The Eight Horsepower Demon

Here in Mexico, inanimate things come alive, and animate beings are constantly giving over their control to the fates. We are in the same boat, so to say, and our fates seem to be given over to a very stubborn eight horsepower Yamaha outboard engine.

This little demon is supposed to be powering our dinghy, so that we can go ashore from an anchorage, or explore the coastline. But for the past two months, it has been running on one cylinder only. Three Mexican mechanics, each highly recommended, have tried in vain to repair it - one in Mazatlan, a second in Barra Navidad, and a third in Puerto Vallarta. No luck. The demon refuses to run properly.  Tomorrow we will head back to La Paz, where we will either find a mechanic or arrange an exorcism - or both!

Our friend Christina suggests that the goddess (mother earth) is our punishing us for purchasing a two stroke motor. These lightweight, easy-starting motors are no longer manufactured in the United States, because they run on gas and oil mixed, and are a significant source of pollution.  After years of handling the much heavier four stroke engines, we opted for the little two stroke to make our boat life easier.  The little 8hp demon is laughing away on the stern.