Today is to be a cold day but it will be much nicer for the next week with a couple of rain showers coming through in a couple of days, so we decided that it is cruise time. We are thinking of going up to McClellanville area and possibly as far as Georgetown and to be out at least a week, maybe longer. But last week, our diver, Kirt Sherer told us that our starboard engine propeller shaft was slipping out. WHAT?
So after discovering a loose set screw in the coupling, Bruce tried several attempts using ratchet straps and come-a-longs to reposition the shaft back into place with our son Capt. Bryan's encouragement, then consulting with Anthony at Marine Propulsion, we decided that we could limp over there (about a 2 hour slow boat ride), they could quick haul us out and slip it back in and tighten. We load the boat with enough warm clothes and at least a week's worth of food and are ready, after a busy week of appointments and gallery business. Rosie had to work at Studio 151 Fine Art Gallery and Charleston Artist Guild had a general meeting with Betty Anglin Smith doing a presentation that couldn't be missed!
Engines on by 7:00 am, it's in the low 40s. Brrrr, but we were layered and toasty on the flybridge. The sun was just starting to rise, glowing red behind the trees with a sliver of a crescent moon showing. Tide was just about at high tide and no wind. Perfect! At 7:30 we cast off and were promptly alerted by an alarm on the port engine! Rosie was able to grab the ropes from the dock quickly and tie back up while Bruce ran to check. Confession time. He forgot to open the port seacock valve after checking the sea strainers. So, off we go again with a perfect cast off on a beautiful morning.
Bella, 1st Mate is ready! Oh and we also want to mention that both Bruce and Rosie are now officially Captains! We attended the Sea School classes and have passed all requirements to be officially certified as Merchant Mariner OUPV Captains.
After a 1 engine, 2 hour ride with a favorable tide to Bohicket Creek then to Adams Creek to Marine Propulsion and when the tide is right, they haul us up.
And there's the problem. Doesn't look too bad. See the shiny part on the shaft? Look at all that growth after 1 week of cleaning!
The shaft should not be sticking out and the shiny part is what Kirt saw when scrubbing the bottom last week.
Well.... after partially pulling the shaft and examining the coupling, it was discovered that the old coupling useful life was over and it had to be replaced to be reliable and safe. The port shaft was replaced earlier by a former owner - likely same problem.
and that is to take about 2 weeks to re-machine a taper in the shaft to correctly mate with a robust and proper coupling.
Not expected!
So, on the hard we go now.
We are loaded with a week's worth of food and no car at the marina. We are not in an area with Uber, Lift, taxies or anything, so Anthony offered us his 19' skiff that he uses to move boats around for us to go home. Off we go on the skiff and even though the wind picked up, we only encountered a rough/bumpy patch at the mouth of Bohicket Creek and Edisto River getting wet there but the rest of the ride was easy.
We left on Summer Breeze but came home on this, grateful for the ride!
Tomorrow, Bruce will take the skiff back, Rosie will drive a vehicle there and retrieve our boatload of food and clothes and Bruce. While Summer Breeze is in the boat yard, we are also having the sea cocks replaced in both sink in the heads. The forward head has not worked in a year so both are being replaced while out of the water.
And Kitty Kitty was happy to see our return!
Also...
Just to say, doesn't the floor look great? Rosie took on the job of filling in the old carpet nail holes, staining them and "reviving" the floors. What a difference it made! It didn't require sanding and a complete refinish but it may be time for that in the next year or so. Minwax Reviver did the job beautifully. That is what Elaine Ebaugh (past owner) told me they had previously used and it is looking good. Bruce cleaned up the teak on the deck chairs as well and now they look brand new. (Sorry, forgot to grab a photo!)
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