How to Run Aground in 8’ of Water When You Only Draw 4’ | Sailing Soulianis - Ep. 24

At the end of our last episode, we left you thinking we ran aground. Yeah, we did. Though in all fairness, it was more of a “nudge the bottom” situation. The question was, how did we manage to run aground in 8 feet of water, when we only draft 4?
Turns out we were drafting much more. Unbeknownst to us, the line we had strung under the hull between the midship cleats had slipped off turning our several mile journey from the yard to our first marina. Believing our board was still up (we draft 4’ 2” with it up), we thought we’d just squeak into a slip with 5 feet of depth.
Nope. We hit bottom about ten feet before reaching the dock.
Now what? This turned into quite the drama for our first days on the river. We started with staying overnight at a lock, which you generally aren’t supposed to do - especially without permission; fortunately the lock operator on duty was sympathetic to our situation, as the lock itself was the only area in this part of the river with enough depth for our boat in its current state.
The next morning, we backtracked six miles, first to Crowley’s Yacht Yard to procure some hardware for a new mast plug. The plug needed to bear the weight of the 200 lb. centerboard (via the pennant running from the board up through the partners and to the rope clutch on deck). This was our other problem: The first version of the mast plug we had fabricated didn’t work; we needed to make a new one.
The rigging master at Crowley’s was incredibly helpful, and even gave us a couple blocks for free. We headed back to Skyway where they had dock space for us to start building the new mast plug. We were hoping that with a new plug we’d be able to pull the board up. Alas, no dice… We had to haul out.
Three hundred and seventy-five dollars later, our board was back in its trunk, and our boat was again drafting 4’ 2”. We found out the centerboard had swung forward of 90 degrees, and the pennant had become jammed between the board and the trunk. Once we had the boat out of the water, we were easily able to free the pennant, and winch the board back up.
Onward downriver!
Hope you enjoy,
Lauren & Kirk
P.S. If you’d like more Sailing Soulianis content or would like to support our video production, consider becoming a patron here: / sailingsoulianis
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[@Eddybarrett84]

So you have a swing keel, do they call it a “ center board”? Any differences?

[@SailingSoulianis]

Big difference! We don't have a swing keel, we have a centerboard. (The actual model name of our boat is T37C.) A centerboard is just a board that prevents leeway -- the weight of the board is paltry (ours is about 200 lbs.) A swing keel has significant weight with the goal of adding ballast below the boat. Typically larger boats don't have swing keels, they're normally found on 20-something sized boats. (Southerlys, though, are famous for their swing keels.)

[@jetlaggedchef6806]

I have a 25 foot Catalina with a swing keel that weights about 1,000 lbs. The keel on a sailboat does two things: (1) When the wind is pushing on the sail in one direction, the water is pushing on the keel in the opposite direction. This is what makes the boat move forward when you're heading into the wind. The two of them together is like pinching an ice cube to eject it. (2) The extra weight balances the heavy mast and wind pressure on the top of the boat so that the boat doesn't just blow over. (A sailboat will actually right itself if it gets flipped over). On Soulianis, their boat has all this weight ("ballast") built into the bottom design of their boat. They only have a light centerboard for the extra depth to meet number 1 above. Since they only need that effect when actually sailing (not motoring), they can pull it up to get into shallower waters. On my 25 foot boat, it's technically trailerable (though on a very large trailer), so to keep the weight down they designed it with a swing keel but made the keel is much longer to lower the center of gravity which makes it require less weight. Also, being longer allows it to be narrower so it can pull up into the boat without taking up too much space in the bottom of the boat.

[@Sailor376also]

Do not discount the added stability of 200 pounds an extra 3.5 feet lower. Every pound, the farther you get below the center of stability, has a greater and greater effect. 200 pounds down low can be worth 2,000 pounds up higher. A Pearson 30 is a great upwind boat,, but it is rather tender for the first 25 degrees of heel. get it over to 30 plus degrees and you can almost sail straight upwind. However,,, there is a balsa wood fairing behind the lead slug in the encapsulated keel. It tends after X number of years to get wet. My solution was to excavate the balsa entirely. I replaced it with epoxy and lead shot, 325 pounds additional ballast and a great deal of it down low. It was like sailing a different boat. Figure there was about 100+ pounds of that ballast change down low. The tenderness was utterly gone, she sailed like she had an extra foot and half of beam. Much quicker and much better in a heavy breeze. No flop, no tenderness,, and she adored,,, absolutely adored, 20 plus knots of wind and 3 meter seas. Downwind, double reef in the main and a storm jib on the fore stay, gale force and a bit she rode easily, and fast. Stand in the cockpit and have your morning coffee stable. All thanks to a couple hundred pounds down low. Your center board, at 200 pounds when down has a great deal to do with stability. That bottom 100 pounds, three feet lower is big. I'd wager that 100 pounds down low is every bit equal or greater to the 2,000 pounds at the top..

[@johnnyllooddte3415]

@@SailingSoulianis A centreboard or centerboard (US) is a retractable keel which pivots out of a slot in the hull of a sailboat, known as a centreboard trunk (UK) or centerboard case (US). The retractability allows the centreboard to be raised to operate in shallow waters, to move the centre of lateral resistance (offsetting changes to the sailplan that move the centre of effort aft), to reduce drag when the full area of the centreboard is not needed, or when removing the boat from the water, as when trailering. A centreboard which consists of just a pivoting metal plate is called a centerplate. A daggerboard is similar but slides vertically rather than pivoting... a centerboard is a type of keel.. a swingkeel is a type of centerboard.. clear as mud

[@andrewsnow7386]

@@Sailor376also I agree weight down low is great for stability, BUT... What is the buoyancy of their centerboard? Is the 200 pounds they mention the weight out of the water or submerged? If 200 pounds is the weight in air, it might only be half that weight in water. If that's the case, then (at normal angles of heel) you only get a net 100 pounds acting to improve your stability.

[@jefffasbender3167]

It's always refreshing to see great service at a boatyard. I feel like that type of experience is few and far between now-a-days.

[@SailingTalisman]

Welcome to cruising. There's never a dull moment. Glad you have a centerboard and not a swing keel. When we first started our channel we were refitting our old Catalina swing-keel C-22. We soon learned that our relatively small cast iron keel weighed over 650 lbs, and that more than a few C-22s had sunk over the years when the lifting cables broke, causing the keel to swing violently down, smashing and breaking the bulkhead or shearing the bronze hinge pin. In that boat, this would lead to a capsize since the keel was the only ballast in the design.

[@SailingTaranto]

Fantastic views of heavy industries and the state of it all. And very well done on the fixes and fixers. I once owned a 22ft trailer sailer for 10 years which had a 750lb swing keel. Once we had an overly keen and strapping crew member gladly offer to wind the required 120 turns of the handle, on the threaded rod that pulled up the rope to lift the keel. But when we later went to haul up on the shore to wait for a tide change, we grounded. The rope shackle had been torn from an eye in the iron plate protruding an inch out, a third of the way down the tailing edge of the swing keel. Eventually squeezed it back up just a little as best we could with our biggest rope and winches, managed to pull it on the trailer at least. A mates strong high roof shed leanto, two small car ramps, a couple of 2 ton strops, and a well placed hole in the floor and we saw the problem much more clearly. A template was made out of cardboard and a hot glue gun and then turned into a stainless bolt on replacement for $100 and it was all better than new. But whew, boat moments aye. Keep up the great vids. Cheers

[@moosewing1]

I have had this issue with a smaller boat that has a similar keel set up. One day the pennant line actually snapped and I got stuck fast about twenty feet from my dock. I have a very large cargo ratchet strap of the type semis use , I ran it under the boat from the bow back until it was against the keel. I then hooked each side to a cleat at the back of the boat and started ratcheting. Once it came up enough I used a second strap amidships to pull it up the rest of the way and hold it until the repair was complete. Always good to have lots of big heavy duty straps around. Great video guys!

[@SailingSoulianis]

We didn't get this on camera, because we were moving quickly. But before we made it to the lock wall we did take the line we had tied off at our midship cleats and bring it back from the bow and then to our two primary winches. We tried winching it from there but it started damaging our toe rail and nothing was budging.The real problem was that the control line got wedged in between the board and the trunk, so it was a little counter intuitive, but we needed to loose it and get that unstuck first.

[@moosewing1]

@@SailingSoulianis yes I can see where it would not have been useful in your situation especially since the line had gotten around to the wrong side it seems. The swing keels are tricky beasts. A little side note to my story, I used the straps because I originally tried my winches, which were old phenolic winches and actually crushed one lol. Again thanks for showing some great lakes sailing as I mostly sail Lake Ontario.

[@Gottenhimfella]

@@moosewing1 Actually it's not really a swing keel, to my way of thinking, if it's just hauled up by a pennant. It's a centreboard. A swing keel contains most or all of the ballast, and has to be engineered properly, because it is so heavy, and because it is essential that it stays put when the boat rolls upside down. I'm building one as we speak; I've been working out the design for the last forty years, so it had better work! (It's going to cost as much I spent for the boat it's going in, despite me doing all the work .... so I can see why they're not more commonly built to the requisite standard.)

[@siaripop7]

Those guys who pulled your boat out at the marina were a classy bunch. Something can be said for how they dealt with your problem and even added a bottom cleaning to the mix, that is what customer service is all about!

[@SailingSoulianis]

They were fantastic. Couldn't have asked for a better guy (the owner of Skyway Yacht Works, Steve) to orchestrate helping us solve the problem. Accommodating, pragmatic, hands on -- but not too much, just incredibly helpful all around. -L

[@allenschmitz9644]

@@SailingSoulianis Imagine this happening in Panama!...

[@shawnmcauliffe5072]

I'll second that. I noticed the guy in the blue shirt hold the ladder for Lauren at 14:00 nice.

[@swamprat69er]

@@SailingSoulianis I think you might owe the yard a huge Christmas present.

[@sailingyoumeandjosapea6770]

Yeah hope they get to see the comments

[@johnadams3870]

As you are noticing: "boats are big holes in the water into which one pours money." I've been a boat driver of various kinds for over 60 years, and there is an electricity of spirit in the act that suspends time. I am enjoying your journey. Thanks for sharing. Keep up the good works.

[@SailingSoulianis]

Thank you John!

[@HandyMan657]

Flashback Thursday, look at these two. Hey guys, the future's pretty cool.

[@kevinjasper415]

Hi thank you so much for showing all the different problems that you have encountered in your quest for a new way of living. Good Luck too you both. I do have a suggestion for you. One of the issues people suffer from is something I will call stumble logic! In short when one issue develops, you deal with it then go to the next problem. When you have a series of issues that back to back each other, that is the stumble logic. I clear one issue and I wait for the next one and because you are waiting for the next issue you are not progressing. Take a day or a couple of days and work through all the issues that could go wrong, then you can. Use that list and go to each possible issue on it and double or better still quadruple check that all is good in those areas. It's a way of seeing all of the possible issues. Break the cycle of waiting for the problem to arrive. Again good luck to you both.

[@stevecrombie5357]

Ever exciting. Each one of these "things" that are happening teaches you something. That"s all I got! Trying for glass half full here guys. You also have each other. What a gift.

[@SailingSoulianis]

Haha thanks for your comment, Steve! As long as we have each other, the glass is half full, most certainly. -L

[@petermunzer8371]

You don't like to let out anything stressful on your journey. Good luck! I't will get easier from issue to issue. It's fun watching you two, living your dreams. Have fun!

[@fxpthl]

How nice of all the folks along the way down & back were so helpful. There's still hope for us all!

[@howiem1348]

Love you guys. So honest, open and natural. Your videos are just perfect.

[@SailingSoulianis]

Thanks very much, Howie ☺️

[@Maoli2013]

"Boat Moments", yes. You two handled it well. Just like seasoned sailors. I really like the way you work with other people/contractors. Very respectful and humble. That will carry you a long way in the long run. Besides, it's good karma. Well done. I look forward to more adventures.

[@SailingSoulianis]

Cheers, thanks you!

[@CheekyMonkey1776]

What you don’t know you don’t know is what always gets you

[@shawnharris1946]

Great episode. Being new boat owners, my wife and I have already had several “boat moments”. Now know what to call them.

[@danielhoyle3546]

Wonderful video. I learn a lot from your shows and how you both handle the complications. Your very good people. Have fun and be safe.

[@SailingSoulianis]

Thank you Daniel :)

[@313barrygmail]

Sometimes people are so helpful... Another good video

[@rmccugh61]

So glad that you got that problem fixed and can now move on south. That sunset scene at the end brings to mind a saying that I first heard some 36+ years ago. "Red sky by night, sailor's delight; Red sky by morning, sailor take warning!" I wish you fair winds and following seas. Randy

[@SailingSoulianis]

Thanks, Randy!

[@ChannelF451]

That is a centerboard...the keel is the housing that CB swings into, contains a ton+ of lead...next time the boat is out of the water, drill a 5/8 hole on the leading edge of the CB, almost at lower tip (seal the hole with epoxy around the edge of the hole carefully) you can run a line thru the hole in a pinch, for emergency...Remember you should never let your CB retracting line/wire go slack, never let CB go all the way down, make a mark on CB line/wire that's 1-2 inches short of completely down. Many CB boats have a dedicated worm drive hoisting arrangement...this gives positive control for the wire, change your CB wire/line every 2-3 yrs. It Wouldn't Be Sailing if Things Weren't Breaking! Good Luck in the Future.

[@ABeriault]

You guys are a very endearing couple...fun & agreeable to listen to! Visibly your project will no doubt span into a world cruise one day. You both have untold talents and great motivation. Your videos are informative and well done, with very little obtrusive music! You belong in the same club as RAN, UMA, ELEMENTS of LIFE and BORA-BORA! Also get in touch mid Mad of SAIL LIFE, he is an outstanding shipwright with much creativity in sailboat repair! Cheers & Godspeed!

[@SailingSoulianis]

Hey André, thanks for your kind words :) Glad you’re enjoying the videos!

[@ryanmotz664]

Glad it was an “easy” fix. I’m sure there was some tension but you guys definitely took it in stride. Have fun

[@geneberry7114]

Hey Andy, thanks for helping these guys out Andy. You are a great guy Andy, who shall remain nameless. : )

[@bthamus8334]

You really threw Andy under the proverbial boat. Big safety concern what he did. It really isn't funny. Bad unsafe habit and your video highlights the danger at the end. 1,000s of boaters use the lock. It worked for you, it might not for the next unlucky vessel. On a night like tonight, be in big do do. Bunch of near misses: corpslocks.usace.army.mil/lpwb/f?p=121:3:0::NO::: You could get Andy in trouble, possibly fired. He asked you to NOT use his name for a reason. No good deed goes unpunished. This was bad judgement. I know he was being nice. There were other places to safely moor.

[@MrClickbang357]

I finally saw that your boat is a Tartoan 37 and thought "We are not worthy!! wait a minute... you screw that boat up and YOU ARE NOT WORTHY!!!" You have a great boat there. Enjoy all the moments -good, bad AND ugly!!! Just remember the definition of sailing: Hour upon hour a droll boredom punctuated by moments of sheer terror. You're gonna love it!

[@gypsea1671]

Skyway is the absolute best!! I've stored my boat with them for years. You won't find a harder working guy than Steve Kindra. He'll always go that extra mile for you. Highly recommend them. Enjoy the rest of your trip, I'll be following.

[@SailingSoulianis]

Yes Steve was awesome.

[@radbcc]

What really surprised me? the kindness and generosity of the marina and fabricating shop personnel.....

[@Issac_G]

they were getting paid, but yes nice people for sure

[@charlescain7962]

Be thankful that the boat yard was so accommodating, some are not. Letting you be any where close, much less on or under the boat...

[@SailingSoulianis]

Charles Cain Yes! Steve and Skyway Yachtworks were amazing. We definitely had some good karma chips we cashed in. :)

[@windborne8795]

What a coinkydink!! We just had our first boat problem on our girl. Our Ford Lehman won't even turn over. Welcome to the boat life. I've owned 5 and all of them give you troubles every so often but, you know what, so does a house. And those come with property taxes and lawn maintenance....

[@FriendM2010]

My oldest brother had a boat (He’s a weekend warrior boater) in Ocean Reef. I fly from LA with other brother and we take the boat for day around Key Largo and for me to dive. He then gets kerfluffled and finds himself in one meter of water? Trying not to foul the prop, Captain Bro gets tense and short fused... 🤥🤭😂. Thrusting forward and backwards in one meter of water trying to escape the rocky bottom. 🤭😳🤓. I used my advanced degree of problem solving asked bro to put motor in neutral and I jumped out of the boat. Water was below my knee. I grabbed the back rail and wiggled the boat left and right and asked the Captain, where do you wanna go? 😂. I had two incredulous brothers starring at me like deer in a head light. 😂 I walked us into deeper water. I give them hell to this day… I guess sometimes you can have Captain 101, 102, 103, charts, sonar, radar, etc. and it don’t mean squat… 😂🤣🤘 Congrats on beautiful baby 🥰👶🥰

[@alienhawkq4690]

Those were very nice people who helped you out. It gives me hope.

[@aarondesrochers3890]

When I lived in Chicago my sailboat wintered at Crowley's. Nice place. Glad they were able to help you.

[@R.E.HILL_]

I like that you think of solutions if it happens again... because if it does... more fun videos for us.... ☺ Seriously, cool video... have a safe journey...

[@SailingSoulianis]

Lol, just wait until the next episode, we have a few more goodies for ya!

[@itsmedaveh5516]

I am excited to watch your progress down the river. Keep your awesome positive attitudes and have fun.

[@SailingSoulianis]

Cheers, thanks for watching!

[@dirkdiggler1242]

You two have the best sailing show on yt, ty sooooo freaking much for sharing. It has to be very hard to video your mistakes so when I retire on my vessel I won't make the same mistake. Very valuable! Again ty Jeffrey

[@dirkdiggler1242]

Sun on your face and wind in your sheets

[@SailingSoulianis]

Thanks, Dirk :)

[@brookespencer7532]

Enjoy watching your adventures! You're both so positive and determined, hands on learning at it's best! Safe travels!

[@SailingSoulianis]

Cheers, Brooke!

[@neptunesfancy]

Very well done. Welcome to the joys of boat ownership, you will have more! But thats ok,...nice recovery and thanks for editing out the cussing, yelling and tears...And dont pretend they werent there LOL.....You are a lovely couple and being real is a welcome change from the T&A contrived sailing channels.... SV Venceremos, out of San Diego

[@JustMe-pp1mp]

You took that setback pretty well (on camera, at least :-) ) and if that's a sign of how you'll handle future problems your all set. Thanks for the video, keep positive and stay safe :-)

[@SailingSoulianis]

Lol, thank you. Yes there were a few more, ahem, choice words off camera as well :)

[@kapekodbob]

@@SailingSoulianis ,Stuff happens. Getting angry about it solved nothing and only creates tension. U handled it well and planned for the futre should it happen again. Love the vids . Keep 'em coming .

[@ernestdougherty3162]

Another great episode see you to work so good together fixing that problem with the centerboard hopefully that doesn't happen again continue South fairwinds

[@SailingSoulianis]

Thank you Ernest

[@davidinafrica8898]

A boat moment, yep, those happen. Great episode! 👍

[@omegaseamaster1550]

Ship Happens.... or when your draft exceeds your waters depth you are most assuredly aground...

[@jastark22181]

Another great episode... I think this one shows how great you two are together. These stressful "boat moments" can test people's patience and you two handled it great! ;) You two get two thumbs up from me! 👍👍

[@SailingSoulianis]

Jeffrey Stark thank you!

[@jastark22181]

@@SailingSoulianis You're very welcome and thank you for sharing your life with everyone! You guys really have become one of my favorite KZbinrs! IMO, your tied with La Vegabond for second place when it comes to sailing channels... Can you guess who's first? :)

[@ericsirois832]

Yeah, another video. Keep it up guys and good luck.

[@michaelburnette8571]

This Fairy Tale is the most unbelievable once-upon-a-time sailing story that I have ever read! You want to sail in the ocean, then get on a plane and go either to the west coast or the east coast and buy a sail boat...Do your homework and figure out where you want to sail and buy an adequate sail boat to fill your sailing needs. Buying a sailboat on the Great Lakes is great!!!...FOR THE GREAT LAKES!! Sailing the oceans is a wonderful dream and a great lifetime wonderful adventure...just don't get caught trying to get to the ocean via the middle of America.

[@svdesertdepartedjoe9621]

Always remember when sailing the difference between an adventure and a disaster is attitude

[@sevgilim1308]

Im glad you guys sorted out the problem and yes it was a beautiful sunset.

[@bthamus8334]

Just off the top of my head and to ramble a little bit (okay a lot... He He) while putting the Calumet Region into environmental, economic, and historical perspective. Changing gears to the environmental (and beyond) questions raised in this video and the "industrial aesthetics"... 30 years ago when I began working @ the lock... Very few species lived in the river. 50 years ago, nothing lived in the river outside of "sludge worms" on the polluted river bottom. The river was a nitrogen filled "dead zone." Today there are over +30 different species living in the water. The water is being cleaned up by the day and with the very help of the industrial complex that exists near it. A good example of the health of the region is the presence in recent years of bald eagles roosting, living year by the lock and throughout the Calumet Region. What you notice is a "working river" that is "paying" it's own way and being cleaned up by the very industrial complex that takes criticism for its aestheics. The lock serves to protect Southern Lake Michigan, aid in the flushing of the river, oxygenate, and provide economic shipping benefit, sanitation away from lake, flood control to the local, national, and global areas and their economy. You are witnessing a new paradigm shift from environmentalism to conservationist activity through the concept of "rambunctious gardens" books.google.com/books/about/The_Rambunctious_Garden.html?id=GWiISQAACAAJ&hl=en A cornerstone to the industrial economy of the Calumet Region is the navigational gateway to the American Heartland. The only way to enter the Inland Waterways to and from the Great Lakes is through the continental divide at Chicago. The specific lock facilty on the Calumet River @ T.J.O'Brien Lock & Dam (controlling works) was completed in 1960 along with and funded Federally through the St.Lawrence Seaway project of the 1950s. The facility was built for ~$6.5 million dollars to replace the old 1920s era lock controlling works structure @ Blue Island, Illinois. The SAG Channel was also widened from ~50' to 400' to accommodate the adequate passing of Gulf to Great Lakes navigation and vice-a-versa. Today a 60 day lock closure @ O'Brien Lock costs the local and national, global economy $18 million dollars. The locks on the Inland Waterways are funded and operated Federally through the General Fund and are free of charge, toll. Commercial shipping pays a surcharge of about $.29 a gallon on diesel fuel used. This money goes directly into the Inland Waterways Trust Fund which helps fund projects throughout the Inland Waterways from the Great Lakes to the Gulf Coast. Passage is free from toll stated in law under the very first act of Congress under our new and current Constitution ratified in 1789. The reaffirmation of the Northwest Ordinance that was law under the Articles of Confederation. In the Northwest Ordinance, Article 4: *Notice: "and the carrying places" Ie: "The Chicago Portage" "...The navigable waters leading into the Mississippi and St. Lawrence, *and the carrying places* between the same, shall be common highways and forever free, as well to the inhabitants of the said territory as to the citizens of the United States, and those of any other States that may be admitted into the confederacy, without any tax, impost, or duty therefor." avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/nworder.asp www.americanhistoryusa.com/topic/northwest-ordinance/ I Hope this extremely long comment is received well and is informative to how things really work with regard to Our history, environment, economy, etc... I have only exposed the tip of the iceberg, a little bit all over the place, but again, I hope my comment is well received and clears up any misconceptions one may have. We have been a nation of laws, precedent since the very beginning. Peace.

[@jolllyroger1]

Except that that water way was never dead as you say.... Today America is being saved from evil globalists by Trump.... If you only knew the truth of the UN and the plans of the new world order.... If you only knew how environmentalisim is a bs lie 97 percent of the time..... These idiots that say electric cars are the solution are the classic example is stupidity and ignorance..... And carbon is not a bad thing lol all life is carbon based.... Global warming is not the enemy demon rats are as well as as George soros and the nazi party that has started its global resurgence.... If you only had a clue as to what is happening in the world and how many people the globalists are planning to kill off and why..... Well to many people are just dumb sheep

[@AndrewCoffin]

Glad you got it sorted out and nothing was broken! Sail on

[@SailingSoulianis]

Cheers, thanks for watching, Andrew!

[@glassman51]

Wow, you guys got so lucky with that center board! Had there been any lateral movement when you were a ground you could have bent the board, broken The pin or even cracked your center board trunk. Glad to see you got off cleanly and I headed south once again. Fairwinds

[@SailingSoulianis]

glassman51 ya that was exactly my thought at the time. My imagination was getting the best of me and I was picturing all the worse case scenarios at the time. But sometimes we get lucky!

[@andre1987eph]

Those yard guys were really helpful.

[@seanbehun5926]

You two are a great couple. I like the way you handle adversity as a team!!!

[@SailingSoulianis]

Thanks Sean (:

[@tna2me197]

Crowley’s. Best folks around. I purchased my Hunter 34 from them. They treated me very well and I have nothing but good to say about them. Glad you were able to figure out the issue.

[@neptunesfancy]

Johan, on RAN stays as cool as any beginner I've seen, now he is seasoned. The "cable" episode was an ass breaker, and he handled it with cool Swedish emotion, gotta love those Vikings.. You are a great couple...!

[@Maoli2013]

Based on Johan's history, I don't think of him as a "beginner". He is so calm and collected. I think it is based on his experience making multiple trans Atlantic cruises including sailing to Antartica. I think with more experience Kirk & Lauren/Soulianis will be just like Johan & Malin on RAN.

[@drwindsurf]

I love that you share the good with the bad. It was really cool see how the centerboard mechanism works (nice simple design). Thank you for another excellent video :)

[@haanity]

It's great to keep exploring your boat, but not always pleasant. Thumbs up that everything went well and there was no damage. PS. Can't wait to see you exploring the Bahamas. Your videos are so crisp and beautiful! Regards from Greece!

[@SailingSoulianis]

Thank you so much, we're looking forward to the Bahamas as well!

[@NonSleeper_Occasional_Thinker]

Great job handling the "boat moment" (great term). Going to use that term. Keep the sunny side up. Hugs from Canada

[@kerstinlampert7337]

Very interesting....keep up the good work...

[@Spar19row]

I have a similar boat: Pearson 35. Watching this video is making me feel better. I love my centerboard; but, have had similar problems.

[@SailingSoulianis]

We hear ya. Super helpful in certain situations, but a real pain sometimes!

[@SailingYachtSaltyLass]

I am glad your boat is OK and it looked a straightforward fix. We had similar experiences. I think it is called "Sailing" ;-)

[@tiborkiss9186]

Guys, this is the most unusual part of your boat - I mean: the part that most boats do not have. At least you now have a good understanding of how it works - you will save tons of nerve and effort later to keep it working fine - i think you paid a small price for this knowledge!:)

[@SailingSoulianis]

Yes, agreed. At the end of the day it was a good lesson, and we're glad we learned it early on, in a very convenient location. It could of been much worse.

[@lewhaugh6452]

Both Crowleys and Skyway are absolutely 1st class operations. They just happen to be neighbors on the south side of Chgo.

[@garyrichardson2915]

At l ast it happens in the river and not 1000 miles from anywhere. This is a good opportunity to perfectly understand a little more about the mechanics of your boat. Now when you cruise into some secluded little spot in the middle nowhere you will do it with confidence and romantic music. Honey, drop the anchor and pop the cork out of that bottle !!!!🥰🥰😜

[@friarfox]

I get that Captain Ron quote running through my head watching this. "If it's gonna happen, it's gonna happen out there". But at least you were not too far for help in this case. 375 dollar mistakes you tend to remember. Here's to better days.

[@gaylespencer6188]

Expenses, expenses, expenses. There's no end.

[@johnjohnson8531]

Watching your video on river trip and getting stuck in the Calumet River I believe you were right close to Croissant marina that’s where my sailboat spent the winter every year on the cradle and always careful when when leaving the marina to head to Monroe Harbor for the summer.

[@mjarchambeau]

Great story telling. I like the drama unfolding.

[@SailingSoulianis]

Appreciate that, thanks Michael! -L

[@markcampbell3311]

Glad it all worked out...looks like your on your way!

[@jeffwhiting511]

The only thing I can say is I love you guys!!! Don’t give up!!!;)

[@SailingSoulianis]

Aw thanks, Jeff. Don't worry, we're still truckin' ;)

[@bill4nier]

So glad that was an easy fix. Even fixes are apart of the adventure. 😉 Thanks for sharing. 👍👍👍👍👍👍😊⛵⛵⛵⛵⛵⛵⛵

[@SailingSoulianis]

Yes they are! We have a few more coming up for you in the next episode as well :)

[@changodelaporcelainacanada4819]

If sailing were ez and cheap everyone would do it. Once at two in the morning I had to throw on dive equipment in freezing Canadian water ( I’m only a novice diver) to check my anchor set 40 feet down. At the bottom, my flashlight was dying /flickering ... its all part of the fun!

[@jeffd482]

Hi guys, Have hull # 186, been sailing my whole life and accidentally cut my pennant line putting the mast in this year. Pain in the ass but when the board is down... Spectacular! Sail on Lake Ontario, interested in your adventure down the river. Have fun and be safe.

[@SailingSoulianis]

Hey Jeff, thanks for dropping a line. Glad you enjoy the videos. Fair winds!

[@debbiefromillinois532]

Great camera work. You did a great job documenting this setback. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@SailingSoulianis]

Thanks, Debbie!

[@alphasxsignal]

Feel for you guys, just starting out and this happens. I bet that board is about 400lbs The is the problem with crank up centerboards. You have to keep it clean too where the board goes up into. I owned a Oday boat that had the crankup centerboard but had a crank inside and nothing to do with the mast in its way. Glad it worked out for you guys.

[@alinthekeys]

Boat moment's, I think i'am going to use that one! Thank"s for sharing.

[@richardsteele928]

Good luck for the rest of you trip

[@SailingSoulianis]

Thank you Richard.

[@Traderhood]

What a view on the river! Green palms everywhere :-)

[@riverbendtube]

Great shots of industrial America. Really quite beautiful!

[@marktcoleman]

Great recovery guys, enjoy the journey!

[@SailingSoulianis]

Cheers, Mark!

[@rb30athorn]

Wow never heard of that happening! Great episode , mystery solved

[@johnbolongo9978]

No biggy.....gotta love tartans and centerboards. Mine is broken from running aground with it down and at some point I may repair it but no rush. Great job. U guys make a great team.

[@SailingSoulianis]

Dig your attitude 👍 Thanks for watching, John!

[@MidnightMaker]

I feel you, bro! Our 1979 Tartan 37 centerboard is stuck up and the only opportunity I really have to fix it is either when it's being pulled or splashed and then you don't have time to mess with the centerboard. Ugh...

[@MidnightMaker]

BTW, we're vidaysailing.com

[@SailingSoulianis]

Argh. Makes you wonder if you really care about those extra couple of degrees to windward when just filling the trunk with lead and glassing it over would solve all those CB issues for good, eh!

[@sailingrookie7890]

You Guys doing such a great Job😀. And it's nice watching your Videos. I Wish you luck for your Journey. And can' t wait for the next vids.😉

[@SailingSoulianis]

Cheers, thanks!

[@mloveless2]

I had a similar problem once on a boat I owned. Mark your CB line and a corresponding mark on deck for the position(s) of your CB for future reference. One mark for all the way up, a mark for halfway down and another for fully deployed.

[@SeaRamblr1]

Well that was a well executed recovery. Good job!

[@SailingSoulianis]

Cheers, Greg!

[@parkerschless3749]

I feel you guys, we have a swing keel on our Beneteau 323. When I was cranking it up once, on the last crank the mechnism broke and the keel crashed down. Luckily we didn’t lose the keel, but the mechanism was shot, and the keel was stuck down. We had to keep our boat at a family member’s house for a couple of weeks because our creek was too shallow for it. When we finally got the boat hauled, we saw how the mechanism was completely rusted, and at that point when I cranked it, the last bit holdsing the mechanism together happened to give way. Well, $1100 and a couple of weeks later, we were able to get back on the water. Sometimes these swing keels/centerboards can be a lot of trouble!

[@SailingSoulianis]

Hey Parker, all rusted... Argh! Yeah, they certainly can be a pain, but we can point pretty darn well into the wind with our board down, and it's also really helpful maneuvering in tight spaces. I don't think Kirk and I have discussed their good sides much in our videos. We had never had a problem with our board until this point, and I'm sure you understand, it was a unique situation putting our boat back in the water without the mast up -- which completely threw off our typical pennant setup, rendering all board position markers invalid, etc. Anyway. It's a silly situation we created for ourselves. Thanks for commiserating, very much appreciated. -L

[@parkerschless3749]

Sailing Soulianis Yeah, they do have their good qualities but sure can be a pain at times! Safe travels to you, and thank you for your response!

[@user-hb8be5wb4q]

I sea the biggest problem here, you just gonna have to get the “swab” on the boat to step up and Capt. Ron are on the run. Brahaha! Just kidding around, this is sailing/boating, keep up the great work, fair winds, great videos, avast ye mateys, weigh anchors!

[@guilhermefurgler8866]

Great episode!!! It is incredible your good mood in this situation. I would burn my boat......and finished the trip..... Like to see you guys solving the problems always smilling. Hope to see you soon in the south....

[@SailingSoulianis]

Lol, We had a few choice words off camera. It's not smiles and good moods ALL the time. ;)

[@akdonlh9924]

Never ever get under a load, my father who was crane operator would have a fit

[@akdonlh9924]

Glad it was easy fix

[@mrmidnight32]

AK Don L H I’m a rigger, and you are correct. You’re not supposed to walk under a load. But sometimes you have to. But I’m not going to lose me shit about them doing it. This could have been done differently but it’s not uncommon to work under a load when necessary. It’s just to be avoided if at all possible.

[@mikhailcanete3124]

Would you tell your significant other to go up there without fall arrest .. all said there would be no adventure if anything happens in that picture.

[@diver0129]

I worked for companies where we've moved 40+ ton loads (even a 900 ton lift). You NEVER walk under a load. They should've set the boat on something first. I'm sure the boat yard had something to set a boat on.

[@mattf49006]

huge shutout to the folks at the boatyard and rigging shop that stepped up to help ya'll out

[@SailingSoulianis]

Skyway Yacht Works & Crowley's Yacht Yard 🙌🙌

[@a914freak]

Two must haves on a sailboat: Spare Air bottle and goggles or a travel Hookah system.

[@fudogwhisperer3590]

As far as boat problems go, that was a cheap easy fix! Good lesson for anyone else who has a stuck swing keel:-)

[@SailingSoulianis]

While technically very similar to a swing keel, ours is a centerboard as it only weights 200#. The rest of our boats balast is in the keel/centerboard trunk that surrounds the centerboard. Though to your the method for resolving the issue in each would be very similar :)

[@nickpelentsov9229]

i use to carry dive gear,and snorkel and mask to do visuals on my boat hulls,..just jump in, fix,or see whats goin on, down there..it does help...good luck.

[@jackbego6571]

Great as usual, really enjoyed your adventure and learned something We have a Sabre 34 centerboard and I will keep this in my memory bank.

[@SailingSoulianis]

Cheers, thanks for watching Jack :)

[@proonlinesales1256]

Do you guys ever fight? I can’t imagine you two ever arguing. Lol. Seem like the perfect couple.

[@mikedhsr007]

Lauren is a great partner. A sweetie. Holds it all together in spite of the setbacks. Of course, they probably should have done some practice runs at home port with the centerboard mast de stepping process. Anticipating is more than half the challenge of the voyage.

[@Alexandrecfcf]

Subscribed! Loved your Michigan trip. I'm actually from Muskegon, MI. and while in college took a 'Large Boat Sailing' class aboard a 45'. I'm planning on buying a boat and doing many trips along Michigan's shores, but the trip down the Mississippi is something that I've been very interested in. Could you guys add map locations to the video of where you stop during the trip? (Like you did on the Michigan one).

[@1coonoe]

Remember .... don’t sweat the small stuff and j just remember.... ITS ALL SMALL STUFF! Enjoy the trip!

[@michaelzera9361]

Love the videos. Go GREEN!

[@philzail2532]

Ha, don't feel so bad! I saw another couple that the exact same thing happened. I'll see if I can find it.

[@horizonized]

Thanks for the video. Nicely handled situation.

[@dklpapa]

At some point in your long term sailing endeavor you may benefit by getting SCUBA diving certified and you could then handle a centerboard repair like this one on your own. And, diving is a neat world of adventure, too!

[@dklpapa]

...and... Underwater epoxy. Quick setting and it can be used to seal a tear or hole poked in the bottom.

[@dustanbalkcom]

Well done sorting that out!!

[@stacyw8587]

lol the two of you are much fun to watch .... im looking forward to more of your videos ...... sv stargazer

[@SailingSoulianis]

😁

[@williamdykes2750]

I'm sure you guys are all over this, but if not, please pay attention. If there is any possibility at all that you will be motoring at night on the way south make sure you know the lighting requirements for commercial boats and shipping and be able to recognize them readily. Especially tugboats. I learned this the hardy one night sailing out of Norfolk, VA. I almost sailed between a towing vessel and the barge being towed behind it. Spydy sense told me to turn away before I got in between the two. I thought I was a pretty good sailer until then.

[@SailingSoulianis]

Hi William, appreciate your concern. Yeah, traveling on the river at night is sketchy at best -- as you experienced! Everything we read about the journey before we left recommended no traveling at night, it's just so much more risky. We made it a rule (and followed it 98% of the time) to have the hook down / be docked by sunset.

[@syexplorarconmigo8853]

Hi guys- just started following your adventure... I also have a Centerboard on my boat- but it’s not plumbed to my mast... This set up was very interesting to watch... Question: If you could re-engineer this- #1) Would you? #2) What would you change since you have time without your mast at the moment? - I phrased the question this way since I am guessing this will probably NOT be your ‘family boat’- e.g. after kiddos... Therefore- there may not be a desire to change the engineering at this stage of the adventure...