I always speak too soon. Underway this morning at 8, we first stopped for diesel fuel at a marina in the Thunderbolt area of Savannah. Then underway to enjoy a nice trip to Steamboat Creek anchorage, then on to Georgetown. During my mid morning engine room check I noticed the bilge area under the starboard engine filling with water. Short story — the starboard shaft dripless shaft seal had failed and we had water. I mean water coming into the engine room. We pumped and pumped to keep up with the inflow, and talked on the phone trying to find a place to help replace the seal. Everyone including Thunderbolt Marine said the repair job would have to be scheduled at least 3 weeks out, but Thunderbolt said they would look at the issue. So, we quickly turned back to let them investigate.
Thunderbolt is a huge repair facility that specializes in mega yachts repairs. Mega meaning 250-350 foot yachts. Luckily, they were happy to help us out and a project manager and two mechanics came to have a look. Thirty minutes later Apolonia was out of the water, which was necessary to fix this major seal failure. Further, the crew decided to fix us tomorrow morning and have us back in the water around noon. Not sure what changed their minds and decide to do this job. But, boy am I happy and eager to continue the trip. So is Carey as she’s determined to see family and friends. And, as she always says, if everything goes perfectly you have no good stories to tell later. But, this boat is providing her more fodder for resale than for oft-told tales.
We grabbed a motel room for the evening and enjoyed a Mexican Taco Pizza. Tomorrow we’ll reboard the boat and hopefully say farewell to the boat’s misbehaving. We can still make Colonial Beach by the 14th and that’s the plan. We wanted to see if we could travel long trips on this boat and that’s what we’re doing. Some of what we’re seeing is just adjustments to what is stored where and how much we can take with us, but there are other issues concerning living space size and basic comfort. Only one of us is close to a decision on this so far, but Carey continues to compile her “list.”
We saw some strange and some beautiful boats at Thunderbolt Take a look at a couple of the vessels and you’ll also see Carey and the hauled out Apolonia.
Ah yeah, spent quite a bit of time at Thunderbolt. Just seems to be at the right place at the right time. Do they still deliver donuts in the a.m.?
Well you’re at one of my favs. We stopped at there marina, paper n doughnuts every morning, 2015 loop final leg…. N I stayed cross the street for 1996 olympic trials. Love the restaurants along that side, some good seafood, literally right off the boat(s). All the shrimpers there still?