When the transmission failed, we had decided to come down to George Town, figuring we could get all the same services we could in Staniel Cay. After getting the transmission torn apart, and spending a couple hours talking to the old-timer transmission guys (old, because they stopped making this transmission 25 years ago) in the States, it became clear that this wasn’t a job I was going to be able to tackle here on my own with nothing but a set of wrenches and some WD-40. We decided to fly the tranny back to Ft. Lauderdale for a rebuild. Unfortunately, it wasn’t as easy as just popping it onto a plane and having it delivered—I needed to carry it back myself as “luggage.” From George Town I could have gotten on a major carrier airline, but that would be a logistical nightmare. Instead we contacted Watermakers Air, a small plane that zips around the islands and back to Ft. Lauderdale. Big problem, they didn’t have any available flights out of George Town—we had to go back to Staniel Cay, again.
So, with a calm forecast for the next day, we loaded the boat up and got ready.
I love watching Lowe when he is deep in some imaginary world.
We got to Staniel Cay around four in the afternoon, and despite the engine room heat, had to get right to work on removing the transmission. I had to hook it back up for the trip north since the engine mounts are located on the tranny itself. Last thing we want is for the engine to drop! I built some wooden engine mounts to attach to the engine itself, but they can’t be trusted while underway.
Sometime after dark everything was detached, and the last big heavy part of the transmission was ready to be slid off the engine and lifted out. This is a three man job—I had Ali. But with her up top lifting with a rope, and me sliding it off with a rope draped over my shoulders, we were somehow able to do it without banging anything up.
Of course, this was only half the battle. It was now nine at night, the boat was pitching in the wind, and we had twelve hours to sleep, shower, load the transmission into the dinghy, get it to shore, unload on the beach, and figure out how to get it to the airstrip. Fortunately, Ali was smart enough to suggest using the dinghy winch to lower the transmission into the dinghy. That went off without a hitch. We got to shore and were able to lift it up to the road fairly easily. And from there the airline came and picked it up with a golf cart for the ride to the plane. Twenty-four hours after leaving George Town I was in the air above Staniel Cay headed to Ft. Lauderdale where a friend was meeting me to take possession of a couple hundred pounds of metal. It was Saturday, and the tranny couldn’t be dropped off until Monday. I spent Saturday hanging out at a bar on the ICW with my friend, shaking my head at the lunacy of South Florida, and then joined in the lunacy by wandering around Target like a lost puppy, with a shopping list from Ali. By nine the next morning I was back at the boat.
There are some things the kids never seem to grow too old for.
Little beach bonfire for cooking up marshmallows.
I guess it looks like we’re a little stand-offish.
The anchorage on the other side of Big Majors, closer to town. When it’s calm like this I can take off and land the drone right from the deck where the dinghy sits.
57 Comments on “A Transmission Story”
Great story, great pictures, glad it’s working out. Glad you have the second engine. That drone… The missing piece in your photography.
Thanks, Kevin. Still tweaking the settings and getting the hang of it, but man, what a world it opens up.
I am loving the overhead shots as well! Excellent.
I love a happy ending!
Well, we’re hoping we’ve got one soon. 🙂
I’ll bet that was interesting at Customs: “Anything to declare?” “I declare my wife packed my suitcase way to heavy!”
The beauty of flying on a puddle jumper into a private airport. One customs guy on duty, walks out to the plane, takes one look at big heavy transmission, and just waves his hand. If you go through the private airports you can do pretty much anything you want.
I’m sure Customs there is used to things like this. Good luck getting it fixed!
I have been keeping up with you Bums fro quite a few years now. I really hope you decide to do the Great Loop because as you’re coming down the Mississippi you could stop anywhere along Iowa and we could finally meet. Sorry to hear about your tranny problems, that’s what you get for going to the dark side lol should have stayed sailing
Sailing is just motoring with sails up. FYI, the Pardey’s way of life no longer exists. Literally no sailor is an actual sailor, despite all the claims they may make to the contrary. We’ve seen them by the thousands, motoring with sails furled in 15 knots on the beam.
SOME truth to this Pat, but there were those of us who didn’t use the engine in the conditions you describe. 🙂
Getting stuff fixed in the Bahamas is a challenge huh? When do you expect to get the transmission back from florida?
You going back to get it or buying it a seat of it’s own? You need to name it.
Sea Yawl Later !!
She’ll be back with us soon, flying on her own.
OK, I’ll say it.
Missing having a sailboat yet? 🙂
haha, we talk almost daily about how much we DO NOT miss sailboats. I’ll write up an article one of these days, after we’ve cranked out another 1,000 miles or so and have some more water under the keels, but honestly, unless you are crossing oceans, there is zero reason for sails. Even this transmission problem does absolutely nothing to sway me in that belief. We look around at all these uncomfortable, cluttered sailboats that sail (actually SAIL) maybe a few hundred miles a year, and just shake our heads. It’ll be fun to write about, so I’ll save it. 😉
Hear! Hear! Although I don’t miss the boating life at all, if we ever were to go back to it, it would be on a trawler.
OK, I’ll say it.
Missing having a sailboat yet? ?
Yea right. At least he has room to work on it. All boats break, new ones, old ones, motor and sail. I have actually seen this issue with sailboats more often than power, due to sailboats generally being under powered and out of alignment. Pat, I know you probably know this by now, but the alignment is key in proper wear of the drive train, and a large portion of boats are out of alignment from the factory and only get worse as mounts wear.
Wow looks like you are all having a blast back on the water again.
Despite the hardships that boat life presents, there really is none better.
Next time my VW bus dies on the roadside and I think it’s a big deal… I will remember your story here ..and I will laugh at my perceived inconveniences… strong work Bums, keep on keepin on.. ;)!
When has a VW bus ever died on the side of the road? 😉
That picture of Lowe and Ouest (working on Primary Composition) could be a Wyeth painting. My favorite photo of yours in a long time.
Thanks, Dick. I had to look him up, amazing.
Silly me I was wondering how the hell you were motoring anywhere with a dead tranny until I saw the comment above….two engines…..of course! Super impressed you and Ali got it hauled out.
Nina
I sometimes forget that not everyone is down in the engine room with me. 🙂 This is definitely the upside to having twin engines.
‘I can take off and land the drone right from the deck where the dinghy sits.’
what luxury! didn’t you have to rig some almighty contraption for your dinghy, years ago? that visual always stuck with me. 🙂
I also like the goggles hook. Everything in its place!
Be well!
Beth
Yes, boat hook, duct tape, and a lot of luck not to drop it. And yes, goggle hook is a must.
I continue to get excited every time I see another Bumfuzzle story sitting in my inbox. No other blog like yours. Your writing style and photos are fabulous. Thank you.
Thank you for the nice comment, Mcgker. Pat’s time is stretched these days (especially with all the boat work added in) but like you, I too get excited to see a new post.
I’m wondering if you’re tempted to have a peek in the other trans?
I am very tempted. But not here. Hurricane season project.
Any ideas why the tranny failed? Did anything wrap itself around the prop?
No. transmission people think it was probably just out of alignment.
There are certainly worse places to be stuck! Working on boats in exotic places! Better than just plain working! Enjoy your wonderful life!
True enough, we try to remind ourselves of that very fact.
Got a chuckle out of you and Ali getting the tranny out of the boat. Reminded me of my grandfather, long gone now, laying in huge foundation beams when he built his camp with just ropes and my grandmother…
Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Right? 🙂
How does the GB handle under 1 engine? Seems during times that you’re not in a hurry it would be more economical from fuel and wear and tear to run under 1 engine at a time. Of course, not if you have to apply side rudder all the time, creating drag….
Handles just fine, but after some google searching on this myself, the tests have shown that hardly any diesel is saved because you are running the one engine at higher RPMs to achieve the same speed, and not doing it as efficiently because of fighting the turn the whole time. In the end, it’s not worth it.
WOW!!! Holy cow. What a story!!!!!
Love the happy ending, and I”m loving those shots from the drone, too!
Thanks, Meriah. The happy ending will come once we are back together again with two engines/transmissions chugging along.
Ali needs to keep lifting small weights. She may have to use her lifting skills for years to come. I don’t know how may times I have had to hold up my end of a transmission, generator, or some other heavy thing. Of course, a car jack or a few 4×4 ‘s help but a wife is usually the best! Always can lend a thought or two about how a heavy object can be lifted. Love to watch how you go about problem solving. After our 59 years together we still have to work together to solve problems. So love your pictures. Your children are blooming! Looking forward to more adventures.
Yes, trying to keep on it, Lucy. Even the kids wanted to help in any way they could and were bummed they had to go to bed before we lifted it out.
Good luck with it all! When I look at your photos I know why I never wanted to grow up…would I rather be your kids, whooping it up in the water, or you two hauling out the tranny? Hmmmmm-lucky to live such a wonderful life together! And how very lucky you are to have such a strong wife. 🙂
Right?! Thanks, Gail! And yes, much much better to stay a kid – as they aren’t at all concerned with the bad tranny and all the work that lies ahead.
Many times when we were in the Bahamas we thought a trawler would be great. It seems like when you really want to get somewhere the wind is never in your favor. But every once in a while it gives you a perfect reach, just enough to keep you coming back for more. I did end up replacing my sailboat’s transmission within a week of leaving the dock.
Would be great to have a mother-ship big enough to launch a small sailboat for having fun around the anchorage. Maybe I need to take up kite boarding?
Drone shots are awesome!
Yes trawlers are made for the Bahamas – we are happy with our choice (bad tranny and all). We are looking into a small sailing dinghy (old school one) for Lowe to zip around the anchorage in. But kite boarding, would definitely be fun.
Hi you guys. That boat is really amazing. It is good to see you all on a new adventure.
My daughter is in PV with her SO on a photoshoot. All I could think of to advise her to see or do was Gringas!! lol.
Have a blast.
Magic
Man, Magic, the only thing I’d be able to advise is food, too. After a couple months in the Bahamas it’s all we can think about. Wish I could transport us for one afternoon to Pepe’s Tacos in PV.
Does the drone float? Is that a concern?
I imagine it would float for about three seconds. 🙂 It’s just one of those things—don’t crash it in the water and you won’t be out a thousand bucks.
Kind of like the old VW commercial. “While the Bug definitely floats, it doesn’t float indefinitely.”
Any idea why the teeth wore down?
Ironically enough, the last time I saw something like that was when the teeth wore off inside the rear hub of a vw Baja bug I sold to some mates.
That it failed out of town, on a Sunday, just added to their joy.
They weren’t best pleased. I think it was because I didn’t tighten the rear hub nut sufficiently when I last did the brakes.
hahaha, speaking of gears in the rear hubs of VWs: https://www.bumfuzzle.com/Pictures_VW2/Peru/PE%20RGB%20Gears.JPG
https://www.bumfuzzle.com/bumfuzzle-february-2009/
There is a new place across from BestBuy on Radio Drive. I had Puerco pastor street tacos with the grilled onion, lime, and pina wedges. The real thing!
If you come home, let’s meet there.
Magic
Yum! For sure, it’s a date.
I’ve heard and read some horror stories, you have above average drone competence. 🙂 The images they allow you to take are amazing, they added another dimension to your story!