No wind, no motor

Our journey out into the Baltic to Heiligenhaven from Kiel started auspiciously with a forecast of 12-15 knot NE winds, sunny skies and smooth seas. Blue Dove slipped along graciously and we were in good spirits.

By mid afternoon however, the breeze began to die. With 5 miles to go we were becalmed. And of course the engine refused to start. Fuel starvation was the presumptive cause and we suspected a blocked secondary filter. With me working the fuel pump till blisterdom the Volvo croaked and coughed unwillingly. Of course we had no spare filters on board. In the sunset we sat. And sat. With less than a mile to go we swallowed our pride and hitched a tow from a passing yacht. Tanya and Mark (s/y Krabbe) towed us into a small shipyard at the entrance to Heiligenhafen sound where we tied up for the night.

There followed a pleasant evening with this genial couple. Now we wait for the mechanic to check our fuel lines and filters.

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