Boats are said to need constant attention as things break frequently. The combination of many complex systems aboard, humidity, sea water, and constant motion is hard on them. Everything I ever read or heard repeated the mantra of “always something to fix” and so far my own experience confirms that. And that is not a reflection on JACE in particular.

When you are in good spirits and full of energy, those setbacks are easy to handle; a bit annoying but also challenges that, once overcome, grow the confidence in your ability to handle this adventure.

But honestly, right now it is a bit much!

Being alone again after Matt’s departure is a little sad to begin with. I now have ten days before I have to be back in Grenada, which isn’t really enough time to venture any further than I have already gone. So I am an unsure how to best use the time and therefore am a bit demotivated. And the grey and rainy weather that started Wednesday isn’t helping either.

In that context boat issues become much zmore taxing. Upon our departure in Union Island the anchor windlass is once again barely functional. The charging mechanism for the dedicated windlass battery under the forward berth isn’t kicking in. Even while Matt was still here we tried to troubleshoot it with only mixed success. Now I continue, thankfully with Aaron’s remote support, and end up forcing a permanent connection by bypassing the electrical component that seems to be the heart of the issue. So at least I can anchor!

Since it’s been cloudy and the solar panels haven’t gotten enough juice into the main batteries, I try to run the generator. But that shuts itself down after a minute with an obscure low voltage warning. Despite much internet research and reaching out to the island’s certified tech for our brand of generator, the system remains out of commission. The expert never respond and I just can’t figure it out by myself. Hopefully the sun will return and we will eventually hear back from the guy.

On Thu I decide to once again make the long sail up to Carriacou. I have an idea for how to use the time and need to get up there for it. More to come on that – if my idea works out.

The sky is grey and later turns dark and menacing (photo) and then dumps wind and rain on me just before I reach my destination. It’s been 7 hours and I am ready to arrive and relax.

Unfortunately, the first thing I discover after dropping anchor is that the fresh water pump once again has stopped working. Oh boy!

You might remember, it was in this same location just some two weeks ago that I replaced the old pump with a new one due to a bad pressure switch. Well, that new pump now fails! I am annoyed.

Instead of relaxing I spend all afternoon and late into the night trying to determine the cause and find a fix. Once again, the pump itself is fine but the pressure switch (that activated the pump when the water pressure drops once a faucet is opened) is not starting the pump. Sweating profusely, I end up disassembling the whole pump and trying all sorts of tricks but nothing seems to work.

On Friday morning, grudgingly, I go to the same marine store and buy another $130 pump. It’s the last one and the packaging clearly shows this pump has been used and probably returned before. But the store manager is not willing to listen. What options do I have? So I buy it anyway.

Aboard I replace the pump and – sure enough – the “new” pump isn’t working. It’s the same problem, the pump is fine but the pressure switch is bad. Now I am fuming and anger gets ahold of me. I recall all my mindfulness training to calm down and after a few more unsuccessful attempts, pack it back up and dinghy back ashore to return it. At first the store manager says no but I manage to touch the right buttons with him – or just intimidate him – and he acquiesces and returns my money.

Back on the boat I still don’t have fresh water. One last attempt at the old new pump is made and my patience and perseverance is rewarded, at least partially. That pump now seems to work somewhat. Only at half its output and in a stuttering manner and I don’t trust it. Let’s see how long this holds up. I have a week until I get back to Grenada and hopefully find a better quality pump there. But I doubt my stuttering pump will last that long and in my mind I already see myself returning early. Well, you will read all out it.

Meanwhile I had a bit of sun and the house battery bank is back up to 66% charged. But I am getting low on water and can’t run the water maker until I get a clear sunny day. Hopefully tomorrow.

As you can tell, I am a bit frustrated and my motivation is at a bit of a low point. Hopefully that will change soon.

Thankfully, a while ago, I had decided to take a short break from cruising and fly to Germany for Christmas to spend time with Karin and my family. That will be a welcome change of pace and scenery and I am looking forward to it.