Movin' on - through Georgia

HI All

We left Brunswick yesterday at noon and got to an anchorage somewhere by 7;30. Had dinner and crashed. Today we are stuck in an anchorage at the edge of the Ogeechee River about 15 miles south of Savannah Georgia, because we couldn't get across it. Storm with 20 -30 k east wind vs an outgoing tide reduced us to 2 knots .So we turned around and came back to a protected anchorage. We are waiting for it to die down but it may be morning before that happens.  We were worried that the furling jobs might be the next victims...motor sailing into it. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

Miss Debbie- didn't bother answering the radio, just pushed on past

No wonder we can't read the damned numbers!

Enough already!!!!

Big barge -- tiny little channel

Tucked into a lovely marina...hard to leave

Monday- Wednesday

Monday

We are sitting in a quiet anchorage 10 miles south of Fernandina Beach. we were launched and off the dock by 2pm and decided to stay inside because we needed to be able to pull over if there was a problem. So we motor sailed this far in about 3 hours. Tomorrow morning we will do a re-alignment of the motor because there is a slight wobble...not a big deal,...except that its hard to move a 200 lb engine a fraction of an inch
I am hoping that we can get a bit further north so it might STOP RAINING! I think we're turning into mushrooms.

I would post the pics of our launch and the boat yard but guess what? We just discovered that the camera SD card didn't work today! Oh, and apparently we parked under the Fernandina Airport flyway...who knew??

Those of you who might be Trekkies of the Voyager kind will remember the episodes called "the Year of Hell" THis is starting to feel a lot like that !

Tuesday

2pm and we are in Georgia...finally. It took til 10:30 this morning to align the motor ...still not right ..think we'll be doing this every morning til we get home or get it right whichever comes first... trouble is the Yanmar book says one thing , the Silette drive book says another and then there's Calder...oh well... but we got the camera working !

So its 700 pm and we are at anchor after 3 tries in the hardpan off mile 695. Stupid winds are running at 26-20 knots...so much for predict wind or windy or anybody else that said we'd have no wind...but it keeps the batteries charged and the flies away. We only did 30 miles roday. Both of us are so paranoid about this drive and so stressed from worrying about it that we can't seem to get our speed up. We also have a smaller prop again. But today we were running at 2300 rpms and the fuel consumption was better. We also had the genoa out so the wind was helping a bit.

Wednesday

We can't seem to get the drive lined up properly with the tranny so we are going to look for a mechanic in in Brunswick to try to do an alignment.every little noise has us in panci mode so ts better to get a pro look at it. There no sense in spending two hours every morning trying to get this done, and we would rather pay a mechanic to do it right than spend another 400 Br,pounds and shipping for another couple when we get home and hope we haven't ruined this drive!

Hey kids we are going past Jekyll Island... the turtle hospital. but we are not stopping there... maybe next time.Lovely morning , heading to Brunswick and hoping to find a mechanic to help us...of course nothing is open yet so don't expect an answer until we get closer...just sitting enjoying the absolutely clear morning [I prob'ly shouldn't 'a said that] and killing monster horseflies while trying to eat breakfast....so far none in the coffee the joys of swamp travel LOL..and we got to watch the season finale of NCIS last night out herein the middle of nowhere...okay, I can see the outskirts of Brunswick in the distant haze. Movin' ahead one State at a time.

So have a good day everyone

Noon...at a marina where EVERYTHING IS FREE, laundry, showers , even the beer!! Except the dock fee, but its cheaper that Jacksonville. It was a great trip up here and as soon as the mechanic comes back from lunch he will come and look at the motor. we're staying for the night...maybe 2. ,

Okay...Wayne, the mechanic said to re adjust the motor mounts and then work on the coupler if necessary...so we are going to stay another night..."Luck of a Fool" is here..Dave and Mary, we met them with SeaYa in Spanish Wells 2y ears ago...Hey Q...remember the Blonde cop joke?
So this afternoon is happy hour and we are going to the lounge to visit them and all the other boaters here. It may take us three days to get it done but we know what we have to do, And Wayne said he would help if he could get the time...he's REALLY busy! But this will work!!!!

SUnday

Sunday May 20

So not so simple a job after all. Got most of the drive attached / installed on Saturday. Went for lunch with Cheryl and Will [we met 2 years ago when Bentley [their Jack Russell] needed to go to visit the vet in Georgetown and we had a car so we gave them a ride, and I talked will into chairing the Reg.volleybll tournament]. We went to Sandollars...just across the bridge. Two hours of fun and catching up, but Bentley was tired from all his "yard-sale-ing" so he didn't come.  I had honey-bourbon Atlantic salmon with wild rice [not really --just brown rice] and Rick had prime rib sandwich and fries.  Lunch was so good we didn't need supper.

We came back to finish working and kept going until sunset. [Sometimes it's hard to tell when it's sunset because it won't stop raining!!] Rick re-set the patch on the dinghy and it seems better now. We also had to pull the motor forward so we could change the coupler…the old one was developing a wobble so we decided to use the new one. That took time for the two of us to move 200 lbs of engine 2 inches, lay on top of it to remove a small part; hook it back up to the drive; move the engine back and THEN do a re-alignment to within .25mm. on all of the motor mounts. 

TWO Pluses now…engine mounts are still good so no need to replace and drive is installed and may just need small adjustments but no repairs.

Negatives…we drilled new holes in the motor compartment so they will all need to be sealed!

Oh, another plus…we have both memorized the Sillette drive manual and the Yanmar manual again. LOL!

 Installing the drive lock set, drilling new holes and changing the location of battery switch, took lots of time today…because it's raining again…or still.  But now the hydraulic lift works. Next, we have to rig up a tension bar to hold the drive straight because this one DIDN'T come with an adjustable drive…it's supposed to hook up directly to the rudders. We will deal with that this winter when we re-set everything. Rick "McGyver" will fix it so it works.

Hopefully we will be finished today. If we get up at 6 am and start cleaning we might be able to launch by tomorrow afternoon and be on our way…again. Right now, I'm waiting for instructions on the next job. Already changed the oil in the engine. We need to finish adding oil to the drive but we have to wait because it's waiting it's raining so we don't want water to get in it.

In the boat yard

Saturday May 18 2;30 pm

Why, you are asking, am I wasting time on the internet when I should be helping to install the new drive?

Well, because the old drive is half off...we got over here at 8:30 am waited for the USGC to get their boat out of the slip so we could be lifted. Finally around 9:30 we were hauled and dropped in the corner of the yard. And we started...got everything disconnected, started to drain the old oil. I pulled the lower plug and it spurted all over me.

As the tide started to change Rick went to the dock to move the dinghy. There was a steel rod standing in the middle of the bay and it went through thebottom of the dinghy, so we took off the motor and the gas can, and moved them up under the boat. We were going to wait 'til the tide lifted a little so we can roll the dinghy up on the fenders. Another 24 hour repair job. They said we could put it in the garage but we can't carry it that far. It weight 120 lbs. We'll find a dolly of some sort to move it.

Good plan, right? So we returned to start lifting off the drive and the mother of a thunderstorm hit...we are getting massive amounts of rain...hoping that the gravel we are sitting on is stable. It's hot as hell in the boat because of the outside temperature; the motor cover is off so Rick can reach all the coupling and drive attachments and sitting under a tarp to prevent the insulation getting get and the new drive is lying on the work bench waiting to be assembled [in the rain].

And now we are waiting for it to stop raining so we can finish taking off the old drive and start putting the new one on. And we are paying by the day for yard space....but no power [our cord won't reach...we need to borrow one], no bathroom [a port-a-potty so I'll use mine thanks] and an artesian well outdoor shower behind the shed -- no walls or door-- at the clapboard fence along the road [maybe I'll just wait 'til I get back to Canada...or go stand in the cold rain].

So by 6:00 the rain stopped. We got the drive off; prepped the dinghy for patching while the wooden plate under the old drive dried up a bit; patched the dinghy and covered it and put the new drive in place. At 8:30 we were done and ready for supper. Luckily I had left overs from the night before...rice chicken and veggies. We were asleep by 9:15.

Today we will hook up the couple to the motor; install the hydraulic lift and the lock system, then test the drive for alignment. If we're lucky, everything will fall into place. Probably not get launched today because of the fiddling to adjust the rudder control with the new drive and then get all the tools and stuff re-stowed; pack the old drive and put it somewhere, so we expect Monday unless they work Sundays here but not likely...it's a work yard, not a marina.

Last night I dreamt we were at home working already. Not sure how much more fun I can stand!

 

edge of the storm that slowed us down

Poor dinghy...so many patches

Non-stop traffic

Jacksonville ...waiting

Susan Schultz

Took a scenic tour of Florida last two days...the "fast" route was a nightmare...heavy rain and construction on I-95 and I-4 and we crawled over to Orlando...stopped for the night. OMG a bed that didn't move and a HOT shower!!

In the morning, more rain and construction and we got there at noon, so everyone was out to lunch except the "store" guys. One was completely miffed that the boss didn't go thru him to process it but the other one was really interested in our plight. This was the place that builds Catalina yachts and Gemini Catamarans.

This new drive is perfect. Its about 4 inches longer than ours; comes with everything except the oil to go in it, and even has a couple of extra parts! It came at a really good price and the shop has more pieces if we ever need them. Took secondary roads home...all slow speeds but no traffic.Got home at 7:55.

So today we collect all the oil and other things we need before we return the rental car... need to find a cheap temp freezer-cooler to preserve our food while we're out of the water. 

The storms here have been phenomenal...was fully expecting to see a tornado yesterday. We had to sit in the car for half an hour yesterday when we got back to the boat with the oil and groceries. It was raining so hard we couldn't see the boat. If we can find a dry time during the day after we return the car, we can move across the river and begin the installation.

All up the coast there are major storms and out over the ocean... right up into Canada. I'm seeing reports of flooding in the Bahamas too. The planet seems pretty angry on this side ...not looking forward to the challenge yet. Will feel better when the drive is working. A big trawler being delivered upnorth told us that two boats had already hit something in the ICW further north, so we will probably go outside to avoid stuff floating in the river. Not a decision we need to make for a couple more days. The bigger issue is to keep the freezer frozen while we haul out.  One problem at a time...

Today we did the smartest thing we've done in a long time...renewed our BOAT US membership [that we would never have had 4 years ago, if not for Derek & Julie McCallum----thank you!]. I've tried to convince RIck to renew it several times...this time I insisted and it made an impression. This ought to ensure that we have no more issues until we are completely out of the USA and Towboat jurisdiction...Lake Ontario.

Still trying to avoid major storms..these photos don't show you how black it really was because the camera compensates for low light. TOmorrow we move over to be hauled. There is another huge boat behind us breaking the waves rolling up the river in the tide. We appreciate that!!! Turned in the rental and got a ride back through the historic district...the guy who drove us back grew up in Mayport [where we are actually] so he knew all the scenic streets. Lovely town. Tonight more of same...rain, thunderstorms, wish I was driving home...oh well...hope to see Will and Cheryl {Varua} this weekend...will be a treat to see someone we know!!!

The storms are non-stop

And the camera compensates for low light so you can't tell how lack these were !

Regular weekday and night traffic

THis old lady hauls lines, handles the driving platform and directs traffic 6 hours a day! THere's hope for me yet!

Update on the problem

Update: bevelled gear at top of drive disconnected / loosened by hitting log...so missing teeth. Tomorrow we go to Morningstar Marina asa they have an open dock or the one across the road, and order either from Gemini or from England. DHL is lightning fast so it shouldn't take more than a week. I don't mind the ditch...I hate the users!! And no wind predicted for days so we're not going out there to drift AND get no sleep...I am a fair weather sailor now. I don't need to prove I can stay up for 48-72 hours. And its going to rain all week too so might as well be in a marina where I can walk around!!!

It was not easy getting the drive apart. RIck had to be under the boat, sitting on the anti-cavitation plates [look like dolphin tails on the drive to make it stay n the water?}with his feet hooked around the prop so the tide didn't drag him away. I handed him tools through the access in the back deck and caught all the screws. None lost so far. Every once in a while he had to put the cover back on fast so the damned wake from idiot boats wouldn't slop sea water into the drive.

This could have been a lot worse. The coupler is fine and all we need is a bearing and a gear. Its fixable and we will survive! Thanks to all well-wishers and offers of help. We are good. And tonight the dolphins came by for dinner. Have a good weekend!

HERE WE GO AGAIN!

Heading up the ICW

Day one ended just short of Canaveral. We dropped anchor, ate French toast and went to bed. When we got up, we just kept going...no waiting for the 4:17 pm launch, and good thing...it was scrubbed at 4p.m.

Day two was just as exciting...dropped anchor north of Daytona, ate some mystery fish that Tamaki [Serge & Diane...they're changing the name] gave us...either mackerel or snapper, they couldn't remember which was which. It was delicious.

We saw lots of stupid boats [and captains] a lovely paddle wheel steamer, lots of manatees and dolphins...probably more dolphins than we saw all winter in the Bahamas! And we're back in the land of crab pots with no line cutter on the prop...being VERY careful!

We are running 13-14 hour days...daylight to dark, to stay ahead of the rains that are predicted and just to get as far s we can. Still haven't decided if e are going t do overnights outside. If the winds switch like they're supposed to we can sail inside as well. Neither of us sees that well in the dark anymore, and for the sake of a couple of days, well...

So we'll see what today brings...anyone know what day it is? Oh yeah, Friday...thank goodness for telephones and Susan D's daily posts! LOL

SO ...I know I'm in a sailboat and they don't go fast, but when the butterflies pass you....geez!!!

Morning at Daytona

FLamingoes!! even pink ones..very left of pic

Lady DOlphin of Daytona

The rocket that didn't..love NASA

Bridge of Lions St.Augstine

Our visitors this morning on the river

One of those places you say"We should stop someday and explore this"

Boater's intersection and side street LOL

Day Three on the ICW

It's  6 am Saturday and you can hear the before you can see them. It's scary listening to the boats screaming up the river in the dawn. They have no regard for anyone else on the track.

We are anchored 3 miles south of the St. John River, barely off the channel. We had hoped to be across the river mouth to Sisters Creek last night and would have made it but this is where the drive broke and we had little choice but to drag ourselves out of the path of these maniacs into the grass on the edge. Unfortunately this is the deep side of the channel s everyone runs at 50 miles /hour up this side.

The water was calm all day yesterday but 3 times we felt like we hit something.  Once it was a piece of wood that was submerged but then we thought that it just might be fish or manatees bumping us...not too hard. This last time, it was serious and we stopped immediately. We checked the prop...it's tight and stable,. Rick was under the boat and watched as I put it n gear. It will move but something is definitely loose.  In reverse it sounds fine but I don't think it's an option to drive backwards the next 200 miles.

It's going to be difficult to work on this here with the weekend traffic flying up and down. And the water is too black to be able to retrieve anything we might drop.  Fingers crossed.

Yesterday, coming under the high bridge at Jacksonville an express cruiser came by throwing a wake so big we took water over the bow. I had called asking for a slow pass. Apparently he didn't hear me.

So for everyone wondering or asking "why do you need to go home?" ...here's your answer. This boat needs serious work. Maintenance is one thing but there are some things that just HAVE to be done. Anyone got a spare sail drive their not using and can bring down to Jacksonville? Sigh

...AND BACK AGAIN

The End of an Adventure...and the beginning...

We are back in Fort Pierce. We've been here for a week, waiting for Liz to come and pick up Todd. For awhile there, we were afraid she'd be waiting for us. When we left Green Turtle Cay, we headed out to the last islands on the Bahama Bank. We weren't sure whether to go north or south of the Sea of Abaco, but decided that since we'd never been to Allens-Pensacola, that would be a good place to anchor for the night.

It was tricky getting in there. It looks like you have to go past it and shoot back at a 45 degree angle to hit the channel right, and then when you get  "in" you can't actually tell where the bay starts and stops...basically it's a reef that defines the southern edge. ..which isn't great in a storm because it doesn't stop the rollers and the wind. And of course, that's what we had ...a storm .

It was one mother of a thunder storm!! And it rocked and rolled all night. The only  saving grace was that the boat was rolling so much, lightning couldn't hit the mast! And there were several other higher masts n there so we felt pretty safe.

The next day was gray and gloomy but we needed to move so we aimed for Great Sale Cay. This name irritates me...I'm sure it's a spelling mistake. Why would anyone name an island after a retail event and not a marine [as in "Sail" event. Oh, well I guess spell check didn't work that time. Grrr.

So in Great Sale the harbour is wide and open. You can see all the masts n the Bay as you approach the island...it's very low.  We powered our way in there in 25 knot winds  and dropped the anchor as far as we could get in with some protection. Again, huge thunderstorm.  We parked beside a little Nordic Tug and Fred came over to say hi. We'd been beside him most of our time in George Town. He was heading home to Virginia.

The next morning the weather, and several radio conversations said the day would clear up by 11 am and we'd have good weather for the move to the edge of the back...another 50 miles. We decided to go to Mantanilla Shoal, which made the run to Fort Pierce 60 miles. This meant we could go straight in without having to spend 2 days travelling the ICW. Hmmm...choices. Everyone else was heading to West End Grand Bahama, so they could go in at Lake Worth, and then head up to Fort Pierce.

We parked about 10 miles from the edge of the Bank. This is where the ocean gets deep and the waves [theoretically] smooth out.  The day started gloomy and bouncy.  We must have missed the memo that changed light and variable to mean 15-20 knots of wind on the nose! None of the weather predictions were accurate for the last 3 days.

We got up at 4 am and started to get ready. By 5:30 we were moving off the anchor and heading out into the ocean. I have a tough time staying oriented when  can't see at night, so Rick took the first hour, when the sun came up and I could see the horizon, it was easier but I still didn’t have any "landmarks'...just the green line on the GPS.

We had 15-20 on the nose so we headed more northerly than we wanted and when we caught the edge of the Gulf Stream we were reaching 8 knots. We were able to sail some of it, but around 4 pm when we were still 20 miles from Fort Pierce we had to turn south and get out of it.  We were 5 miles north of our course. Luckily the swells turned with us and we surfed back into the inlet. It turned out to be a beautiful afternoon and we caught a small blue fin tuna...he was yummy !!

As we approached the inlet, we were in outgoing tide but it was manageable, and we followed a work barge in. As we passed the sea buoy the engine started to sputter... NOT out of gas?!?!? Well, it was low...déjà vu all over again??? But it was also clogging the intake, so we dropped the anchor... it was still daylight so at least we could see this time. I radioed a securité so everyone behind us would know we were anchored. Rick and Todd changed the oil filter, filled the diesel and we started her up again. SO much for "no surprises"

We have been here waiting for the marina to take care of our motor issue, getting used to land again. And the car, which has now headed for Canada without us, and as soon as the motor has been replaced, we will be on our way up the ICW and back to fresh water for a year of refit, refurbish, rebuild, renew, relax...for us and the boat.

There won't be many more blogs after this for awhile because we will be working on the boat and working to replenish the cruising kitty. Will let you know when the Goose has landed.

Joys of being back...Todd bought a drone

Kids at Navy Seal Museum...they love the obstacle course

Allens pensacola...Rick swam ashore to explore

Day at Great Sale Cay...another storm

Sunrise leaving the Mantanilla Shoal

This was the only traffic we saw on the Stream...BIG ships crossing our path

Morning at the dock in Fort Pierce...yes, that's a sunken boat across the channel

Dinner!!!

Todd looking for home!! Sunset at Fort Pierce Inlet after motor restarted!