I totally hear you at the end there Bonita, we decided to get the new engine after a similar situation. its not just a matter of IF it can be repaired to work again, it is the anxiety that comes with having an older boat and older auxiliaries, every time you set sail you feel like you might not make it! It's a crappy way to live, so happy we have a new engine on the way!
Hang in there guys, I have been there without a prop (it fell off completely) in no wind conditions for days. It was a transport from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida to St. Thomas USVI. Docked under sail in the dark too. Made last call in in St. Thomas for beer and Pizza. You guys are awesome, I give you huge credit!
Sailing is good! Take it one day at a time, enjoy life free of mandatory restrictions a lockdown, at sea. Take up some meditation in deck. You guys always are my fav as three sailing gets real and honest. Thanks for your posts, Nanji sailing family 😁
Without wind it would be a real bum trip seeing as you want to get back. I love Bonita's tow idea. Hope it all works out without driving you both crazy.
I think a spare prop should be high on your shopping list once you do hit land... even if it is too small or the wrong pitch... as long as it fits the shaft. A prop, any prop is better than no prop.
Hang in there guys. Looks like good decision-making so far. It is definitely an argument for keeping things as simple as possible. Less complexity, less to go wrong. Good luck!
I am suffering right along with you, wish I could help. I have complete faith in your abilities and judgment. This is just one of many stories Tallula will be able to tell her grandkids about her wonderful childhood.
So sorry about your situation. Really sounds like you guys need a tow and even rescue. Australian government needs to reach out and assist Nandji and the crew. I hope the weather stay reasonable and this crazy ordeal will be over soon. Take care from Canada
This will add to the stories you can tell your grandkids (and Tallula can back them up)! Hope everything comes together quickly in Pankor and you can be heading west again. Nothing more detrimental to a passage than a schedule!
I know there are days or even weeks of issues that rob of us from the joys in-between..however, you both know what your doing as sailors and no doubt you Will get her how you need her. Don't despair. You will be at port and you have supports online. Love and hugzz to you 3.
You should have a place to attach the dinghy onboard motor to the sailboat an use that as a last way of getting out of harm's way in case the wind drops out.
make it so you can.. 1.use the dinghy motor as backup propulsion in a pinch, get a larger dinghy motor if needed? and 2.get a powerful electric trolling motor and add a really long down tube, lol so you can run off solar & batteries, this way you have triple backup propulsion systems, and can even go if out of fuel & no wind :) good luck! whatever you decide! i support you love love love
Hope you guys make it to where you’re meant to be. Things happen for reasons… stay head strong. Also ps don’t fight against each other but work together
Have you guys considered a diesel outboard? They come in dinghy sizes. For my next boat I plan to go with an electric aux for the aux. I was going to just gang it onto the prop shaft, but your predicament has me thinking to maybe make it an outboard outboard instead, so I can make at least a little headway in a pinch - fuel be damned.
This is an interesting add for a solid prop and this NEVER being a possibility. If you had the old prop and the umbrella to catch anything that fell off and a prop puller, put the solid one back.
If anyone thinks I’m dissing this channel, or their refit’s! Oh seriously no, i love these guys.. I’m actually upset that million dollar prop failed nothing more, other than it failed with no options to swich it back! Full respect to the actual channel..
Hey Mate , how do you think all the sailors got to where they were headed, long before engines were invented ? Chillax and enjoy life when you're at Mother Natures mercy ! Cheers
folding props I would never have one. I always keep a spare prop usually a different pitch. one for more speed and one for more torque. I feel your pain kind of. I never been in the ocean with a propeller failure. but I have lost a prop and that is why I never let another touch my prop again.
From what I’ve seen, it doesn’t matter whether you have a new 2 mil boat or an older one, boats are boats so if you sail it you have to fix it so you can sail it some more.
My dad used to say: "a boat is a hole in the water into which you pour money." There wasn't a time when we went cruising on vacation that we didn't have to fix something mid-route.
Lost my motor first day of what should have been a two or three-day sail that turned into a 10-day sail. Lots of tacking chasing the breezes. Feel your pain.
Im sure you've considered this , but can you not get under the boat and remove it to work on it inside the boat?. Do you not have the old prop as a spare to get you goin? May be something to consider keeping around for such an occasion. Keep up your spirits ...things will be better soon enough , travel is more in the journey than the destination. CHEERS AND FAIR WINDS and a kiss for Tallula Steve h.
Yeah, why don't we remember how sucky sailing is..... something will always go wrong!!! Having a backup plan for essential systems is top priority.... the outboard would be my 1st attempt to get out of danger zones.... possibly even use an outboard prop on fang....
Can you rig up the out board ,obviously depending on how much out board fuel you have , when there is very light wind or none it would give about the same speed that you are doing now .
Why hasn't someone came out to give you a tow in. There must be someone who would welcome a adventure. Come on people help these people out the sooner the better.
I remember that at one point (after you got yourself off that reef?) you basically towed Nandji back to safety with the dinghy strapped to the side. Is that an option now?
I picked up a boat one time and two hours into the trip the engine died, and the winds never got over 4 knots. They say the mark of a good sailor is how well you can sail in light winds. The heck with that. Give me fifteen knots and call me a crappy sailor! I wish you the best. Fair winds!
It's a question of drag. In light winds, the prop will cost you half a knot - maybe more. If the winds are 5 knots, and you can sail at half that, then you're down to two. Goin' nowhere fast.
When and if you get home you should start a go fund me page and have a new engine transmission and prop installed and set up by a professional and you shouldn't have to worry about it tell you Ben at sea again for at least a week or two🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🙃
I mean you explaining it’s a different shaft size., So basically the prop company screwed you, Literally! Because you can’t have a spare.. pretty much all boats keep the old prop just in case, like now! But you can’t have one “it’s a different diameter” To quote good old doctor phil “and how is that working out for you?” I personally would be pissed!
I’m not a sailor, and I’m just a girl that watches your videos but could you put the dinghy out in front of the boat and pull it and make some headway that way? It may sound pretty stupid coming from an inexperienced person in the waters
Your daughter is so beautiful, all my kids are grown, my oldest just passed last month at 33. I am so sad, but Jesus will get me through it. I pray for you and all the sailors out at sea. God Bless
