Harlequin Cruising Blog: Start

20 Apr 2014

Start - Stop

Back at Ashby's jetty

OK, good news & bad news.

Good news: we don’t have to spend a wet night at sea tonight. Bad news: we are back in Opua. Alongside at Ashby’s Boatyard jetty, where we weathered TC Lusi actually, back in March.

We got away in good order this morning, but 20 mins later we were just motoring past Paihia when the engine whined, slowed, then stopped. A bit like getting something wrapped round the prop.

We quickly anchored (the bower anchor had been stowed already) and investigated to find gearbox oil all over the engine compartment, and the Saildrive dipstick melted! So we sailed back here and sought advice. Long story short: looks like a seized gearbox.

Saildrive top assembly - looks OK?

We can’t lift until Tue earliest (possibly even Wed) because of the Easter holiday, and won’t really know the extent of the problem 'til then. Could be simply a dismantle and bearing change, but even that will take a while, given time to order & receive parts.

Not thinking too deeply into it tonight: too much of a downer. Team bearing up well, and we broke open the bar and tucked into one of Sue's pre-prepared chicken curries, pepped up by Roger & Adam! Oh, and rum-filled Easter eggs!

Update when we have more news...