Do you have a kicker?
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| Lund fuel dock. |
Not everything goes as planned. After morning fog, we headed out in our ocean boat to go to Heriot Bay. Originally we wanted to go to Campbell River, but calm slack water in Discovery Passage was too early.
We got gas at Lund and Wayne delivered Coastal BC Stories books to Tug Guhm Gallery. Despite Covid-19, Deborah had a good summer and sold out.
Almost to Heriot Bay we heard a weird ping and then a banging sound. We
stopped and checked the propeller to see if we'd picked up any floating
debris. Nope.
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| Departing Lund with historic hotel in the middle. |
Wayne examined the engine compartment but didn’t see anything amiss and all of the gauges were normal. We started again and the periodic bang had changed into a constant thump, so Wayne shut us down.
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| Putting along at 4.5 knots with the kicker. |
Heriot Bay was close but they don't have maintenance, so we started the kicker (our emergency outboard) and headed home at 2:15. At 4.5 knots it was slow. At least the sea was calm. Typically, it's an hour and fifteen to get to Heriot Bay. Wayne estimated between 5-7 hours to get back with the kicker.
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| All our boats have emergency kickers. |
All was well until the kicker quit. Wayne found the fuel line sucked dry. He pumped it back up, only to have it stop a few minutes later. He briefly restarted the main engine to get fuel flowing again and that did the trick.
It sure was a good feeling when we were back moving again.
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| Passing Lund hours later and the sun is getting low. |
Sunset caught us an hour from the marina. We’ve never arrived after dark. At least we had a track on the GPS to follow. When we got to the breakwater it was 8:30. Wayne started the main engine to have more control. It was the lesser of two evils. Wayne’s window kept fogging so I went out on the back deck and yelled left, right, straight. Good thing there wasn’t a crowd to hear us arrive.
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| An hour away and it's getting dark. |
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| Add caption |
We were lucky to have an emergency kicker ready to use. It's the same in all aspects of life. Plan for the best, but be prepared. What kinds of "kickers" do you have and use to get you out of tight situations? -- Margy
Labels:
Boating,
Coastal BC,
Powell River
Posts
I'm glad you guys were prepared and okay! What a beautiful night to be slow on the water though. I have a lot of memories of boat problems...like you said it's always wise to be prepared in every facet of life! I'm visiting today from the Tuesdays with Twist link up. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteIt was a pretty sight after sunset, but a bit scary because we couldn't see the entrance and waterways very well. We need to purchase a stronger flashlight. - Margy
Deletesounds scary to me - glad you did ok - buy that flashlight!
ReplyDeleteWill do - plus another strong spotlight for our cabin. - Margy
DeleteGlad you made it safely to the dock!
ReplyDeleteHave a blessed day!
Having backups always helps. - Margy
DeleteThank goodness you were prepared. Having a kicker is very good advice for all aspects of life. Your post reminded me of my brother in law breaking down in his boat while crossing the Strait. He called the Coast Guard who were able to get him safely limping along. As a precaution they took the two children back to port on the Coast Guard cutter and kept them entertained until brother in law finally got back. Great service and two thrilled boys.
ReplyDeleteWe had a similar experience up in Okeover Inlet, minus any kids. We are so lucky to have a Coast Guard detachment home based here in Powell River. - Margy
Delete...too much adventure for me!
ReplyDeleteWhen it was happening I was quite calm, when it was over it was a bit more scary. - Margy
DeleteI've never heard the term "kicker." Do glad you had one! My husband and I used to sail. When the engine went out we always had the sails. And that time we lost our headsail in the gulf stream we had the engine. Once when we couldn't use either sail or engine we towed the boat with our dinghy - it was just a very short distance.
ReplyDeleteNavigating into a marina in the dark is so scary. We always tried to avoid that but sometimes it happened anyways. Sounds like you had a good system and could work together.
So sorry you have repairs now.
When we got our daysailer we made sure it had a good kicker. It's gotten us out of some spots too calm to move. - Margy
DeleteWhat an adventure!
ReplyDeleteIt was. Too bad it ended our cruising season, but the weather has moved in so we would have been done soon anyway. - Margy
DeleteWhat a way for your cruising season to end, but without the kicker it would have left you in a bad way. Thank goodness you were prepared. For trips I always plan best case scenario with a back up plan B and C. I think I've only used plan C once. For everything else I try to plan for worse case scenario. That way all bases are covered no matter what happens. Was nice to hear from you on my blog post.
ReplyDeleteSometimes a Plan D has t0 be devised on the spur of the moment. Thankfully not often. - Margy
DeleteI understand the metaphor and could talk about backup plans in almost all aspects of our life, but being a boater and having had some similar adventures with breakdowns, I’ll stay with that. Just glad your kicker worked ... there is nothing more lonely than being adrift! That was a long cruise getting home (I hate getting in after dark.). I hope the repairs get done quickly even tho you are done for this season. I’m reminded that once when our Florida boat was in for yet another repair a friend told us: BOAT stands for “Bring Out Another Thousand.” Good luck with yours!
ReplyDeleteAt least the inside will be warned while it is waiting for a slow parts delivery. - Margy
DeleteAll our adventures were with our first boat there ... we bought used and spent lots of time and money fixing someone else’s carelessness. Never again! Our new one has been fine, but it’s probably just a matter of time.
ReplyDeleteWe've had two good boats and both were purchased new. i know what you mean. - Margy
DeleteGlad you were prepared on your boat trip. It looks absolutely lovely out there. I am sure it was a bit of a worry. So good to be safe and sound.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the week, Margy.
We try to keep our boat prepared so we can leave on the spur of the moment during the summer months. - Margy
DeleteSo glad you made it safely to the dock.
ReplyDeleteWhat an adventure!
Happy Thursday, Margy!
It sure was. All's well, that ends well. - Margy
DeleteWow, you sure have to be prepared out there on the water. I'm glad it all worked out for you guys.
ReplyDeleteYour link at 'My Corner of the World' this week is greatly appreciated!!
Now we have to wait for seven months for the boat to go back in the water. I should be fixed well before then. Our cruising season runs from about May to September. - Margy
DeleteWow, Margy, that is a little scary. Especially arriving after dark. I am not the least bit surprised that the two of you are well-prepared! Our most significant "kicker" is our Garmin that we take to the backcountry. It allows the kids to track our movements, and we can send text messages via satellite. And in the absolute worst case scenario, can send a 911 call for emergency rescue. Anyway, glad you are safe!
ReplyDeleteSometimes I wonder how we lived before GPS. When we first flew on camping trips it was all by map and compass direction. Then we got a Loran that we thought was so great. It would get us to within a mile of our destination. Then the GPS revolutionized flying. But I sure loved using map and visual navigation in those early days. - Margy
DeleteWow! What an (unintended) adventure. I am glad you and your hubby found a happy ending!
ReplyDeleteIt gave us a lot of time to meditate and hope for the best. - Margy
DeleteI think if these kind of adventures are part of your life, your life is quite fabulous!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing all the images and for the visit!
Wishing you a fine weekend!
We do enjoy our adventures. They keep us young. - Margy
Deletewonderful adventure with happy ending.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing beautiful photos and story
Thank you. - Margy
DeleteLiked seeing your visit to Pictorial Tuesday. So glad you arrived back safely. Had to be a bit scary, and so true on having a back up plan. We boated, not on the ocean, but never had a backup motor. The photos are great. Have a happy weekend.
ReplyDeleteOur weather and lake and sea destinations can be far from others who can provide help. Just about every boat has a backup system, even oars and anchors for small boats. - Margy
DeleteOh, that sounds like a real adventure, dear Margy. It's good that you had an emergency kicker. Unfortunately, I don't have any "kicker", but sometimes I have a plan B, sometimes enough imagination to have a saving idea and sometimes just luck.
ReplyDeleteHugs and best wishes from Austria,
Traude
https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2020/10/salzkammergut-im-oktober-2020.html
Imagination is so important to think through tough spots. That was the premise of the old TV MacGyver series. - Margy
DeleteHaha, yes MacGyver is great 😂
DeleteXOX Traude
https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2020/10/ausflug-nach-bad-ischl-und-besuch-der.html
I'm glad you got back safely! OH MY! I have no idea of all the things on a boat. I need a 'kicker' to get back to the trailhead sometimes because I'm walking so slow! hahaha! Hope you get everything repaired!
ReplyDeleteI hear you. If it is a step down slope I'm especially slow watching my feet. I'm prone to tripping and spraining my ankle. - Margy
Delete