Ooooops and a Big OUCH

While leaving Harrisville on another questionable day weather wise, we touched bottom about 100 feet outside of the harbor entrance.  Our overnight neighbor in a 37 ft Sea Ray was headed to the same destination and left just as we were leaving.  I followed him out of the harbor, he was a few hundred yards ahead of us, but as we cleared the north tip of the breakwall we encountered some 4 ft swells.  30 or 40 yards from the mouth of the harbor a particularly large swell caused us to hit bottom.  It made an absolutely awful sound that scared the sh*! out of us.  I, of course, immediately took both engines out of gear as I was still at idle speed and we bobbed about in about 6-7 ft of water and then it immediately went up to 12-14 feet.  I found out later that there is an umarked shoal just outside the mouth of the harbor but because it is 6 feet like the advertised minimum depth of the harbor it is not marked.  I have subsequently found out that others have hit bottom there in rough weather as well.

Anyway, we tried near the harbor to see if there was any damage.  There were no vibrations or strange noises, no water coming into the boat, and the speed seemed the same for the RPM so we decided to continue.  Maybe we should not have.  The waves were the worse that we have encountered, especially as we rounded Presque Isle.  Water was frequently splashing onto the winshield.  As we came up to Adams Point about 30 minutes from our destination of Rogers City, the rear bilge pump came on for about a minute.  1 minute seems like a lifetime when you are in big water with 5-7 foot waves.  Anyway it did go off so it could have been good or bad.  Linda thought the pump failed and I was happy that the pump could keep up with whatever water was getting in.  Unfortunately, it went on twice more before we got to port.  We docked immediately and I went below to check things out.  There was some water laying around but, thank God, nothing still coming in.  There was water, lots of it, in a compartment under the connection from the transmission to the shaft on the port side.  Not a good sign, but fortunately no water was leaking with the engine off.  I then got my swim mask and dove under the boat.  NOT A GOOD SIGN.  Both propellers were chewed up pretty good.  We are lucky in the sense that we can at least drive the boat.  The nearest marina that can do the necessary repairs is Cheboygan or Mankinaw City.  We are going to try to get to Mackinaw as that service centre is better equipped to handle our boat.  Only 49 miles to get there.

So we had our mishap on 08-08-08, the start of the Olympics.  The Chinese think that 08-08-08 is a lucky number combination.  Linda and I disagree.  Since we arrived the weather has gotten worse.  Saturday had numerous t-storms come whipping through and winds of 20-25 kts.  Today, Sunday, we have a Gale warning in effect until 5 PM.  Winds are 30 mph gusting to 40.  We are staying another night.

Well if you thought these reports were boring so far then they will be getting much worse.  Q will have to be hauled out and repairs done.  The props will be sent to Detroit with probably a week turn around.  Hopefully, there is no other damage.  While we are there we also need some work on our water heater.  I suspect that there is crud or scale on the heating element because we are only getting luke warm water.  I will try to get one sent up so that I can try to replace it.  Oh well, I am sure that we will be able to find a patio to relax on although it is so cold that I have had to put long pants on and even some socks.  I have not worn socks since April. 

Wish us luck and all donations gladly accepted.
Embarrassed Captain and frightened crew