No Fan of Fan Belts

No Fan of Fan Belts   ...   Wednesday 20^th Feb 2013

We got up early for a 6:30 start.  A radio check with our buddy boat indicated that they had a squealing engine belt.  After a few minutes Bruce and Shirley (on Ode to Joy) were ready to go.  We proceeded south to the Little Harbor passage.  Although the winds were less than 5 knots from the south, the swell in the cut was substantial.  I found myself thinking that a half a meclizine may not have been adequate.  Finally we were through the cut and into the open ocean.  A substantial swell persisted.  We mentally settled ourselves down for a long stint of motoring. 

About an hour into the journey, we heard an alarm in the cockpit.  I thought that the autopilot had overloaded due to the big seas.  But it wasn’t the autopilot, it was an engine overheat alarm.  This meant we had to stop the engine.  Mike went below to investigate, I got on the radio to Ode to Joy.  In short order, Mike was able to determine that the alternator belt that we had tightened last night had shredded.  Now we were facing a replacement job in the bouncing seas.  Our friends on Ode to Joy stayed nearby circling our boat.  Bruce even offered to launch his dinghy and come help with the repair.  

I have no idea how Mike managed to do this under the conditions.  Even less do I comprehend how he avoided being sick.  I stayed topsides and still thought the bouncing was horrible.  After a pretty short time, we were restarting the engine.  Everything seemed fine.  The temperature returned to normal and the alternator was charging the batteries.  Mike decided that we should carry on toward Eleuthera. 

Thankfully the rest of the trip was uneventful.  The swells didn't decrease in size as the day progressed, but the period got much longer and they were more regular. Also the breeze picked up enough for us to raise the mainsail without it clanging from side to side, and motor sailing like this became much more comfortable. We entered the anchorage at Royal Island, to the west of Eleuthera at about 4 pm.  After a quick swim, we started on dinner preparation.  Bruce and Shirley came over and joined us for a fun and relaxing evening.  We were so thankful to have been travelling with them.  It made such a difference to have another boat standing by for help and advice. 

25 30.950 N, 76 50.596 W

Gloria

"Ode to Joy", our buddy boat on the passage to Eleuthera, sailing the final section before rounding the reef and heading to Royal Island

The alternator belt of doom - this photo taken the following day - the shredded belt was the rear one (connected to the orange alternator fan) -. it was necessary to remove the water pump belt first, unbolt the protective bar in the middle, the replace the alternator belt and adjust, and finally refit and tension the water pump belt. Not a difficult job, but uncomfortable in the bouncy seas. As the belt disintegrated it pulled up an oil drop cloth from under the engine and showered lint and bits all over the engine compartment - requiring a good clean up the following day.