Cruising Tales

From Diane Cook-Tench:

I was caught out in the storm on Sunday, July 12, when my workboat's steering cables came unglued.  "My Cyn" was given to me by RRYC club member Frank Birdsall on June 13.  I'm to keep her in continued good repair and Frank can use her when he likes.  She's now with Bruce Saunders after being driven into a dock.

My busisness partner, Kenny Sink and his son Steven joined me on a fishing trip / picnic last Sunday afternoon.  We arrived at the White Stone bridge, threw in a line and put out our picnic lunch.  After catching a nice flounder in three minutes we heard the storm report on the radio. 
As we headed quickly back to Carter's Creek lightening was shooting down in straight lines.  Unfortunately, the steering came unpart with the cables wrapping and knotting themselves around the steering column just before the entrance to Carter's Creek. 

The storm broke over us as we were in sight of the club's docks.  Hail and 80mph winds made the world white and invisible.  We got pushed into a homeowners dock and bounced back out.  The boat turned sideways to the storm and we almost went over.  Food, glass, life jackets and maps went flying as her canvas top was ripped apart.  Now, she's at Bruce Saunder's boatyard for repairs to her bow.  The steering has to be replaced and more work in the back needs attention.  Harry Wells invited us onto his workboat for seies of lessons on steering options, bilge pumps and more.  We're so happy to have survived and now we're far more knowledgeable.  If ever caught in a bad storm again, we'll head to the first dock.

Best,
Diane

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