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With dreams of exotic places and great sea voyages on my mind, the moment of truth arrived when Bruce brought the sea lift at about 9:30 and off we went to the launching ramp.
Bruce set us in the water and waited to make sure all was well in the ship before shoving us off like a new born birdy being kicked out of the nest. Randy and I got into the pilot house and all I heard was, "I hear water running!" Looking down at the shaft log and stuffing box water was rushing in. Yikes ! We grabbed wrenches and I crawled in there to stop the flow. As I tightened it got a lot worse so we had to abandon the launch. Bruce in his most understanding way took us back to the barn. He left the boat on the sea lift all day so we could try a second launch later. Randy, Gnettie and I worked for 7 hours to get the new rubber boot and new clamps installed. I had to buy a puller and modify it to get the coupler off the propeller shaft. Glad I have a workshop on board with a vice. Gnettie did all the running back and forth for supplies to help get'r done. Note: If we would have had a successful launch last year we would have been in a world of hurt. The way the water was rushing in we would have had to beach the boat in the mud to keep her from sinking ! The old seafarers up above are looking after this new Captain and mate... |
Here is the launch video. |