Peche (Gilligan's?) Island...and the safety axe?

[stabman]

"Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale, a tale of a fateful trip..."

It all started simply enough, with ice in the bottom of the boat and ropes all frozen together, and an engine that would not start when tested the night before. But with ropes busted apart, a new fuel bulb thing for the fuel line and a different oil/fuel mix for colder weather, all seemed well.

So, off we headed towards adventure, with all the safety equipment we'd ever need...namely a Spyderco Szabohawk. (excellent for if you need to chop a hole in the bottom of the boat to escape through.)

Having reached the island and passed under the historic stone bridge, we were into the interior waterways:

We were stymied from one path though, which was blocked by mighty logs...no matter, the Szabohawk will bash those out of the way!!!

Or maybe not.

Anyway, turns out another waterway allowed access to a patch of land inaccessible by any footpath on the island, which leads to a hidden treasure:

Okay, getting to it, but first have to see if this damn hawk/axe thing can chop at all (sucks abysmally at clearing brush out of the way...powerful sucks):

The ruins of the ice-house for Hiram Walker's island summer house, built near the turn of last century:

Some knives and things:

And with muffins:

That was cool, but back to the boat:

 

[stabman]

Just floating along:

Huh, the moon is out now...

Back out on main waterway (Detroit River):

Suns' almost down...

...so why not go check out the beach at the tip of the island for just 7 minutes?

Well, the sun was passing the horizon now, and the main motor decided it did not want to start; the temperature had reached the same point it did NOT work at the night before.

So, after 10 minutes of no luck, we started the trolling motor again. Unfortunately, we had been using it for about the last 2 hours...did it still have enough battery life? Let's find out!

It did not.

We were halfway back to to shore when the lights went out on the left side of the boat, then the right side. Then, the motor stopped. I began paddling more (had been trying to assist the motor), but with the 25km/h winds in our face, all I could do was hold position. At least the lights went back on when power was cut to the motor entirely. Time to bust out the headlamps.

We floated there while my brother continued trying to get the main engine to start. No luck. Eventually it was time to cal the marinne assistance number I had in my backpack. First number quoted a big price, but said hey, try the Coast Guard.

Called the Coast Guard who put out a distress call for us. They asked if we had an anchor, which we did...we put in in, but practically did not need to; while we drifted in the dark, the wind pushed us right back to the island, where we lodged in the reeds.

Another commercial towing place answered the distress call, and we decided to pay the fee rather than wait for however many hours the Coast Guard would take. It was getting pretty cold, my coat kind of sucked, and we had not planned on being out after dark when the temperature fell.

So, here we are getting towed back:

At least with the Spyderco Szabohawk safety axe we could have busted up some wood in an inefficient manner to build a fire while waiting for rescue if need be...and it would have worked out if the rescue boat happened to contain pirates instead of rescue personnel. So remember to bring that safety equipment.

It was still a good day, and we learned some things, including that marine tow insurance is a thing. Planning on getting that for next year.

Also learned that the Szabohawk would be great as a breaching tool or weapon, but really, really sucks at cutting wood; just not built for it. Looks cool though.

 

[MolokaiRider]

Looks like a fun day!

 

[stabman]

Looks like a fun day!

It was.
Got to check out most of the interior waterways of the island; I can see why it's popular with canoes and kayaks...so much to see.

 

[DocJD]

I'm surprised the Coast Guard didn't hang you for suspected piracy , if they got a look at your "safety " stuff !

 

[stabman]

I'm surprised the Coast Guard didn't hang you for suspected piracy , if they got a look at your "safety " stuff !

Well, firstly it was a commercial towing outfit that answered the Coast Guard's distress call...privatized entities responding faster than government ones, and all that jazz.

Secondly, it's my ESA...Emotional Support Axe.
It would be practically discriminatory for anyone to object.