Mar 17, 2016 Leaving Jacksonville (almost)

Ready for departure.

Here we are, Kite and Ringle, as the sun is rising on St. Patrick's Day anxiously awaiting our departure time of 09:00. This time was selected so that we would catch the outgoing tide to carry us 15 miles down the St. Johns River to the Intracostal Waterway (ICW), and then south in the ICW for 30 miles to the harbor of Saint Augustine. Both boats are as ready as they can be, having participated in a shakedown cruise two weekends ago, and made the needed upgrades in the intervening time. Lyn and Peter felt better prepared than three years ago, when they started a cruise to the Chesapeake Bay, only to find a leak in Kite's engine water pump, that caused them to stop 5 miles after starting and wait for 3 days for a new pump to arrive before continuing.

Alone for the night.

Kite led a procession of 3 boats through the Ortega River bridge and had just cleared the shoal area at the mouth of the Ortega River, 1 mile from her home berth at the Marina at Ortega Landing, when it happened! Lyn noticed that the engine exhaust was smoky and just at that moment the engine faltered and quit. Peter noticed that the engine temp gauge was at maximum before turning off the key, and Kite slowly coasted to a stop. Lyn threw out the anchor while Peter radioed Ringle to notify them that Kite had engine problems, and would call TowboatUS for a tow back to the marina where she could get professional help. Ringle decided to continue to Saint Augustine and wait for Kite to catch up.

We waited at anchor for 2 hours to get our tow. While waiting Peter checked the engine and verified that it was VERY hot. He also called several mechanics and left messages for them to call back. After talking to 5 mechanics, he finally found one that could come by the marina this afternoon. He also pondered the engine problem and determined that the most likely source of the problem was a sticking thermostat. Of course Kite does not carry spares of this item. By this time, TowboatUS had delivered us to our slip at the marina, where we will spend the night - alone, without Ringle.

Matt, the mechanic, arrived in mid-afternoon and took out the thermostat, which was indeed frozen shut. Before Matt arrived the engine had cooled down to room temperature, and Peter decided to see if it would start again. It did start and he confirmed that the raw water cooling system was working normally, so the problem had to be in the fresh water cooling system, where the thermostat is located. Unfortunately, Matt did not have the correct replacement thermostat, and after calling every diesel engine parts location in the Jacksonville area we could jointly think of, we had no choice but to order a replacement online. By paying for overnight delivery, we should get the part tomorrow morning, and be on our way as soon as Peter can finish the installation.

It seems as though Kite will not leave on a major adventure without some drama at the very beginning of the cruise.