Literally and figuratively - it stinks here. The local papermill fills the air with a pungent unpleasant smell even though the wind is blowing the opposite direction.
The cruise to Fernandina Harbor was lovely, like it often is through the ICW. We are headed to the marina because we've been on the hook for five nights and we need some fresh water in our tanks. Our plan is to be back on anchor after tonight so a plug into shore power for 24 hours is a good idea. On route, we passed this amazing sport fish in a more narrow part of the canal adjacent to TPC Sawgrass. We took a video of this beauty. The number of impressive boats down here is countless.
When we arrive at Fernandina Marina, they are eager to help and get us settled at the dock. When we are tied up, they offer to take our power cord to the dock post. They plug us in, Gord switches Holy Cow to shore power and the breaker trips. It wasn't long before the other boaters hooked into the same power source came out to see what was going on. Their boats had lost power too. These newer docks now have GFI switches which are really sensitive. The dock hands and Gord try several times, at several dock posts, and switching things on an off in difference sequences, but nothing is successful.
They offer to move us to the gas dock where the power system is a little more forgivable. I wasn't excited about that option. The current is significant here in Fernandina, the wind was gusting and we were safely tied to the dock. Untying and moving didn't seem like a good idea. However, Gord was determined to get us power for the night. So we untie, and head up to the gas dock area. The wind is pushing us off the dock and the current is pushing us forward. Gord takes one pass by the dock a little ways away to getting a feel for the forces we are dealing with. Then, I feel and hear Holy Cow's engines start working as Gord put's her into reverse and plows backwards into the current. The waves start coming over the swim platform and spraying into the cockpit under the transom door. Jaxon is at the stern ready to throw the line, now with wet feet, and wet clothes. I am on the bow with two lines in hand. Gord steers Holy Cow's nose towards the dock and goes in at ramming speed. Even with the wind and current he nestles the boat up beside the dock. The dock hands give him a "good job captain" and tie us up snuggly. I'm just glad to be tied up safely again.
We plug into shore power here on the gas dock, and again, the breaker trips. The dockhands help as much as they can, but need to attend to the boats in the bay waiting to come in and dock. We are extremely frustrated. The real reason we are here is for shore power and the ability to do laundry which is now not an option. I am disappointed because we had planned this to be an easy evening. After a long travel day, we were looking forward to plugging in, having dinner and maybe putting our feet up. But, more often than not, there is always something. Gord is not happy. He can't figure out what the problem is. That makes for a grumpy Gord. I decide to take the kids and dogs for a walk in town and give him some space. We are all tired and a little edgy.
The kids and I have a nice walk and distract ourselves by taking a few candid pictures. I can't help but feel badly for Gord on the boat. I know he's not going to let this go. When we return, Gord thinks he has a solution. He's been talking to Steve V, and he thinks they've isolated the problem. There are a few people who have been integral to our journey. Steve V is one of them. Gord is already spreading out tools and rummaging in the power tool bin. When he holds up a white thing which I know is used for drilling large holes he asks me if I think I could fit my hand through a hole "this big." Groan...
There is no access to the area Gord needs to get to. So his solution is to make one. He tells me it could be important to have access to this area in the future so this is definitely a good idea. He needs to unplug the washer and dryer. These are household appliances, not marine, and that could be what is causing the GFI to trip. It has something to do with grounding. I'll let the boys comment below if they wish. Gord has done the final prep work by sliding his phone between the two appliances from the front to the back in order to take a picture of what is going on behind the scenes to ensure he doesn't drill directly into something critical. Then I hear the noise. The noise of that large circular drill bit biting into the wall. I shake my head. Why do these two men, when they collaborate on something, always seem to cut holes in their boats. I mean, 99.9% of the time, they successfully solve the problem. It's quite impressive actually. But why, more often than not, does it require one, or many more than one, holes to be made in the walls or fiberglass of the boat. When these two men start chatting, they talk about cutting holes, or about how many AMPS and volts are being drawn and by what on their boats. Side note - Steve actually has access to the Cerbo (the inverter) data of Holy Cow on his phone. Sometime he tells Gord when we've had a serge and troubleshoots before Gord is even aware we've had one. In fact, I'm surprised didn't send a message as soon as we tripped the breaker on the dock.
When the hole is cut, and just as I am about to stick my hand in Gord says, "be careful you don't get your hand through but then can't get it back out. That sort of seems to be what happens, you know." Thanks! I rolled my eyes and proceeded to squish my hand through the hole. It will fit, but by the time I'm just passed my knuckles, it is tight and a little painful and I tell Gord there is no way I can get my hand through, contort my arm in a manner to unplug the appliances, and then pull my hand back through with the plug. He says that's
okay, he'll just cut a bigger hole. After he doubles the size of the hole, the rest of the
procedure goes smoothly. We unplug the appliances, we plug into the shore power, and voila! Problem solved. We have power. Picture Tom Hanks dancing around his fire in Castaway. That's how happy Gord is. Steve and Gord have solved another quirk.
We do have power, and a hole in wall above Jaxon's head in the side cabin. But I've been told we will get a fancy access hole cover and once it's installed there, it will look like it's supposed to be there. We have power, but no laundry capability. It's late, the boat is a mess. There's tools and sawdust to clean up. I start on dinner and Brooklyn asks if we could just order in. The problem is, our freezer is thawing because it still isn't functioning properly. We need to work our way through the contents, so I start cooking. It's a far later night than we wanted. We head to bed exhausted from our travel day and everything that came afterward. Tomorrow morning, first thing, we are unplugging, untying and leaving this stinkin' place.
For today's travel log press here...
I have to add, posting the video of Tom Hanks in Cast Away celebrating his success in starting a fire, really made us laugh. We watched that movie two days ago for the umpteenth time. We love your blog and love Tom Hanks.
Kevin says it gives a knew meaning to your boat name! Holy Cow
A nail biting read in the Jopling journal. I was reading this like a person does with a suspensful mystery book turning pages at warp speed. Trying to put your hand through that first drill had me thinking, it goes in ok. Comes out with less skin. Whew!
Your children are wonderful and seems there’s a little comedian there too
What a day indeed! I‘ll take dolphin sightings over electrical issues. But good work to all for figuring it out.