Our first attempt at leaving Ft Lauderdale with Aquarius was on Monday, November 4th. We woke up early and made final preparations to sail, removing the 120v power cords, taking our trash off, stowing gear, and topping off the charge on the batteries. Alan came aboard at about 8:00 and Kurt Gahagan came with the two tugs 'Courageous' at about 8:30 to tow us down the river. I didn't think the New River with all of the multi million dollar yachts was the best place for me to get a feel for Aquarius' helm.
We had made it down the river past Davie Brodge when Capt. Gahagan alerted us that he had allowed our dinghy to swamp in our bow wake as he was towing it. He let out more tow line on it which allowed it to come alongside of us, and Eugene bailed it out with a bucket swinging on a rope as we continued to make our way down the river. We lost all of the gear in the dinghy from the wash, including the anchor.
Aquarius was released from the tugs at the ICW about 9:25. I started the engine and shifted into gear but felt no response. I asked Alan and Eugene "Do you see any prop wash ?". No. Alan took the wheel while I went below to check the shitft linkage in the engine room. The screw had come loose so I manualy shifted the lever on the transmission forward. Nothing. Reverse worked OK, but I observed terrible vibration ! We decided it was time to head back to Summerfield Boat Works.
I started to reach for the radio to hail Tow Boat US, but Captain Gahagan had noticed our lack of progress and came back to check on us. Alan took the wheel as they towed us back up the river again while I called ahead to the yard on the cell phone to make sure they still had our dock for us.
On our return Lyle went below with me to investigate our problems. Three of the four bolts on the shaft coupling had fallen out, and the transmission had leaked out most of it's fluid. (I swear, I had checked those bolts!)
We left Aquarius at the dock at SBW and drove back home to New Jersey...
(c)Copyright 2003 by Eugene Kashpureff