The West wind is pushing us ever closer to the concrete seawall.
I compensate.
Our venerable, meaning old, 8hp Evinrude sputters a bit.
A twist of the throttle brings a surge of speed.
Almost out of the channel now-free of concrete but approaching
sandy shallows port and starboard.
Then ....... Mr. E, as he is known with affection and occasional consternation-
Sputters and quits.
The West wind belches a lusty gust.
Linda begins to raise HideAway's jib.
I glance at the motor and see the gas line dangling from the transom....
Again.
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| Evinrude/Johnson gas line connector |
Let's just state that the hose recently was replaced after becoming brittle with age.
Part of the sailing culture is knowing how to pinch pennies until they squeal. My effort to keep this fine tradition alive and well consisted of purchasing a new gas line assembly at an "marine"establishment that also sells vegetables.
Much to my dismay the new hose had the same problem as the old- An owner with too few brain cells left over from the 60s.
Then it struck me - No, really, it did. I dropped the hose on my foot and noticed that silver thingie on top of the black connector and deduced that it may have some function. I was having a good day.
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| Aftermarket OMC Evinrude Johnson gas line connector |
That little tab by the big red arrow can be bent to engage the blurry slot by the smaller red arrow. (you didn't expect a sharp image did you? Where's the fun in that?)
Turns out that if you bend the small tab just so it will take the dangle out of your hose for a good long while.
Motoring down the Gulfport channel will never be the same
