Easter Weekend and it was time to cut the boat loose from the dock and get out on the water.I signed up with the Neuse Sailing Association so I could meet sailors in the area. I joined them on an overnight at River Dunes Marina on Broad Creek about 8 miles down the river.
Winds were light and the weather was mild. The trip down the river was slow and uneventful until I furled the headsail (I was only using the jib because I was single handed) and started in under power. At the mouth of the creek, the engine stalled and I was unable to get it started.
I didn't want to introduce myself to the club by asking for a tow so I called TowBoatUS for assistance. About 45 minutes later, the TowBoat arrived and I requested to be towed into River Dunes, figuring that I could get some help to figure out the problem.
The Dock Master, Rich, tried to help me figure out the problem but when we came up empty, he suggested calling Deaton Yacht Service, the people that have the local TowBoat franchise. The on-duty mechanic that came out to help was the tow boat captain and the owner of Deaton Yacht Service, John Deaton.
After a few unsuccessful attempts to get the engine started, John said that he wanted to check on some info online and would return on Sunday (Easter) to try again. On his way back, he took me to Oriental Plantation to get my car.
John returned on Easter after church bringing his 18-year-old daughter to drive my car back to town. The problem turned out to be a bad coil which he replaced with a spare that I found onboard. Obviously a common problem for this boat.
I told him that I was having problems with the main halyard getting stuck at the top of the mast and he suggested that I bring the boat to his boatyard that afternoon and spend the night. I would have access to the showers, TV, and wifi and we could deal with it in the morning.
Because I was unfamiliar with the channel into Whittaker Creek, he told me to call him when I got close so he could come out and lead me in.
The trip back was into the teeth of 15-20 winds under power. Luckily I had a lined oilskin jacket with a hood to help ward off the cold spray. It was a long, wet trip.
John met me at the outer channel marker and led me in, where his wife, Karen, and two others help me tie up.
I enjoyed a hot shower that night and a nice chat with a couple who were having their boat worked on. The next morning, their rigging man, Wag, took a look at my halyard.
Deaton charged me for 1 hour of labor for his time on Saturday and Easter Sunday. Their hospitality was incredible. Unbeknownst to me, we were about to spend many more hours together.
