We took our friend Jim for an afternoon sail on Monday and was having a great time with ~15 knot wind. When it came time to head back in, the transmission lever didn’t feel right and was determined to have a broken clutch cable.

Ben made a phone call to Ken at the dock who enlisted the assistance of a couple of other dock neighbors (Jon and Coy). They made a bridle for the boat and launched two dinghys to assist as needed.

The transmission was still in forward (checked at the tranny), so Monomoy was started in gear and we proceeded for the dock.

We attached a painter from Jon’s dinghy and towed him for a short period down the channel. We approached the dock very slow at about 1.5 knots. Once the bow just broached the outside pilings, Ben shut down the diesel and steered into the slip. Between the attached dink acting as reverse, the bridle, and Jim getting a spring line around a piling, it all worked out and was a non-event with Monomoy coming safely to rest in her slip.

So Tuesday afternoon Jim and Ben began the task of removing both the clutch and throttle cables for replacement. They couldn’t get them through the pedestal due to what felt like a lower attachment point. They thought they had removed everything that was needed, called Edson and Hunter Marine, with all saying they had done what was needed, but they still couldn’t get the cables loose. It finally determined that Hunter must have intentionally or accidentally clamped the cables in the lower pedestal, so they had to go through the task of removing the pedestal to get in from underneath. Sure enough the cables were clamped in a way that was unintended by Edson and most likely had caused binding over the years.

Wednesday morning Ben cruised down to WM to see if they have or could get replacements, which they did. The cables were purchased and by afternoon Ben and Jim were back at it putting the boat back together.

We’re happy to report that the dock trial was a success and the new cables work as they should.

We had never changed throttle or clutch cables on a sailboat before, nor had we taken apart a pedestal. All postings online said the task is quick and easy, but to that contrary we probably racked up 8 hours due to the need of removing the pedestal.

Here are some pictures from the day sail and the cable replacement.

Blake.

Jim.

Pogo.

Ben and Jim taking apart the pedestal.

Task is nearly done with just a few items left to put back in place.

The day started off with rain all around, so we figured it would be a day stuck at the dock. By afternoon the sky had cleared and it was hot/muggy feeling. Jim on s/v Another Chance suggested we motor his boat over to Santa Rosa Island (SRI) to swim and cool off; he also wanted to check out his new Danforth’s holding. It’d also give me a chance to experience his autopilot, which is close to the model we plan to get for Monomoy.

We headed out of the slip with Jim at his helm.

Ben handled the bow dock lines.

We passed Monomoy as she slept in her berth. Her name is obscured, because I had lowered the dinghy a bit to drain some rain water a little better while at the slip.

Blake went below to visit with Highway.

Once out into the bay we found that the wind was picking up. So we put out the sails and had a great sail over to SRI.

Pogo got comfortable.

After a bit, she decided she wanted to view the scenery.

Jim explained various functions of the autopilot to Ben.

Then Ben explained to Carol why we must have an autopilot.

Blake took a nap.

We found a good spot, anchored, and swam around for a bit.

After we all had essentially worked out by swimming against the current, we pulled anchor and headed back. The wind had built to around 15-20 knots with following seas that were in the 1-2 foot range.

The sky was beautiful.

As we were cruising back, Carol noticed a dolphin, then Blake thought he could see two, but it turned out we had 5 on our bow and 4 off the port stern.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=emmMfKmiOQY

Once our sea friends departed, we noted 4 fishing vessels headed out.

What a great experience and fun afternoon of sailing!

There was reasonable wind for light sail, but not enough to move s/v Nightwatch.

Blake enjoyed the day.

Pogo assumed her routine position.

It was a perfect Father’s Day.

Carol enjoyed the sunny day.

What a wonderful day. Many other boaters enjoyed the day as well, but the channel was busy with BP traffic.

s/v Carried Away:

The Coast Guard was out in full force.

Other sailboats were out.

Boats were staged near the Pensacola Lighthouse ready to combat the oil.

s/v White Caps:

Pogo in her routine.

Carol was taking pictures of other boats.

There was a regatta going on.

Not a sailboat, but I loved the name.

Upon returning to the marina, our little friends were out enjoying the water.

To complete the day, before the afternoon storm blew through, Blake and Ken took their sailboats out for a cruise.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFEYIYrKlfI

The survey is Friday the 21st, so I suspect we’ll complete the deal the following week.

I think Saturday’s sail was a good final cruise for me to take with the boat.  We’re really going to miss it, because of the fun times we had cruising on her and because of how well the boat sails overall; though we expect to make many great memories with the new boat over the coming months.  Can’t wait for summer!

She was already looking a little better by late Thursday.

By Saturday she was near her old self, but still had turkey waddle under her neck.

Here she is on Sunday.

Saturday we took a day sail on the Pensacola Bay and Sunday took a dinghy ride.

On Mother’s Day, Blake monkeyed around…

While Carol relaxed…

It was a really nice weekend!

Scot, Carol, Blake, and Ben brought it over from Ono Island.

For a while Ben was at the helm while Scot navigated.

It was a gorgeous day.

Blake likes the new boat.

Scot took the helm for a bit.

Ben checked out the foredeck.

A fellow sailor cruised by to show his bottom paint.

We picked up Carol, Laura, and Erika and went out for a cruise.

Jody, Chrys, and Myriah, with their dog Skyler, cruised out.

Scot and Laura.

Blake took a nap.

Laura enjoyed the sun.

Erika was below and studying for her CPA.

Carol and Scot.

We headed out of the slip about 10am and sailed over to Flounders at Pensacola Beach. On board today was the usual Ben, Carol, and Blake, but we also had Scot, Laura, and Erika join us.

In an attempt to convert Scot from a powerboater to a sailor, he took the helm.

Everyone enjoyed themselves.

There were many other boats out enjoying the day.

Heading to Bob Sykes Bridge:

John and Joe on Toppsoff cruised up and joined us at Flounders.

After Flounders, Carol and Blake did some goofing off below.

The sunset was perfect.

Ben and Carol enjoyed the view together.

Erika took a nap.

Blake watched a movie.

What a great day!

Ben’s bro-in-law Scot was aboard…

As was Ben’s sis Laura, albeit bundled up…

Ben was in conversation…

Though the seas don’t appear it, the wind was steady at 15knots with gusts to 23 knots, so we furled the jib.

The seas were choppy…

Overall though, no complaints, because it is February and we were sailing!

Saturday we finally got Monomoy out of her slip.  The wind started out very lite, but it was still great to be on the bay. 

The sails were up!

Blake flexed his muscles in excitement that we were finally sailing.

Pogo just chilled.

Carol even had the chance to wear a bikini!

Here’s a picture of Pensacola from the bay.

Many other sailors had the same idea to get out on the water.

We sailed alongside friends Marlin and Tammy for a bit.

What a great day!