Outboard Failure.. :)

[HappyMdRSailor]

Originally Posted by MBWhite

After you've had a couple engine failures in airplanes wonky sailboat motors don't seem to cause such a big excitement, not that I'd recommend that form of therapy to anyone!

Congrats on troubleshooting and fixing your issue!

Agreed !

I had a friend who had a crank fracture in a Bonanza over Baja in the 70's... He said it was rather exciting... The story was enough excitement for me...

[MBWhite]

Originally Posted by denverd0n

To paraphrase thinwater... Engine? My first plane didn't have no stinkin' engine.

(Come to think of it, neither did my first boat.)

My first plane didn't either, but once you get used to them they're kinda handy to have around.

[denverd0n]

Originally Posted by MBWhite

My first plane didn't either, but once you get used to them they're kinda handy to have around.

True, but just like with sailboats, gliders are so much more fun if you're not in a hurry to get somewhere.

[thomm225]

It's all about what you know.

These folks knew how to fix an engine.

Some folks wouldn't even consider trying to fix a broken engine (in this case fuel line) but would have sailed in and called a mechanic.

Flying a glider on a day with good thermals would probably be much easier than sailing back in depending on the current and other conditions

[HappyMdRSailor]

There's a town called Thermal in CA.... It get's kinda toasty there in the summer... spring... fall... Winters are comfortable...

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by HappyMdRSailor

There's a town called Thermal in CA.... It get's kinda toasty there in the summer... spring... fall... Winters are comfortable...

Yep, I spend a couple years in Yuma. I know the climate pretty well. It was quite a change from the weather in Memphis, TN.

I even drove up to the Salton Sea a few days after the quake in El Centro in the 70's and saw some seagulls flying about.

[Ex-Calif]

Well done Scarlet and husband! When things break while sailing it becomes about problem solving, resources, resource management and back up plans.

Knowing how to sail into the harbor is a skill you need to learn. Sailing onto a mooring and up to a dock. All come with time and practice.

For an engine faillure you should also think what else should be ready. Having an anchor and rode ready is good. What if you are becalmed and drifting towards a sea wall or shore?

Multiple backups are always good.

For the glider guys? I spent my time from 16 to 18 driving all over the California and Nevada deserts towing a freakin' glider trailer chasing my dad's diamond quests. My reward was soloing at 16 and getting to fly locally once in a while...

Flying without an engine? Priceless...

[SkiprJohn]

Congratulations!
I had a very similar thing happen to me when I got my first boat many years ago. Very wonderful feeling to get her running again after a McGiver fix.

[DSDman]

Speaking of Mcgiver, I had the steering cable break on a 225 Johnson outboard. All I had in the boat was a pair of pliers and we were 15 miles to the boat landing. Ended up using those pliers to unscrew the bolt holding the steering arm. Then used the anchor rope to lash the paddle to the cowling on the motor. Viola instant tiller. Wife worked the throttle and I steered. Come to think of it that's how we end up doing most things!

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