mcanderson
Well-Known Member
So yesterday was interesting. We left the Lerins (near Cannes) at about 9 to head back to Beaulieu. Forecast was 8kts easterly and 20-30 cm waves. So we were expecting a very nice run back.
Leaving the Lerins it was quickly clear the the forecast was garbage and that there was F4 eastern and 1m of generally E swell, but in all honesty the waves We’re all over the place with no real pattern. So doable, but not the milk run we had planned.
I drove the boat out of the anchorage amid then engaged the autopilot as it would do a better job hold the course. About 1/3rd of the way we spoke about diverting to Antibes and my wife hoping off and I would take the boat back alone. In the end she suggested we head towards the shore to see if we got some shelter. Speed had reduced from 18kts to 16 by now and seas getting more messy, autopilot was beginning to struggle. So I disengaged the autopilot to hand steer. It was at this point I discovered the helm was not responding. My boat is on stern drives DPH. So back to autopilot reduce speed to 6 kts and start to discuss options. Turning back was discounted as the seas were very uncomfortable. Heading towards shore put the waves on the beam and agin not much fun, so we changed our intent to head to Nice.
At this stage I alerted St Jean radio station on 16 via a pan of what was going on. Pan acknowledged and then a brief discussion over the phone about options. I didn’t feel the need for assistance at this stage, but wanted the French authorities to be aware of our troubles.
15 mins later the autopilot is just waving around and can’t hold a course. I now call for assistance. Options discussed with the authorities and told to stand by. Life jackets put on. We are dead in the water.
My fault finding leads to hydraulic fluid loss and I have some, but it is in the engine room and we need to lift the sun pad to get at it. We lift the sun pad which waves around on its jack, but I get the fluid and replenish the steering at the helm. Not enough to fill it, but enough to get us underway.
Steering is regained. I call back the French authorities and state that I have regained steering and will continue to Nice. No need for assistance, but I will call if the situation changes.
After 30 mins we get to Nice port. I call all stations I spoke to and thank them and let them know I am safe and that Pan is down declared.
So that’s my story. What would you have done differently and please don’t t tell me you wouldn’t have a boat on outdrives!
Leaving the Lerins it was quickly clear the the forecast was garbage and that there was F4 eastern and 1m of generally E swell, but in all honesty the waves We’re all over the place with no real pattern. So doable, but not the milk run we had planned.
I drove the boat out of the anchorage amid then engaged the autopilot as it would do a better job hold the course. About 1/3rd of the way we spoke about diverting to Antibes and my wife hoping off and I would take the boat back alone. In the end she suggested we head towards the shore to see if we got some shelter. Speed had reduced from 18kts to 16 by now and seas getting more messy, autopilot was beginning to struggle. So I disengaged the autopilot to hand steer. It was at this point I discovered the helm was not responding. My boat is on stern drives DPH. So back to autopilot reduce speed to 6 kts and start to discuss options. Turning back was discounted as the seas were very uncomfortable. Heading towards shore put the waves on the beam and agin not much fun, so we changed our intent to head to Nice.
At this stage I alerted St Jean radio station on 16 via a pan of what was going on. Pan acknowledged and then a brief discussion over the phone about options. I didn’t feel the need for assistance at this stage, but wanted the French authorities to be aware of our troubles.
15 mins later the autopilot is just waving around and can’t hold a course. I now call for assistance. Options discussed with the authorities and told to stand by. Life jackets put on. We are dead in the water.
My fault finding leads to hydraulic fluid loss and I have some, but it is in the engine room and we need to lift the sun pad to get at it. We lift the sun pad which waves around on its jack, but I get the fluid and replenish the steering at the helm. Not enough to fill it, but enough to get us underway.
Steering is regained. I call back the French authorities and state that I have regained steering and will continue to Nice. No need for assistance, but I will call if the situation changes.
After 30 mins we get to Nice port. I call all stations I spoke to and thank them and let them know I am safe and that Pan is down declared.
So that’s my story. What would you have done differently and please don’t t tell me you wouldn’t have a boat on outdrives!
).
