Adventures with David & Gail

Whoa! Not so fast... - We had planned a nice blog last week to thank everyone in St. Thomas as we got on our way again. But... As things turned out, we are back again and with the tranny out!

We left our nice slip a week ago last Saturday and went to Christmas Cove again to clean the bottom. Just a little 2 mile jaunt. Things didn't seem quite right but we were sure it was only the prop fouled again. The next day we were off to the West End of Tortola again to clear immigration. The prop was just not performing and we were getting worried. We proceeded on to the mooring field to pick up a ball close to the Pusser's Store so we could get better WiFi reception. As we were getting the mooring, WD lost forward gear again. Just like two weeks ago at Jost Van Dyke! Except now we were in the middle of the mooring field with boats all around and the wind blowing us out! There were a few moments when we had to fend ourselves off other boats but worked our way out and somehow (we cannot remember exactly how) managed to pick up another ball for the night.

The next day we were headed back to St. Thomas (We are getting to know this passage pretty well) under sail. In fact, it was a very nice downwind sail again and back to Christmas cove. Again we managed to pick up a mooring ball this time by anchoring close to one, then running a line to the ball, and finally raising the anchor. Voila! We made arrangements to bring WD back into the lagoon but to another marina closer to the shop where the mechanics work.

So... We sailed her all the way back in close to the marina and anchored without using the engine. Pretty cool. Then we tugged her into the slip with two dinghies. Well,"into" the slip is not quite accurate. We got halfway in and hit bottom! It was a pretty low tide for this area and we could not get in all the way. We took what we could and tied her into the slip.

For three days we took the tranny out, tweaked it a little in the shop, agreed it was working and put her back in "THREE" times. Even Gail was getting in the act and getting greasy with the guys. She's gotten "righty tighty" down pretty good now. So, we are here starting a new week with no prospect insight for a quick resolution and no real plan. The mechanics are calling around for expert advice and looking for some other parts to solve the shift problem. Until then, we are here.

As a side "it's a small world" story, the slip we were put hallway into had been occupied by a boat recently purchased and just moved to the yard for work. It was assumed by the marina manager that he was gone and would not be coming back before leaving for Venezuela. And the slip next to us was occupied by a family from Indy who had left for a few days trip to the BVI's. So, as things happen on Saturday with the marina manager off, we get a rap on the hull saying we need to move because the buyer wanted his slip back. We explained that we had no transmission and could not move. After a lot of discussion, it was decided he could take the empty slip next to us. Problem solved? Except now the family from Indy was coming in and a storm front is closing in, the winds are picking up and the rain is starting! And they want their slip back! Needless to say, things got a little testy and did not get resolved to everyone's satisfaction until the next day.

The small world part is that the buyer had actually worked with my company in Florida and I had met him during one of his visits to Florida. He was going to buy a new boat thru one of our brokers until the manufacturer canceled that particular model. He looked around for an acceptable substitute and bought the boat here instead. He is a real hoot from Oklahoma (went to OU) and now lives in Venezuela. We spent about two hours just yacking away last night about his dreams and adventures and our trip plans to visit (or not) Venezuela. And finally, the family from Indy is buying a new boat and have agreed in principle to give me the listing to sell the one here.

All in all, it's been a very challenging, interesting, frustrating, entertaining, and possibly profitable week! We'll keep everyone informed as to the next chapter.