George Town March 22, 2013

This will be a short posting because we are preparing to depart shortly for points north. We have spent our time in George Town wisely – beach coming, replenishing water supply, entertaining (and being entertained by) cruising friends, and generally catching our breaths.

The major effort has been to try to learn the issue with our auto pilot. After doing a call-out on the cruisers net to see if there was anyone here with experience in such things, I met with Clark on Temptress. After describing the breakdown, he said to bring over the control arm and we would take a look. Now, mind you, the instructions are clear that the units ARE NOT TO BE SERVICED IN THE FIELD OR OTHER THAN BY AUTHORIZED TECHNICIANS. We also were advised that the manufacturer, Raymarine, charges an exorbitant flat rate for return and repair on such items. Anyway, with that background, Clark (under my watchful eye – so I could put it all back together again) took apart the drive and we found a destroyed thrust bearing. Actually, it was one of the two tiny Timken-type roller bearings that had disintegrated. Clark was dutifully thanked (with, inter alia, a jar of homemade raspberry jam) and then the search began for replacement parts. I e-mailed Raymarine in England, New Hampshire (where I at least found the repair kit part number), and talked with the Raymarine distributor in Nassau. Virtually impossible to get the parts here, without paying a huge price (relative to a $5.00 roller bearing).

Long story short: our friends Dave and Mary in Florida called their Raymarine friends in Virginia (after the Miami reps basically proved unhelpful) and the parts are being sent to them and from them to us via Watermakers Air to Staniel Cay. We have the air transport arranged and hope to receive the parts within a week or thereabouts. Perfect! Staniel Cay is several days and wonderful islands north of here, so we will begin our trek northward and take it easy getting there.

This morning dawned flat, glassy calm. There is another Brewer 44 right next to us, owned by a delightful young couple with an equally delightful 11 month old daughter. We have compared notes on boats and hope to see them again down the road (although their road is southbound – he is a captain on sailing ships and works 1 month on, 3 months off). They suggested that their daughter could crew for us in our dotage.

We are not there yet, so she will have some training to do in the interim. Another posting will follow anon when we next have internet access.