Day 6 - Dinghy Day

When you are anchored in a creek instead of resting in a slip at the dock, a dinghy is a life line that gets you to land and back; therefore, for any sail boat necessary accessories inlcude a dinghy and outboard motor.

While John worked at the computer attempting to finish a laste minute work assignment (the ump-teenth one), I spent the morning preparing the dinghy for launch--rolling it out on the dock, blowing it up with 12 volt air pump and finishing with the foot pump, applying the registration numbers, and attaching the lines. All John had to do was launch the little floater and take us for a test run. He launched the dinghy with grace and dignity.

With Fred and JoeJoe zipped into their yellow life jackets, we piled into TTJB (tender to j-bird) and Johon started the engine and took us out into Back Creek. I assumed that he knew how to use an outboard motor since he's always talking about how he worked on cars as a youth. He also dropped quips about parts and necessary liquids as if he were some kind of expert. But, it was an OMG experience when,several times, he unexpectedly down throttled and killed the engine as the wind pushed us into the grassy shore. Fred and JoeJoe started barking, I began coaching and John reached for the oars. That was when I learned he only rowed a boat once in his life.

We avoided disaster when he rowed us far enough away from shore to restart the engine without the prop getting stuck in the mud. As we put-tputted around the creek, he told me he'd never been in such a small boat, nor had he ever operated an outboard motor. I laughed and asked if I might take the helm of TTJB. He readily agreed. As I steered us around, the engine lost power. What had happened? We limped back to the dock speculating on possible causes and cures.

Once back at the dock, a passing sailor saw our deliberations and suggested we check the gas tank. I opened the gas tank. It seems that John didn't fill tank quite full enough. It was dry as a bone. We laughed, we sighed. Another learning experience, but a good one.