Monday May 23, 2016
Our plan was to get up early and try to get at least 50 miles under our belt. But a different kind of belt had other plans for us!
Jim turned on the engine as part of his morning engine check ritual. Normal engine sounds were followed a few seconds later by a loud high pitched squeal. We had heard alternator belt squeals before, but that sounded like angry mice. Today’s noise was like squawking Eagles!
We shut off the motor and called Boat US towing. We have an unlimited towing policy. It was just before 7am when I talked to Sean. He had to get dressed, and grab a cup of coffee, but he would come to our rescue in about an hour.
Sean towed us to his marina, where we tied up to the T head of a dock. Sean used to be s mechanic for the Navy. He looked at our alternator, and tightened the belt. That was the source of the noise. Our alternator was charging the batteries (it usually does at the dock, but not when no one is around). I ordered carry out lunch from the Marina restaurant for Sean and us, and then we were on our way again in the mid-afternoon.
The Marina was off the Cape Canaveral barge canal. We had views all day of the mammoth building at the space launch site.
We were on our way again. The alternator was charging the batteries, and life was good.
The draw bridge for the NASA causeway closes during rush hour. We anchored near the bridge and went swimming during our hour long wait for the bridge to open. At the appointed time, we started the engine, and Jim used the windless to pull up the anchor. Then he checked our SOC. The alternator was not charging the batteries. We needed to find a Marina. I looked on Active Captain. Titusville Marina was about an hour away, and they had a slip for us! Yeah!
Night at Titusville Marina.