Hard Aground Chapter 3

PM's Perspective

Bob's activity of preparing to dive under Velomer to remove the prop attracted much attention from passers-by who became bystanders which gave Bob the audience he has so desperately desired since, I think, birth.  He was in his element looking trim and sleek in his one-piece dive skin as he donned his BC, Phil's bright pink scuba tank, regulator, mask, fins and snorkel.  Of course, I was on hand to explain why Bob needed to remove the propeller in the first place and was regaled with even more "that's nothing, let me tell you about when I went aground" stories.  My humbled and bruised ego (after all, I consider myself a very competent woman with more than average skills who would never go aground) was beginning to regain confidence.  I was beginning to feel as if I have gone through the initiation rite of a not-so-exclusive club as every boater goes aground at some point.

The array of tools dockside included a pair of pliers, two pipe wrenches, a hammer, and an ice pick.  Why an ice pick, I have no idea, but it looked good all laid out.  Several of the bystanders became sidewalk superintendents who were very helpful (seriously) in the process.  Once all geared up, Bob, with pliers in hand, slid into the water with a splash, waved to the crowd and descended into the water, fading away in the murk.  Every once in awhile we caught glimpses of pink and bursts of air bubbles along the hull when Bob exhaled underwater.  One minute passed, then two and three.  Then five.  Bob had explained that removing the prop was simple.  All you had to do was remove the cotter pin, unscrew two bolts, remove the prop from the shaft and make sure the prop-shaft key didn't fall into the mud below.

Just at the point of real concern on my part, Bob emerged from the murk, pliers in hand but nothing else.  "I'm having trouble getting the cotter pin to come off."  The superintendents gave several suggestions.  With the pliers and a long screw driver in hand, Bob descended again.  Lots of underwater clanging was heard.  Five more minutes and Bob surfaced with a twisted, bent, and rather deformed cotter pin.  Success!  Next, at the recommendation of one of the supervisors, Bob used the hammer applied at just the right angle to loosen the first bolt, then the second.  He brought these to the surface and handed them to me.  Descending for the fourth time, he took a line with one end attached to the boat, slipped it through the prop and gently yanked on the line -- the signal to those above to haul the prop up.  Ever so slowly, the superintendents raised the prop.  As the prop broke the surface, I cringed to see the damage, but I must admit I also experience a pang of pride.  I didn't do a half-assed job of going aground, I really went aground!  That evening, the prop folks came and picked up the prop with promises of return the next day.

Before

Hotel California plays Eagles songs on Canada Day

Our four days in Peterborough were spent enjoying what the area had to offer.  The post prop removal day was July 1, Canada Day and Peterborough celebrated like no other.  The park directly adjacent to the marina started to fill early in the morning with food and trinket venders.  By noon, throngs of people were milling around; downing tasty ethnic food, typical festival fare of hot dogs or sausage, onions and peppers, or cotton candy and other teeth rotting goodies; and viewing various demonstrations of karate, yoga, native dancing, gymnastics and whatever on the concert stage.

Full moon rising

Freya Peterson, the AGLCA harbor host in Peterborough, threw a cocktail party for loopers that evening and at 7:00 PM, the band Hotel California, regaled the capacity crowd with Eagle songs.  A very pleasant sense of nostalgia captured our hearts as Bob and I made our way around the sea of people.  The evening was made all the more mystical by the rising of the full moon over Little Lake.  Shortly after dark, the fireworks began!  Bob and I had ringside seats on Velomer's flybridge.

After!

The next day was spent trying to figure out the phone system in Canada and the best, most cost effective service package (no easy task for this techno-phobe!), provisioning, exploring Peterborough, and discovering the recreation trails throughout the area.  The following day, Friday, Bob and I took advantage of the bike trails and rode to lock 21, Peterborough's famous lift lock.  That evening, the repaired prop was delivered!  We couldn't believe it was the same item. It looked more like a piece of art work to display on the wall rather then something you put on the shaft to propel the boat.  Saturday Bob reattached the propeller with less of an audience, but an audience nonetheless.  That afternoon, we bid farewell to Peterborough and started heading north once again along the Trent-Severn Canal toward Buckhorn Yacht Harbor where Velomer will be hauled to inspect the hull, shaft, cutlass bearings, and rudder for any additional damage that could not be assessed while still in the water and to perform fiberglass repair.

Lock 21, Peterborough lift lock

Burleigh Falls

We have made it to Buckhorn Yacht Harbor passing Burleigh Falls on the way waiting to have Velomer hauled.  All the boats that we were traveling with have gone on to other harbors.  The haul takes place on Monday, two weeks post grounding.  Depending on the extent of damage we may be here for awhile longer.  We are using our time to get in some biking, provisioning and sightseeing. Bob is doing more bright work, I am catching up on the blog, and we are both getting antsy to continue the adventure.