Peter's Lucky Day

You may recall that we had a malfunctioning water pump which we planned to replace.

Eventually we left the luxury of Treasure Cay and sailed to Marsh Harbor so we could see about getting a new one, or at least some parts.

We were somewhat disheartened to learn that a new pump would cost $349 plus $150 for shipping plus a 7 percent "stamp tax." Mercifully, the 35 percent duty would be waived because it is a necessary boat part. That was what it would cost to have the part sent from the US.

On the other hand, we learned that there was a Yanmar Dealer in Marsh Harbor. Fellow cruisers told us we might be able to get parts there. So after a strong cold front kept us boat bound for a day, we headed ashore and walked a mile or so to Marsh Harbor Boat Yard.

There we found the most accomodating folks who cheerfully looked up all the numbers for our pump that needed to be replaced. Ian, one of the employees told us we'd have to wait for Victor, the parts guy to come back from an errand before they could tell us whether the parts were in stock or whether they would have to be ordered.

We hung out at the marina for a while waiting for Victor to arrive back "in the black pickup truck," wondering what the odds were that all the little parts we needed would be on hand. If so, we would be back in business.

As we strolled the docks we admired a pretty schooner named the William H. Albury, a charter vessel, which I believe was built here in the Abacos in 1963. It is a recreation of a 19th-century working schooner that can be chartered for six-day journeys throughout the Abacos. If you think you'd like to sail away on a schooner, you can buy it for a mere $220 grand!

Eventually, we spotted Victor arriving at the marina office so we walked back to see what would happen. Victor disappeard into the back room and came back a few minutes later. "If I were you, I'd go straight to the casino," he said. "It's your lucky day!"
Not only did he have all the parts we needed, but the bill came to a meager $34.00! We felt lucky indeed that our problem had been solved so easily!