~ CRUISING IN A TINY SAILBOAT (part 3) ~ Ocean Wave Surfing At 9+ knots!

This is the conclusion of an epic 11-day sailing adventure cruising the Pacific coast, SF Bay Area and the Sacramento Delta aboard my West Wight Potter 19, with not a single night in a marina. Transcript... [Coming up...] and blew bloody snot. And before I knew it, I was dragging anchor over to the rocks. This is the pathetic little piece of plastic that connects the auto tiller to the tiller. Just outside the gate, I see thousands and thousands of seabirds. I've had it with that clunking noise coming from the rudder and so resolve to remedy it now whilst underway. Yay, some peaceful sailing. Just thought I heard some chickens clucking. The bearing seen here is completely loose in its housing. Back to hand steering now with a full set of canvas which we carry on a following sea all the way back to Santa Cruz. When sailing out under the Golden Gate and turning south, two of the most important considerations are wind and tide. On account of these considerations, I had intended to spend an extra day at anchor here, but fate and happen stance were to have none of it. I had contemplated going ashore, but it's a good job I didn't. After a quiet night sailing at anchor, the wind got up and blew bloody snot. And before I knew it, I was dragging anchor over to the rocks. All of a sudden, I went from a relaxing day at anchor to all hands on deck. The tangled mess of anchor, chain, road, seaweed, and mud was manhandled onto the for deck. Hurriedly, I left what was only moments ago a peaceful anchorage. I was in no mood to reset the anchor in high winds and so put to sea. I resolved to move closer to the gate in order to catch the early tide in the morning. That looks peaceful enough, but now I've got another problem. This time I've broken my autopilot. This is the pathetic little piece of plastic that connects the auto tiller to the tiller. Are we having fun yet? I spent the next half an hour affecting a repair. There it is. The fog's coming. I need to decide what time to leave in the morning. So, I go onto Noah's website and check the tides and currents. It shows slack at 7:46 a.m. I'm a bit early leaving, but conditions look calm, so I go, passing the north tower. Just outside the gate, I see thousands and thousands of seabirds. I'm doing 7.3 knots on the way out. I think I might be a little early. I hear a clunking noise. I've had it with that clunking noise coming from the rudder and so resolve to remedy it now whilst underway. Yay! Some peaceful sailing. Just thought I heard some chickens clucking. That's weird. The dock at Half Moon Bay welcomes me and Jonah. There's time for a late lunch and I march off to my favorite eatery. Ah, Barbara's fish trap. It really does not get any better than this. Seriously. At anchor now. And the wind is really starting to howl. I may be getting close to home, but this is no time to be letting one's guard down. More accidents happen coming down off the mountain. The autopilot is sounding very unwell. Back to hand steering now with a full set of canvas which we carry on a following sea all the way back to Santa Cruz. I'm back in port now and taking the autopilot to pieces. is what a complete and utter mess. This is the assortment of broken piece parts, most of which were found inside the unit, loose. The bearing seen here is completely loose in its housing. If your ST2000 Plus is doing this, save yourself some time. Don't bother trying to fix it. Thanks Raymarine for not providing spares for the drivetrain. After 6 and 1/2 years, the batteries buggered, which I'm told is a good innings. After careful measurement, I order a new battery, a larger one, which I hope will fit and provide me with additional capacity. I place my order, but what ensues is the most ridiculous debacle with UPS I've ever experienced. What arrives is a battery, but it is horribly deformed. The keel trunk needs attention, too. But I guess I'll save that moaning for another episode. Are we having fun yet? Of course we are.