Whenever we arrive in a new spot, I usually end up sleeping for a good few hours once the anchor monitor is set. The first order of business is usually a shower and groceries.

Then, depending on how long we’ll be in this spot, I’ll run a thorough system check to make sure everything is working properly. And then another system check before we leave.

One thing I’m not too good at is doing the more frequent system checks when we’re sitting on a mooring for months at a time. And this is indeed a serious oversight because emergencies happen: we could face a weather or environmental evacuation, or a family emergency requiring us to move. Lots of things could happen.

And a week before we were leaving, I checked our oil, and she’s BONE DRY. Not a drop of oil in the motor.

On the bottom, instead of the normal drain plug, our engine has what’s referred to as a “banjo,” which, if you’re not vigilant, can get knocked loose and then, boom, all of your engine oil is in the bilge. Luckily, I knew this, and we kept absorbent pads under the motor and in the bilge “just in case,” but I did swear about 3-4 years ago, “never again,” and well, it happened again.

The last time this happened, I didn’t understand just how troublesome the “banjo” could be. Not only did we lose just one engine’s worth of oil, but I filled it back up, and the whole thing drained in a matter of days.

This time I had a feeling and fixed the issue BEFORE I added more oil.

I’m getting really excited for our Electric Engine Aspirations. The new hope is that with some teamwork, meaning all three of us saving as hard as we can, we should be able to afford to do the swap next fall or winter. Even including some significant (25%) buffer for possible inflation. My thought is that a 25% contingency fund should be more than enough.

Then, of course, I’ll spend the next two years paying the boys back for their contribution. Interest-free since I’ll also be covering their living expenses for the whole time.

I’m really looking forward to making this happen; this fall and winter have just been a reminder of how horrible I am with diesel engines.