The Trip Almost Comes to an End

Red sky at morning, sailors take warning ...




The sun is rising over Plymouth, MA.

This isn’t one of those husband/wife blogs where each spouse alternates a post.  This is Molly’s blog, and I thank her for letting me make an occasional entry.  I want to document that Molly has been a trooper.  It is an understatement to write that the weather conditions have not been conducive to cruising.  Since Saturday, October 22^nd, we have been exposed to fog, 25 knot winds with stronger gusts, downpours, unsettled seas, large swells and cold weather.  In fact, the temperature has dropped every day since we left Maine. 

We thought this bridge was named Bascule until we passed
under multiple bascule bridges.

Of course, on top of the weather are the needed boat repair and maintenance items that challenge both relationships and wallet.  First there was the heat that didn’t work as the temperature was dropping to 45 degrees outside.  I gained some spousal respect in figuring out that the motor that pumps the salt water coolant to the unit was not low enough in the boat.  I lowered the pump and, presto, heat!  Then we lost steering today that I diagnosed as needing some more hydraulic fluid, and that was also fixed.  Finally, we continued our travels through the very interesting Shinnecock Canal and Lock and Long Island’s own Intracoastal Waterway, complete with more canals and beautiful houses, including one all-glass house. 

Checking in to our motel room, waiting
for a new lower unit.

So, all is good and I am starting to look like a hero until mid-morning when we hear an unwelcome noise in our main motor, sounding to Molly, at the helm, like a helicopter overhead.  The motor sounds like it is toast.  Fortunately, we are in a protected bay only a few miles from a boatyard, although the water depths approach the draft of our boat.  We use our 10 hp auxiliary motor to limp into a small marina in Moriches, Long Island, have the boat pulled, lower unit removed, and, yes, find it ruined because of metal grinded on metal due to lack of oil.  Thanks to a very nice crew at Moriches Boat, we are hoping that our boat will be operational again by late tomorrow after a new lower unit is shipped overnight from Georgia. Still hoping to make NYC by Sunday.

Stay tuned!