3/31/16        Thursday  - (David here.)
We are underway again!  Today we traveled from Jacksonville, FL to Jekyll Island, GA.
The second, new, injector line fit and did not leak. So we plumbed it in, reattached all the engine parts, cleaned up the work area and pumped the contaminated bilge into containers and painstakingly mopped out all the remnants of diesel from the bilge. Cleanest it has ever been! Thankfully, our guardian angel, Captain Brown helped me bring all the waste to a disposal site. DONE!  

Nancy mentioned that we took Brown and Nancy to supper last evening. Nice opportunity for a thank you. Then they gifted us a hand-made, rope, "door mat" Brown made from old line and gave Nancy a  monkey's fist for Nancy. He loves doing fine rope work and it shows. He is a whiz with cordage. Nancy showed us all the canvas work she has made for their catamaran as well. Good work.

Interesting factoid. I learned that according to canvas workers down here, Black Sunbrella lasts longest, Red is the worst and white sometimes allows UV right through to damage sails covered with white Sunbrella.

We had originally planned to travel outside from Jacksonville for a long day to the north, but with engine issue delays, our weather window was lost. So, today, Grace traveled inside with an East-Southeast wind pushing us. Mostly we were protected but had a lumpy transit across an open bay and around a shoal to enter Jekyll Island, GA.

Anchored at Jekyll Is, we checked the engine. The slightest trace of diesel is showing on the injector pump, (disappointed) but none shows in the bilge nor bilge pads (whew!). Not perfect but good enough. We installed oil absorbent pads under injector and will work on this at next oil change.

The wind persisted this evening, in spite of weather forecast, but the 45# CQR with 100 ft of chain prevailed. We set the anchor to the south, anticipating wind from the south and knowing that the current would switch East and West during tidal changes tonight.

Tomorrow, we will try to gain another 50 statute  miles. (The ICW is measured in Statute Miles, not in Nautucal Miles.)  

Thunderstorms predicted for late afternoon. We will press on but keep an eye on weather and for seeking good anchorages.

Lastly, We have discovered that by adding ethanol to diesel you can double your gallons per hour! OK, just kidding. April Fools!


Nancy here

Two photos from today:

Back in the land of loooonnng piers

White pelicans disguised as swans or geese

Our view of Jekyll Island, the commoner end, water slide