A Simple Short Hop to St John’s Yacht Marina, Right?

     We were awakened at 3:15 this morning by the sudden presence of the wind howling through the rigging. We probably went from 2-5 mph to 20 + in moments and the rains started to fall.  Though the rain stopped, the winds continued, fluctuating between 10 and 20 out of the North.  Considering the outgoing current would peak around 11, it was decided to wait until noon.  Since we were the only boat that had to back into the wind and current, we were to be the first to leave.  With the help of Dan, we exited the slip perfectly.
     As we approached the entry, the engine was overheating.  I checked the water intake valve, which was opened. So we headed to the fuel dock to reassess. RAGTIME was only 2 slips down from the fuel so I called to Gerry for assistance securing to the dock.  As soon as Jeanne and Gerry had our lines, Pete shut the engine down.  He and Gerry spent about an hour and a half trying to figure out the cause. He started with rechecking the work done yesterday and progressing to checking for water intake and bleeding possible air out of the lines. After each attempt, I started the engine and checked for water coming out with the exhaust with no success. After the fourth or fifth start, Gerry thought we might need to keep it running a bit longer to permit the water to pass through the engine.  Sure enough, they finally saw water coming out.  I was instructed to increase the RPMs and monitor the temperature gage.  After 10 minutes we still had not heated above the preferred temperature.
     Pete helped RAGTIME depart, while I continued to monitor the temperature.  With no change, we untied from  the dock and were on our way to join BRUNELLE and SEVILLA, who we told to continue on to the new marina.  After confirming that St John’s was still expecting us, Pete canceled our request for an additional slip assignment at Charleston Marina.
     It was a raw, windy, dreary hour and a half ride thought 8 miles of beautiful homes and scenery.  No photos today. The current in Elliott’s Cut allowed us to travel at ¾ power and still do 9.5 mph.
     Docking was interesting with the winds and currents, but no problems. The other 3 boats are on the furthest dock on the T-head.  We are on the next dock. We all still have a long walk to the office, showers, and laundry, not to mention the long walk to grass for the dogs.
     Since they have a loaner car, Jeanne, Martha and Maureen took advantage to head over to Harris Teeter, West Marine and the Bank. I opted to stay behind.  I had figured out what we might need for the next week or so, and only need bananas, yogurt, and half and half.  Pete needed a tube of silicone.  Martha offered to pick them up for us. Thanks, Martha!
     Just before leaving the Charleston Marina, I had put a bunch of veggies into the crock-pot with diced ham, beans and broth; a few seasonings too.  By 5 pm, the aroma was mouth watering.  Since we didn’t eat lunch, I made some crescent rolls to accompany the hardy and very tasty soup.
      As I write today’s blog entry, my happy tummy, the boat swaying with the wind, and the knowledge we dodged a bullet today, my eyes are getting heavy and I look forward to bed.  So…with that I say, “Good Night!”

ICW Mile Marker    472.2

1.5 Hours       (Total 101.0 Hours)
8.6 Miles       (Total 649.0 Miles)