What are the odds...
07 January 2015 | Las Hadas anchorage
Yesterday KT and I moved to Las Hadas from Santiago to join Beach Access, Destiny and Serendipity for dinner. We will also play golf at one of the top rated courses in Mexico (Gary Player course at Las Hadas - we already played #23 at Isla Navidad). But I digress..... As we came into the Las Hadas anchorage we swung by Serendipity to say hi and then over to Destiny. After exchanging pleasantries I applied some throttle to move us to an anchoring spot - nothing! With my sphincter tight as can be to avoid a related disaster, I manipulated the throttle lever - absolutely nothing. We are in pretty tight quarters so I ask Barritt to come over in his dink to stand-by if necessary (if things went real bad he'd be an excellent witness for our insurance claim....). The gearshift remained operational so we could move about albeit very slowly at idle. KT took the helm and I went below to investigate. Potential sources ranged from a problem with a cable retainer to a broken throttle cable. While in the 110 degree engine room (hardly a "room") I discover 2 things; throttle cable is broken (morse type rod/cable) and that I can control the throttle manually while contorted over the blazing hot engine. We anchor in a lovely spot without incident but my mind is going wild - what are the chances of finding the needed cable in Mexico. I'm guessing we will be ordering this part and waiting weeks for delivery. My thoughts turn to options and what can I do with a few coat hangars and some JB Weld. First step is to remove the broken part. This takes Barritt and I a couple of hours but we get it done. At the Las Hadas hotel is a marina and a small, but exceptionally well stocked, chandlery. We figure this is a place to start - they probably know where to get this or can get it shipped. The young lady manning the store has her face locked onto her cel phone texting. We show her the cable but she continues to text. I'm thinking - this is the beginning of a giant "Charlie Foxtrot" and this lovely lass had best put that phone down! Well she walks through her small store (still texting) and begins showing us the exact cable I need in various lengths (while texting). I settle for one 2 feet longer and we are out of there for about $48 - I blow a few kisses toward the still texting girl and we head for lunch. 4 hours later MissTeak is repaired and we are headed to Destiny for dinner! Roller coaster day that just worked out - ah Mexico!