…where you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave …
Friday. There was a good chance that the sea water pump would arrive with Mats the service engineer at his boatyard today, so he suggested that we cruise over there, a massive 3 mile passage, and he could fit it when the delivery arrived.
So after breakfast we said our farewell to Sofia the harbourmaster and joked that we hoped not to see her again until August.
We slipped our lines and made to reverse out of our berth. Engine on, in gear, revs, but no movement, just a whirring noise. Meanwhile, the boat was being blown further into the harbour and was drifting onto another boat, anchor first in the attack position. We were very glad we’d kept the fenders out even though it looked like we couldn’t possibly need them! In the end six of us managed to guide the boat alongside and tie up.
After eliminating gearbox problems William thought maybe the propellor had stuck in the closed position. We had after all been here longer than we planned. Nope.
So we got out our little inspection camera with a fibre optic light and looked beneath the hull. The prop was gone!
So now we are waiting for Mats to arrange a diver to see if he can find it. After all, the most likely place it fell off was at our berth. And how lucky is that!
Then we’ll have to sail out of the harbour and off to another boatyard with crane out facilities to see if it can be refitted. Or a new one fitted.
Meanwhile, it was Archipelago Day yesterday and all the old steamers were here, with music, traditional dancing and fun stalls. That’s now two public holidays we’ve had here. I hope we get away before the next one.
How does a prop fall off *while berthed* ?
Is there a problem with undersea robberies in eastern sweden? Spate of cat (fish) burglaries perhaps?
Propellorly pissed off, no doubt!!
Very humorous, Logga.
There is quite a lot of lively bounce in this harbour from the wash from the comings and goings of lots of ferries. Perhaps it just wriggled the last bit over the last days.
The prop was removed and a new anode fitted just before launching a month ago. I suspect it wasn’t refitted as well as it should have been.
The diver found the prop! Just where we were berthed. Plan now is to get towed to a yard on Monday where they will lift us out and refit the prop. The pump has arrived so can be fitted then also…
Wow! It’s hard to believe your prop fell off…. But even harder that you found it! Fantastic resolution of a very perplexing and stressful event. Hope the tow, lift and re-fitting all goes well.
Whew! Quite a saga. Looking forward to reports of a happy ending next week. Meantime hope it’s a one-off weekend in Waxholm Rxx
Shuddering to remember floating about in Ballycastle marina, then again in Fahan when my engine was playing games. Now really worried that the drip from my impeller pump will develop.
Feeling your pain, not least from the memory of walking my lille boat back into a berth and knowing that yours is 3-4 times the size and weight… but worse places to be stuck I suppose.
Gosh! the joys and perils of adventure sailing show in stark contrast. But what LUCK that the propeller fell off in so convenient a spot for recovery and refitting, hopefully tied on better the second time round by your trusted (?) and new service supplier. Please keep us in touch with your log as you progress. When do you expect to return to Tyrone and Donegal? Sullivan and Marianne are still hoping that you’ll be able to be in contact with them when you next pass Denmark.