Charleston Part II: Setting The Dahonforth Anchor
So what could be my new engine issue? Is the starter fried? With all that smoke…how close did I come to having a fire aboard? Immediatly after dropping the hook, I dug into the engine room to begin troubleshooting. Visual inspection of starter and ignition wires indicated everything was OK. No melted wires. I crawled back a bit further to where the starting battery perched. The entire engine room smelled like ‘burning electricity’, so it was hard to determine exactly where the smell originated. But upon inspection of the battery, there was no doubt in my mind where the odor came from. The negative terminal had completely melted! It looked like ‘Hot Liquid Magma’ at the terminal. Internal short I guess. I talked with a few friends about possible issues. Together we traced my charging circuit and tested to make sure the starting battery was getting a proper charge. All checked out OK. I have an Ample Power Next Step Regulator coupled with their Eliminator to charge a 2nd battery bank.
The simple starter test: I swapped the starting circuit Hella key switch, and fired up the engine using the House Bank. Starter appears to be OK. Engines running. No meltdowns… yet. So, out with the old battery. Let’s just say, moving the Group 31 from its perch is a royal bitch; sweat and curses come standard.
I loaded the small boat with my bike and the dead battery, bound for West Marine to find a replacement. I pulled up to Daphne to get Teresa and her bike. Now, Charleston Harbor is actually a river, the Ashley River. At max flood/ebb, the current rips at about 4 knots. All the boats in the harbor sit in different directions depending on their hull shape. Some are in harmony with the wind direction, others follow the flow of the current. This day, the wind and current opposed one another and the chop was annoying to say the least.
Making room for Teresa’s bike, I moved the battery and my Dahon to the center. All in a matter of seconds, she handed me her bike, the dink rocked from the large wake kicked up by a powerboat speeding through the nearby ICW, the painter jerked, I lost my balance - which was compounded by stepping through a crack in the floor, and the dink began filling with water! I thought I could recover it, but nope, it was too late, I was getting wet, the bike was in my hand. I let go, the dink flipped over and I swam away, thinking, “Damn there goes another phone!” Teresa yelled, “It’s OK, It’s OK. Get the bike, it’s stuck on the dink! Quick!” The bikes! In my state of shock, I didn’t even realize the bikes would be gone. With hope, I swam to the dink, but there was no bike - it was the outboard motor lower unit, triggering another realization… the outboard was submerged. My phone, the outboard, 2 bikes, chain, lock, oarlocks - sunk in 30′ of water with a 3 knot current. Damn. Two dinghies arrived quickly to help out. Jim from Starbound, and another fellow, who’s name I didn’t catch, but his boats name was Timrod. We righted the dink and pumped her out, retrieved the oars, got a GPS fix, and took a deep breath.
Having sunk an outboard before, I knew if I was going to save this outboard, that was the first thing I had to attend to. I got the outboard to the Mega Dock, hosed her off, flushed the oil, sprayed the cylinders, and cleaned out the carb. She’s running just fine - for now. Go Team!
We found a diver through the “I know a guy who knows a guy who’s knows a guy” network. He came down after he got off work in two halves: half in the bag and with half a tank of air. Needless to say, finding our bikes that day was fruitless. The next day another diver came down, and again had no luck finding the bikes. 30′ of murky water and 3-4 knots of current didn’t help the situation. We decided to give up the search, and move on. It was MORE than time to leave Charleston.
Ben,
This story really sucks bro, I was just asking about your bike since I was looking to pick one up. Again sorry to hear about the bikes, I suppose we are both looking to pick one up now.
Keep the posts coming man, I enjoy them as I try to finish college and can’t get out on my own yet.
Cole
Another sailor goes for an unexpected swim (on video):
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8383946.stm
Hey Ben
I have been following your blog since you put your Nor’sea up for sale. I have been interested in purchasing a Nor’sea for quite a while but am afraid it will be to small after a year or so. Was this your experience? Did you sleep in the aft cabin or was it just too cramped? I was really intrigued by the security of the nor’sea cockpit and thought it would be nice for my spouse who enjoys sailing but gets uncomfortable when things go to the next level.
The BCC looks incredible but the price tag is a bit scary for the long weekend couple weeks a year sailor. Could you do a little side by side and your thoughts comparison of the two designs?
I live in the PNW and when doing the islands there are at times when an abundance of tacking is called for. My only experience with a cutter rig was on an island packet and we had to furl the genny half way each tack in order to get it through the slot, what a pain in the ass. Would I be looking at similar issues on the BCC?
Sorry to hear about your day of mayhem. Charleston has been a bitch for me as well and i’ve decided to just stay away. Bad mojo in that town, maybe something to do with old sumter and all it symbolizes.
I hope to hear from you. I know you got lots of other stuff to do besides answer emailers dumb questions but it would be nice to get the opinion of someone who has had abundant experience on both designs. Take it easy -R
Ben,
I am sorry to hear about the trouble you and Teresa. I read on her blog/Facebook page about the bikes but hadn’t heard the whole story. I too have been following your blog since the time you lived on the Nor’sea. It’s great to now read your blog and Teresa’s together. It will certainly be a warmer winter for you this year.
Love your boat (BCC). I have researched them extensively, since first seeing one in my marina (Chesapeake Bay) several years ago. I am sure Lyle Hess would be proud of the care you give Elizabeth.
Fair Winds.
Sincerely,
Ron
Well I hope you can laugh about it, sorry to say that I did … it must have been the visual you painted for us?
Nevertheless, I’m glad you are now south a bit and certainly keeping warmer than those of us hunkering down up north. Take care and thanks for keeping us entertained.
Rich… I do laugh, how can you not. Life is funny. Glad you get a giggle out of it too
Material “stuff” can be replaced, you can not. The most important aspect of this ordeal is you are here and safe. That is the only important thing.
Ben and Teresa I hope you both are getting past this recent challenge and you can replace the things lost, but thank God you both are ok. That’s all that really matters, you can fix the other problems. I have enjoyed your trip watch and was surprised you moved on down south. But let’s hope the third try to get into the warmer climates works. Ohio weather has been it’s worst this week, the high winds made the house feel like it was in 4 knots of water! Keep us informed, keep it exciting, but stay safe!
Suzie
Bummer, dude! Maybe it’s time to replace the bikes with BMXs! They’re compact?!
This story sucks! Will insurance cover the bikes and stuff?
hi, i’ve just found your site and i think it’s a great site! i live on my boat on a mooring in n FL in the winter months and i’ve got two words of advise for ya: zip locks. can’t tell you how many times they have saved my wallet and cell phone! and i keep a small bouy and line handy for valuable stuff(bikes). but,of course, i learned by tossing my own dingy several times!!