We woke up to a beautiful sunrise and a plan to run to Parry Sound for a couple days. I have had thoughts in my head for the last few weeks and being told by my friend and boat broker Chris to get the props checked so we decided to go to Killbear Marina to have the boat hauled out and have the props and running gear looked at with full intention on catching up to Beachside later in the day so we left at sunrise ahead of Beachside by a couple hours.
There were several routes we could take to Killbear or Parry sound non of which would give us a rock free run so we decided to take the Waubuno Channel route between Parry Island and Sandy Island. there was a strong north easterly wind that kept us on our toes especially when transiting Clarence Channel just south of Rose Island. After entering St. Aubyn Bay we contacted the Killbear Marina for instructions on entering the marina which was at the end of Pengallie Bay. We were informed that there was plenty of water even though the charts showed 4′ or less. The wind had picked up so it was a head on a swivel approach to the fuel dock for a pump out and set up to possibly get hauled out.
After a pumpout and conversation with Walt the owner operator at the marina we were informed that they do not send in divers and we would have to get hauled out. After haulmout is was discovered that the props did have minor damage that would have to be repair but more importantly the starboard shaft strut was bent inward and would need repair or replacement. During the inspection Walt noticed the transom drain plug was loose to the point it was on its last thread before falling off so no matter what the estimated cost of repairs for the props this discovery for a 30 dollar part to replace the transom plug was worth then haul out. We were told that he would hope to have us back in the water by the weekend and he would put us on the dry with power hook up but no water supply and no ability to run the HVAC system. The weather was cool and dry so we would survive without AC. Bearing in mind this was the 16th of August with the weekend approaching our hopes to get out by Saturday would prove false.
Killbear Marina had a restaurant on site and we had some supplies that would last through our expected stay. We were later joined by Steve and Edie on “Brand New Day” who were also having their boat hauled out for prop issues so we would at least have great company for our time on the dry. Steve and Edie would find out they would need more work than us but were also told they would be back in the water in a few days. “NOT”
We made the best of the situation and enjoyed the restaurant and had docktails under the ship store porch during torrential wind and rain storm. Walt and the marina were also part of the local rescue and tow company so they were busy running out on their service boats to save boats from the rocks and storm.
After updated information that we would be here longer than expected we borrowed the marina truck and went to Parry Sound with Steve and Edie and met Coconuts for lunch at Tailwinds Georgian Bay and a needed trip to the grocery store and Canadian Tire for a new battery for my electric bike.
The rest of our stay was spent frustrated at the speed or lack of speed shown by the crew to get our boats back in the water. We did get a lot of work done to include another oil change and a complete exterior cleaning. Several Loopers came and went while we waited as patiently as possible. On the plus side we did take a couple bike rides to include the Killbear Provincial Park to sit on the beach and visit with “Gemini” who was anchored off the beach. We met “Gemini” , “Brand New Day” “Dawn Watch”, “Sea Turtle” for lunch at another supposed “Best Fish And Chips” restaurant in Snug Haven called Gilly’s Snug Harbour Restaurant and Marina. It was cool place in a protected cove. It was good but not he best.
There were several dogs at the marina with one black lab that loved visiting the boats. He climbed the 8′ a-frame ladder and surprise visited Steve in his salon. There was also a big snake that hung out at the boat ramp by our boat but he was pretty shy and took off when approached.
The weather window to travel north toward Killarney was getting smaller so when we did get our repairs finished and “Brand New Day would take at least a few more days we decided to move forward with hopes Steve and Edie would catch up. Sadly they would have to stay a lot longer with several repair delays. We had one more docktail party before settling in for our run north after 8 days in Killbear.
