SC AICW to Erie Canal Loop Seg

Another day to reflect on options and explore Norfolk. I’m becoming more convinced that the ‘Check Engine #2’ display alam with rattling is a shifting issue, not an engine issue, and that the code being thrown is likely ‘Incorrect Neutral Switch Signal’. Local Brat and outboard expert Steve Baum offered his thoughts as well as his dock as we’ve decided to end this trip here, at the bottom of Chesapeake Bay. He volunteered to show me how the horizontal shift cable works under the cowling; if the fault is there it’s easy to fix. However, last time we had ‘stiff shifting’ in and out of Neutral it was due to a $35 ball detent in the midsection. To fix it properly required removing the powerhead and $1,300 in labor time. If it’s that again on this twin engine, we would much rather have our Yamaha Master Tech fix it at home in Pensacola, where we know he will stand behind his work. If it turns out to be a nothhingburger, we’ve had a GREAT time, seen and learned a lot, become better crew and boaters, added 2 locks to our 200, and (most importantly), met a bunch of the most friendly, helpful, caring and generous cruisers on the water.

We have previously been lucky enough to spend six weeks cruising the Chesapeake on Cat O’ Mine years ago, before we knew anything about the Great Loop. We didn’t need to repeat that Segment, but when you can make over 25 MPH and 100 miles easy before lunch, 300 miles would have been No Big Deal. Adjusted plan for this Segment is CD Canal to NY and Hudson River up to Waterton, the start of the East Erie canal. We’re Lifetime Members of AGLCA, so we don’t have to be in a rush.

Our current plan to get a rental car or fly back 350 land miles to the start point in SC has been stymied by the worldwide IT outages. We can get a Greyhound bus (they use paper) Monday for the ten hour ride back to our launch point, stay overnight with my bro, pick up the rig and return to load up and trailer home. If you own any Crowdstrike stock, we would suggest you sell it before its value drops to zero, or after that would also be a good move.

Safe Travels!
JohnRead more