Rick, Ryan and I successfully left Orleans Marina on November 11, 2011 headed for the Bahamas. With the exception of the delay at the Rigoletts Bridge, we had an uneventful trip to Gulfport, Mississippi. Kim came and met us for dinner at the Gulfport Yacht Club and helped get us ready for bed and our early start on Saturday morning.
Saturday was also a very nice sail to Bear Point Marina in Orange Beach, Alabama.
A storm was brewing on the Gulf, so we decided to delay leaving for Marathon, FL for a few days. With extra time at the marina, we decided to rearrange the boat for a more comfortable ride across the Gulf.
The morning we decided to leave for the Gulf crossing, we began having challenges with the chart plotter and the autopilot. The chart plotter was showing an incorrect heading and the autopilot wouldn't hold course. After sailing most of the day, trying every troubleshooting technique we could think of, we turned around and returned back to the ICW and Bear Point Marina.
As we pulled in to the slip playing "Hotel California" on the stereo, other boat owners at the Marina where there to catch our lines and help secure the boat. As we were discussing the symptoms of our challenge, Capt. Gary asked about new electronics and/or magnets.
Rick immediately asked me, "Where are those new speakers you bought for the boat in the Bahamas?" As I moved the speakers from where I had safely store them in the aft cabin, Rick immediately yelled "Everything's fine up here now!"
Two lessons learned: Number one, don't try to force Mother Nature to fit your vacation calendar. And number two don't put magnets near your boat's electronic compass.
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