8 September 2014
We had the alternator on the port engine go out on our way to Manitowoc. I was able to look at it on Sunday, it had a broken wire. But the stud was super corroded and I started spraying with WD40 and wiggling the nut back and forth. Problem was that the stud was moving and that creates a problem if I break the stud or it completely unscrews. So in between activities I’d spray and wiggle and let it set.
This morning it was still pretty stuck, so I got a mechanic to come and fiddle with it. He was able to get the stud to back out almost enough space to get a wrench on the locking nut. I suggested cutting the old ring connection off would give him some extra space. With that he was able to tighen the lock nut and force the end nut off. Then it was just a matter of putting a new ring crimp on (I had spares) and heatshrinking them tight. All done in about 20 minuts. (Secret was he had 2 – 10mm wrenches, I only have one. So I need to go get some small sockets to go with the metric set. ) While he was there he also tightened the belts that were on the list for next week. All in all a great job and I have an alternator that now works. Yay Me
We got onto the lake about 9:45 and headed south. They predicted 1-2 for waves early and the 2-4 in the afternoon. At 12:15 PM we were at Sheboygan and since the waves were not bad we would keep going. By 1:30 they were starting to build and by 3PM they were strong 2-4+ waves. But we decided to batter our way through. Plowing the bow of the boat does not bother me. With the waves from the south, there was a point that we would have needed to turn West. This would have brough the waves to the side, “rolling” the boat side to side. So what I did was I went past my destination and then turned so the waves would be at my stern and they would push me not roll me.
That made the ride in much much nicer for the three of us.
Into the harbor was easy and docking was a snap. We are berthed next to a Bayliner 4788, the younger sister to my boat. I hope to meet up with them before we leave.
Dinner was at nice place just off the marina wall. We had a great window see the harbor. Food was good. Dessert for both of us was “Moms Strawberry Schaum Torte” It’s like a Pavlova, but with icecream on top and then covered with Strawberry preserves and whipped cream. Very ummy.
We are off in the morning to go to Milwaukee. The winds are to be light in the morning, so if we get out again by 8 we should be docked before the afternoon winds start.
I can’t believe you did not pick up a new pair of some of the best shoes out there while in Port Washington!
Allen Edmonds are made there in Port Washington. I swear by these shoes. Yes expensive up front but they last longer than the type you can pick up at your local DSW. You can send them in for re-crafting to get a few more years out of them. I’ve had one pair for 16 years now (re-crafted twice)
Being on the looper boat set now, you may not have the need for dress shoes any longer. Well, then again, not sure I’ve ever seen Foster in snazzy dress shoes…. Apparently they have boat shoes too! (albeit expensive ones)
I have a pair of Florsheim’s that I put on when I wear a suit. Since I walk so much on the boat, I tend to like the Reebok (I have both black and white). I’ve tried Sperry boat shoes, but I’m not a big fan of the thin soles. But Susan loves her Topsiders.