Murphy’s law
Everyone has heard about Murphy’s law: ‘If anything can go wrong, it will go wrong’ and I always add ‘…at the worst moment.’
Many years ago I was sailing my Pioneer 10 towards its winter storage location. It was the end of November, it was dark and the temperature was just above 0ºc.
However, it was dry and the wind was blowing from a favourable direction so I had nothing to complain about and enjoyed the quietness. On approach to the last bridge before the harbour I lowered the main and wanted to start the engine before also taking down the headsail. The engine, however, did not give a kick. I furled the headsail to a minimum to give me some time to try to start the engine, but it remained quiet.
One of the electrical connections had been in a bad state for most of the season and I’d already repaired it by squeezing it together with pliers. Yes, I know, I should have known better. This time it was only my ego but Murphy could have led to a more serious situation.
This experience taught me three things: Firstly take good care of your yacht. Secondly, always carry a box of spares such as bolts, nuts, shackles, fuses, lines, tie raps, tape, and electrical connectors, and of course, the necessary equipment.
Last but not least I realised that my knowledge, even of basic diesel engines, was below the required level. During the winter I enlisted on a diesel engine maintenance course which appeared to be very useful and also fun – and allowed me to tinker when my Pioneer 10 was laid up.