Bora Bora with problems

July 31, 0900
Tied to pier off of Bloody Mary's

Aloha everyone, sorry it has been a few days. We left for Bora Tuesday, motored mostly, except for last hour when some wind came thru, along with some rain. We sailed into the lagoon and headed for MaiKai Marina, hoping to get a mooring. However, none was to be had so we motored up to Bloody Mary's, picked up mooring and had delightful dinner. Wed. morning, the plan was to motor back to MaiKai and pick look for mooring, but engine would not start. I spent time doing everything I could, but no luck. We eventually got a local mechanic out here, while Friend and Karin toured, but aside from not being able to speak English, he couldn't figure anything out. We talked to management of the restaurant, who is from Big Island, and the owner had just flown in, who is from Oahu and Phoenix (like our son), and they were helpful, and recommended someone who was close by and had mutual friends with our friends. Anyway, spent the rest of afternoon working on it, to no avail. Yesterday morning, he picked us up and took us to town. My guests rented a car and went touring, along with Karin. The mechanic and I talked with another mechanic hoping he would have some ideas or willingness to help, but that didn't work. We came back to boat, got help from another boat and took Ho'o to dock where we could plug in. The mechanic worked on engine some more and we finally got it going using the starting spray. We thought problem may be related to a bad injector, so we replaced it with the only spare I had. Did not improve things. We were able to restart things a number of times without spray. I was hoping this morning it would start easily, but no luck. Mechanic should be showing up soon, and we will try the spray. Will need to get back to Raiatea, and see mechanic there. This certainly has been frustrating! Anyway, we will let you know what happens. (Mechanic just showed up, got engine started again with the magic spray. He is to return in a few hours to test a few more things) Aloha, David

----
This e-mail was delivered via satellite phone using GMN's XGate software.
Please be kind and keep your replies short.