Our engine started perfectly in the morning. We started it multiple times and each time, it started right up. It was very frustrating. We felt we had to do something to diagnose or fix the problem. We started with testing the power to various points on the starter motor. That is as far as we got because the multimeter wire broke.
We could borrow one to continue our work but this is not a tool that David wanted to be without on the rest of the trip, so we rerouted our focus to finding one. This led to a trip to Georgetown. The hardware store opened around 10 am. Then we had to wait out a rainstorm. Finally, we got to the Top II Bottom hardware store but they did not have what we needed. Our other choices were 3 miles away in various directions, but we did not have other choices. We chose to try Brown’s marine first. We called and they had some of the meters, possibly.
We decided to take a taxi in case we had to go multiple places. It was a pleasant ride with a nice driver who has been working here 10 years. He moved from Nassau and says it took some getting used to but he likes it here; no crime, slower pace. He came here to work at Sandals resort which has been closed for awhile now. He started driving and really likes it. The government issues only so many plates for taxi driving. He is using the plate of a partner who has two. He has applied for a plate but you almost have to know a politician to get one. He checks on his application every few months, and has been doing so for almost five years. Still, he feels he will get one eventually. He likes the flexibility of driving and being his own boss.
Brown’s marine had multimeters. We bought two. We were back on track again. We headed back to Josie in before another rain storm. It rained much of the early evening. The rainclouds were beautiful with a rainbow just before sunset.
We blew the horn and watched the clouds. We bailed Fat Tuesday from the rain and brought her aboard. David found a video of a person playing the conch as an instrument. His name is Steve Turre.
We have decided to go ahead and replace our starter motor. Even if our current motor might be ok, at least we will know we are dealing with a good motor. Then if we continue to have problems, we will know they are with switches which can be bypassed. Boat work tomorrow.
