In preparation for our departure, we went to the laundromat, re-provisioned the boat, took on water, filled the sun-showers, pumped up the bicycle tires and strapped everything on-board. Unbeknown to us, the sun-showers promptly began leaking, a tiny stream of water making its way down the cabin top, into the porthole, soaking our comforter, pillows, sheets and mattress. We discovered this as we prepared to retire for the night, excited about getting under way early the next morning. Lovely. We spent the stormy night on opposite settee cushions transitioning from hot and humid to a slight chill in the cabin by sunrise.
Hugging our new friends goodbye, we threw off the lines and headed west on the Erie Canal. After exiting our first lock, Lock 23, we noticed the engine sounded funny. As we looked at the new panel of gauges, they all read normal, but there was smoke seeping out around the edges. Then we noticed the smoke rolling out of the cabin! YIKES!!
I took the helm as Jim went below to investigate and get Storm out of the cabin. As he stepped onto the cabin floor, he was standing in water. And the smoke was so thick he couldn’t locate Storm! He opened all the hatches to air out the cabin and peered into the engine compartment with a flashlight. He quickly identified the problem: the hose clamp had come loose from the muffler directing the smoke and water discharge into the engine compartment instead of out the transom.
Jim located Storm at his food bowl, either oblivious to the smoke and water or enjoying his last supper! Storm joined me in the cockpit while I armed the manual gusher pump and Jim steered us to a nearby private dock so we could cut the engine and make repairs.
Safely tied to the dock, Jim went below while I continued to discharge gallons of water with the gusher pump. I looked up to notice a woman standing on the dock, arms crossed, scowling at me. She began to barrage me with questions and accusations, “WHAT are you doing?? This is a private dock! You can’t tie up here! You should have come to our home and asked permission!!” I tried to explain our emergency, taking on water, i.e. SINKING, quick repair, we’ll be off your dock momentarily, etc., but she was having none of it. Fortunately, two men joined her on the dock and got her to stop her attack! They offered us tools, assistance, and enjoyed the story of our journey while Jim made the necessary repair and got us under way. We thanked them for their assistance and the use of their dock while Little Miss Full of Herself begrudgingly muttered “You’re welcome”.
Next stop, Lock 1 on the Oswego Canal, Phoenix. Late breakfast and laundromat to repair the sun-shower damage. Welcome to Day 1, Season 2…take 2!