3 days after launching my timber modern
classic ketch from a 12month US$500K
refit I'm on the pick at Icmeler, Bodrums ship building region. Weathers good, a steady 8
knot breeze blowing in from the Aegean. I'm sitting about 150mts
offshore with 12mts under my
keel.
I've done a couple of brief sea trial runs on my new 260hp Iveco since the launch testing and commissioning all my new systems. I planned this morning to check the coupling alignment.
I've got a fully enclosed
engine room lined with 50mm acoustic blanket so sound both ways is zapped. I had lifted the
salon ER
hatch and the aft bulkhead door to chartroom was open.
30mins into my task I had all the flex coupling bolts out preparing to slide a feeler gauge clearance. The 2.5" shaft dosen't want to let go the coupling.
I heard some distant shouting but Turks are always shouting so it goes in/out. I'm focused on my job working the coupling back, more shouting, "noisy buggers should piss off" then I heard my yacht's name. Thought one of my mad mates was wanting me to pick them up from the beach so down tools, climbed topside.
The beach, rocks and small reef were 15mt max of my stern and closing at walking pace.
My pick had dragged when I've let go my only mean of drive. No
sails on board, new ones still being sewn and my shaft is unhooked.
Long story fast laned to short I got 2 bolts in started up drove fwd then slowly circled until I could reverse of the beach so not to foul my own line. I reversed out 700mt before stopping to reset.
I remember feeling my
keel (draft 2.4mt)starting to bump as I was doing up those 2 bolts
That day I learned to never ever again trust a 75lb
CQR 75lb or 85lb
Delta or any pick in deep sea
grass.