Let's begin with the UGLY-----The weather-----It's been raining and windy since we got here. We probably wouldn't have gone out even if all the boat systems were functioning. On Monday after we got here the previous Wednesday a strong gale started blowing with 30 to 40 mph winds. Fortunately this marina is pretty well protected and we didn't really feel the full brunt of the winds--but it was noisy and uncomfortable for the next 3 days. After that the wind continued for several days at around 20 mph. Still noisy and a bit uncomfortable. (We came here expecting perfect weather--perhaps our expectations were a bit optimistic?). Finally the weather has moderated and the breeze is gentle and conditions just right for a departure from this marina---but----
THEN came TROPICA STORM ETA--- This crazy storm went all the way into Panama and Nicaragua then did a 180 and headed for Cuba, then North into the Florida Keys and made landfall about 10 miles south of our boat. We had secured it and left to go to my cousin's in Ft. Lauderdale where we actually encountered worse weather than what hit our boat. Torrential rain for 2 straight days with winds gusting to 40. At the marina the marina remained inside the eye and received very little impact. One of the guys who stayed on his boat said the winds never got over 40 knots---the max sustained winds of the storm were 60 to 65. So this was no more than what we had encountered with the gales that blew through here earlier. My cousin lives on a canal--actually in Plantation, just west of Ft Lauderdale. THe canal, Sunday night, overflowed its banks and was about 1/2 way up her back yard--a bit concerning to say the least but by Monday morning the water was beginning to recede and we felt comfortable leaving her and returning to our boat. The boat suffered extensive damage consisting of one of the windshield wiper blades being blown off. Oh the misery!!!
The BAD------The other day, after installing the new controller at the upper helm (Glendinning Engine Controls) the technician discovered what he believed to be a problem at the control box down in the engine room. After discussion with the manufacturer and with Yachtworks it was decided to send the units to the manufacturer in S. Carolina. This was last Tuesday. So here we have sat since Tuesday with no engine controls and unable to move. (It has been our goal to move out of this marina and get a little farther down the Keys to White Marlin Marina. Our new dinghy is there waiting on us. The new Honda outboard for the dinghy is in the bed of the truck waiting on it's union with the dinghy. We want to get to White Marlin well in advance of Thanksgiving and, hopefully, in enough time to catch a flight back to Houston to celebrate Diane's and Anna's birthdays.). The technician is here as I write this installing the refurbished units and soon we'll test them here at the dock and then go out for a quick sea trial. The plan, if all goes well, is to leave here tomorrow and head west to White Marlin. The weather is supposed to be perfect for the trip of about 50 miles. We'll travel on the Gulf side of the Keys down about 20 miles and then pass under a bridge to head over to the Atlantic side (Either Snake Creek Bascule Bridge or the Channel Five Bridge). Once in the Atlantic we'll head west on down the islands to the north end of the town of Marathon. This is where the Atlantic-side entrance to White Marlin marina is. The marina is actually inland a bit, down a 1/4 mile channel to a little square shaped island which is the marina. We've stayed here on our previous boat (see prior posts from 2016 with description and pictures).
The GOOD---- All the other issues have been repaired and are, for now at least, working the way they're supposed to. (But this is a boat---stuff goes wrong all the time--you just wait for the next system to fail. I like projects so this doesn't bother me---I just don't care for the expense part of it).
As I sit here the new controllers are being adjusted---seems like there's a glitch or two but hope they can all be resolved. I'll let you know. They're very sensitive and if the adjustments are off just a smidgen they don't work right---so adjust away Mr. Technician!!!!! We want to get out of here.
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