I guess it's to be expected...

With a 30 year old boat.
After over 200 miles, we are in a marina for repairs. The transmission started making a loud squeal when we revved up. I ckecked the fluid and it was a bit low. Added more fluid and the noise went away, but why is it leaking?
So we stop to check it out. There is a Yanmar mechanic on site, if needed. I hope not as it would seem there's no easy fix.
As we pulled in yesterday we spotted Great Old Broad, a boat we know from Marathon. Sally is in Chicago at a conference, but Ed drove us to the grocery store and later we met for a few drinks at the bar.
Just pray I can solve the transmssion problem without outside help.

Progress

We are starting to get back into the rhythm of the crusing life. We made another 25 miles today, again motoring with the wind on our nose.
Tomorrow, it looks like we might get to sail across Biscane Bay.
We got to Gilberts Resorth but could not raise them by radio or phone so we saved some money by dropping anchor within sight of the place. Their loss.
We sat here and watched two young pelicans harrass a dolphin. They're lucky dolphins don't eat bird. Otherwise, they would have been dinner!

Underway

Well, we are unerway at last.
The weather wasn't perfect, but we went anyway because we want to be at No Name Harbor by Monday. We have go outside around Miami and the weather is forecast to be great on Tuesday.
Today we had the wind on the nose all 27 nm to Islamorada. We planned on motoring anyway to test the strut repairs. Everything worked great and we started learning the rpm/speed curve for the boat. So far it looks like 2200 rpm gives about 5 knots in calm water, 4 knots in a headwind. Not bad.
Tomorrow Gilberts and Mother's day dinner for Bev.
Everyone please wish us good luck.

Strut work.

Oops, accidentally sent a post to the other blog. Sorry.
Strut work is done. Prop cleaned and balanced. We splash tomorrow.

A setback

Well, today was to be the day and we tried, we really tried.
We started out at high tide this morning and got about half way to Long Key. Then we blew a tack and managed to get the genoa sheets hopelessly fouled. So we started the engine but when we revved her up we had a horrible thunking sound. I suspect the prop strut has worked itself loose. (It's never been quite, but we didn't have money in the budget to haul out and fix it.) Now we have to find the money and get it done.
To top off a day of disasters, we ran aground within sight of the dock and had to wait for the tide to come in.
What a day.
On another note, a young couple looked at Walkue yesterday. They called today to say they want to make an offer.  Keep your fingers crossed.

Underway!

Well, the weather wasn't perfect, but the forcast was for it to get worse so we headed out. We motored, with 15 kn of wind dead on the nose, for 13 nm to Driftwood Marina. We plan to spend a few days here to work on Walkure.
The trip was uneventful except for the fact that I had the prop shaft packing nut a hair too tight. We had to keep RPMs low, which kept our speed down. Now I've loosened it a bit so next time we should have no trouble. Otherwise, the boat took the chop like sitting in a rocking chair. We're OK, the boat's OK, Bev handled jumping off to cleat dock lines like a pro. Nice!

Almost...

Let's see...
Last minute shopping...done.
Oil change...done.
Bottom cleaned...done.
Laundry...done.
Charting...done.
Ground tackle...done.
Stow all gear...well, almost.

We're expecting a bit of a blow tomorrow. We hoped to be on our way, but that might not happen until Sunday or Monday.
Bev worked her last day for the season while I canned another 8 lbs of meat for the trip & changed the oil. Queequeg looks good with a fresh coat of paint and new home port lettering on her transom. I think we're ready. As ready as I can get us.
Wish us luck.