The Boat Whisperer

     Most of the time when I wake up at night, it's to go to the bathroom. I seem to have to do that more often these days.  Has something to do with getting older.  But sometimes when I wake up in the night, it is because I have just had a brilliant idea. Last night was an example.

     My boat talks to me all the time.  The problem is I am too often not listening to what Crossroads is trying to tell me. Can't tell you how many times I have ignored a simple sign sent to me by my boat.  I could give you a few paragraphs on this topic right now, but why bother?  You already know I'm a fool!

      Anyway, I am learning to listen more and more. Question:  Why has the bilge pump occasionally been kicking on of late?  It doesn't normally do this.  No big deal, just a few times a day. But yesterday I decided to check around and search for leaks.  Especially since the big leak at the rudder post 2 weeks ago.  I poked around checking the usual suspects.  Found none!  Hmmm....

     We have had lots of rain but it hasn't rained now for 2 days.  What could it be?
At around 3 AM I woke up and the answer came to me clear as a bell.  The thru-hull that controls cooling water to the engine is open.  Hmmm...let's close that and see what happens.  So I did.  I know there is at least one person out there right now saying: "You mean you didn't do that already?"  (Didn't say I was the sharpest knife in the drawer). (I think I also went to the bathroom).  I turned the valve off and drifted back off to sleep with no pump interruption for the rest of the night.

     This morning I woke up, and within 5 minutes I'd located the culprit. A leaky hose on the engine was dripping in a way that wasn't easy to notice. Problem now discovered and I am relieved to know the hull doesn't have a secret leak somewhere. I put Napa on my errand list for a new hose and slapped some bacon on the griddle! This day was off to a good start!

PS: How about those Syracuse Orangemen squeaking by Duke in a thriller. Guess who's #1 in the nation?  I like Manning and Denver to prevail tonight.