We got pulled back in
Last post I said that we were leaving Alton. We managed to make it an hour past the Mel Price Lock and Porty started smoking. We couldn’t keep going on Starby because our journey ahead was over 200 miles with no service. If anything went wrong, we would be stranded with no one to help us.We were just past the island directing boaters to the Lock.
There had been a lot of chatter in the boater forums and in the comment section of news articles about the sailboat that had ended up on the Chain of Rocks.
Many people asked how could the captain have missed the big sign pointing left?
As a person unfamiliar with the area, I don’t think that sign would be enough for me to avoid going to the right.
It’s not an official navigation sign and there were no markers indicating that the water to the right was less than desirable.
If you’re going to put up a sign to the Lock, why not put up another one warning about the Rocks?
In any event, we didn’t make it to Chain of Rocks Lock. We had to go back through Mel Price Lock, which was still filled with debris. When the gates opened, the surface of the water was literally covered with debris and logs. We actually pushed a log in front of us for two or three yards.
The Impeller
When we got back to Alton, we ran into Kevin (Safe Haven). He offered to take a look at our engines.
He showed us how to detach the impeller housing and how to remove the debris from hoses. We’re very grateful for his help.
Our impeller was pretty chewed up.
We didn’t check Starby’s impeller, so we ordered three; one for Porty, one for Starby, and a spare. They arrive tomorrow.
When Monday Comes
When the impellers arrive, we’re going to try installing them ourselves, so stay tuned for our next post. Possible titles: “Well I guess we live in Alton now” 🙁 or (preferably) “Heading to the Channel of Rocks Lock” 🙂
