To answer any curious minds as to the unfortunate circumstance, here is what happened.
As it always the case, a number of
events conspire to create a panic situation, lack of planing and forethought being one and two on the list.
Have a look at Porto Koufo (location 39 58.2N 23 55.13E) on GE.
I'm pined along side the SE side of the pier by a force 6 SE. The pier was build during WWII to be used by
navy boats; to reach the top we climb up 4+ ft from our
deck. I'm tending the fenders trying to keep the side of the boat from scraping against the rough sides of the pier when a Greek Coast Guard official comes and tells me I have to move on 'cause an excursion boat is coming to refuel.
After trying to explain in vain that it's impossible to move the way the
wind is blowing, I decided to move just in case the excursion boat comes along side mine and that would have completed the picture ... totally!
I planned as calmly as I could the "escape" springing the bow out and keeping enough clearance for the stern so that my
solar panels don't scrape against the high pier. I then steam ahead at full throttle keeping an eye to the stern and the
panels. I'm about to clear the head of the pier when I find myself just about to broad side a 55ft cruiser who was tied at the head of the pier and now he's executing a similar maneuver. You see the GCG official asked him to leave, also, after talking to me.
Well, that's when the throttle did a 180. Fortunately, I slowed down and turn to starboard enough for the cruiser to pass and the stern to pull away from the pier. I started moving forward again and noticed the vibration.
On the technical side, I thing the flexible coupling may be the culprit/savior. Unfortunately, there's no way to attach the shaft directly to the transmission for testing. Also, I get very little in terms of support from the manufacturer, CENTA. I plan to have the boat hauled out for a bit since I don't feel comfortable doing shaft
work on the
water. I'll report back on findings.
Thank you, all, for your consideration.