Believe it or not my prop is under this knot of net. I got in the water today with a sharp razor knife and started hacking away at the mess. I did manage to give myself a good cut in the process.
I was hoping to cut the net away and sail off in a few days, but that is not the case. After cutting the mess away and re-tightening my shaft packing my prop does turn, horary! and we are not leaking sea water anymore. The bad news is, the transmission is leaking seawater into the oil chamber. All I can 
do at this point is contact the manufacturer and try to get some parts. It must have over heated and fried some gaskets or something. Once again I’m doomed to the engine room in extreme heat, ARRRGGGG!
I must say it isn’t such a bad place to be stuck for the moment. The Errol Flynn Marina is a beautiful haven for cruising sailors. Guin has a pool to play in every day, we have good WIFI and food in Jamaica is not nearly as expensive as the Bahamas. We do have to pay $12.00 a day which really is a HUGE bargain but still an expense we were not planning on. How does the saying go. When you were planning on doing something life happens? I always like to say ‘Ship Happens’ and it always does.
That being said, Sam, Guinevere, and I are going to make the best of it. Jamaica is a beautiful island, we are cruising (Fixing your boat in exotic locations), and living well. We are happy, healthy and free.
What does tomorrow hold for us? That is the question that makes it all interesting.
Peace everyone.
Sail far and live slowly.
Alex
This stuff does happen, and you are very lucky that it happened in a safe place and that you aren’t facing any any safety issues. Thank you Jamaica for balancing the anxiety of this event.9V
OK Alex, my friend, I just sent ya a little something. It was calculated to cover a months dock fees, hence the weird amount. You can thank my simultanelus access to both good rum and an internet connection. Fix the damn thing and get on with it.
Best to your ladies, hope to meet them someday.
HEA
Alex, you don’t know me but I’ve been enjoying your website for a about three years now. I’m one of those Coast Guard types that have been sailing the Caribbean on my Cutter and looking into your website every now and than. I know what it’s like to be stranded in Jamaica on a broken ship so I sent you a couple hundred bucks which I know you’ll put to good use. Take care and live the dream for us.
Mike
Maybe tomorrow since you guys have good wifi we can skype from aunt bess’s,moms here and would love that for mothers day,email me when will work for you…love you guys
Holy Ship, All I can say is ‘Wow’! I woke up this morning and found an unexpected $630.00 in my paypal (3 donations, Thanks guys, REALLY!! I’m feeling better about getting parts. I’m sure they wont be cheap especially with shipping and Jamaican customs. I asked about getting parts here and a guy laughed. He said the cab rides to Kingston were $100 each way then they tax the hell out of you for your parts! We don’t have so much in the kitty anymore but I have found they have a bus :) It bewilders me that there are not only people who care about what we are doing but people that support it. It means a lot, really it does.
I was thinking of taking the prop off of splendid and sailing for Panama without a transmission. I know plenty of sailors cruising around without motors and hold an enormous amount of respect for them. That being said I don’t think i have that kind of patience. It takes a certain temperament to cruise without a motor and its not so conducive to having a family. I do secretly wish I was more like that though and I do aspire to it, just not now :)
Today I’m going to read through the shop manual for the tranny and try and figure out where water is getting in. I’m getting up early in the morning to call England (5 hours ahead) to speak to them directly.
Cheers and thanks everyone!!!!!!!!!!
Also Sam posted a new blog today for mother’s day.
give me a call
Alex I have a grand daughter named OCEAN who was 5 years old in January. I can imagine very well the fun you are having with Guin. Ocean is also very keen on water. She is taking swimming lessons and is able to jump from 4 feet high into deep water. To help you with the boat repair I am also sending you some money.
Take it easy and keep sailing, greetings to your family.
Henry from Canada (It is going to be below freezing tonight)
Hey alex,
When you where sailing to hiva oa you where able to post updates and blogs on the interent.
how where you able to do this when it is so expenseve? What system did you use? i am looking to blog,use google earth and get passage weather reports. any suggestions?
Cheers
Curtis
Curtis,
An irridium phone with data kit is your answer. You cant really go online and use google earth but you can get grib files, weather charts, and email. I don’t have minutes for my phone but will get some soon. It is about $600 to get 500 minutes that will last you a year. To download/upload email only take 30 seconds or so and I usually get my weather reports via SSB weather Fax. Incoming calls on the phone are free buy the caller is charged about $6.00 a minute so they need to really want to speak to you. If you have any other questions please let me know.
Hey Alex
You have an army of armchair sailors at your disposal. Please post the particulars about your engine and transmission. We will search and someone will have what you need.
Bill
Alex, I downloaded and watched dvd1 and loved it. I am typing this while waiting for #2 to finish downloading. This is my small way to help a fellow sailor. I am glad my wife “bought” that line. LOL
We sold the house and I am bringing all the goods to Sarasota this Saturday. I then fly back to Binghamton and get the boat ready. We want to leave before the end of May. Very psyched about the sail down to florida. Thanks for the inspiration. Hope the tranny is going well. Say hello to the fam.
Well as you say every little bet counts, So I bought a raffle ticket last night, to help out. I’ve been following your life for the last few years, I’ve bought both CD’s and just wish I lived your life. I know I can’t at this moment in my life, so I Thank you for sharing your life with us, the followers. I dream of a week to share time with you and your wonderful family and your baby your home. I send my support as I can. Be safe and live slow and most of all free from the grid.