(posted 05/17/24)
Up at 0600, breakfast, routines and then a meeting with Richard (Richard’s Marine Maintenance, they worked on our generator in 2022). The meeting was to go over all the stuff that we need done.
Then we started working:
We got the anchor chain painted, and the anchor locker rinsed. The drain was plugged, we got Cano to come help with that. One design “feature” that I am not really crazy about, is the anchor locker drains through a valve mounted under the forward bed, goes into a hose, then it drains under the bow thruster (inside the boat), under everything else and into the bilge. This means any mud or muck that is on the chain when it gets into the anchor locker winds up in the bilge. This stuff stinks. Anyway, it’s done again.
This doesn’t sound like much work, but it took us all day. We chatted with the captain on the boat next to us. It’s a 75’ fishing boat. He makes sure it’s ready to go, and drives for the owners and guests. He coordinates the crew, etc. he has been the captain since 2014 when the boat was new. He spent much of the day polishing stainless. We were about done with the marking of the chain, and he noticed the anchor and chain, he stopped mid sentence and stared. Then he told us, that we have as much anchor and chain as his boat does. Our answer to that is that we sleep well at anchor. After we were all put away for the day, we went to the pool for a dip and happy hour. Dinner and a movie (dead men don’t wear plaid) then bed.
This is the anchor chain out getting rinsed and marked.The anchor is behind the dock box
(posted 05/17/24)
Up and morning routines. Today the plan is to walk to slips B12&13, take pictures of the plugs for some friends who are going to be spending the summer with their boat there. They want to buy an adapter for their boat to be able to use the two outlets (one 50 amp, and one 30 amp). Then we will take the bus to Walmart to buy spray paint to mark the anchor chain. Then head to another resort where my cousin Mark and family are staying. We will be there for a couple of hours then back to the boat. This evening there is a potluck get together for the cruisers here at Paradise Village.
All in all, a pretty busy day.
Tomorrow, we have a meeting at 0830 about work we want done on the boat. Then we will wash the anchor and chain, when dry, we will paint it.
We got back, and realized that I left my tennis shoes at Mark’s place. It’s 250 pesos each way or around $30 round trip. I texted him and asked him to throw them away. I have a couple of spare pairs of shoes on board. Reneé made the coleslaw, then we took a short nap, and went to the potluck. There were 12-15 people there, and we knew about 1/2 of them. It was a great reunion!
Back to the boat, and a walk to the showers then bed.
From left to right: Juliette, Maria, Reneé, Neil and Mark
(posted 05/17/24)
Up early, no particular reason, just well rested after a calm night at anchor. Our last night for this season. After morning routines, we checked in with Paradise Village Marina, Gina has been off this was a very long weekend for her. We have a slip waiting for us.
So, by about 0945 we were up anchor and underway. It will take about an hour to get across the bay to the entrance to the marina.
Reneé will do the preparation while I drive. Lines get moved, fenders get put in place, etc.
We each have specific tasks that have become ours. For example I deal with the anchor both up and down, while I am doing that Reneé drives the boat. There are a variety of lines to deal with on the anchor, we use a bridle, this is a rope with “eyes” on each end for cleats, and a hook in the middle. When putting the anchor down, after we set the anchor, I put the hook on the chain, the eyes are already on the forward port and starboard cleats, after attaching the hook, I put out another 25 feet of chain this way there’s a loop between the boat and the anchor chain where the hook is attached. As the boat moves with the waves, the bridle (the snubber) transfers the load from the cleats to tthe chain. Instead of the load being on the windlass.
When we pull up the anchor, we either put a dock line from one cleat through the anchor to the other cleat, or like this morning when we are heading to a slip, we remove the bridle and attach two dock lines.
When we get into the marina, Reneé will handle the dock lines and communicate with the dock hands and I drive the boat. She also is an extra set of eyes to watch out for the stuff that changes.
My cousin Mark, is in town to visit his wife’s family. We will see them tomorrow.
We will pretty busy for the next three weeks, we fly back to Tennessee on June 4. Between now and then, we have to get the boat ready with sails down, stuff put away, etc. Also, we will be in Paradise Village with lots of people, parties, game nights, pot lucks, aqua aerobics, that sort of thing.
We were tied up at 1100, shore power on and working on lunch by 1130.
Figured out that the chart plotters and battery monitors both had the wrong time zone information. I reset them.
We had lunch and got the covers on the windows for the Bimini and Dodger (the canvas over the cockpit). Then walked to the office and checked in. On the way, we stopped to admire another Island Packet (a 38 from the 1980’s), the gentleman on board said that he would be happy to take mail north when he leaves son Friday, so Reneé is putting together some cards for the grandkids. What was interesting about talking to Art, he is going north for the birth of a great grand child, and he is going to Elk Grove! We have family there! It is a small world!
Early afternoon, Cano came by (he will be watching our boat while we are gone) and we talked about cleaning the bottom of the boat for us. We have to get him a list of what we want checked while we are gone.
After dinner we went for a walk, then off to get showers. Another day done.
This mast is at the Port Captains office.The anchorage at La CruzThis is Art and his boat.
(posted 05/17/24)
Up early, we are dropping off some things that need repair and laundry. This means dinghy down and run to shore.
We have noticed and talked to a number of old friends since we pulled in yesterday:
1. SV the Blue; Pearl Chris and Jessica met in Puerto Peñasco 2024
2. SV All Set For Now; Robin and Danny met in Puerto Vallarta 2022
3. SV Ankyrios; Brandy and Dennis Kelly, we met them in Puerto Peñasco in 2020
Once again it’s SV Blue Pearl at sunriseBirdsMore birds
(posted 05/17/24)
Up early, birds! Morning routines, then get the boat ready and under way. Lines off and away from the dock by 0745. High tide was 0828, it took us about 45 minutes to get down the river and back in the ocean. Again, no wind, and almost 50 miles to go, so motoring again.
There are jumping rays again, and lots of turtles, most with at least one bird standing on them.
Well we got close to Punta de Mita and looked at the clock, 1530 and 1.5 hours more to La Cruz. All we were going to do at Punta de Mita was spend the night, then move to La Cruz.
Next stop, La Cruz. Should be there by 1730 or so.
We’re anchored at La Cruz.
Today we saw quite a few turtles most with birds standing on them, and more jumping Rays.
Oh yeah, TIME CHANGE! It’s an hour later.
We need a new zipper for the screens. Ivette in La Cruz is who does our canvas and this sort of work.This is a bird sitting on a turtle or a “birtile” we are miles from the coast, and no wind.Almost another sunsetThe decorative light house in La CruzWhile this could be just another sunset, this is actually a picture of SV Blue Pearl, we met them in Puerto Peñasco at teh beginning of the season. They don’t have reservations for a marina here and need to be in a slip for about a month. They are waiting…..
