So, this month was going to be the month we finally got out during this incredible hot, sunny weather to sail around the gorgeous inlets and hang out with whales. We gathered all the equipment we would need, no mean feat after a major move. Freedive suits, masks, snorkels, fins, fishing gear, spare parts for the engine, repaired dinghy and kayak, camping gear, camera and sound recording gear including hydrophone to listen for whale communications. All was pulled from boxes and bins that we’d stashed away in corners of the house.

We were planning an itinerary with food, water and fuel refills when we took the Parrot ship out for a test run after months of sitting in the Powell River harbour. There wasn’t a lot of wind but we had a gentle sail and motored back to our slip in the harbour. She seemed to be running OK but wouldn’t move into a slow idle. So a few days later we tried to adjust the idle mixture and throttle screw on the old Zenith 68 carburetor of the good ol’ Atomic 4 [industrial WWII designed gas engine].

I noticed some pink colour on the carburetor. There was a little around the choke and throttle tubes as well. Oh oh – you guessed it – gas leak. There wasn’t much but neither of us was willing to take a chance that it wouldn’t get worse. Not wishing to blow the boat up we phoned our salty old mentor Michael Smith to ask his advice. “Carburetor needs a tuneup. Get a kit and we can do it in the garage here at the apartment. It’s a simple carburetor, won’t take very long.” Famous last words….