Monday January 12th - Arrived at Amelia Island early in the morning to join up with Captain Chas and First Mate Louie.
An unsuccessful attempt to depart yesterday resulted in repairs to the steering hydraulic system. After casting off on Sunday morning, Chas had to return to the dock without any steering. Mechanics made special arrangements to work on the boat on Sunday. Haven't seen the bill for that yet, but it should be a doozie with Sunday overtime hours!!
Giant low tides, caused by the full moon and other factors are also making navigation difficult.We rushed off to Public´s to pick up provisions, filling four shopping carts and leaving over $800. behind to help stimulate the American economy.
Upon returning to Argo, the captain was anxious to depart before low tide, so we piled the provisions on the galley floor in preparation for stowing them at our leisure.
Dock hands came to assist us with casting off, thank goodness, as the steering gear lever had been repositioned incorrectly and as a result we had to tie up again, unscrew the console and reinstall it. Luckily this was accomplished quickly and we were still able to catch the tide.
Although the previous week had been sunny and warm, a cold front moved in today and we motored under conditions that were less than favourable: cloudy, drizzly, foggy and cold.
We arrange to dock at Beach Marina near Jacksonville and arrive there on a low tide around 3:30. As soon as we turn into the marina we go aground right in the middle of the channel. We are only about 3 yards from the dock but are unable to budge. We resigned ourselves to an hour wait for the rising tide so that Argo could float off. As the sun went down, we proceeded to our dockage.
Tuesday January 13th - We awake to a rainy, cold day and prepare to depart on a high tide at 9:30, only to encounter steering failure for a second time. Chas & Al take apart the steering console and are able to bleed the air out of the hydraulic lines and add more fluid, finally getting the steering functioning. We quickly head out of the marina while the tide is still high,
only to get to the McCormack Bridge which is under construction and has a barge blocking our passageway. After speaking to the bridge crew we are informed that they will let us pass at 12:00. So it is back to the marina once again to wait for the construction crew to take a lunch break. Al makes use of the time to run over the bridge to WestMarine to purchase foul weather gear and boots, which will be essential today. He cheats and returns by taxi however.Finally we are allowed under the bridge and on our way shortly after 12:00.
This is by far the wettest and coldest day we have experienced. By the time we get to our evening dockage at Camachee Cove Marina in St. Agustine, the crew is thoroughly soaked and the galley resembles an old fashion laundry with clothing hanging
from every available space.Coming into Camachee Cove Marina we have difficulty with the swift tidal currents which push us off course, but Chas steers Argo safely into harbor.
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