We found the Gulf Stream very easily. The water temperature rose from 29 degrees (C!!) to 30.5, and our SOG went from 4 knots to 7 knots. We were motoring because there was no wind and at about 2pm, the engine did a huge ‘cough’, and cut out. There was white smoke coming out of the exhaust, and when Douglas opened the engine cover, there were plumes and plumes of white smoke pouring out. It quickly became apparent that the fire extinguisher which is heat activated in the engine housing, had gone off. We did not know whether it was the engine overheating and triggering the extinguisher, or a fault with the extinguisher. Either way, we had no engine, and no wind. Drifting sideways, Northwards at 3 knots was interesting, but we remained in high spirits!! 

Our plan was to wait for some wind, then keep going, but after a while, our spirits dampened and just at the right moment, a radio call from our lovely Dutch friends on ‘Antares’. “We are going to catch you up and motor by and see if we can help”!

When they arrived, we were 40 miles off Cape Canaveral. With the gulf stream in mind, it would not be long before we would be swept too far North, and much further offshore. With weather due in the next 48 hours we decided it would be sensible to try and make Cape Canaveral. Val and Hedda decided they were able to tow us out of the gulf stream, and then hopefully the wind would kick in and we could sail the rest of the way. After many hours of motoring, and darkness falling, we realised that the wind was not going to do much. Val and Hedda were not going to leave us out here alone so they stuck with us. 20 miles off Cape Canaveral, with the light fading fast, we disengaged the boats and by now we had a few knots of breeze to help us along. Both boats worked out we needed to do no more that 2 knots otherwise we would make landfall in the dark, which neither wanted to do! We said to the others to go on ahead, and get a decent nights sleep- but they would not leave us. It was a very tedious night sail, keeping below 2 knots, heading towards the Cape. As soon as we had phone reception, Douglas joined ‘Tow Boat US’ which is the equivalent of the AA for boats. They come and tow you wherever you need to go!! Although this was completed, Val and Hedda were happy to take us right into the marina. The people on the dock could not believe what they were seeing. Although I had radio’d in advance to ask for help coming alongside, they had still expected a big motor boat to be towing us- not a beautiful classic yacht!!! The skills of Val, Hedda and Douglas in getting us alongside was incredible. We let go of the ropes and slowly drifted perfectly into our slot, where there were a team of people waiting for us. 

Douglas and I are so grateful to Val and Hedda for their kindness and help. They totally altered their plans to help us, and stuck with us through what was an incredibly boring night sail. It is this spirit in other sailors which is so wonderful to see and experience. Having towed us around for ages when we had no outboard, they ended up towing the whole of Arion for miles and miles. If you are reading this- we cannot thank you enough. You are great people and we hope that one day we can return the favour or help you out in some way.

Arion being towed by Antares, somewhere off the coast of Cape Canaveral!