Jekyll Harbor Marina, Jekyll Island, GA MM 684.3
Distance Traveled: 15.0 Hours Underway: 2:50 Average Speed: 5.8mph
Weather: Partly sunny; temp range – 55 to 66 degrees; north wind @ 5 knots
Comment: Departure procedures from the Fort Frederica anchorage began at 0730, one-half hour before planned. SUNSHINE’S engines were fired up at 0725, the bubble windows were wiped down to remove the dew and condensation, and Canvasback Too was cast off. Next it is up with the kellet, disconnect it from the anchor rode, and then it’s up with the anchor. We did not use a bridle on the anchor rode last night. Once the rode is cleaned (Anna Marie washes it and the chain with the hose from the new pressure pump) and stowed, I motor away from the anchorage. Today, we are the last vessel to leave. Tally Ho had a ten minute head start, followed by Reflection and Canvasback Too.
We motored down the Frederica River to its intersection with the ICW, passed under the St. Simons Island Bridge, and into St. Simons Sound, where we unfurled the jib and motor-sailed on our way to Jekyll Island. Just before reaching Jekyll Creek, we passed Canvasback Too. We negotiated the treacherous creek at full tide. Luckily for Canvasback Too and Tally Ho (they both have 5' drafts), we have traversed all the treacherous shallows at high tide. No worries mates!
At the Jekyll Harbor Marina, we had to tread water until another vessel cleared the fuel dock. In the meantime, Canvasback Too tied up just behind Tally Ho and Reflection. We would take up residence behind them after filling with fuel.
Once on land, Anna Marie and I borrowed a couple of the marina’s loaner bikes and peddled of to the Historic District. We just needed to get a bit of exercise.
We returned to the boat in about an hour, when Ray and Dave happened by to watch me perform surgery on the Nissan dinghy motor. When we were in Bull Creek a couple of days ago, it wouldn’t start. In an attempt to get it going yesterday afternoon, I tried a few tricks and some of Andrew’s carburetor cleaner spray to no avail. I’ll need to disassemble it. I still think the carb must have gummed up.
With the help of Ray and Dave, the carburetor was removed. Only a few parts fell out but we were able to deduce their proper places when we put the carb back. Whew!
We discovered that this engine does not have a needle valve. The carburetor seemed to be very clean. We made sure all the orifices were cleared and put the unit back on the engine, without having removed the bowl. I was afraid small pieces would pop out and that we wouldn’t know where to put them. There's nothing like having left over parts after a project like this. We hoped this cleaning process would allow the engine to fire. The good news is that we learned how to remove the carb and that we could do it in about 5 minutes should we need to remove it again.
As you might have guessed, try as we might, the engine would not start. We could get it to fire, but it would not keep running. By this time, Andrew arrived and he suggested we remove the carburetor and then the bowl. Once off the motor, Andrew removed the bowl from the carburetor. We found a float valve rather than a needle valve. Andrew removed the pivot pin and took out the float valve. A small piece fell off and Andrew asked if any of us noticed the orientation of the piece. It might be important when we put it back together. As it turns out, the orientation did not matter as the piece functioned properly in either of the two possible positions.
With the float removed, Andrew found a gummed up bowl. He cleaned it out and also found what appeared to be a bit of sand. The bowl was cleaned up, reattached to the carb which was reattached to the motor. All the hoses were reconnected. We mounted the engine of the stern rail, put in a thimble full of fuel and pulled on the cord. It started right up and kept running! Success? Seems so!! We lowered the dinghy, attached the motor, started it and allowed it to run for ten minutes before closing the fuel switch. Success indeed!
Once the tools were put away, we all marched up the gang plank to Sea Jays for dinner. The food was good, but paled in comparison to the camaraderie we share. This is cruising!
Arial view of Jekyll Harbor Marina, Jekyll Island, GA
View Larger Map
Distance Traveled: 15.0 Hours Underway: 2:50 Average Speed: 5.8mph
Weather: Partly sunny; temp range – 55 to 66 degrees; north wind @ 5 knots
Comment: Departure procedures from the Fort Frederica anchorage began at 0730, one-half hour before planned. SUNSHINE’S engines were fired up at 0725, the bubble windows were wiped down to remove the dew and condensation, and Canvasback Too was cast off. Next it is up with the kellet, disconnect it from the anchor rode, and then it’s up with the anchor. We did not use a bridle on the anchor rode last night. Once the rode is cleaned (Anna Marie washes it and the chain with the hose from the new pressure pump) and stowed, I motor away from the anchorage. Today, we are the last vessel to leave. Tally Ho had a ten minute head start, followed by Reflection and Canvasback Too.
We motored down the Frederica River to its intersection with the ICW, passed under the St. Simons Island Bridge, and into St. Simons Sound, where we unfurled the jib and motor-sailed on our way to Jekyll Island. Just before reaching Jekyll Creek, we passed Canvasback Too. We negotiated the treacherous creek at full tide. Luckily for Canvasback Too and Tally Ho (they both have 5' drafts), we have traversed all the treacherous shallows at high tide. No worries mates!
At the Jekyll Harbor Marina, we had to tread water until another vessel cleared the fuel dock. In the meantime, Canvasback Too tied up just behind Tally Ho and Reflection. We would take up residence behind them after filling with fuel.
Once on land, Anna Marie and I borrowed a couple of the marina’s loaner bikes and peddled of to the Historic District. We just needed to get a bit of exercise.
We returned to the boat in about an hour, when Ray and Dave happened by to watch me perform surgery on the Nissan dinghy motor. When we were in Bull Creek a couple of days ago, it wouldn’t start. In an attempt to get it going yesterday afternoon, I tried a few tricks and some of Andrew’s carburetor cleaner spray to no avail. I’ll need to disassemble it. I still think the carb must have gummed up.
With the help of Ray and Dave, the carburetor was removed. Only a few parts fell out but we were able to deduce their proper places when we put the carb back. Whew!
We discovered that this engine does not have a needle valve. The carburetor seemed to be very clean. We made sure all the orifices were cleared and put the unit back on the engine, without having removed the bowl. I was afraid small pieces would pop out and that we wouldn’t know where to put them. There's nothing like having left over parts after a project like this. We hoped this cleaning process would allow the engine to fire. The good news is that we learned how to remove the carb and that we could do it in about 5 minutes should we need to remove it again.
As you might have guessed, try as we might, the engine would not start. We could get it to fire, but it would not keep running. By this time, Andrew arrived and he suggested we remove the carburetor and then the bowl. Once off the motor, Andrew removed the bowl from the carburetor. We found a float valve rather than a needle valve. Andrew removed the pivot pin and took out the float valve. A small piece fell off and Andrew asked if any of us noticed the orientation of the piece. It might be important when we put it back together. As it turns out, the orientation did not matter as the piece functioned properly in either of the two possible positions.
With the float removed, Andrew found a gummed up bowl. He cleaned it out and also found what appeared to be a bit of sand. The bowl was cleaned up, reattached to the carb which was reattached to the motor. All the hoses were reconnected. We mounted the engine of the stern rail, put in a thimble full of fuel and pulled on the cord. It started right up and kept running! Success? Seems so!! We lowered the dinghy, attached the motor, started it and allowed it to run for ten minutes before closing the fuel switch. Success indeed!
Once the tools were put away, we all marched up the gang plank to Sea Jays for dinner. The food was good, but paled in comparison to the camaraderie we share. This is cruising!
Arial view of Jekyll Harbor Marina, Jekyll Island, GA
View Larger Map
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