Maiden Voyage of the Free Yacht

Our crew of adventurers sets sail on our little ship for the first time.
continues the saga begun at How to Get a Free Yacht

Nick Papadakis, Patrick Buckley, Lorraine Superhero, and Tim Anderson.

words and music by Pat assisted by Tim,
Photos by Pat - great job - I didn't even know you were taking these!

continues the Free Yacht saga begun at How to Get a Free Yacht

Here's the table of contents of the whole saga:
Chapter 1: How to Get a Free Yacht
Chapter 2: Maiden Voyage of the Free Yacht
Chapter 3: Fix Broken Stix and other Trix
Chapter 4: Outboard Motor Mutilates Foot
Chapter 5: It's sinking and it's on Fire.
Chapter 6: How To Give Away a Free Yacht
Chapter 7: Get an Even Better One and Fabulize it.
Chapter 8: Celebrate Freedom
Chapter 9: Technicolor Dreamboat
Chapter 10: Privateer Knot
Chapter 11: Dismasted!
Chapter 12: Kiteboat!
Chapter 13: Mast Raising

Step 1 Houston, we have a problem

Our exhaust tube was bulging and pulsing with every crank of the little diesel,
spraying water from holes that seemed more numerous with every minute.
The bulging innards of our exhaust tube. The entire tube was decaying from the inside out. An internal hernia was plugging the exhaust tube.

Comments

[Grey_Wolfe]

That's a hose cutter. You can actually buy them at plumbing supply stores, and the like. Don't know if there's a more 'formal' name for it. We use them in injection molding when we need to cut hose for watering the molds.

[flamekiller]

This makes me wonder how many items for purchase in the boating world are exactly the same as items for purchase in the normal world, but four times as expensive.

[Grey_Wolfe]

Well, four times as expensive doesn't sound too bad... lol

[Wellcraft19]

Actually, the water is to cool the engine. After it has cooled the engine, it passed the water mantled exhaust manifold (in order to keep the manifold from becoming a real fire danger) and is from there "digested" out into the exhaust stream, allowing for the use of rubber hoses to divert the exhaust gases. It is called a "wet stack", compared to a "dry stack" when the exhaust gases are discharged like on a car, normally via a chimney that goes relatively high up. Since the gases exiting the engine, all the piping (as well as the exhaust manifold) needs to be fairly well insulated to prevent a boat from catching fire - or simply be too dangerous.

[CamWaite]

step 9, line 2, fifth word from the right

[TimAnderson]

thanks! fixed (I think)

[EWOKmeister]

Ahhh, the two happiest days in the life of a boater! You got it for free so you missed the bliss of the first one but you still have the other happiest day in the life of a boater to look forward to: the day you sell it! You are currently at the black-hole-in-the-water-into-which-you-pour-money stage! It's still a wonderful story and a great experience...enjoy it!

[Danish M1Garand]

I will agree on the above saw pertaining to powerboats. Sailboaters cry when they sell boats. I even know one guy who sold his sailboat as he had a new one that was larger. He had tears in his eyes and ran his hand down her sides as if he was saying goodbye to a beloved pet that was soon to be put down.

[Grey_Wolfe]

Ahh, the titles. You, sir, write an enjoyable read.

[Danish M1Garand]

Ahh the joys of West Marine, the most expensive store on the planet. I really like the boat. Bring Over Another Thousand That is what it sounds like each tome I get a call from the Marina.

[camdenbuck]

i love the story! i love to sail but only get out quarterly...mainly inland waters...next time i'm looking for a larger vessel, i'll keep your good fortune in mind. best of regards and luck!

[arwen]

I want to be a joyful native! Take me along on the next voyage!

[canida]

Dear Tim, In Step 8: it's bowsprit, one word. Pedantically, me.

[TimAnderson]

fixed. thanks christie