We got up early to weigh anchor and leave Suva for Robinson Crusoe Island. Unfortunately, we could not get our engine to start. The starter was turning the engine over, but it was weak and did not have the power to start it.
We spent the morning stripping the boat down and examining all the connection on the wires to and from the starting batteries, startin motor, and switches and found no significant corrosion. We concluded that it must be the batteries themselves (they are 4 years old and due for a replacement). So it was back into Suva for yet another set of new batteries from our friends at Clay's Energy Shop.
Unfortunately, when we went to put the outboard motor on the dinghy, we noticed it was leaking oil from its tattletale hole. So we had to spend even more time dissecting that before heading to shore.
Turns out they had batteries (720 CCA) that closely matched the ones we had before (870 CCA), so we picked those up and had some lunch at the Yacht Club before heading back.
We all crossed our fingers as we installed the new batteries and tried starting the engine again, and we were relieved to hear that wonderful sound of the diesel engine running again.
We will attempt to leave again tomorrow!
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