May 14, 2006

SOS; laceName w:st="on">FridaylaceName> laceType w:st="on">Harbor & San JuanlaceType> laceType w:st="on">IslandlaceType>

Position: 48’ 32.60’ North, 123’ 00.27’ West

Captain: Arieyeh J. Austin (although I will never admit it)

Time on Water: 5 hours, 40 minutes

            The next day the winds were out of the North / North West.  There was 4 knots of current in the Straight of San Juan.  We arose a bit late, having to recover from the Yellow Tail wine from the previous night. After bidding farewell to Todd and Tara, we shoved off and headed east toward laceName w:st="on">FishermanlaceName> laceType w:st="on">BaylaceType> and laceName w:st="on">LopezlaceName> laceType w:st="on">VillagelaceType> on laceName w:st="on">LopezlaceName> laceType w:st="on">IslandlaceType>.  Unfortunately, we never made it there.  Half way around the north end of laceName w:st="on">DecaturlaceName> laceType w:st="on">IslandlaceType>, near laceName w:st="on">ThatcherlaceName> laceType w:st="on">PasslaceType>, the engine mysteriously stopped on us.  I attempted to restart her, but could get no power from either battery.  The radio was dead, as was all of the electronics.  Somehow we had managed to drain two 12 volt batteries completely dry in 48 hours while running almost no power?  I worked on them a bit, checking cables and such, but came up with an expectant unknown as to why we were dead in the water.  Barb and I decided to head to laceName w:st="on">FridaylaceName> laceType w:st="on">HarborlaceType>.  We knew there was a marina there, as well as mechanics and electricians.  We could do the laundry and take showers and recoup after three days away from civilization.  We went as far as we could go under sail and then called for Harbor Assist.  They gladly towed us into the marina, and made what could have been a very painful experience rather pleasant.  Our Boat US insurance paid for the majority of the tow, and so we were not so bad off.  All in all, it was actually a pleasant day with a good blow on the nose for several hours of sailing prior to our embarrassing, “SOS.”  Once into Friday harbor I coordinated for an electrician to come and look at our batteries and alternator the next morning, and then we headed up to the town for dinner.  I can tell you that laceName w:st="on">FridaylaceName> laceType w:st="on">HarborlaceType> is all that the tourist books tell you it is.  There was a movie theater, whale watching tours and a whale museum, parks, and very friendly people.  If you have to be marooned in the Islands, laceName w:st="on">FridaylaceName> laceType w:st="on">HarborlaceType> is the place to be.  I was able to get the engine started with shore power AC connected, and made sure the battery charger was working.  This means the culprit was at least the batteries; with a good chance the alternator was bad as well…  We tucked ourselves in that evening and watched, “All Dogs Go to Heaven” with Sophia that night, and hoped for the best the next day…