June 18: All looked good for our departure today, until the Captain noticed that the bow thruster was not working. Trying to maneuver a single screw boat without a bow thruster is a tough challenge. However, the Captain managed to back out of the slip using short bursts of speed. The bow thruster was working perfectly when we arrived here 3 weeks ago so its demise is a mystery.
Our trip through the northern section of Chesapeake Bay under cloudy skies was uneventful. The rain held off except for a few sprinkles here and there. It really started coming down as we entered the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal (C&D). The C&D canal links the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays and is kept well dredged for the large commercial traffic that transits the area.
Our destination today is an anchorage just inside the C&D canal. When we bought the boat 6 years ago in Norfolk, we followed this same route and anchored in the same spot. What a difference 6 years makes! The place has completely changed. There is now a marina here with an inn and restaurant in the formerly deserted basin. This is, however, a very well protected anchorage and a good spot to wait out any bad weather.
Next on our agenda was to investigate what has caused the bow thruster to give up the ghost. Step one was to dismantle the motor from inside the boat to determine if the shear pin was broken. So the chief mechanic climbed into the small space in the forward cabin where the bow thruster is located. His trusty assistant stood by ready to hand the necessary tools, read the instruction manual and hold the torch. So who has the easy job?
After successfully dismantling the equipment, we found that the shear pin was intact. The poor chief mechanic had to endure putting the entire machine back together cramped up in such a confined space. The poor guy was exhausted by the time the operation was completed.
What now? We made arrangements to be hauled tomorrow when we arrive at the marina in Cape May. Rats! Just when we thought things were going so well....
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