Finally, some answers

I have been trying to figure out just why Jim had been suggesting that I stay out of the engine room. His ideas about maintenance are different than mine, no doubt, especially the part about doing it at night or while I'm driving the boat. He has schedules for everything, an hourmeter that tells him when to change the oil and show each engine signs of affection, for example. I can't imagine waiting for some clock telling me when to shine the anchor, but I guess that's the way he plans to keep the boat running forever.

I personally believe that the prudent mariner lets his/her engine(s) speak to him/her about maintenance without reading that pesky (and boring) manual. For example, your motor will tell you when the oil needs to be changed long after the recommended interval by making REALLY loud knocking noises. (Just think of the money you save!) Fuel filter issues are only important when the engine stops. Why clean your raw water filter until the engine overheats? So I usually even don't go down there, especially since I now have to move the piano, and look what I discovered last time I was there. And I do all my maintenance while on autopilot. I set it to follow these twisty rivers and go down in the engine room. That way I don't hear all the bad words other boaters yell at me while they scramble to get out of my way. Real boaters can tell bad diesel by tasting it. (You can't tell the difference between water and diesel?)

But today while Jim was driving I did some more checking. I found yet another access to the engine room, a hatch from room #233B, coincidentally the room Jim is sleeping in. I went down there through that entrance and found the machine depicted in the photo. (I bet you were wondering just when/how I was going to work in that photo, right?) I think I finally figured out what is going on. It's hooked up to a generator wired to Tricia Ann's (you don't know what the boat's name is by now?) battery bank. I think Jim is forcing Westin to manually power us electrically. The really disgusting thing about this is that considering that this boat has a total of 960 horsepower, and that since a human generates about one fifth of a horsepower, Westin has to work 4800 hours for every hour we are on plane! No wonder he's so thin.

So why is he down there at all? Why doesn't he show himself when I go down? Why doesn't Jim give me his version instead of letting me assume the worst? Why doesn't the stock market go up?

The few answers I have made my tooth better.