Ships Log 8/1/2011

Southbound Galleon 

Jim, studying the waterway

Bob and Jim

Lollipop departed Middle Sound about 0600 with Capt. Roy, Jim & Betty. They arrived at the Lewis Rd fish dock about 0635 to pick-up Bob, Paul and myself. After loading our gear we headed north on the ICW toward Beaufort, NC. Along the way Capt. Roy pointed out areas were the marks might be a bit confusing and were there might be some shoaling.
At some point along the way when I thanked Roy for ferrying us up to pick up the boat he reached down next to his helm station and presented me with a really neat folio to hold ships papers, manuals, Notices to Mariners and the like, simply saying " no problem, and you need one of these.." I was blown away.
We pulled into the fuel dock at Gateway Marine at about 0945 or 1000. The Lollipop was refueled and the sailboat crews gear was off loaded while a couple of us walked over to top off water and move the Bristol 27 to the fuel dock.
Aboard the  Bristol the engine turned right over and ran like a sewing machine, a single cylinder, diesel sewing machine. With a dead calm and almost no current casting off would no problem. I backed her out of the slip, backing to port to have a nice easy shot to the fuel dock. After clearing the piling I shifted into forward gear and we kept backing-up. I rev'd the little motor, nothing. Now we were going in a backwards circle toward the stern of a neighboring sailboat.
The kind folks that I purchased the boat from were on hand to bid us "bon voyage" so Michael hopped aboard and discovered that the shifter cable housing had loosened in it clamp. A little adjustment, tighten a screw and we were good as new.
Fuel and ice, handshake with Michael a hug for Kate and we were off. Ever so slowly, but we were off. We figured that the incoming tide in the narrow inlet was slowing our progress, then we headed in a southerly direction on the ICW. Still we were only making 1.5 kn at 3000 RPMs! This was not good. At this rate we might make it home sometime next week.
Capt. Roy and crew were still standing by so we hailed them over to assist. Roy agreed to tow us back to Swansboro, NC, I had overnight slip space arranged at Dudley's. So the CGAUX training sprang into play, Lollipop is at times a CGAUX facility. Jim got the towline and towing bridle out, tossed it to Bob who secured it to the Bristol.

Paul at the helm

As we headed down thru Morehead City, Paul was tending the tiller but each correction seemed over correct and was actually fighting the tow vessel. I suggested that we lash the tiller midship and see if she will fall into line. In short order it seemed to work and the sailboat seemed to stay in better tow mode. From that point on we only manned the helm when going under or thru an open bridge.
As a side note; a few days later I asked Jim if this effected the helm on the towboat. He stated that Roy had commented that he was fighting the helm but Jim said it was much easier on his shift which I think is about when we lashed the tiller on the sailboat.
The two boats made it to Swansboro by about 1600, we headed for the dock at Dudley's while Roy and crew headed back to Page's Creek.
Once we had the boat secure Bob and Paul caught a ride from one of the Dudley's staff to a nearby motel. The Waterway Inn loaned the guys a car and we got a reasonable meal at the Bogue Cafe'.

After dinner I had the opportunity to meet the marina's 60+ year old parrot, Claud. I think that we went to different schools together at the same time. I really wanted to see if he could pull the cork out of a bottle of rum.

Then there was the million dollar view as I tried to stay awake until it got at least dark.