FIXED!!!

The senior tech from Irish, Brian, showed up yesterday afternoon and spent almost two hours trouble shooting the system.  He was able to recreate the problem, just needed to isolate why it was happening.

So, the system wiring was checked from end to end -- the connections looked good -- he did find a minor issue with a hot wire being exposed (which he quickly corrected.)  But the problem persisted.

Now, remember when this happened.  We were in really rough water, banging and rolling around.  Not only were the humans unhappy since we had been promised quiet seas, but the four legged crew member known as Sophie was particularly disgruntled.  In fact she was very frightened.  Her solution is to come up to the helm -- not a great idea when we were rolling as we were -- but she made it.  And assumed her favorite spot right at my feet.

Turns out there is a wire coming out just where she curls up -- it's the remote plug for the auto pilot.  Get the picture?  It's all Sophie's fault!  Not really, but the solution is easy.  Just totally unplug that remote control and the system acknowledges that one control is off line, but works just fine with the main control.

YEAH!!!

Celebrated by inviting a fellow boater -- Ron from China Doll -- over for a gin and tonic and telling of boating adventures.

Today, I'm just lazing around.  Right now plan to leave tomorrow, but will revisit that decision tonight with Rick Gillig before I ask them to drive all the way over here.  Anxious to move on, and relieved that the auto pilot was a bother but not a disaster.