I was hired to help bring this islander 55 from Eureka to LA, hired two crew to go with us as there was no auto pilot on board. Before going down worked closely with the owner to put a good circulation pump on the hydraulic drive system.
When we arrived in Eureka the owner questioned us about our bags, the crew and I are experienced mariners and we know what to bring on deliveries. His candor on our bags set the stage for the rest of the trip.
We departed on Monday October 12th after a slight delay as the shifting cable to the hydraulic pump was broken due to a previous trip when the hydraulics overheated. Left the dock at 11 am, took us 3 days and two nights to get to pillar point. We put on fuel, and I went to the store to get some groceries. Thursday we departed for morro bay. Friday the hydraulic pump started failing and we started going slower and slower. Friday evening we had some nice sailing after putting the fore stay top sail up. Saturday morning early the wind had died and we where doing about 1.5 knots. Decided to hail the USCG about out situation, they towed us in and recommended we tie to the pier. Sunday we drove to LAX and the crew and I flew home.
The hydraulic pump had overheated previous to crew and I arriving at the boat, which likely compromised the spool valve seals on the hydraulic pump. This owner did not get the boat surveyed when purchasing it, he looked at a insurance/valuation survey that the seller had down the year before. So he really did not know what he was getting into.
