Stress Management
A few interesting days have transpired since I was last able to post……
Believing we were in no rush to leave Isle Saint Regis, we took our time in the morning, looking forward to the short 25 nm to Salaberry de Valleyfield. No lock schedule to meet and the weather is ok. We depart the anchorage at 10:30, spotting the Federal Delta entering the main channel behind us. We meet up with her and I have to give way, circling in the deepest water I can find. (Not much around Hamilton Island)
At 11:10 the engine light comes on and we begin the process of troubleshooting - we had the engine overhauled before leaving Bowmanville? Letting the engine cool for a few hours, we sail under the foresail, tacking in and out across Lac Saint Francis, dodging 6 freighters in total. The engine only lasts 15 minutes after the next try so we contact the marina at Valleyfield, explaining our situation and advising we might have to dock under sail. “Well most people use their engine” is the response. We try the engine again entering Bay St Francis and it actually gets us through the channel and to the dock. We are greeted by a very capable and friendly crew of 5 dock hands, Xavier being English-speaking and very helpful.
After pump out and fuel fill up, we are ushered to our “urgence” slip away from all other boats but behind the break wall. So our short 3 hour cruise was actually a 10 hour session in stress management!
Harald does some more engine checks, determining it’s not the impeller and contacts Xavier asking him about a local mechanic. He finds our guy and arrangements are made for “Robert” to come to the dock at noon the next day. We also arrange to stay a second night.
Maybe we will see some of Valleyfield.
Federal Delta has the right of way
Salaberry de Valleyfield Marina