A security guard at the marina called me last night and left a message (I didn't know they had security, but glad they do). He said they were doing their rounds and noticed the engine was running on my boat and it sounded "very rough". Of course I am asleep at home at 1am so I did not receive the message until this morning. I grabbed my keys and drove out the dock to check on the boat. All along I'm thinking the worst. Why was the engine running? Did I leave it running when I left the dock 5 days ago? Did it somehow start up again after I shut it down? I reasoned that since it is a diesel, it can run indefinitely without power or the key!! I arrive at the marina and while walking down the dock, I smell something burning. I'm convinced that I've ruined my boat. My wife isn't going to think much of my mechanic skills now. As I walk up to the boat, it looks in tact, clean, just how I left it. I can hear a mechanical rhythmic humming coming from the boat. And I realize it is not my engine, it is the topping lift line resonating in the wind.
I very much appreciate the call from the marina because it could have been much worse. But no disaster here today, just a noisy sailboat.
I very much appreciate the call from the marina because it could have been much worse. But no disaster here today, just a noisy sailboat.