Bad News

 Quick update: 

We checked out of Belize on Monday with an excellent weather window to Mexico from our weather guru, Chris Parker. As soon as we returned to the boat, we cast off and made our way north up to the Colson Cayes, near the Ship Channel out of the country and anchored for the night. The next morning as we were leaving our anchorage at 5:30 AM the engine started making loud clanking hissing noises. We stopped and Scott investigated but was baffled. The only thing he had done after anchored the night before was add more transmission fluid. So he took some out and for a while it didn't seem to make noises. He suggested we start north again, but I was concerned we didn't know what had happened We'd chosen the weather window due the lack of wind and waves - we needed an engine.

So we decided to head south motoring and see if it reoccurred. After awhile despite very emotional concern, I suggested we might turn north again. Before we did however, the noises came back and the transmission stopped working - it wouldn't go into gear. Something was really wrong and we didn't know what was causing it. [Editor's note - it turned out the stress plate that goes between the transmission and the engine had small pieces break off and that's what caused the problem!] We couldn't continue and turned south under sail back to Placencia, the nearest port of entry. It was a long 10 hour sail as there was little wind and the slow entry into the north channel to Placencia and anchoring under sail, took all our experience. But we made it last night and this morning have successfully reextended our time in Belize for another 30 days - everyone at the Port Authority, Customs and Immigration were very nice to us. 

Anchored safely back in Placencia, Belize a golden sunset greets us!

We have contacted a few mechanics and are trying to arrange for a visit. It looks like it is either the transmission, which is really bad news as rebuilding that is probably not available here in Belize, or the pressure plate between the transmission and the engine, which may be fixed here. 

We are very disappointed that this probably means we will not be able to spend the much hoped for visit with our friends Lily and Eldred French in Isla Mujeres. They are flying there on 3/22. And it means that our trip north is delayed for who knows how long at present. BUT we are not floating around off the coast of Mexico without an engine. We have our health and are safe - so we are thankful for that. 

More to come!