Wednesday, 17 September
All things come to he who waits.
Whoever authored that must’ve been a sailor. Let’s face it, whether it’s wind, weather, tide or in today’s case, diesel parts, you can’t rush it. It’ll be there when it’s there.
Once again tucked among the big boats and racers.
Kevin the parts guy doesn’t start at Fawcett’s ‘til 0830. That left plenty of time for a cup o’ Joe, vigorous walk, more caffeine and digging into lockers for the tool bag, box of wrenches, clamps, bag of oil absorbent pads and disposable gloves foreseen as needed for the impending task.
The only thing lacking was the replacement housing for the Racor and, on our 0832 call, Kevin the Parts Guy assured it would be delivered shortly, that there’d be a call Tom the Delivery Man (no last name) to coordinate time and place.
Spirits thusly buoyed, breakfast could be savored and enjoyed. After all, any minute, the phone would ring, it would be Tom and the work could commence. Any minute.
An hour passed, an hour-and-a-half. No call from Tom. Nor could Kevin be raised, only a facsimile of his voice promising to call back “as soon as I can.” A message having been left earlier, a more direct approach seemed in order. By this time, there was reason to wonder whether Tom’s last name might be Godot.
Shiny new and nary a leak. Ain’t she a beaut?
The call went to Fawcett’s.
“May I speak with Tom, please?”
There was much time spent on hold hearing NOAA’s marine forecasts for various part of the Chesapeake Bay, interrupted briefly by intermediaries, before talking at last with Tom. There was something about his just waiting for some paperwork. He’d “be leaving in five-to-seven-minutes.” We were to meet next door at WhalerTowne.
Waddya know? At 1100 hours, Tom was there, with a new Racor and, best of all, it appeared to be the correct size and model. How crazy is that?
The plan of attack was reviewed over lunch, work commenced and at 1515, Red was roused from her slumber, cranked and fired, humming her happy tune as ever before. She spent some time at idle, then in gear under load. No leaks, in either mode.
So far. We’ll see. This is no time for bravado. Nope. It’s more like the man said:
All things come to he who waits.
Steadfast out.
At Sea with Steadfast 
Bill and Kate, This kind of situation is maddening to be sure. I venture to say that all of us…those in your circle…have been there a time or two by virtue of our length of time on this planet. Nonetheless, it’s comedic when one reads your posts. So, for all your frustrations, please know that, “it makes for a good story,” and with your facility with the language, much amusement for others. With that, and the fact that Red is running, your work here is finished.
We agree with JB! We love your writing style. Your situation has been experienced by every sailor on earth, or shall we say, at sea. All this happening in Annapolis at least you could walk about admiring the city. If you want to poke around and have time, why not get over to Whitehall Bay and explore Rideout Creek. That’s where we kept the Entre Nous for quite some time at the Dodd’s property on the left. It’s a two story historic red brick house high on a grassy hill. It’s a beautiful and quiet place to anchor. You’re getting closer to us all the time. Best wishes from Uncle Will and me.
Great post, Captain Bill. Seems we both spent the day in the engine compartment. We laughed out loud over the Tom Godot comment! Love your blog!