Red Herring's new motor

 

$3000 (Australian $$) for a new mercury ten HP motor or a new diamond ring for your girlfriend, you decide which is best sis (or bro)... cuz

What I can report is following the instructions in the operation manual for breaking the engine in first two hours. That was after installation of motor using a different boat to ferry motor over the water to Red Herring about two weeks ago (actually around the national holiday on the 26th now known as invasion day by the extremely corrupt locals). I bought a little box of beer for both guys each and went for a sail subsequent to that with one of the guys and his crew buddy and wife on his yacht, like last Wednesday or the one before can't remember which). On the third hour and following pressure from the boy (almost ten years old and fast becoming a sailor after various months of Sunday morning sailing school, goodbye churches, you won't notice we're gone, with your constant carolling about lamb). On the third hour off we went, untying from the mooring after five months of not doing so. The girls were there too sans the loudest and noisiest one (they momma), after kids completed their first three kids altogether* boat sleepover (youngest kid on starboard couch). Moi at bow and eldest two kids on portside double couch where I'd normally sleep alone, super comfy). 

We did not go far, being in somewhat of a hurry, but we did not need to kayak to shore either. With middle to high or high to middle tide, we have enough depth to move Red Herring to the floating clubhouse pontoon. So that's what we did after a brief motor around. Good news is this motor has a six year warranty so I won't be likely to leave her for long over the next six to ten years.

One of the clubhouse homies was there to help and Red Herring tied on there for the first time under ownership of moi. Kids alighted and we got my pink donuts from the fridge. Scarlet did a pretty solid British faux accent asking for some kind of food just prior to. I made myself a coffee. After a while and some advice from another clubhouse member (lady in her 50s looking, Danish sounding, potential babysitter) about tying on, the original clubhouse homie (this guy has four boys, wow) untied Red Herring and shoved her out and I motored her back into position, leaving three kids (*department of shock and awe) at clubhouse about twenty minutes or so. I picked up the mooring buoy with my hook poll thang, motoring into the wind. Engaging reverse gear a little at the end. Tidied up and kayaked back to shore leaving the smaller, secondary kayak tied to starboard bow for next time (normally stays on shore, whatever).

 

With about three hours on the engine, the instructions are for the next seven hours to only use full throttle for five minutes per hour for the next seven hours then whatever for the life of the engine. Full speed ahead is noticeably quicker (like double speed) than the inboard diesel motor. Was pretty nervous and reluctant to take her off the mooring buoy after all these months but have to get into the swing of it.