On the Hard Again!
21 February 2010 | Boat Lagoon
Nanette

The trip back was NOT fun, we had current against us again......up to 2kts at times, plus wind from the SE, yes, but our course was SE ! Huey was unkind to us 15 to 20kts on the last 24 hrs meant an exhausting, frustrating motor-sail as close to the wind as possible. This was made worse by the very busy shipping channel, and during the night weaving our way through the countless fishing boats.
We arrived at Boat Lagoon at midday three and a half days later totally and utterly exhausted, then when we asked for assistance into the marina, they did not understand that at low speed we had NO steering. The one motor and functioning rudder being on portside. This means going in circles when way is lost. They came at last in a RIB and still could not understand why we could not STOP, or steer into a berth, let alone the haulout dock!! Stuart just let TP turn in a circle, but we were also reversing without that 2nd motor . At last the penny dropped as I absolutely Yelled that we had no steering, they then managed to push us onto a holding berth. Heart rates were through the roof! An hour later when we had recovered from that stress they then roped us into haulout position, lifted us to then stare at the temporary patch and very bent starboard rudder.
After that we were held in the slings whilst Kevin and his team worked to drop the rudder and shaft out of the hull. At this point it became very clear that in fact we had NOT hit a reef or rock, but a very heavy metal part which had cut a clear notch into the rudder about 120mm up from the bottom, which was unscathed except for the abrasions from sand when we beached her. The rudder stock was bent and actually deformed into an oval at the bend. Therefore the general opinion is now that we either hit a wreck [WWII] ? or even maybe a container?
The Yanmar is now sadly seized, and will be removed on Monday 22nd. The freezer is defunct, as is the washing machine, breadmaker etc. The timber doors are now drying in the air con, and we shall have them refurbished if possible.
On a personal note, I have NEVER been so exhausted and am finding it difficult to recover. I now weigh only 57kgs, which is worrying me quite a bit. I am very gaunt and drawn. Poor Stuart is also very tired and stressed, but managing better than I. We have slept a lot and eaten well to help us regain strength.
On a light note, we had dinner last night with friends from Nimbus and Jemima, who were both so supportive during our drama. Meanwhile poor Sea Bunny, who was our MAJOR savior with their pump etc, also had a bad return trip. First they had a rope round their prop, and Richard had to go overboard in mid ocean to cut that free. Then, there is more, they lost the pin holding the forestay!!!! They then sailed back very slowly with two reefs and the inner forestay holding the mast up!
The whole trip has been very fraught, I'm not sure if I want to do that one again?