Once again, not the most pleasant journey as it was wind against tide, but we flew past the light house at Start Point. At 9.30 am Torquay rang to say we had a berth for the night. We like it when a plan comes together, however this plan wasn't going to work out as there was a different sound from the engine. When on a boat you are very attuned to the engine noise. A quick look over the side at the exhaust we saw not as much water was coming out of the exhaust as there should be and there was also some white smoke/steam. The skipper immediately cut the revs and with very low revs and a bit of wind we diverted to Dartmouth. A phone call to Dart Haven Marina secured us a berth and another phone call to Torquay cancelled our berth there.
Skip back to the water pump problem we had at Portland. The engineer there told us that boats of our age should check the exhaust elbow as if that went it would ruin the engine. As it was made of cast iron it can become porous with age, but you couldn't always see from a visual inspection. This bit of information and had started sourcing a new exhaust elbow for when we returned to our home port. Although we'd had no problem at all with the engine we decided it was better to be safe than sorry. He was debating about whether to fit a stainless one or another cast iron one. We now strongly suspected that the problem was linked to the exhaust elbow.
The marina was super, they have a Volvo Penta Service Centre attached to the marina. They arranged for an engineer to call that day. When the engineer arrived he did a very through check of what the problem could be. There was a check list and everything was fine as he went down the list. As he removed the exhaust elbow , it hadn't gone but was blocked up and was on its way out. We'd done the right thing by cutting down the revs and slowly making our way in. If it had gone it would have ruined the engine. Luckily he had an exhaust elbow in the store and didn't have to order one. It was fitted and the engine run to make sure all was well. It was. Like any thing linked to marine maintenance, the bill was an ouch, but we were pleased it was fixed. It could have been worse, it could have gone halfway across Lyme Bay.
We were in the marina on the opposite side of the Dart to Dartmouth and we decided to stay a couple more nights. It is a lovely marina but as there is a level crossing (for the steam railway) between you and the facilities, don't wait until you are desperate until you set off.
The weather was glorious and the ice cream was for my friend Ann-Marie who wasn't having such good weather in Scotland.
We had looked up a local walk round Kingwear, note to self - if it says on the internet the walk is challenging, then it will be challenging.
It was a super walk but the middle third definitely was challenging, exceedingly steep up and down several times. We were rewarded with some excellent views.
As the walk became less challenging we came across a National Coast watch Station, so we went in for a chat.
Also passed this day mark. I'm sure we'll have a view of it from the sea as we leave Dartmouth.
Whilst staying at Kingswear we also managed to have another beer at the Dartmouth Yacht Club.
Sailing Information
Salcombe to Dartmouth 17.7 nm 4 hours.
Good facilities (didn't try the laundry)
Chandlers and servicing on site
Poor for food shopping you will either have to get the dingy out or take the ferry across the river.
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