Cruise Control...

… or the fallacy of it (having any control on a cruise, that is)…

Cruise Day One as planned: Drop Bodhi in Newport for his final day of race team practice. Parents provision Puffling in Portsmouth, sail to Newport and scoop up Bodhi in Newport at the end of the day, et voila -- 2021 summer cruise starts!

Take One: Drop Bodhi in Newport as planned. While loading and stowing gear, dry goods, packing the reefer choc-a-bloc full for 9 days on the water, I caught a a subtle yet discernible whiff of propane. The odor intensified when Dan opened the propane locker. We tested the tank for a leak by pouring soapy water around the valve and detected no bubbles. We decided to take the tank to Newport Propane where the staffer sprayed the cannister's entire exterior with soapy water and discovered a fracture in the tank itself, right where it had been held in place by a steel strap. Galvanic corrosion at work. Onward to scoop up Bodhi by car at Sail Newport, where a pizza party was underway and where we agreed for Bodhi to stay with friends -- We would circle back to Portsmouth by car, motor to Newport in Puffling and pick him up closer to sunset. As a side note, Bodhi's mast upper section snapped during practice which caused his sail to rip. As one sailing parent with whom we shared our propane saga aptly noted, "aluminum... again."

Take Two: Dan and I finished stowing gear, prepared to cast off by 6 p.m., and as Dan turned the key, the familiar high pitched tone sounded but then instead of the diesel firing up...nothing. Nothing but an empty clicking sound. Numerous attempts. No dice. We then arranged to pick B up in Newport (again--round three for trips to Newport, but who's counting?). New plan: Sleep on Puffling at marina. Trouble shoot in the a.m. with the help of our marina's resident marine engineering genius and good friend.

Good Riddance Friday the 13th!!

August 14th

Practically as soon as Dan awoke, he turned the engine key again and, incredibly, the engine started. Unfortunately, though, it would not start consistently. After a morning of diagnostic gymnastics with Rich we discovered, among may unanticipated finds, that either the starter or the solenoid (or perhaps both?) needs replacing. We realized such extensive projects would be unlikely to happen on a Saturday or a Sunday and a Monday morning in mid-August was also not likely.

Cruise Control Take Three: Dan Bodhi, Izzie and I drove to Barrington, hopped aboard Discovery, and in glassy calm conditions rode to the marina where we topped off the fuel and water tanks, emptied the holding tank and then transferred pots, pans, dishes, dry goods, refrigerator contents, sleeping bags, pillows … everything (because discovery has not been outfitted for cruising) in humid, sweltering 90-degree heat. Determined, irritable and

exhausted, we cast off the dock well after 4 pm, headed for anywhere we were certain to find a mooring, and the winner after two previous attempts elsewhere turned out to our third try: Dutch Harbor. We missed seeing friends at Third Beach.

In contrast to the dynamic, varied and omnipresent nautical happenings in Newport Harbor, Dutch Harbor offered a peaceful respite from the hubbub. We all (except Izzie) plunged into the cool water and to every extent possible just chilled out. For dinner: summer pasta (campanelle smothered in ricotta, some parm, lemon zest, basil, garlic red pepper flakes folded into sautéed onions and zucchini) and cooling beverages.