In late April, I brought my wife down to Oriental to see the boat for the first time. It had been cold when I bought the boat and we felt that I should spiff her up a bit before introducing her to June.
The Ericson's interior was looking much better with the new upholstery and the fancy new Thetford Curve porta-potty was a sorely needed upgrade.
The first night, we confirmed my fears about the v-berth - only a young, skinny, deeply in lust couple can share it comfortably. Sleeping feet to bow requires an acrobatic maneuver to exit the berth that neither of us can perform at this stage of life. Attempting this maneuver with another person in the berth can lead to bruises and bloody noses - particularly in the dark of night when nature calls. Catheterization was not an option. Separate sleeping compartments are definitely required for us.
I had cleaned oil from the bilge on the previous trip so I checked and topped off the engine oil before motoring out of Smith Creek to the Neuse the next morning. I also made an effort to clean the floor of the tight engine compartment so I could tell where the leak was coming from on our return.
Following the usual 15-20 minute ritual to get the Atomic 4 started, we had a nice couple of hours on the river in light winds. Both June and Buddy settled in comfortably.
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| June & Buddy enjoy a leisurely sail |
On our return to the slip, I examined the engine compartment floor and found abundant evidence of a leak. I checked the oil dip stick and quickly discovered that all the oil was now in the bilge.
I called Deaton's Yacht Service and asked John Deaton to tow the boat into their yard to figure out what the problem was.
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