I can't complain about mine today. I just got back from a short cruise, two
overnights, up to Boothbay where I anchored in the exact spot as I did on
the first night of my first cruise in Maine. Thought about all the water
over that dam in the last four decades. Returned via the inside passage from
the Sheepscott River to Bath through the notorious Hell Gate. Visited the
Basin and watched wildlife around tide swept ledges, lots of places where an
engine failure would have been very awkward. Many warm thoughts about all
the work I did on the fuel system last winter.

Turned into the marina, mind cleared of the winter cobwebs and ready for the
summer. Put the engine in neutral to slow down, put it back in gear, CLINK!
The shift lever was limp and floppy in my hand. Had just enough way on to
turn into an empty slip a couple up from mine, snubbed her with a spring
line, and tied up.

Spent the rest of the day taking the steering pedestal apart. The threaded
rod portion of the shift cable snapped right off where it threads into the
fork.

It could have been worse.

--
Roger Long

In article ,
Roger Long wrote:
I can't complain about mine today. I just got back from a short cruise, two
overnights, up to Boothbay where I anchored in the exact spot as I did on
the first night of my first cruise in Maine. Thought about all the water
over that dam in the last four decades. Returned via the inside passage from
the Sheepscott River to Bath through the notorious Hell Gate. Visited the
Basin and watched wildlife around tide swept ledges, lots of places where an
engine failure would have been very awkward. Many warm thoughts about all
the work I did on the fuel system last winter.

Turned into the marina, mind cleared of the winter cobwebs and ready for the
summer. Put the engine in neutral to slow down, put it back in gear, CLINK!
The shift lever was limp and floppy in my hand. Had just enough way on to
turn into an empty slip a couple up from mine, snubbed her with a spring
line, and tied up.

Spent the rest of the day taking the steering pedestal apart. The threaded
rod portion of the shift cable snapped right off where it threads into the
fork.

It could have been worse.

Definitely! Several years ago, I was sailing a rented Columbia 29 with an inboard A4. We were up by the Gate, decided to go into Horsehoe Cove for lunch. So, engine on, turn into the wind, drop the jib, drop the main, and the topping lift parts. Just missed bonking someone on the head with the boom, and the main is basically covering the cockpit. Waves are 6-7 with an ebb and 20kts. Ok, so we sort it all out before we hit the rocks, get in, have lunch and fix the topping lift. Then, sail back to South City. Engine on, drop the sails, motoring down the fairway, and billowing black smoke comes pouring out of the cabin. I kill the engine, thinking thar she blows, and we glide into the slip. Scared the crap out of some guy in the slip next to ours. Turned out, a oil line broke.

I guess that could have been worse too!

Oh, and check out the new look

http://home.maine.rr.com/rlma/Boat.htm

I had a chance to row the dinghy around and take some pictures without all
the marina clutter.

--
Roger Long