Fairhaven for repairs

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I went to bed and had a very sleepless night. It was blowing about 25 knots at anchor and it was the first time I felt that helpless feeling I had so often in the middle of the Atlantic. I cant go to sea with an engine like this. The rudder that also felt sloppy during the OSTAR also was a worry. It was this night that and the howling of the wind that made me stop and consider my way forward. Having a smoky engine and a sloppy rudder coastal sailing is one thing, but sailing to Bermuda, the Azores and then home with it….

I made the hard decision to change my plans and not go to Mystic and New York. A real shame as I had negotiated a berth for two nights in Dennis Conner North Cove in Manhattan. It would have been a great experience to moor in the shadow of the sky scrapers. Oh well, i thought about the whole thing and decided that I was actually pretty lucky. This whole trip to America was about the OSTAR and not about New York and the other spin off treats that came with it. I still see myself very lucky that the atlantic was so kind to us and that I managed to make it across – so many people in the history of the race haven’t made it on their first attempt.

So once I made the decision to get the boat all sorted I managed to get to sleep. When I woke up I looked out of the hatch to find the boat Sea Wings coming straight for me. It was my friends Dick and Sue from Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. Was I pleased to see them. They moored along side and we discussed my problem. I decided from the information in the Waterway’s guide that the best and closest harbour of Fairhaven was probably the place for me to seek my repairs. Dick and Sue then escorted me the 11 miles trip across Buzzards Bay in case the wind should drop of the engine should fail – or both.

We both managed to sail the whole way across the bay and I only needed to turn the engine on when a few boat length from the hurricane barrier. The yard I had chosen was Fairhaven Ship yard and located just inside the harbour. Smoking away I made it into the marina and tied up. Sea Wings turned around and went off on there was back to Judith Point. Thanks Dick and Sue for helping me out.

Okay so now in Fairhaven Shipyard – ummm, were my initial thought. This is not that place for me. I saw nothing but huge commercial fishing boats and the odd 100ft super yacht. These guys aren’t going to know much about 18hp inboards and Sigma 33 rudder bearings!

Tuff, I am hear and the Waterways guys said they were a yard capable of anything….lets hope so as I am stuffed if not.

The yard had some great facilities, shower, laundry, internet and loan bikes – all for free. You could tell this place was set up for the big professional boats and crews. It’s a bit like the place in Savona, Italy where I once worked on a Wally yacht.

I had a shower, took a bike to the local pizza place and then went for a bike ride. This sint too bad, there is a West Marine, a Engine parts supplier, engine workshop and oh look there is De Frenchman!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I couldn’t believe it, just around the corner from where I was staying was Bart in Popes Island marina. I left a note in the cockpit and later we met up for dinner.

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