We have been at the Dog River Marina since last Thursday so we were ready to pull out today and head on down to the Intracoastal Waterway. We were up early and pushed off at 7:15. The 10- 15 mph wind created 3' - 5' waves in our face as we motored out into the bay. We followed the markers to the middle of the bay. There are huge areas of the bay only 5' - 6' deep. We were only halfway to the center of the bay when our engine died. Bob put up the main sail and the head sail, but being unprepared the lines were tangled and the wind was blowing us into the shallow areas. We were heeled way over but the wind wasn't from the right direction to get us into the channel. Things in the cabin were falling onto the floor, including the big jar of gumballs. Wicket slid from one side of the deck to the other. To say the least... Wicket & I were trembling from fear. The mast wasn't pulled up high enough, so it scrapped across the top of our dodger and ripped a hole into it. (Sewing project).
We finally entered Dog River and the rescue boat from the marina arrived to pull us back up to the dock.
Lesson learned... tie everything down in high winds, including Wicket.
The problem turned out to be "gunk" caught in the fuel intake line. We were glad it was a cheap & easy fix.
The forecast for tomorrow is higher winds, so we will stay put until perhaps Friday.
Fellow cruisers at Mobile. Left to right - Linda and Tom S/V Francis Ray, Michele and Marc S/V Marc's Ark and then Bob.
Chris and Susan S/V Buckeye
Susie, Linda & Tom, Michele and Marc
The duo
Bob & Susie S/V Heron, Linda and Tom S/V Francis Ray, Michele and Marc S/V Marc's Ark, Chris and Susan S/V Buckeye! Fun people.
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