Easter Curse

Photo taken by Daniel Lowe skipper of Rainbows End

We started Good Friday on good form and on an early tide we departed Goole bound for Newark, where we enjoyed a good mooring on the rarely vacant 'Kiln' Moorings. 

Newark Castle

 

Newark Dyke

High winds were forecast for Easter Saturday, and since we have cruised this stretch of waters many times before we decided to stay an extra day. 

Nesting, Newark Marina Office

Easter Sunday started with an early positive feel, having departed Newark bound for Holme Pierrepont.  We were just about to depart Stoke Bardolph Lock, when what we now dub the Moonshine's 'Easter Curse' befell the Moonshine. Something always goes wrong for us at Easter, and this is another one to add to the list. The bow truster made a strange noise which made us think the belt had snapped again. Prior to owning Moonshine we had experience of bow thrusters but had never known a belt driven one until now. Moonshine has a QLCT600 4kw Volvo Penta Bow Thruster, that 18months ago failed due to its belt shredding. Unfortunately this is also a lift out job as the belt is housed internally but the propellor shaft has to be removed to fit a new one. We thought the belt had indeed gone again, until we checked the motor where the belt is housed but this was still in perfect working order. 

We are now left wondering if the shear pin has sheared and or the propellor has been lost as there is no resistance when operated. Best case scenario is if a bag has been caught around the propellor, however we will know when we  have our annual lift out within the next few weeks.... Until then we will have to manage the old fashioned way, but it is very handy and very much missed when manoeuvring in high winds. 

We will stay here until Tuesday while 'Storm Katie' gets everything out of her system, and to help prevent any Skipper vs Crew blame game.