July 2 2019 – Click here to listen
Yesterday I returned from the Florida Keys to my home port of Stuart Florida which is located about 150 miles north. I have four 300 hp engines on my boat and due to its size I need all of them. Unfortunately, one was disabled for this trip. I didn’t want to take a chance on getting it repaired in the keys, so I decided to try and drive it on the three remaining engines by water up to the keys. I made it back to my home port but not without plenty of drama.
The trip started out okay and I drove it up to a point just outside the fabulous Miami beach area and stopped to get something to eat. When I tried to take off again, this time I couldn’t get it back up on plane. Instead, I could only go 12 mph instead of the 19 needed for the boat to level out and pick up enough speed.
It looked grim, and I spent the next 45 minutes trying different things and attempting to figure out what to do. Should I idle into Miami’s complex waterway system complete with giant cruise ships, yachts, and tankers, and if so, then what? Finally, I decided to turn the 3 running engines off, (a very risky move,) and allow them time to reset. Fortunately, I got them all restarted. By then I’d idled into smoother water and the wind was not blowing as hard. I gave it full throttle and I mean all they had and by maneuvering the trim tabs up and down and steering it back and forth in semi-turns I got it to 15mph, then 16, then 17, and 18, and finally broke plane at 19. I let out a whoop and drove it 40 mph the rest of the way to Stuart without stopping. Whew! A little too much drama for this old man, but in the end everything ended fine, and another war story was logged into the books.
I had called ahead and plenty of help was available to help unload the boat when I got there and the marina was a welcome sight. The marina’s head mechanic is a friend and he was there too and told me he would get the engine squared away.
So, several friends had given me dire warnings about making the trip alone, especially with one engine out. A fair argument could be made concerning it, but if I’d had a boatload of people I don’t think I’d be any better off. If I had gotten stranded they would have just eaten my food and drank all my water. If I’d croaked on the trip, I don’t see how it would have made it any easier for those who wished to grieve me, and I’d be in heaven instead of writing Words for the Day right now.
I think we should live life to the hilt and not be so cautious. I trust in the Lord and no that doesn’t mean I’ll jump off a cliff, at least not without a parachute. I don’t want to live my life in fear of the “what if” demons. It drives some of my more conservative friends bonkers at times, but life is short and a little adventure to get the old heart pumping is good. I did spend some time thanking the Lord for getting me back up on plane. I imagine He got quite the laugh watching me sweat . . .
Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.