Georgetown, SC (04/29-05/02/2021)

Thursday   4/29/21 - Sunday 5/2/2021

Day Miles:      71

Total Miles:    4512

Travel Days:   84

Total Days     186

It has been a busy few days, but have some time to try and make progress on getting you caught up.  We left out at daybreak on Thursday, leaving Charleston and heading to Georgetown.  Most of the ride was uneventful.  It was a long day as we still have not fixed our engine coolant leak.  We did arrive in Georgetown early afternoon and got a nice inside slip.  We reached out to the mechanic who said he would be there in the morning to look at the boat.  After the long day we did some chores and relaxed on the boat.  Friday morning the "mechanic" showed up around 9:00.  OK - lets just say he tested the range of both of our patience.  

After arriving at the boat, he went down into the engine room and removed the air cleaner.  Note - you may want to scan ahead if you are not interested in this part.  He did determine that the turbo was not locked up.  Good news.  "Let's take the boat out and run it".  We left the dock and went out into the inlet bay.  Boat got up to speed and seemed to run OK.  Back at the dock he proceeded to share his insight and recommendations.  Remember that we asked him to come and look at the coolant leak.  Replace injectors, rebuild heat exchanges, rebuild after coolers, rebuild raco fuel separators, rebuild both turbos, new air cleaners, adjust valves, and I might be forgetting a few things.  $30,000 and at least 3 weeks.  He left and needless to say we were not feeling good.  I got the name of another mechanic who said he would come and take a look that afternoon.  Marcus showed up and said he would be back in the morning with his pressure test to look at the leak.  During my talk with him, we realized that I did not have the "split O-ring" in properly.  I decided to order new air cleaners from the 1st mechanic as he had them in stock.  I also removed the pipe and "O" ring for what felt like the 10th time.  Optimistic now for the 1st time in awhile.  

Our friends on Jackpot and Happiness Is also showed up on Friday and we spent some time in town.  We walked around and had a late lunch at Big Tuna. The gumbo was very good and the fresh Blackened grouper sandwich was one of the best I had in long time.

Early morning start

Charleston Bay

Ft. Sumpter

Shrimpin boat

This was most of the day's scenery.

Passing the shrimp boats to our marina

I do like their selection of chips down here!

Town pictures - fountain

Historic house

Marcia and Joann taking a break

Clock tower

Rooster

Boardwalk - Big Tuna Resturant

Marcia and Joann taking a break

After eating and walking the town we had happy hour on jackpot.  On Saturday the other 2 boats headed out for Myrtle Beach.  We will catch them in a few days as there are staying there a week.  Marcus, the 2nd mechanic showed up on time about 8:45 on Saturday morning.  He hooked up the pressure tester and the leak was still there.  Frustrated we took it apart again and he check the "O-ring" and reassembled.  STILL LEAKING!.  Take it apart again, but I was secretly relieved that it was not just me.  Thinking about options and adding some gasket sealer, he suggested we put both O-rings on.  Luckily I ordered 2.  Put back together, system bleed, pressure test in progress.  No leaks.  He left after about an hour and only charged me $100.  I drained the system, added coolant and re-bled the system.  I also switched out the air cleaners.  I also decided to add some gasket sealer to the small oil leak that I have been having.  I let the engines idle for about 10-15 minutes with no leaks.  The run to Myrtle Beach on Monday will be the test.  Just amazing how one $7 O-ring can be causing all this trouble.  

After cleaning up, we walked over to the fresh fish market to see what they had for dinner selections.  Fresh off the boat shrimp and scallops.  We bought some of both.  We visited the Maritime Museum in town and then had drinks and a light lunch snack the Buzz's Roost.  

Shrimp boat at the fish house

Fresh fish house

"Rat Rod" in town.  Not sure I would want to drive it 1000 miles though.

Buzz's Roost

Maritime Museum 

Don't know why anyone would want to be a Navy Diver - Men of Honor 

Scallop and shrimp dinner

Mine - lightly blackened - Marcia's - not

We did some chores on Sunday and took a walk to Dollar General. After dinner we walked into town for some ice cream.  We ran into the folks aboard Bella Vita, another looper boat.  Looking forward to moving on to Myrtle Beach on Monday.  Fingers crossed!