A Long Day on the Water

[crazycarl]

The morning winds were light but forecasted to increase, so I raised the sails and slowly ghosted away from our dock.  40 minutes later I finally made it under the bridge a mile down the creek. Not much wind yet on the river so I glided in under sail to the town dock, tied up, and crossed the street to the "Bean" where I sat on the deck with coffee and scone in hand while accepting compliments on my boat handling. Leaving the free dock I motored a few yards before the outboard quit. Yes, the "old salts" were still on the deck observing my "skills".  A few pumps of the primer bulb, a pull on the cord, and away I went. That is until the o/b crapped out again. No biggie, I was able to catch a slight breeze and make my way around the breakwater to the mighty Neuse. Sailing along the north shore to Swan Island, then across to South River and down the south shore to Adam's Creek before heading north back toward the bridge. Approaching the bridge the wind was not much more than a puff and we stalled midway under. It was at that time the only other boat on the creek was headed my way. We barely cleared the bridge as the fishing boat blasted past, leaving a large wake that would have been disastrous had I not cleared the bridge.  With the sun rapidly dropping, I decided to try the o/b again, and again it ran momentarily before stopping. With a very slight breeze on the nose, we tacked port to starboard and back again for over 2 hours until finally coming to a full stop just outside our little cove. Prime, pull, run, stop. Prime, pull, run stop. Prime, pull, run, stop.  6 times in all before finally reaching our dock and 11 1/2 hours after leaving it.

[Tim Gardner]

Now you know why I turned to electric propulsion.  Seldom do I need to motor more than 2-3 miles and my instant start, instant reversing, Minn-kota Endura 55# thrust trolling motor.  It pushes my 19 at over 4 knots on full power for about 2hrs. At 3 knots it will run for about - all day. Cost me under 300 (299.99 @ Tractor Supply).

But I'm on a fresh water lake.  In salt water the Riptide version would be my choice.  $500+/-

I still have my Mercury/Tohatsu 4HP gas outboard.  I use it on our 1965 12' Starcraft V-hull aluminum rowboat.  The grand-kids love it.

[Christopher]

Wow that is no fun!

[kickingbug2]

still better than a day on land

[fried fish]

Tow Boat US is my back up plan.

[kickingbug2]

carl, tell him about boat us