Published 04/26/2025
Up at 7 (yes we slept in! Breakfast, bible reading and then get into the day. Today we will do an oil change.
Well that oil change is done. There are few jobs on a sailboat I hate more. This one is probably at the top of the list. It is not like a car, there is no way to get a pan under the drain plug, which is why there is no drain plug. So, you ask, how do you get the oil out? With a pump that has a hose that you stick down the tube for the dip stick. First step warm up the engine to make the oil thinner and make sure the “junk” is in solution. Then pump out the oil, 6.3 liters, then take the oil filter off, of course it is screwed in on the side so that you will absolutely spill at least half the oil in the filter under the engine. Next up is put the oil filter back on, then add the oil. Of course it’s a diesel so you have to find oil for a diesel (that took 3 autocrats store to get last time. So, I have the oil. Next up the oil is in a 5 liter jug, but they only fill it to 4.7 liters. No, I don’t have a reason for that. The next thing is to pour the oil from the jug into the engine. Space is at a premium on a boat, so no there is not room to pour it easily. Ok, all the oil is in now do the cleanup. Of course the bottom of the engine room is further down than my arms reach, so, I can’t just wipe up the spilled oil. But I got it done.
Now, what do you do with the oil? We are in a marina and we asked they said bring it to the office and we will take care of it. YEAH!!! That is the easy part. Total time from start to finish 5 hours. What a pain!
After a shower, I took the oil up to the supervisor and it was gone. Probably the easiest part.
Then to Padre Santo (micro brewery) for a beer and waiting for the rest of the cruisers to come up. Joe, Vanessa, Reneé and I played some cards and chatted then around 5 we walked up to the Chinese restaurant at the top of the hill. After dinner back for more discussion at Padre Santo.
We turned in about 9 pm.
