Actually not that expensive, thanks to TowBoatUS.

Last summer in Maine we had diesel problems. After many hours of motoring (yes, Jim, true sailing is dead) the Westerbeke would slowly demand lower and lower revs. The first time led to a challenging but fun beat through Eastern Way to SW Harbor where ToddD was waiting with a mooring. The primary filter was ugly and I changed it. On the long slog south, the problem resurfaced nearing Isles of Shoals. Filters fine. Then crossing Mass Bay, the problem returned late in the day after Boston Harbor. Cruising is supposed to be free of schedules and deadlines. We could have stopped somewhere and found a mechanic the next day. Or continued slowly for a few more days. But some people had committments. And would it finally shut down or continue working for few few hours a day? Would it fail entering a harbor?

So called TowBoatUS. When asked where would I like to be towed, I said, unh, Onset? After a pause they replied, sure. We were picked up off Scituate about sunset, hitting the canal exactly wrong, making it a slooow transit. We grabbed our mooring at about 2:30 am.

Many people felt it was a fuel pickup-problem, but I'm inclined to think it's somethiing that heats up and fails after many hours. A new fuel pump awaits warmer weather. The problem never shows in Buzzards Bay with no extended hours of motoring. Went to Cutty later in the season with no issues.