Updated on March 1, 2026
Summer and Fall Refit and Failed Southbound Cruise Attempt July 2025 to January 2026
July – October Refit
Replaced refrigerator with Vitrifrigo refrigerator
Started routine maintenance on engine and generator
Hauled out on Oct 1;
Sanded (HHN) and painted bottom (JP) – 2.5 gallons of Micron CSC
Zinc replacement
Hull washed and waxed
Launched Oct 15
Elena returns from Russia on Oct 31
On the way to the airport, I suffered a minor stroke, was taken to emergency room and treated for the stroke and a subsequent discovery of a streptococcus infection in the blood. Ten days in the hospital.
2025-2026 Cruising Season – Southbound – Curtailed
November 18
0800 Departed HHN
1200 Port engine lost RPM from 1600 to 0. Attempted troubleshooting for 15 minutes. Disengaged port engine and trailed the engine. Proceeded to Zahniser’s Marina
1600 Arrived at Zahniser’s Marina
November 19-December 13
Remained at Zahniser’s for repairs. Zahniser’s (Rick) replace all engine mounts. Removed both transmissions and replaced damaged dampener plates. Rubber bumpers worn and deteriorated.
Replaced starboard rear main seal. Previous seal was leaking
November 30 – Trip to Florida for Echocardiogram and visit to cardiologists. Cleared by both cardiologists.
December 13
0815 Underway from Zahniser’s
0900 Port tachometer went to zero and transmission oil pressure went to 60 PSI from 300 PSI
1200 Returned to Zahniser’s
December 14 Zahniser’s (Rick) came on board and determined the most probable cause we the connection to the engine instrument panel (a small plastic piece). Zahniser’s ordered and installed.
December 18
0800 Underway from Zahniser’s
0830 Making 8 knots at 1800 RPM
1000 Tachometer failed on port engine. Port engine transmission oil pressure dropped to 60 PSI from 300 PSI. Reduced speed to 4 knots (1100 RPM on starboard engine only. Trailed port engine for 4 hours.
1600 Arrived Fishing Bay Marina
December 23
0800 Underway to return to Zahniser’s with locked port shaft. Starboard engine limited to 1150 RPM making 5 knots.
1630 Arrived Zahniser’s
December 23 – January 5 Zahniser’s closed for the holidays
January 6 – 17 – Zahniser’s (Rick) replaced the electrical connector from the port engine to the gauge panel. Replaced fuel cooler on port engine due to deterioration and a salt water leak.
January 18
0900 Underway for seatrials. Developed leak on pressure gauge and returned to dock
1030 Underway again
1200 Completed 1.5 hours of sea trails at 1800 RPM (8-9 knots). Considered successful
1230 Returned to Zahniser’s
Posted on March 1, 2026
2025 Cruising Season Northbound
April 2025
April 15 – Underway from Apex Marina, Stuart FL, anchored Vero Beach.
April 18– Engine would not start. Cross connected batteries and got underway from Vero Beach Anchorage
April 17-20 Moored Halifax River Marina, Daytona, FL. I was feeling unwell and gaining weight rapidly.
Hospitalization
April 21 Underway from Halifax River Marina. Arrived St. Augustine City Marina. Went immediately. to Urgent Care and then to the emergency room at Flagler Hospital. Spent the next week in the hospital. Acute heart failure and aorta stenosis. Heart valve replacement required. Reduction of fluid retention required before operation on May 22.
April 28 Released from hospital, but required additional week of hospitalization to further reduce fluid retention. Underwent ballon treatment to improve valve mechanics.
May 22 Aorta valve replaced
June 25 Released by the doctors to continue our journey
Continuing Northbound
June 27 — Underway from St. Augustine, arrived at Fernandina Beach City Marina. Remained at Fernandina Marina on June 28. Refueled (260 gal)
June 28 – Underway from Fernandina Beach. Arrive at Golden Isles Marina, St. Simon.
June 29 – Underway from St. Simon with the following stops:
Thunderbolt, GA on June 29
Beaufort SC on Jul y 1
Charleston, SC on July 2
Heritage Plantation on July 3-7
Refueled at Wacca Wachee (247 gal, $732) on July 7
Myrtle Beach on July 7
South Village Harbor Marina, Southport NC on July 8, staying until July 10.
Bridge Tender Marina, Wrightsville, NC on July 11
Swansboro, NC on July 12
Oriental, NC on July 13, staying through July 14]
Dowry Creek Marina on July 15
Coinjock on July 16
Bluewater Marina, Hampton VA on July 17. Remaining through July 19.
Fishing Bay on July 19. Refueled (67 gal, $263). Remained through July 21
Solomons on July 21. Conducted full power trial enroute, but was limited to 2400 RPM on port engine
Herrington Harbor North on July 22. 2024-2024 Cruising Season completed
Posted on March 1, 2026
2024-2025 Cruising Southbound
November 2024
Nov 19 – Departed Herrington Harbour North
Port Stops southbound:
Solomons
Deltaville
Hampton
Through Norfolk on Nov 25 and then on to:
Great Bridge
Coinjock
Alligator River
Dowry Creek
Arrived in Oriental on Nov 29 and then on to:
Swansboro
Wrightsville Beach (Bridge Tender Marina)
Arrived in South Village Harbor Marina (Southport) on Dec 4. Experienced problem with steering.
December 2024
Departed South Village Harbor Marina on Dec 6 and then on to:
Barefoot Marina, Myrtle Beach, SC
Refueled at Wacca Wachee Marina (205 gallons, $810)
Heritage Plantation Marina
Charleston
Beaufort
Thunderbolt
Cresent Creek (anchored)
Grounded while assisting a grounded sailboat. Towed off of the sandbar by Towboat US
Arrived Golden Isle Marina, St Simon GA on Dec 14. Engaged diver to check propellers and rudders
Arrived Fernandina Beach Marina, FL on Dec 15. Refueled (205 gallons, $810)Departed on Dec 16
Arrived St. Augustine City Marina on Dec 16. Replaced inverter/charger (Ryan Cansler)
Departed St Augustine City Marina on Dec 21, Anchored in New Smyrna
Underway from New Smyna on Dec 22, Arrived and anchored vicinity of Titusville
Underway from Titusville on Dec 23. Arrived Fort Pierce City Marina.
On Dec 26, attended “Nutcracker” ballet performance.
On Dec 28, centered autopilit rudder indicator
Jan 2025 to Apr 2025 – Moored Apex Marina
Refueled from Dockside Petroleum (184 gal, $670)
Posted on March 1, 2026
June-October 2024 Refit
June 2024
Replaced 1 gallon shower sump with 3 gallon shower sump
Conducted routine generator maintenance (98 hours)
Changed oil and oil filter
Changed primary and secondary fuel filter
Replaced generator zinc
Submitted oil sample for analysis (result: normal)
Conducted routine maintenance on engines
Changed oil and oil filters
Primary and secondary fuel filters
A/R Diesel conducted full maintenance on fuel injectors
Installed Starlink
July 2024 — MTS reconfigured port and starboard putlet switches to run off of inverter
Oct 2024 –Identified problem with electrical overload
Sep 28 to Nov 1 –Elena visited Russa and Turkey
Nov 2024
Payless washed and wax hull and topsides
Phipps installed two new head discharge seacock
Phipps replaced 8 feet of sanitation hose
Phipps manufactured and installed stainless steel plate under bow sprit
Nov 2024 –Master Air Conditioner stopped working. Shiver Me Timbers replace display control unit
Posted on March 1, 2026
2024 Northbound
March 2024
Mar 25–Departed Apex Marina, anchored Vero Beach
Mar 26 –Remained anchored at Vero Beach
Mar 27—Underway from Vero Beach, Moored Titusville, next to “Trying Not to Sink”
Mar 28—Remained in Titusville
Mar 29 –Underway from Titusville, ,
Mar 30-Apr 3– Remained moored at Cocoa Village Marina. Jamie, Manny, Zoe, and Ellie visited. Observed rocket launch. Visited SOPHIA at Merrit Island on April 1st.
April 2024
Apr 4–Departed Cocoa Village Marina. Arrived Halifax Harbor Marina, Daytona.
Apr 5-15—Remained moored Halifax Harbor Marina. Refueled (170 gal, $776). On Apr 7, salon air conditioner tripped off at the electrical panel. Master air conditioner stopped working and could not be restarted. On Apr 13, Marine Custom Services repaired air conditioner ($1.8k)
Apr 16–Departed Halifax River Marina. Anchored in St. Augustine, south of the Vilano Bridge with good holding and in company of several boats.
Apr 17–Underway from St. Augustine anchorage at 0800. Arrived Fernandina Beach City Marina at 1600.
Apr 18—Remained at Fernandina Beach City Marina
Apr 19—Underway for Fernandina Beach City Marina. Anchored Back River
Apr 20—Underway from Back River anchorage. Arrived at Thunderbolt Marina, Georgia
Apr 21—Remained at Thunderbolt Marina
Apr 22—Underway from Thunderbolt Marina. Arrived Beaufort City Marina
Apr 23-24 –Remained at Beaufort City Marina
Apr 25 — Underway from Beaufort City Marina. Anchored Stono River
Apr 26 – Underway from Stono River anchorage. Moored Heritage Plantation Marina
Apr 27—Underway from Heritage Plantation Marina. Refueled at Wacca Wachee Marina (304 gal, $1082). Moored Barefoot Marina, Myrtle Beach SC.
Apr 28 –Underway from Barefoot Marina. Arrived South Village Harbor Marina, Southport NC
Apr 29-30—Remained moored at South Village Harbor Marina
May 2024
May 1– Underway from South Village Harbor Marina. Anchored Banks Channel, Wrightsville Beach, NC
May 2—Underway from Wrightsville Beach; Moored Casper’s Marina, Swansboro, NC. Refueled (99 gals, $398)
May 3—Underway from Casper’s. Moored at Oriental, NC at 1600
May 4–Remained moored at Oriental. Dinner with Butch and Vickie
May 5 –Anchored Alligator River at 1700
May 6 –Underway from Alligator River anchorage at 0800. Arrived Coinjock Marina at 1300
May 7 –Underway from Coinjock Marina at 0830. Anchored at Fort Monroe, Virginia at 1600.
May 8–.Underway from Fort Monroe anchorage. Moored Fishing Bay Marina at 1500.
May 9—Lunch with Mary, Bill, Bob, and Caroline. Pump out completed
May 10—Underway from Fishing Bay Marina. Anchored Mill Creek, Solomons, MD at 1600
May 11—Underway from Mill Creek anchorage. Arrive Herrington Harbor North. Completed 2023-2024 Cruising Season. Stuart to HHN 1012 nautical miles.
Posted on March 1, 2026
2023 – 2024 Cruising Season Southbound
November 2023
Nov 2—1130- Underway for 2023-2024 cruise
1620 Picked up mooring ball at Zahnisers
Nov 3 U/W at 0830
Enroute to Deltaville at 1600 to 1800 RPM making 7-8 knots
1600 Arrived at Fishing Bay Marina, tied up at Transient Pier
Nov 4 Zoe and Ellie arrived for transit to Hampton
Nov 5 0900 U/W From Fishing Bay Marina
1500 Arrived Bluewater Marina, Hampton VA
Nov 7 Dinner with Jamie, Manny, Zoe and Ellie at Surfrider. “Oyster incident”. Zoe and Ellie depart.
Nov 8 0830 Underway from Bluewater Marina
0930 Stuck at Gilbertson Bridge because Norfolk Southern Bridge
1030 Through Gilbertson Bridge. Making 2000 RPM/9 knots to make Coinjock before dark
1230 Through Great Bridge Locks
` 1700 Arrived Coinjock Marina. Decided to stay two nights due to weather. Refueled (146 gallons, $614)
Continued South:
Nov 11 Anchored Belhaven, in company with 10 other boats
Nov 12– Anchored Pantego Creek, Rain, Winds N15-20
Nov 13-14—Arrived Oriental Marina, Slip #9. Met with Butch
Nov 15 0820- Underway from Oriental
1130 – Boarded by Coast Guard for safety inspection
Nov 15 1500 Anchored Swansboro
Nov 16- – 1600 Arrived South Village Harbor Marina; Refueled
Nov 17-19– Moored South Village Harbor Marina, refueled
Nov 20 –Underway from South Village Harbor Marina. Arrived Barefoot Marina, Myrtle Beach, SC
Nov 21—Underway from Barefoot Marina, arrived Heritage Plantation Marina
Nov 22-24—Remained at Heritage Plantation Marina for Thanksgiving, rain and wind
Nov 25 –Underway from Heritage Plantation Marina, anchored at Awendaw Creek in company with 12 other boats.
Nov 26-27 –Underway from Awendaw Creek anchorage. Arrived at Anchorage Marina, Charleston SC.
Nov 28—Underway from Anchorage Marina. Arrived Beaufort City Marina.
December 2023
Nov 29-Dec 4–Remained at Beaufort City Marina, refueled
Dec 5 Refueled. Underway from Beaufort City Marina. Moored Thunderbolt Marina, Georgia
Dec 6–Remained moored at Thunderbolt Marina, Elena visited Savanah
Dec 7– Underway from Thunderbolt Marina. Anchored North River.
Dec 8—0830 Underway from North River anchorage
1300 Moored South Dock, Brunswick City Marina. Confused landing, insturctions unclear, communications with office too fast. First dock is “South Dock”
Dec 9—Underway from Brunswick City Marina. Moored Fernandina Beach City Marina, Florida at 1300
Dec 10-11–Remained at Fernandina Beach City Marina. Winds at 40+ knots, lost electricity on Dec 10
Dec 12—0730 Underway from Fernandina Beach City Marina
0800 Caught at railroad bridge
0845 Railroad bridge open
1600 Moored at St. Augustine in South Mooring Field
Dec 13-14 – Remained moored at St. Augustine
Dec 15 Underway from St. Augustine mooring field. Arrived Halifax River Maina, Daytona Refueled (119 gallons, $536), pump out conducted.
Dec 16-22—Remained at Halifax River Marina
Dec 23—0730 Underway from Halifax River Marina, 1600 Moored Cocoa Village Marina. Spotted “King of Kerry”, previous cruising buddy.
Dec 21-26—Remained at Cocoa Village Marina
Dec 27 –Moved to Fort Pierce City Marina
Dec 28-Jan 5 –Remained at Fort Pierce Marina. Attended “Cinderella”
January through March 2024
Jan 6 Moved to Eau Galle Marina,
Jan 6-15 Remained at Eau Galle Marina
Jan 15-22 Moved to Cocoa Marina. Remained at Cocoa until Jan 23.
Jan 23—Underway from Cocoa. Moored at Vero Beach City Marina.
Jan 24 – Underway from Vera Beach City Marina. Arrived Apex Marina, Stuart FL
Jan 25-Mar 24 Remained at Apex Marina, Stuart; Refueled from fuel truck (133 gallons, $543)
Updated on February 21, 2026
December 2023- October 2023
OUR FIRST CRUISE
Apex Marine where we moored and have our work done hosts an annual boat show during the first week of January and we were asked to leave for the duration of the show. So ready or not, we were going on our first cruise.
On December 23rd at 10am we departed Apex for Fort Pierce City Marina, arriving late in the afternoon. The cruise was uneventful until I decided to check the engineroom. As soon as stepped inside the engineroom, I felt the deckboards floating. There was at least a foot of water in the bilges. Oh my, we are sinking!!!!
But wait. The water is clean, not salty and warm. I soon found the culprit—a leaky hot water heater valve that began to leak when the engine heated the water in the hot water tank, something that probably had not happened for a while.
We enjoyed our stay in Fort Pierce which included celebrating Christmas and New years, taking time to see “Swan Lake” put on by a Ukrainian ballet company and a show by an ancient Engleberg Humperdinck.
On January 21 we returned to Apex, almost uneventfully. The only exception was that just as we were approaching the marina, a railroad bridge that we need to pass through closed, which in general is a few minutes wait for the train to pass. But this time, the bridge stayed closed with no word from the remote bridge tenders when it would open again. There must have been a dozen boats on our side of the bridge and a more on the far side. Some of them were getting pretty agitated complaining to the highway bridge tender who had nothing to do with the railroad bridge. Finally after two hours the train passed and the bridge was opened and we were able to get into the marina before dark.
PREPARING FOR THE TRIP NORTH
Throughout the remainder in January 2023 through to mid -March we remained at Apex Marine in Stuart and completed the remaining repairs including the replacement of the relief valve on the hot water heater. We targeted mid-May as a date we wanted to be back in our homeport and decided that we would depart on March 16th.
We immediately ran into a problem. The shaft seals that prevent water from entering the boat from outside through the shaft log where the propeller shafts exit the boat. Our next stop was about 30 miles from Stuart, in Vero Beach, well within driving distance. We asked our trusted mechanic, Austin, to make the trip and evaluate the problem. He made a few adjustments to tighten up the seal and then got underway to test the fix. All was well and we were prepared to begin our northbound odyssey.
The 2023 Trip North
Leaving Vero Beach on March 18, we made the following stops
March 18 – March 21 – Vero Beach to Titusville and moored at Titusville City Marina
Stayed for a strong front to pass through, met with Carol and Frank.
March 21 to March 27 – Titusville to Daytona Beach and moored at Halifax Harbor Marina.
Took on 225 gallons of fuel ($980)
Maintenance Items:
Some leaking on the starboard shaft
Leak remains on fuel polishing system
Horn is not working
March 27-April 5 – Daytona Beach to St. Augustine and on the mooring ball at St. Augustine
Moored on Ball #27
Jamie, Manny, Zoe and Ellie visited
April 5 -April 14 – St. Augustine to Fernandina Beach and moored Fernandina Beach
Drinks with Ron and Laura on “joint Venture”
Farewell to Jamie, Manny, Zoe, and Ellie
Issue with Shore Power, could not charge batteries or run air conditioners
April 15- April 16- Fernandina Beach to St. Simons GA
Moored Golden Isles Marina
Ran generator to top off batteries
April 16-April 17 – St. Simons to Thunderbolt GA
Low voltage alarm at 1600. Turned off autopilot
Evening of April 15 anchored in North Newport River
Received low voltage alarm several times
While attempting to raise anchor, popped the anchor current breaker. Cause was jammed links in the anchor windlass.
Took on 224 gallons of fuel ($1176)
April 18-24 – Thunderbolt to Beaufort SC and moored Beaufort City Marina
Visit from Scott and Kirsten
April 24-April 28 – Beaufort to Charleston and moored at Charleston City Marina
Found fuel under water tank. Traced to valve on site glass on port tank
Getting U/W was a challenge with two very wide boats forward and aft of us. Twisted and gunned the boat forward. Only a few feet of clearance as we pass the forward boat.
April 28-May 1- Charleston to Wacca Wachee Marina
Anchored Wynah Bay evening of April 28
Difficulty backing into slip. Took three attempts
Stayed an extra day at Wacca Wachee due to weather
Took on 140 gallons of fuel ($503)
May 1-2– Wacca Wachee to Myrtle Beach
Moored Barefoot Marina
May 2-5 – Myrtle Beach to Southport NC
Moored South Harbor Village Marina
May 5-7 – Southport to Swansboro
Anchored at Wrightsville Beach evening of May 5
Moored at Casper’s Marina
May 7-11 – Swansboro to Oriental
Moored at Oriental Inn and Marina
Dinner with Butch and Vickie
Took on 131 gallons of fuel (($613)
Waited two days for weather
May 11-12 – Oriental to Coinjock
Anchored at south end of Alligator River evening of May 11
Moored Coinjock Marina
May 12-22 – Coinjock to Hampton VA
Celebrated anniversary with Frank and Carole
Left Bella to conduct Survey of SOPHIA in HHN. Survey successful.
Returned to BELLA on May 20
May 22-26 Hampton to Tracey’s Landing MD
Moored Fishing Bay Marina, Deltaville on May 23-24
Anchored Mill Creek Solomons
Arrived Slip E-8 Herrington Harbour North at 1600, completing Northbound 2023 cruise
Port engine hours 2693, Starboard engine hours 2686
June 26 – July 9, 2023
Zoe and Ellie on board for two weeks including sailing camp.
July 30 U/W to observe fireworks at HHS
July 10 – 2023 Refit begins
Heat Exchangers”
All heat exchangers removed for maintenance including acid cleaning
Aftercoolers replaced
“On the hard” maintenance:
Bottom Sanded
Bottom Painted – 3 gallons Micron CSC
Zincs changed
Hull cleaned and waxed
Trim Tab Motor replaced
Transducer replaced
Oct –4 Launched
During launch, port dripless shaft seal leaked significantly. Phil (A/R Diesel) shook it significantly and the leak stopped
Oct 11— Conducted dock trial
Anchor windlass failed to payout. MTS determined gear box was binding
Oct 12—Decided to replace windlass with new Loftrans Tigress 1500W
Oct 25 –Windlass work complete. Conducted sea trials. Refueled at HHS.
Updated on February 21, 2026
Love at First Sight
During the Spring of 2021, we were moored at Golden Isles Marina near St. Simon’s Island, Georgia. Across the dock was a trawler, “Sea Breeze”. Looking out of one of the large windows was a large Amazon parrot with whom I became friends.
See Fernandina Beach and Back to Beaufort – The Adventures of Sophia (sophiasails.com)
Elena and I became friends with the owners and Elena was invited on board for a tour. Elena was enamored with the layout of the boat. It had everything in a boat that she wanted: few steps, no longer that 50 feet, large open windows, galley (kitchen) near the living area, ability to do work, big enough for us to have a cat. We told Teri and Tami that if there came a time to sell their boat to please contact us
Fast Forward to July 2022
In July 2022, we got a text message from Teri and Tami saying they ready to move ashore and were going to sell “Sea Breeze” and asked if we were interested. We went a couple of negotiating rounds, but the asking price was outside our budget. We continued to prepare “Sophia” for the fall trip south. In September we got another call from Tami and Teri telling us they were willing to take our last offer if it was still on the table.
In Elena’s mind, the answer was a definite yes. So began all the work of obtaining financing, arranging the survey, and figuring out all the logistics. In early October, Elena flew to Florida to conduct the survey which was for the most part successful with a couple of required repairs noted,
The financing was finalized. We emptied SOPHIA of our belongings, putting much into storage and packed up the rest with most of our earthly possisions into a rental minivan. On Nov 3 we departed for Atllanta detouring a bit to see the grandkids in Richmond and so that Elena could see the Smokey Mountains.
On Nov 7, 2022, we turned the checks over to Tami and Teri in Atlanta and we began the final steps of taking ownership of “Sea Breeze”
We were now physically on our way to Florida hoping to take possession of “Sea Breeze”. There had been some hesitancy about allowing us on board until our checks cleared which could take weekGs leaving us basically homeless, living out of minivan. Finally, Tami and Terri were gracious enough to allow us to move onboard as long as we did not start up anything except the galley and the air conditioning, to which we happily agreed. We got to the Florida state line and stopped at Lake City while Hurricane Ian passed over the state. While the west coast of Florda was devastated, the east coast was largely spared. In our marina the docks were underwater and we were asked to delay our arrival a few days.
On November 18, 2022, we were notified that the last of our checks cleared and the boat was considered ours. We began my learning the boat, engaging with marine mechanics and marine electricians to explore repairs and upgrades.
We had our marine mechanic (Austin) walk us around the engineroom to make us familiar with the Cummings turbocharged diesels.
Elena decided that she wanted to name her new boat “BELLA”, not for any particular reason that could be determined, but it should be noted that the parrot that drew our attention to the boat was named Bella.
Specific repairs undertaken by the marine mechanics of Apex Marine were:
- Replaced the raw water air conditioner pump
- Replaced shower sump and pump
- Installed engine room hatch actuator (automatic hatch opener) and repaired hatch hinge
- Replaced the starboard engine intake hose
- Replaced the vent blower for the main stateroom head
- Align the battery wires and replaced the wing nuts
- Investigate all water in the bilges
- Fabricated and install a support for the port engine exhaust water hose
- Removed and replaced trim tab zincs
- Repaired the holding tank and related fittings including a new macerator pump
- Replace the Sirius XM antenna (GXM53) to get the satielite radio to work
- Tested inverter/chargers and inspected the batteries
- Tested the Helm Alarm system
- Cleaned the bottom and checked zincs
- Installed tank level gauge for fresh water system
- Installed an anchor locker hatch actuator
- Flushed both engines and replaced coolant
- Installed holding tank gauge
- Installed new bilge pumps in the engine room and in the forward bilge area
- Replaced hand bilge pump
- Bought several emergency battery and electric pumps
- Elena painted a good part of then engine room and the forward bilge area.
STEERING FAILS
At some point, we decided it was time to get the boat underway and test both the boat and ourselves. We went through our underway checklist carefully checking engines and peripherals. Just as we were getting ready to start the engines, we were testing the steering. It seemed really stiff, almost impossible to turn. Trying to force the issue, I pushed as hard as I could, risking breaking the hydraulics. Finally we called in the yard.
The diagnosis was not good. At a minimum, we were going to have haul the boat out of the water (we had just had her hauled out for the survey). In reviewing the survey video record, there was a conversation between the hired captain and the surveyor that the steering was stiff. Of course, that was over 5 months ago and any problem would have gotten progressively worst.
BELLA was hauled out and the rudder dropped. The subsequent investigation revealed a corroded bearing that had finally frozen or been jammed by rust debris. A Delrin bearing would have to procured and installed which would take over a week.
The repair was successful and BELLA went back into the water and we were ready for our first northbound transit on the good boat BELLA.
TENSION WITHIN THE CREW
It was now well into December and time to get some underway time to practice handling BELLA in and out of a slip. Elena had made arrangement for a paid Captain to take us out for a few hours. That individual was a no-show. She had also made friends with a couple of Captains on the dock (Ron and Keith) who offered to help teach her how to handle BELLA. I of course had no desire to have another person on my boat telling me what to do. After much unpleasant discussion, I agreed to her proposal to have these individuals coach her as long as I did not have to participate; she could take her lessons from anyone she wanted to, just leave me out of it.
This was also part of the deal that Elena and I had agreed upon that she would share in the boat handling responsibilities. So I agreed to let these guys on board, with the understanding that Elena would drive the boat at least half the time (which she has since welched on completely).
So we got underway twice times and I will admit having someone else instruct Elena was probably helpful, but I made it clear that was the last time
On Dec 22nd we moved to working dock and took on 301 gallons of fuel ($1445, ouch!).