Yesterday was interesting....
we went sailing with a couple from down the docks, here at HON.

The plan was to motor into the wind and tidal currents on the Hudson River, then shut off the motor and sail back to Catskill creek....
WELL... the first part of the PLAN went well, UNTIL............................. the engine died on it's OWN.....
I looked at Pete, and said... "I hope you did that !!!! (shut off the motor)"...
NO he didn't...
So... WE quickly rolled out some sail, and came about (turned 180 degrees)... and we had a great sail back towards Catskill Creek.
I took the helm, so that Pete could investigate below decks (fuel, raw water intake, etc.)

The wind and tree arrangement in Catskill Creek would be problematic for SAILING into his dock... SO
I suggested calling some friends from the marina to come and tow us into the creek (Plan A)...
Plan B was to anchor under sail power at the location that Susan and I use all the time, when we run to the Hudson when Catskill Creek becomes 'unruly'.
(the anchoring would give us time, and safety while trouble shooting the engine systems.... and allow us to call Tow-Boat US, if all failed... to get us back to the dock.
(for you cruisers that are reading this... NO dinghy, and NO dinghy motor had been carried or towed...so NO tug arrangement was possible - dinghy and motor on the quarter).

While I was at the helm sailing the vessel north on the Hudson, and Pete (boat owner) is down near the engine, trying to figure out WHY it quit...
FUEL shortage was the obvious... but why...???? (fuel pump; blocked dip tube; blocked filters; water ?; air leak; ??)
The engine had run fine for about 1.5 hours.... then WHAM... nothing.

Meanwhile, Bunny (spouse of Pete), and Susan were getting the items ready for both plans... Anchor ready to deploy (Plan B) and tow lines ready (Plan A)

Plan A did come to fruition... When John Zelker, and Scott Irwin came out to the mouth of the creek, in John's newly re-powered fishing boat. They towed us into the creek, and did a masterful job of keeping our boat speed up, so we could enter the boat slip, without incident (aka "fire-drill").

SO.... today or this week.. Pete has some investigative work ahead of him... It's normally something really SIMPLE that makes them stop.... (FUEL starvation is the "biggie").

OK... today is staining, and varnishing day for me.