[Ed.Note: Charleston days 106, 107, 108 summarized below, from original blog.]
Sun.Jun.14/Day 106: Had a most unfortunate experience as departing in wind & current when stbd throttle locked up and control lost causing us to hit a 16’ jon boat with our swim platform and we ended up ‘stranded’ on the rubber jet-ski docks. Took TowBoatUS to help us move off and relocate back to the transient wall but facing the opposite direction. No damage really to us except dent in platform. A rainy and windy day and all round miserable. Staying here till mechanic can evaluate throttle.
Mon.Jun.15/Day 107: Wx remained cool at 69F, windy 10-15; wild night with TSM most of night, lots of R&R. 60’ Azimuth came in for ‘safe harbor’ dock due to wx during night; I helped him tie up. Photo of the Naval Museum with aircraft carrier across from us. Watched junior sailors in school. Marg went to Publix; and there were some demonstrations downtown with damage, so avoided that area. Contacted local mechanic and he advised bleeding the hydraulic system for air bubbles and check the reservoir pressure – it was a bit low. Throttle ok for now.
Tues.Jun.16/Day 108: Wx still poor with winds and TSM so staying here. I walked downtown [see photos]. Marg did housekeeping duties [defrosted fridge, cleaned and reorganized aft state/storeroom, etc.]. I replaced fridge light; and tried to turn on ‘hidden’ fluorescent light behind sliding glass mirror cabinet in aft head but couldn’t find power anywhere [must be disconnected]. Icemaker working as a ‘freezer’ and no leaks as long as don’t leave water fill ‘on’.
Comments:
Dick • 13 Jun, 2020: Rob, I’m going to try to remember to not have a mouthful of coffee when reading your “clinicians description” of a mechanical issue. Absolutely hilarious but descriptive!
Ernie R • 13 Jun, 2020: Rob, when you are “requested” by the Admiral to make the Publix run you need to make sure you have a delegation of authority before you go wild buying things like scones that are not on the Admirals manifest! Just don’t want you to get in more trouble than usual! By the way, when you make a supply run to Publix do you wash all the produce/wipe boxes, jars, cans with disinfectant wipes or is that just overkill?
Ernie R. • 14 Jun, 2020: Think we need some of those coyotes at TP! Rob, I am having trouble with this whole fender/rope situation, could you please explain it in medical terminology that you are so adapt at!!?
TERRY • 14 Jun, 2020: Attack the fender with a laparascope.
Robert & Margaret • 15 Jun, 2020: Consider having a bladder stone which lodges itself in your urethra; I could insert a cystoscope up the urethra and nibble at the stone with toothed forceps, crushing it and ultimately removing it. Unfortunately, although I do have scope for looking into spaces behind walls, don't think it would help here. The stone in your urethra kind of blocks all intended function but the jammed knot of the fender line is so tight I don't think anything will remove it and the function remains intact. So, have put the fender back into play and will take what comes. :)
Dd • 15 Jun, 2020: Indeed a stressful day! It definitely could have been worse! Smart calm thinking!😍
Ernie R • 15 Jun, 2020: Rob, you and Marg need to teach boating course at TP when you get back! Must be all that doctor training/experience coming into play!
Jerry • 16 Jun, 2020: Sorry your visit to our wonderful city has been so traumatic and the weather totally unusual. You are at the site of the start of the Civil War - maybe this is the problem. (It is SC not NC- as you know, shows how disorienting boat trauma can be.)
Ernie R - 16 Jun 2020: Rob, have seen several cases where the reservoir was leaking and would not hold required operating pressure resulting in problems you are having. Unfortunately the reservoir exhibited no signs of leaking (fluid) except for loss of pressure. Replacing reservoir fixed problem, just saying something to consider. Of course you could just go all electronic controls! Be safe!
Robert & Margaret - 17 Jun 2020: Thanks for the info. Will definitely keep in mind if psi drops again. Since, you are the knowledgeable one, what is a 'dill' valve in the pinion gear/piston assembly in the handle unit?