Heading out to do some deep dropping for grouper but had engine trouble. We were about 8 miles from my numbers in 85ft. We limped over and bottom fished. We had some great action on vermillion and black sea bass. We caught a Bonita and cut a big chunk for bait. First drop we picked up about a 25lb gag grouper. When we started to head back to land the port motor would not start. We tried everything. We even took the starter off the starboard motor and replaced the port motor to no prevail. We had a boat come over a blue sea pro the guy had worked a Hanckels marine. He tried everything also. He left and I finally found the problem a loose connection on the battery. We limped in on one motor. BoatUS sent a boat to help us but they had a mechanical break down on their tow boat. What a day dead in the water. We finally made it back in around 10pm. Wanted to thank the boat for assisting us in the water, they were great. Please contact me because you lift your meter.
I guess saturday was not a good day for mechanical stuff. Glad you made it back safely. I was psyched to finally get out after 5 weeks of ‘medical leave’. Got the crew assembled and boat loaded by 7:15 only to realize that there was a considerable hydrocarbon sheen on the water around my engines. Probably would not have noticed it in the dark! Found the culprit - a fuel leak back behind the air intake manifold on the starboard engine. Two of us spent an hour pulling random parts off the engine until we realized it was not going to be a simple fix. Called my mechanic - who is awesome - who looked at it within two hours - on Saturday of Labor Day Weekend! - and confirmed we needed a part! Never got out but cleared my Honey Do list.
Glad y’all got some fish and made it back safely!
26’ Glacier Bay
Mistress