Launched

This morning we launched.  I was very excited, not having been sailing in a year.  These guys have got the routine down.  It took all of 20 minutes from the time they arrived to the time we were in the water.

 

At first Bullwinkle purred like a kitten, then suddenly a quirky noise sent us racing for the shutdown.  Ed played around with it got it going again but found we had a faulty alternator.  We managed, however, to get it to our slip with ease.

I headed off to do laundry while he started work on the engine.  After purchasing a new alternator, Ed found that either the new one is bad too, or there is something else going on.  So he's got some work ahead of him.  I have complete faith he'll find what the problem is...now whether he'll be able to resolve it is another issue altogether.

Projects - Making Headway

Morning temps at or around 77.  Nice, but waking up to that one knows the heat is coming.  And it did, hit 96 yesterday (90 by noon) and now we know why siesta's begin at or around 2.  Can't move without breaking a sweat.  We all found it absolutely exhausting, especially Mao.


Projects continue; Ed moved the boat post stands to finish up the painting, replaced hardware on prop, we pulled sails and lines and got them loaded, scrubbed the sail and hatch covers and now trying to start the engine to make sure all is well in there - fingers crossed because if it isn't, we start all over again with shutting down the boat!  

Since heading down here, I decided to try and once again ween myself off sugar (candy-which I love.)  A trip to Walmart can be fatal.  I suppressed the desire to buy bags of it, instead getting just one Dove chocolate bar.  Putting groceries away I pulled the Dove bar out and found it had completely liquefied.  A sign perhaps?  Normally I would just cut a hole in the package and slurp it down (why waste?) I didn't.

Right after sunset yesterday we took a walk to waters edge (which is getting eaten up with real estate.)  The water is still very chilly.  Nice to do something other than 'boat'.

Pre-sailing Projects

Today - day two for bottom paint; this time green.  We save a lot of dinero doing it ourselves.  Both of us doing it cut down on the time it took to do it and good thing, 25 knot winds whipped up at around 1.  If you remember last year that just seems to be the way it is down here, very calm in morning and early afternoon the winds pick up.  Tomorrow winds are supposed to be higher.

Ed also started work on his new satellite text messenger antenna.  On his way to Hawaii...oh yea, did I mention he is solo sailing to Hawaii?  During which he'll be able to send text via satellite.  He should be able to transmit data via his ham radio-but never hurts to have a back-up.  I haven't mention Mao yet, but as you can see, she's back in the groove.

Last night we went to the Captains Club.  Place was hopping.  Outside the really bad band played loud and proud, inside Kentucky beat Wisconsin.  Food was not worth recommending, but the margaritas spanked and it didn't hurt until later. Being in the workyard and about the only ones actually staying on our boat, we get the internet in full force in the evenings.  Able to catch up on shows Netflix doesn't offer in the states such as our current favorite 'Justified'.  The sun goes down early - 6:30p.  Forecast is for high 80s over the next several days.  No new wildlife sitings. Without being able to use the sink for clean-up, the grub is the basics - rice, salsa, tortillas, fresh quac and chips.

Hola! Arrived San Carlos

Woohoo! After initially being turned around at the boarder to go through the truckers crossing at Nogalas, getting hit with $100 declaration taxes, $100 visa fee and $140 in 'broker' fees (or what I like to call 'pay or spend all day fighting' fees (because this is a family friendly blog, you don't want to hear what I actually call it)) we arrived two days ago in San Carlos (outside Guaymas,) MarinaSeca workyard. Warm days and cool nights. Mosquitos are out - Ed looks like he has the pox. The boat is in pretty good shape and had just a light coating of dust on the inside. Topside took a beating with the heat. Dirt, rain, then sunbake makes for hard cleaning. Sanding and bottom paint must be done before we get it in the water. And everything that's inside which is supposed to be outside should stay in until the painting is complete. So it's a tight squeeze. With all the items we had to bring with us, it looks like a hurricane hit inside. We're making headway. Bought a bag of shimp from a guy selling outside the 'quickie mart'. I say 'shimp' but they'd be called prawns up north. Served them up with rice, cucumber/tomato/avacado salad and sweet peppers. Ed loved them, but after cutting, peeling and devaining them I think my stomach was put off a bit. The only wildlife sitings are the doves and the buzzards at this point. Now lets see if I can fix this blog layout! :)