Make Me Laugh Again

We had high expectations for today. We were supposed to get the old sails off, get the in the water survey done, get our freezer repaired (again), and finally run the water maker.

Well, the sails didn’t get down, the survey didn’t get done, our freezer got worked on, but not fixed. We did run the water maker.

All in all, a rather frustrating day.

We did some prep work for the haul out. Moving the paddle boards to the dock, and clearing other things off the rails.

We helped another boat S/V Serenity a big catamaran get ready for the yard and haul out. I went over with them, and experienced how with the best of plans, things can go bad. There were three of us on board, Karen (her boat), Jim (a friend) and me. First, when we approached the haul out location we saw a large boat at the fuel dock, blocking access to the lift. So that caused a delay. Then when it was clear, we headed in, just as she got to the first strap, the stbd engine died. This meant loss of control, we were not going very fast, but when fiberglass and concrete come into contact, the fiberglass loses. We backed out, got the engine started and moved to the fuel dock, the yard workers got us in with dock lines. What I learned for our haul out, was someone on deck who speaks Spanish, as none of the yard workers speak English. The other is a couple of spare fenders handy on deck just in case. Finally, extra hands are a good idea.

 

We woke up a few minutes before the alarm went off at 7 am. Then breakfast and the net. After the net there was a request to help a catamaran go to the yard. So, I volunteered and Reneé and I went over and helped Karen on S/V Serenity get prepped and over to the yard. Just as she was getting into the sling, her stbd engine died and she drifted into the wall. We got off and only a few minor scratches ($$$) got the engine started and then over to a dock and the boat yard guys pulled us into the sling. Finally up and out on the hard. I left and headed back to our boat. About 3 hours from start to finish.

Today we are expecting delivery of two new standup paddle boards. (SUP) they are being delivered from Sams. Cost was 9500 pesos each plus 500 pesos for delivery. So, 19,500 pesos at about 20 pesos to the dollar, about $930 USD for the two of them. When they get here we will see if they fit where our single kayak was. We sold that at the swap meet a couple of weeks ago.

The kayaks arrived, and Reneé took one out and made sure it worked a her. I will try another day. Charlie (Carlos) was down and recharged the freezer, but… it is worse now than before. Temp is at 23 and rising, it was getting down to 14 before. So, we have contacted him about a return visit. We took a trip to the pool, this is a very small pool, about 10 ft wide and 15 feet long (maybe a bit bigger than that, but still pretty small). It was good to cool off. The AC is running on the boat again, I turned it off to air the boat out for a bit earlier today.

We opted to miss the Bible study at the church in Bucerias (mostly because we couldn’t confirm it was taking place…no reply to our text).  We walked through the town’s Wednesday market and then went to Mar Y Sol Market where we had a bill to pay.  They’d let us take some salad dressing home yesterday without paying for it because it wasn’t priced yet.  The cashier just said “Come back tomorrow when we know the price.”  We hitched a ride with Doug (Lola – Panama Posse) to Sam’s first and bought two paddle boards (~$1000).  Then to Zaragoza to buy a new fender (Doug bought anchor chain and ordered a new anchor).  Then to Chedraui to buy good beer (a brown ale – Cucapa).  After dinner we watched Max Lucado’s “The Christ Child”.

We both woke up early, but we were kind of slow to get around. Ivett showed up as promised and we have our Bimini and dodger back. We will wait for the deck to dry out then put it back up. Reneé is taking in the laundry and I will get the dishes done. We have had breakfast and done our bible reading. Then listened to the NET. There is a session about weather in the VIP lounge this afternoon at 3 pm. I called about haul out time and date, and found out it will be Saturday at 9:30 am. 

By the end of the day, we had the Bimini and dodger back up (the canvas covers over the cockpit to keep the sun and sea spray out of the cockpit). We had a date/time for haul out (Saturday at 9:30 am), we had someone lined up to work on the fiberglass and engine RPM indication. We had the survey scheduled for Friday dock side and Saturday in the yard, and the blog was caught up.

So, showers and bed. Oh, and the weather session was canceled, to be rescheduled.

 

Up at 6:30 and down to breakfast after our bible reading. Breakfast and then checked out and on the road with Doug (S/V Lola), a member of the Posse, whose boat is also in La Cruz. He had gone from La Cruz to the resort by cab from the marina to the bus station (leaving from Puerto Vallarta at 10 pm) then a cab from where ever the bus stopped at 2 am, to Barra de Navidad to the water taxi and had to wake up the operator (who was sleeping on the floor of the taxi stand) to take him across to the resort where he checked in at 4 am. With the first session at 10 am. His cost was a bit lower than our car rental, but he was really glad to get the ride back. We turned the car in at 4 pm at the marina, we had made a few stops on the way, and it was a much better view driving in the day time.

While we were gone, a few things happened in the marina, the crocodile was caught (about 8 foot) and taken somewhere by the scientists/environmentalists, a movie was shot here at the marina and most likely our boat was in the shot. We will see if we can find out the name. Our sails have arrived!!!!! Ivett has completed the repairs to our dodger and Bimini and it will get delivered to the boat tomorrow. We don’t have a date/time for haul out yet.

I have added a new link on the right for the Panama Posse, this is a very well run organization with tons of information, if you are traveling into Central America or sailing through the Panama Canal, I highly recommend you take a look.