I am NOT an engine person, but when you have a sailboat with an engine, its kind of a requirement to become at least somewhat of an engine person. I used to look at my engine as a faraway exotic land, with customs I could only dream about understanding. As time has gone on though, and through the guidance of one of my dearest friends and mentors, Thomas, I have started to learn her foreign ways. The best way for me to learn is first hand. I should be careful what I wish for, though, because with two back to back overheating issues, I got a crash hands on course recently.

Yesterday I was returning from a weekend in Catalina with my amazing friends/crew, and about 5 minutes out of the Isthmus, we over heated...AGAIN. Smoke was pouring out and my temperature gauge was pegged. I had just had the engine fixed, so it was beyond disconcerting. Anyway, with a speaker phone tutorial from Thomas, and support from my crew in handling my boat in super light wind (a little too close to land for comfort), I troubleshooted and fixed the problem. Some would say that the problem itself might have been my biggest stress, but it was actually my fear of getting sick while working down below in swelly warm conditions (sadly I get sick sometimes, and when it happens on my own boat I get so upset), thankfully that did not happen this time, and I was able to replace the spewed coolant and broken belt and get the old girl singing again! Sounds simple, and in fact it is, but being my first time attempting such a feat, it felt huge. Anyway, I feel really grateful for the experience and as always am happy when my boat is all fixed up and healthy!

wondering how in the hell I am going to get this thing to fit :-)

the ladies holding down the fort and sneaking photos while I got my hands dirty :-)