Yikes! Today was a challenge and a half and Wiley pulled us through. As we were carefully navigating the ICW south to Wrightsville, N.C. with plans to anchor out for the night right near the beach we lost control of the boat - no steerage! No steerage in very shallow water boded for another grounding. Quickly, I dropped the anchor until we could figure out what was wrong. Our steering was gone. We had always said that we really should try to use the emergency tiller - but of course, had never done this. It was at the bottom of our locker - and we were thrilled that it was still there - it worked. We had difficulty identifying the marker we needed to follow and with Wiley bent over the emergency tiller I called a passing power boat. I requested that first they slow down and not wake us and then if they could lead the way through markers G103 and G105 we could then follow. Unfortunately, this portion of the ICW has a lot of current and it also requires that we go through two bridges. These bridges only open at certain times - on the 1/2 hour or hour and so timing becomes an issue. The last bridge, Wrightsville Beach only opens on the hour and we calculate that if we do 3.2 kts we will get from Figure 8 Bridge to W.B bridge. Wiley is very nervous and keeps varying his speed because he is nervous that he will miss the opening, but our speed averages out and we make it. I called 8 different marinas to find a slip so that we could get some repairs done and none were available. Of course, at this point and as the saying goes... it could be worse - it could be raining - it does!. We decide to anchor out in Wrightsville. This requires negotiating a narrow channel that frequently shoals - but Wiley does this as I call out markers and where to steer. We make it and drop the anchor in a beautiful anchorage near the Wrightsville Beach. I continue to call for a slip for the next day and finally find that the Dockside Marina and Restaurant is willing to take us in and allow the Bennett Brothers to come and do repairs on our boat. We move the boat against the current again using the emergency tiller and Rich from the Bennet Brothers comes and fixes the steering by installing a new sheve. However, when examining the boat for the steering Rich notices that our rudder may need repair. We plan on moving the boat to the Bennet Brothers in Wilmington, N.C. However, this requires that we move the boat up Cape Fear - which has very strong current. We know this is what we need to do - but are anxious about making this trip. There is a bridge just before the Bennet Brother's Marina that only opens at 10:00 and 2:00 - so that narrows the window on when we can arrive. Oh well, we will think about that tomorrow!