This is not for the faint of heart or those sensitive to man’s inhumanity to himself. If you think you may fall into either of those categories, do not read further.
My day started out pretty darn nice... I was up early and it was a beautiful morning: clear, reasonably cool (73º - the coolest we’ve seen since we came home). I took Wild Blue out solo; didn’t bring a camera, so you’ll have to trust me that it was one of the prettiest mornings on the water in a long time. The tide was high, the water flat, the dolphins were frisky, the pelicans were diving, birds flying and skimming the water - just a wonderful time to be out on the water. I cruised out into the Gulf and ran a mile or so offshore along South Padre Island (32’ of depth at that distance); there was about a three foot swell with a very long period - you almost had to stop the boat to feel any movement in the water.
I stopped at Dirty Al’s (bait shop and restaurant), but they are closed for the next few days; breakfast would have to wait until I came back in. Up the ship channel, I put the autopilot on and stood in front of the open center window, cruising at about 5 knots (and burning just under 1 gallon per hour). Truly beautiful.
Back at our dock, I tied off Wild Blue. Joan came out and said, “I’m just about to take muffins out of the oven.” Good timing.
The wiper arm came in today. Just before we were heading to a movie. We haven’t been to a show in months, and Joan wanted to see The Heartbreak Kid. I remember the original with Charles Grodin and Cybil Sheppard... should be fun.
OK, the movie isn’t going to win any Oscars, but it was entertaining and the popcorn was good. I couldn’t wait to get home and finish the wiper project. Out on the bow of the boat, I discovered that there are infinite adjustments to the wiper arm... and no instructions (of course). I spent the better part of a half hour messing with it and then got ready to mount it on the boat. All went well ‘till I had Joan turn on the wiper - according to the internet instructions for the motor, I had it set to park to the right... it didn’t “park” at all and swung to the left.
Frankly, I figured I’d have to mess with it to get it right. I pulled like crazy and couldn’t get the arm off. Arrrrgggggggghhhhhhh!!!! I put on some heavy leather gloves to get more traction and pulled for another 15 minutes or so before it finally came off. I remounted it further to the right and had Joan turn it on again... it swung through about a 30º arc. I really, really hate this. Of course, we were back into the hottest part of the day... we decided to take the damn thing back off, open the motor back up (inside the house where it’s cool) and try yet again to reset it for parking and degrees of swing. With everything disconnected on the outside of the boat, I went back inside to unhook the wiper motor wiring. And heard a “splash”.
Yep, the new wiper arm went into the water. I really can’t tell you how much I hate this. We dug and poked into the murky water with boat poles... no joy. Friends of ours were going by and had to come see what we were up to. They ran back to their house to get a rake and a big net. Still no joy. I could see what I was going to have to do.
We have owned here for 9 years. During that time I have never gotten into the water in the canals. I have seen the skank that makes its way in and out of these canals: (in no particular order of disgustingness) cigarette butts, used diapers, tampons, condoms. I gritted my teeth and got into my wetsuit and hard-sole booties. I really hate this. To add injury to the insult, the bottom is full of razor-sharp oyster shells. I climbed down the swim ladder on the boat and swam around to the side. Right at the dock, I could stand; I felt in the muck and oysters with my foot. Nothing but muck and oysters. I pulled my mask on, took a breath, and went down to the bottom, feeling my way around. On the 7th time down - paydirt! I handed the muddy wiper arm to Joan and swam back to the swim step of the boat. I stripped out of the wetsuit and hosed myself off on the dock. I really hate this. I hosed the muck off the wiper arm and my gloves and booties. At this point, all I wanted to do was go inside and take a very long, very hot shower.
This was day three of messing with this wiper motor replacement. I will go after it again in the morning. Yes, there are some things better left to professionals... sure wish I had a dealer within 1,000 miles.... then, he could hate doing this stuff, but at least get paid for it.
Tomorrow, I plan to open the motor up again, reset it again, fit the arm onto it in the house and wire it up to a 12v battery to make sure it is set right. When I know it is, I’ll mark the spot on the motor shaft and then go do it all again on the boat. Well, that’s the plan. :disgust
I keep hearing Forrest Gump's words in my head... "Stupid is as stupid does." :crook
That Magic Bullet is electric, too! :wink: 
But, that quit after a couple months on the first motor... I really hope this doesn't mean I'll only see a couple months on this replacement. :shock: 