1st Day on the River!

Bob and Barbie having breakfast on their sundeck as we leave Demopolis Yacht Basin

We had a little of organizing yet to do in the morning so we started the motors around 6:45 and left the dock at 7AM.  I discovered right away the upper helm was still not functioning properly!  I called Matt on the cell phone and he advised we go over the fuel dock since we were already on the river.  Way too much junk in the water by the fuel dock so we went back into the marina.  Matt came over right away and showed me how to bleed the steering system.  All fixed and out back into the river at 8AM.

Beautiful day.  Sunny without a cloud in the sky, light breeze.  Discovered the auto pilot was not working.  Came across our first tow at 8:30 then another at 9:30.  After the first tow went by I discovered the AIS is not working.

Bluffs

Also discovered the genset will not start.

Cows

Then discovered the fuel is all coming from the port tank.  That makes me think the guys at Demopolis Yacht Basin messed up the fuel shut off on the genset along with something causing all the fuel to come from one tank.

We got up to Heflin Lock at 1:30 and buzzed right through leaving at 1:50.

We passed a few more tows along the way.  With the AIS not working I was calling out my location approaching sharp bends and that worked out well with the cooperation of the boat captains.

Approached Tom Bevill Lock about 6:15 and had to wait a half hour for a two to clear going upstream.

Pulled out of Tom Bevill at 7:05 and arrived at Pirate's Cove Marina at 7:15 for the night.

google U S Snagboat Montgomery

Went below and sure enough the fuel was shut off to the genset.  I still can't start the things since I bled it dry trying to start it previously.  I will have to try to find a way to prime it????  I think I also solved the fuel from one tank issue but won't know for sure until tomorrow.  I will read my Garmin owners manual tonight to try to figure out the AIS issue.

Looks like we are headed for Smithville Marina tomorrow night.