Maxwell Windlass

The windlass is leaking oil again; this happened on our maiden voyage, leaked gear oil after a few uses.  We called Krogen, they sent us to the Ft. Lauderdale "dealer".  Maxwell does not cover the remove/refit labour, only the repair.  Costs us a few $$ on a brand new boat (see Maxwell Windlass Part II)  but to make matters worse they did not do a proper reinstall, too much to get into here.

Long story short, a year later we are are back in the Bahamas and we have oil leaking out of the windlass!  This time I decided to take it apart  myself.  Disappointing to see that whoever was in here last did nothing to prevent corrosion as per the installation manual. No big deal we caught it early, I can deal with that.  3 of the 4 gearbox bolts are loose and oil is leaking from the gearbox/ motor right angle flange.  Either the static "o" ring has failed (not likely) or the bolts are loose.  I have to join the Admiral & guest for dinner, to be continued!  Maxwell do have a good exploded view in their manual but it does not fully match our build.

If you have a Maxwell, beware, it needs attention and best you learn to do it yourself!

Cheers
Ken

OK, a storm that never happened

Anchored behind Bonds Cay, the forecast is not very favorable.  We call Berry Islands Club, a bit confusing, all the morrings are booked but they have slips available.  OK, we head in, wind is blowing 15-20 G25 kts from the NE.  It's a struggle but we get into a "slip".  Turns out that the wind clocks, there are a few T storms but nothing significant.  Everyone is hunkered down, the front goes through, all is well, we enjoyed the grilled conch.  On our way to Nassau.

Bahamas, always better in the islands!

Well, another minor delay, after waiting for customs to open Tuesday for an outbound clearance, we find out it's not required to go to the Bahamas (Canadian Flagged Vessel).  So we missed crossing with Puffin. We departed Sylvia Lake just after 9 am, headed to North Bimini and with the SW winds we decided to go on the Bank at North Rock, easy, lots of water.  Keeping North Rock Light to starboard then turn south and then back west to anchor in the lee in about 12', sand, good holding.  Looking at the charts and reading the guide book we decided to go to Great Harbour Cay to clear customs.  A straight shot across the banks, again easy, lots of water.  We got to Bullock's harbour and found Grand Adventure there at anchor!  We talked on the radio, played with the SSB, no luck but I did listen in on Chris Parker in the am so maybe there is hope yet.

This morning we got into Great Harbour Cay Marina, nice!  Cleared customs, friendly and professional, no issues. Staff are very friendly, nice protected slips with lots of room, best part is $1.20 per foot (power & water extra).  Airport is close by and has flights to Nassau, WPB & Lauderdale. Great place to drop off or pick up guests.  The beach on the east side is world class!  We meet up with Mark, Emily and their guest Dan from Grand Adventure, Sylvianne & I walk the beach, I take a swim we have lunch, just a great day!  Take a bike ride and now back at the boat. We are tied to a dock today and Grand Adventue is at anchor off one of the best beaches around!  Tomorrow we're leaving the dock and doing the same!

On to Florida

Getting the blog caught up, again. After hooking up with Bob and Nancy on Puffin we continue south in freezing cold temperatures. Windy weather kept us inside the ICW most of the way. We managed off shore only twice and then made some good time. Steve & Theresa on Sea Quill, Jim & Barbara on Ariel are also working their way south.

In Florida things improve, pull into Loggerhead in Stuart, the gangs all here!  Off to Canada for Christmas but back for New Years. We had a great time New Years Eve. Thanks Stu for organizing that one.

We hang out in Stuart frantically installing the new toys, getting ready to cross.  Head south with Mark and Emily on Grand Adventure.  We stopped in Ft. Lauderdale but they carried on.  We arrive in Lake Sylvia. The anchorage is good and safe with great access to everything from South Port Raw Bar, (dingy dock is $10, but you can use it as a credit towards food/drinks anytime that day). They serve bar food but it's good bar food!  It's an easy walk from there to the Publix, Total Wine, BlueWater Books, Ace Hardware and West Marine.  Puffin arrives and we get together to get caught up and plan our journey across with them to Cat Cay.

We meet "Puffin"

On our way back to the boat after a wonderful meal at 'Amen Cafe' in Charleston, SC, we spot Krogen, "Puffin" tied at the dock.  We think we know these folks. It is still early, the salon lights are on so we knock and Bob & Nancy welcome us on board. We'd met in October at the Solomons Rendezvous.  Next day we get together and go out to S.N.O.B., a Charleston "must do" restaurant. We have a great evening getting reacquainted.  In the am we leave together and head south to Tom Point Creek.  Raft up in a great anchorage with great "new friends"!  That's what we love about this cruising thing, meeting people, seeing new things, doing new things.  Life is better on a boat, you never know what is coming next!

Mile Hammock Bay to Charleston

We leave Mile Hammock at 6:45 am along with the sailboat "Random Run".  South to Wrightsville Beach, we bump bottom (again!) in what should be 10' of water in what we believe is the channel. Make a turn to port and out the inlet then we glide into a beautiful lazy 3' swell from the NE, perfect!  That lasts until 23:00 when the breeze picks up, 15-20, and the 2-3' seas hit us on the beam, no big deal, just not as "smooth" as the earlier ride.  Great crossing, 29.5 hours later we tie up at Ashley River Marina, Charleston.

North Carolina, time to head south!

We get back from Taiwan and head to Wayfarer's Cove.  Thanks Tom & crew for taking good care of us and being so helpful. Krogen folks, if you are following, good place to stop and get your bottom "done".  Nice people, be sure to call ahead and get some advice entering. You'll need it, it's very interesting!  After leaving Wayfarer's we anchor in Adams Creek, then depart at daybreak. The weather is not favorable to go offshore at Moorehead City so we stay inside. Stop at Casper's for some fuel and anchor in Mile Hammock Bay.  The front comes through, the wind howls and the rain comes down in buckets.  The next morning, with the wind blowing, we decide to stay put.  We can't go offshore and the ICW south of Wrightsville is not an appealing option for us.

Kenting, Taiwan

Anelize is not sure what to make of this, a weekend in Kending, thanks Danny & Jon. It was great fun!  Love DAD.

South East Coast, Taiwan

We spend a wonderful weekend with Dani, Jon & Anelize; waterfalls, hotsprings, tea and the ocean and of course food!  Love the mountain fern "veggies",  the sweet potato greens, the fish, the lemon fish and the sashimi!  Oodles of noodles too!

Side Trip to Taiwan

Off to Taiwan for a few weeks. Proud daddy Jon with our precious Anelize, 9 months here!