearing - but will get the local mechanic's opinion tomorrow. :