Really long posting this time..  Just got a good enough internet connection for it.....  resently in Manzanillo - leaving today (Dec 1'st) for Huatulco, then checking out and heading straight for Panama.  Marty - We'll be there when we can get there..  As soon as possible... 

October 3, 2011

Alas – Santa Barbara must be left to our stern. Great place. Friendly people. Anchorage is a bit rolly but for the most part fine.. Didn't set the stern anchor there because everyone else was swinging and we didn't want to bump into anyone.

So off we go into a clear blue sky and about 10 knots of wind. Put the main up with the first reef in – Remember – bottom panel ripped so we can't use it.. Grrr.. And hauled up the Genny – only for it to get caught on the windlass and put a 2 x 2' tear in the third panel.. We are having great luck with sails..

Then I hear a metallic clang behind me only to see the bottom block of our topping lift going to find Davey Jones. Double Grrr.. (shackle broke) Well.. All good because we are running so having the lift loose isn't a bad thing. Just a bit of a challenge when we bring things down later. Tied it off to the mast for later and it's going to be another overnight anyway with the winds dying down to 5 knots or so come Tuesday morning So up goes the Yankee and Stays'l and we head out at a respectable 6 knots. In 10 knots of wind that's really good. Especially with the the two smallest sails we have save the Storm ones.

Then it built to about 15 gusting to 20, then a steady 17 with gusts to 25 or so.. Hmmm... guess it was ok that the genny had to be pulled. We had timed our leaving for arrival at Newport Beach in the morning, but if we keep hitting the 9 knot range we'll be there by midnight.. And that's with a reefed main, yankee and stay. Averaged about 7 knots, bit I did see 10.5 on the gps a couple times. Then just before dusk – it all but died.

Main was starting to pump to badly because of the swell and lack of wind so I figured it was time to tackle that topping lift thing. Did mostly ok with it too - right up until the “rogue wave” (as Lucy calls them) came at us from Starbboard. Wasn't really that big, but it was enough to rock the boat enough to fill the sail and then back wind it.. I tried to hold it, but it was too much and staying on board is really a much higher priority... Really nice tear from the reef clew about halfway fwd on the second panel. Away goes the main.

Down to about 10 – 15 knots again with the Stay and yankee up pulling a respectable 4.5 or so.. Ok – now our schedule for a daytime arrival is back on track. That's good.

Beautiful starry night. Headsails were starting to flap a bit much so we doused the Staysail and gained about 1/2 knot. Go figure.. But the truth of the mattter is that we are down to an average of about 2 knots and our course is not right for where we need to get to AND I'm making way into the shipping lanes AND there is a huge ship bearing down on us.. Time to fire up the Iron Genny anyway. It's about 2 am.

LA is HUGE. Can make out the downtown buildings off in the distance and they are specks compared with the exspanse of lights. Would be quite dark if LA wasn't there.. But it is and makes conning the coast (navigation by eye) rather easy. Clouds started rolling in and it started raining around 4 am.. or was that Fog.. Here you can't really tell the difference. Just wet. Radar on.

Newport Beach

33 deg 36.53N

117 deg 54.4W

Arrived about 1000 hrs

WOW – so many boats. Docks and docks and many more moorings than I can count. Just a whole mess of boats. Went by I Yam What I Yam, Al's friend, that is entered in the Baha Haha from Vancouver. Maybe we'll see them again before we (or they) are out of here for San Diego. Running into many more boats in the Haha now that we are getting close. Hummed and Hawed too long about entering and missed the deadline.. Been told we should crash it by a couple participants.. Well, if we are in Turtle Bay when they get there - Hmmm....

Anchored in the tiny spot there is to anchor just south of Lido Island. WAS the only boat in there. Now there are 4 of us. Wonder how many more come the weekend.. It's a long weekend down here too..

Happy Thanksgiving Canada – Happy Columbus Day USA.

Newport Homes – I think that is the only one left with a beach...

Met Bill Bannon here at the Sanctuary, Belize offices. Basically got to find out a little more about the marina and exactly where the yard is going to go. Also met Kathleen, Brandi, Cyarra, Mark, Luke, Richard, the whole gang here and what great people. What a great development too. If any of you folks are thinking about a retirement heaven.. Sanctuary, Belize is the place to get it. A little more expensive than other developments in Belize, but you are getting way more value too. It's not for everyone. It's a place that isn't going to be like Cancun (Casino's and resorts all over the place) but more like a small town you go and visit for your summer holidays – except summer holidays are year round here. :-).

Yes there's a marina (170+ slip), boatyard (5 acres), private airstrip, and a few modern conveniences. Hotel and beach club. High end luxury, but much lower key than other places. We also have a private island to enjoy as well. All set up with a bar and dive center, palapas and massage parlour. Lap of luxury in paradise. What more could you ask for?

Spent time there catching up on e-mail and contacting several services we were in need of – One being a sailmaker. Funny no one answered the phone.. Except Elliot and Patterson. Ian answered and came to our 'rescue'. After examining our mainsail the next morning and recommending a new one..and me sneering at him...away he went to the loft to repair it.

Bill, from Sanctuary, Belize called us that day too, and asked how we were getting around. Said 'by Dingy' and he and his wife Susie came over to the ramp and gave us their truck. WOW. A really big help and not expected. Said he would pick it up the next day at dinner. Gave us the day to head out and find some more spares, get to Minnies used boat stuff in Costa Mesa (if you ever need anything in Newport Beach for your boat – that is the place to go.. I mean ANYTHING. Ernie even found us a sail we can use as a spare. Haven't decided to buy it yet because it needs re-cutting to fit (it's a bit big) and we've about spent our budget on sail making... We may bite it anyway...

After only two days, we got a call back from Ian (the sailmaker) saying they were almost ready. Lucy was out and about in the truck while I was at the Library catching up on things. She saw the loft and stopped in while they were just finishing off. - Sorry – No pictures, I had the Camera.

Ian had set in a couple new panels and stiched up some worn seams etc., gave us a really good kit bag for repairs under way. Also stiched up the tears in our Genny and I was really surprised at how reasonable it was. As soon as I met Ian and dropped the sails with him, great big $$$ went through my mind and it wasn't. If any of you folks are in need of sails or repirs in Newport Beach, I HIGHLY reccommend Ian at Elliot & Patterson sails. Super people, great loft and really reasonable.

After that it was off to West Marine to get a few other things. Namely a Mexican Flag and some paper charts of Panama and Belize. Have to get in touch with Garmin for the electronic ones for our chart plotter. Downloadable so that will come when we have a good connection for a period of time.

After that there were some new cars I wanted to check out just down the street so we had some time in the Newport Ferrari Dealership..

Let's see – The Ferarri 408 Spyder

Also got to see some Tesla Roadsters. Yes, electric cars that will beat the Ferarri's off the line and really give them a run in a drag race.. Not too sure about a road race, but with 250 miles per charge and 0 – 60 in 3.7 seconds... Hmmm... Maybe.. Ferrari would have them on the long straights, but through and out the corners Tesla's accelleration just might take them..

Or the Tesla Roadster – All Electric.

It was too tough to decide which one to get so we left them all there. :-)..... :-(.

After that we called Gord Barienbrock, the guy who is designing the marina for Sanctuary. He's had marina and boat dealerships all over the world and is quite well known in the boating community. We spent Friday night with him at his house on the beach talking about cruising and marinas, boats and how to set things in place and what the future plans we have for Sanctuary are. It is really going to be a pleasure working with him on the marina completion and getting the boatyard up and running. Great guy.

Still haven't heard from Bill and we are still holding his truck hostage. Almost makes one want to find things to do inland because we have transportation. Like to get to the Garhauer warehouse (deck hardware people) before we leave too.. That will have to be on Monday. Have some things to get from there.

Just heard from Bill and we should have the boom welded up either tomorrow or the next day so we'll take the opportunity on Monday to head over to Garhauer and see Guido over there. Very happy with their equipment. Really tough and super reasonably priced. If you want to upgrade your cruising sailboat deck hardware, Garhauer is the way to go AND it's built right here in the USA, only about 30 miles from Newport Beach. You can see their stuff at Garhauer.com.

The trip over to Garhauer was quite astounding. Guido took us on a walking tour and trying to keep up with im is not so easy...

Their laser cutter takes a full sheet of stainless and cuts the shapes of the block cages or whatever it is they are making at the time. Then the pieces go through the assembly line, set up to the item being made, bent, bearinged and welded. Then they are polished toa super shiny finish that will make any boat look great.

Super friendly people and terrific products. If you are a cruiser and are wondering about new deck hardware – Garhauer is the way to go. Super tough and really nice looking. The price will astound you. No, it's not racing gear, but are you racing? Sorry, No pictures as the batteries ran out on the camera.

We did get some of the things we needed, but they had just returned from the Annapolis Sailboat show and were “cleaned out” of inventory so other things will have to wait until their stock is replenished.. We'll have them shipped to Marty to bring down to us in Panama. (That Ok Marty??)

Minnies

Troy

Still have Bill's Truck – Guess he really doesn't want it back :-)... Went back over to Minnies (really GREAT place for used boat gear. If you are in Newport Beach you need to go there. Except they didn't have the boom bails we were looking for.. Or anything that would work.. So we went over to the Metal fabricators that Troy reccommended – Aquatech. Talked with Ken there and he had the shop drawings done in about 5 minutes.. Picked a piece of stailess out and set the water jet to work.. Next day we had a pair of beautiful tangs for the 2'nd and 3'rd pickup for the mainsheet. Really good and sturdy..

aquatech

Boom tangs  -  A little heavier duty than the pones Wayne and I made...  NEEDED.. :-)

Needed a new gooseneck too - Last one twisted and just about popped the boom out on us.  Yikes...

Set to work attaching them to the boom and the Sherrif came by.. Asked us if anyone had talked to us about how long we could stay there.. Turns out we are only allowed 5 days in newport harbour.. This was our 7'th. Hmmm... Told them we really couldn't go to sea right now as the boom is not attached to our mast (having the gooseneck re-worked as well) and we were having some sail repirs done too. So they were gracious enough to let us stay until the work was finished..

Then we get a call from Dan & Kathy on Lungta. Friends of ours from Portland that are heading down to cruise Mexico.. They were hanging out in Long Beach Harbour (Los Angeles) and really didn't like it so we told them to spend 3 hours and come down to Newport. They said they would the next day.

After the boom tangs were attached, we decided that more food was in order so we went out for groceries and found one of the best pizzaria's there is – besides Roberts Street Pizza in Ladysmith.. The name is Gina's and if you ever are in Newport Beach – go get one or 5 of their pizzas. We were started with a set of ravioli sandwiches (chef's special and new so they were free) that were awesome and then ordered our pizzas – one had pastrami, ricotta, bell peppers, onions and basil.. (Tell Roberts Street to do one for ya) the other was jalapeno, beef, spinach, feta and onion. Both were great, but the pastrami one was out of this world.

Sails are back now and there's more work to be done.. New slugs have to be sewn on and Boom tangs to attach. Then we can set the boom back in place with the new Gooseneck. The way Oscar welded it up there should be no worries of it ever coming apart again :-).

Sail Slugs

Well, now that these repaoirs are all done, there's really no excuse to stay in Newport any more.. except that our Mastercard expires at the end of October and Charlotte is sending the new one to Sanctuary's office. It won't get here 'till Tuesday and it's Friday... Hmmm.. What to do..

Well Catalina Island sounds like a place to head..

Saturday AM.. Fired up the engines to warm up only to find that the oil filter on the port transmission gave up the ghost. No biggie – we have spares... Problem was they didn't fit. Lucy assured me that they guys at Berks gave her the cross referenced right ones, but they weren't. Now it's a call to the store to see if they have any.. Yup, they do.. 4 I said – don't want to be caught without.. Dan and Kathy on Lungta had rented a car so they were kind enough to drive me over to get them.. Then I went with them to return the car. When I got back it was about 1400 so there was no way we'd get to Catalina by nightfall anyway ( I really hate going to a new harbour at night) so we decided that we'd hang for another night.

Went to put the new filter in place and sho 'nuff.. WRONG ONES. When a part is cross referenced from one brand to another, you would expect them to be the same part.. They are not.... The Fram PH units that were on there do NOT have a cross reference to any other filter on the planet.. at least not according to the place I bought them from.. And the fram units were a special order that would take a week. Grrr... After a few choice words I set off back to the store to see about ones that would actually fit.. Taking the old one with me (I'm on foot now – Saturday afternoon – 1500 hrs now and about 4 miles to walk – Cab – yeah right – find one), the Caterpillar dealer by Minnies sign in the window said “everything you need for below deck” so I went in there to get what I needed.. Turns out they did have a couple that would work. Bought them and the place I got the others was only a couple blocks away so I returned the useless ones. Turns out the thread in the Fram units is 15 mm and the “cross referenced” ones the thread was 17.5 mm. Anyway – Now 1700 and the new filters on and working.

Catalina tomorrow.

Sail over was really good. 15 knot breeze and a bit of a beat into it so we were doing a respectable clip.. A few other boats leaving to head back (Sunday) so we knew there's be room. Ha.. Right room to anchor outside the mooring balls they littered EVERY harbour with. Got there about 1800 and saw nothing but cans.. Anchored in White Harbor just outside the cans the first night because it was getting dark and we wouldn't make twin bays by nightfall.. So we holed up.

Whites bay

Next morning it had calmed right down again so we were stuck motoring yet again.. Ended up at twin Bays in the afternoon to find yet more mooring cans.. Inquired about the cost - $45 a night just to tie up. But we were welcome to throw the anchor out anywhere we'd like outside the field. The field takes up every bay on the island...

Twin Bays - Catalina Harbour

Twin Bays - Isthmus Cove

Pretty place though.. Wish the filter hadn't of given us the trouble it did because that weekend, the Latts & Atts “Welcome to Winter Sailing” Party was on.. Missed it by a day. Oh well.. Wandered around the Island a bit. Quite pretty. Desolate, but enjoyable. Not what we have in the Pac NW.. but not quite the desolate rock I was led to believe it was.. Neat formations and the water is a beautiful blue green – We'd have thought we were in the tropics had it not been for the COLD :-)... Anyhoo.. Spent a couple days there, relaxed and enjoyed.

Headed back to Newport Beach for Thursday and commandeered Bills truck again for the day to go get our mail and re- provision.. Was wondering if the sherrif would come knocking, but they were fine.. (5 days is the limit in Newport beach Anchorage and we were there a total of almost 2 weeks – THANKS guys, very much appreciated) – guess all you have to do is leave for a day or two and you can come back..

Now it's time to head south again to meet up with Dan and Kathy one more time. You guessed it – flat calm – I'm beginning to wonder why we have a sailboat. From San Francisco I think we have been able to sail about 1/3'rd the time. Off we go to Dana point.

Very uneventful motor sail there.. it was only about 15 miles so it wasn't much of a day on the ocean.

Dana Point - HUGE Marina..  Goes much farther than the fog....

Howloween at the Hardware store - Thought you'd like this one Wayne....

A bit tricky getting into the fuel dock.. Well, not really, just missed the first attempt so I had to try again. Worked great the second time. Using way more fuel than we had anticiapted on this trip. Am wondering why we have a SAIL boat. Been a motor trip most of the way. Anyway.. Dana Point is a really neat little place.. Really just an extention of Laguna Beach but quite the harbor. A good anchorage at the west end inside the yellow cans. Sand bottom and pretty good holding just so long as you have 4:1 scope or better out.. It`s a small anchorage so that is about the max we can have out. Good thing it`s only 14 feet deep.

Very active boating and water sport community. Paddle boarders all over the place and many folks using thier boats. 

the Pilgrim - Still does day trips and suck on weekends.  Beatuful!  125`Barqentine out of Boston. Quite a neat boat.

 Met some very cool people too. One thing about the anchorage is that the only public place to tie the dingy up is at the pier where you are allowed 1 hour. So we went into the County of Orange Sailing center and asked Michael at the paddle board rental kiosk if we could tie up there for the afternoon. He was cool with it and we talked for quite a while about many things. Reallty good guy. Turns out the Center is indeed a public sailing center, but all over the docks there are signs saying NO public access.. We all thought that was weird. Michael stated that even though it`s such a huge boating community, they aren`t very friendly to the public...  Hmm.... 

Off we went walking. Pretty town on a cliff. There was a park at the top so we went and had a look at that. They were re-habilitating the vegetation so us humans were herded through the cattle fences so we could see everything. Did you know you could eat cactus? The Prickly pear cactus is quite tasty (apparently) and there were several other info signs on some of the plants that were well, informative.

White Rose cactus. 

After that park we wandered down the street to another cattle herd park. Basically the same thing, just in a different location. At the top was a great view of the ocean to the northwest. And the marina on the other side. Well set up and much bigger that I expected from the chart. Super friendly people too.. everyone was smiling and saying hi. There was a birthday party on the beach and I got a glimpse of the cake.. It was so spectacular I asked if we could take a picture of it.. Wow.. what talent.

When we were talking with Michael he mentioned something about a really long boat called a surf ski.. Kind of like an outrigger, but no outrig, longer and skinnier (I think) Much more fun and challenging because they are VERY tippy.. But once you got surfing, you went forever. Well, there was something that looked like it could be one on the beach and a guy standing beside it.. I went over and asked, expecting a pleasant 5 minute conversation about their use and then carry on with our day.. Well, indeed it was a surf ski and Raymond, the owner went into many stories about where he had gone and his experiences on one. Chasing whales and riding their wake for 30 some odd miles, having a ride on the wake of a pod of dolphins and catching up with a sailboat regatta some 30 miles offshore and scaring the heck out of them because little boats just don't get out that far... Well, a couple hours later and after meeting his dogs, we had to get back to the boat as it was getting dark. Raymond is a very cool guy and if you see him on the water in Dana Point, tell him we said Hi! Hopefully he gets set up to receive these updates – Hi Ray – Very cool meeting you and hope to see you again.

Raymond and his Dogs

Next day at about 8 am there was enough visibility to get sailing again. Time to head to Mission bay – hopefully we'll get there before dark. Under way at 0811 hrs. Motoring yet again because it seems there is no wind in Southern California. Only fog and cold. Good thing about the day is that we saw so many wahles and dolphins. It was amazing.. All around our boat. BIG whales and I'd say including both pods we went through over 1,000 dolphins. Many actually racing over to the boat to play in the bow wake.

Then the wind broke out about 1420 Well 8 – 10 knots of wind anyway.. Able to make about 4 – 5 knots for a couple hours. It died again so on go the Iron Genny's again.

It was funny – we just crossed into the 3 mile limit (where you are actually in the United States – there's a 12 mile territorial boundary as well, but the 3 mile limit is the “officcial entering point” - Lucy looks behind us and says – “Gee, i think we have company... and they look official” Shore 'nuff, the department of homeland insecurity beamed in and came up on our stern un noticed. They were driving a 22 foot Donzi (or scarab) it looked like with 800 hp on the back – Very nice. They asked where we were and where we were going siad have a nice day and took off about as fast as they beamed in... Man that was a fast boat. Must do about 80 or better.   After their q's were answered, they dissapeared in a puff of wake and were gone just as fast as they came in..  Didn't even have time for a picture...

Mission Bay

32 deg 45'53.89”N

117 deg 14' 57.02”W

Made Mission Bay at 1937 – An hour after sunset. Grrrr... Something I didn't want to do – head into an unfamiliar port in the dark. Well, first time for everything so in we go.. There are many little buoys in the channel to mark the speed limit with lights about as bright as the solar units you put on your lawn.. Don't really know what they are until you are right on top of them.. And they could use some spikes because many were lit but the bird on top was blotting out the light. Funny. So into the Mariners cove anchrage we go and find out that California has gone mooring ball crazy. And they are all full. Anchorage – yes we found one – wasn't deep enough though and we ended up aground for a couple hours – not serious, just the aft end of the keel stuck in the mud. Boat was still floating at the bow. It was about 3 am or so, just a bit annoying to interrupt our sleep like that.. Next morning a 0800 we skipped out of there. Saw that Shannon had spent the night in the same bay (Shannon is the green Ontario 32 we met in Bodega Bay) We waved and were both headed to San Diego, so we figured we'd run into them there..

Well, it was a short jaunt to San Diego.. No wind again. And we ended up picking up some kelp on our props – couldn't even get them over 1800 rpm doing about 3 – 4 knots. Grrr.... Now someone has to go for a dive. Well.. such is life. Then we point up the channel to get in. I see a few sails, then more and more and more... Wow.. Turns out the Baha Haha (180 boats headed to Mexico) was leaving just then.. What a sight. Like going the wrong way down a one way street.  Hve video, but no pics... Wanted to turn around and join them, but we were meeting our friends Dan & Kathy on Lungta here so it will be a few days before we head out again.

First boat entering San Diego Hr.

Docked – San Diego

32 deg 42'36.17”N

117 deg 14' 3.23”W

Made it into the Police Dock and checked in with customs. Bought a slip for a couple nights because of some repairs that need doing and to see if we can get the Generator Pull cord spring fixed. I think it has reached the end of it's life – I cannot get it to stay where it's supposed to. Pro's may have to be called. Missed having that little unit. 

Friends Dan & Kathy on Lungta

Lungta

Met a couple other boats from the same area as us. Victoria and Seattle. Super people and so were the folks at the office. Then there were two folks from the Smithsonian institute that were doing a study on marine growth on travelling vessels. They asked us a couple of questions about our boat and then asked if it was ok to have a couple divers go down and take some samples.. I said Sure and there's a really big sample on our prop you can take off too please !! :-))) Very cool.. They did too.

Wasn't able to get anything done with the Generator but other things were accomplished so all was good.

Anchorage A-9 San Diego

32 deg 43.264N

117 deg 11.369W

Nice time at the dock, but it's at the dock. Time to go anchor somewhere. Still not ready to leave so we decide to get a permit for the cruiser's anchorage. 30 days they gave us.. And it's WAAAY over by the airport.. Mom – we could have walked over to pick you up. Coast guard station is right there too.. really cool watching them practice on the helicopters. Boy those things can dance. Right close to the marine museum as well.. Star of India is there as well as a few other tall ships. Even saw Sir Peter Scott's old research vessel come in for a night. The one he was shot on in the Amazon Basin. That was a sad day for sailors. Cool boat though.

Still need to do something about the generator so I start looking on the 'net for what is available.. We have been having some nickel and dime challenges with it before the pull cord malfunctioned so I started looking for a new one. Find exactly the one we need AND it even has the right plug for marine . AND it runs on propane – all we have to do is get to Wal Mart to get it.. So we end up renting a car and heading over. Well, they have generators, but not that one. Well, how long until you can get one in? We don't carry them they say.. I said Pardon? But the manufacturer's website says that you do... Turns out that this propane generator for some strange reason doesn[t meet with the California emissions (it doesn't have a carbon filter for the gasoline vapours on the tank vent so it doesn't comply – never mind there's no gasoline) code so they can't sell it here. How stupid is that.. The more time we spend here, the more we find out that here, it's what looks right that counts, not necessarily what actually is.. The most back handed buraucracy there is.. A do as we say, not as we do kind of thing.. At any rate.. now we are on the lookout again.. So we find a wifi hot spot and get on Kingsley's iPod... Find a Champion at Lowes that would work just as well, gasoline, but at least it would work.. So off we go to there..

Guess what.. That particular model doesn't meet california standards either. Starting to GRRR and then we spot it on the floor. A Troy Bilt, Briggs and stratton powered 8250 KW (5500 continuous) unit with a yellow tag on it.. Looks good – no it doesn't have the required 3 prong plug but what does the little yellow tag say??? WHAT $550. SOLD. They had a brown out here in California about a month ago.. Sold every generator they had. Then when the electricity came back on, some came back. So for what would sell in Canada for $1000 or more we got a great deal on.. All worked out in the end – It's gas again, but that's ok.

New Generator cover - Old genny out - new one in place. (Behind me)

Now we have to get it into a sub compact rental car.. Amazingly enough it fit quite well and Kngsley still had a place to sit. Then into the dingy – and the row home.. Fun.

We will have no worries about it going down on us at the worst possible time.. And Briggs and Stratton are everywhere so parts are easy if and when we need them. I had a hard time finding a spark plug for the old one - In Canada – never mind in a 3'rd world country. Took me all day once to find an O ring for the fuel shut off valve too. Really happy this one is a genuine article. Old one is in the bottom of the basement hold right now. We'll have another look at it in Belize when we get there.

(Friday) the car is due back at 1 so we spent the morning getting our fishing licenses for Mexico and checking out of the USA (Gives until Tuesday before we become illegals), get some more oil and filters etc..

Weekend is spent installing the generator and making a new cover for it. Gotta keep that salt water out..

Tommy and Susie came over from Ariel as well.. Wanted to say Hi as we had been running into each other all the way down the coast from Port Angeles. Just never got a chance to meet up until now.. They are headed to the sea of Cortez in a few weeks.. So we said we'd have to get together..

Well, Monday is Hallowe'en so Kingsley made up some invitation and went to all the other boats in the Anchorage with an invite to come over to Stone Age for a social evening.. Many did. Great time too.. Had some drinks and got to know everyone 'till the wee hours.. Much fun.

 Kathy (lungta)   Tommy & Susie  (Ariel)                                                        Ariel

  Wilson (Compass Rose) Dan (Lungta) Kingsley             Mike ( Compass Rose)

Compass Rose

Seems we started a thing.. Now we are headed over to Ariel for a bit of the same – only we'll have to actually play some music this time.. Ariel is a CT 54 ketch. Absolutely beautiful. AND she's got a recording studio and full size Korg keyboard on her. Bose sound system with Karaoke. Pretty cool..

Had a solar panel failure (corroded wiring) today so I had to fix that before we left and we also looked at the weather and noticed another storm headed our way 25 – 30 knot winds with seas projected at 20 feet plus (combined swell and wind waves) If we left today we would be caught in the middle of it on our way to Turtle Bay so we will wait until the weekend before we head out. Makes our schedule a little tighter so we will have to eliminate one of our stops in Mexico we had planned.. Hopefully there will be enough wind to get us to Cabo in about 7 days, Manzanillo in about 12. That will help on the scheduling thing a bit. Probably still have to head straight to Panama from Zihuatanejo instead of Acapulco. Anyhoo.. We will do what we can I just hope the winds co-operate.

Sitting at the helm this afternoon after starting the engines to charge the batteries for a bit and we are approached by the Harbor Police boat. The officer on the bow sees me and they head straight for us.. Ummm oh ohhh... What'd we do??? Turns out his name is Willms too.. so we talked for a few moments about our family's history and I'm sure we are cousins.. Distant, but cousins none the less.. His family came over from Europe just before WW1 and settled in New York and the other Willms' they were travelling with went up to the Canadian Praries to start a life there.. Think that might have been Grandpa... After all, how many Willms' were there on the praries way back then..... I think I remember my dad talking about a New Yourk contingent of our family at one point too. Pretty cool.

 My cousin the Harbor Police Dude.

Storm Brewing for Friday/saturday so we hunker down again and wait it out.  

rainbow after the storm - Really time to head out now....

Nov 5, 2011

Left San Diego under a decent breeze. Although it was a S/W'ster. Saturday afternoon in San Diego Harbor is a bit hectic. Many boats. Almost as many boats coming back in from the races as there were leaving when we got here. We are a few days behind ( about a week now) and are a bit pressed for time so we are going to head sraight for Manzanillo to check into Mexico, then check out and head straight for Panama. We were going to stop in Ensenada but a) no anchorage there and B) we are already a week behind and need to press onward to make Panama in time.

Entered Mexican waters 1624 hrs. Courtesy Flag up. Sails up and making about 4.5 knots. Fired the Stbd engine up again about 0500 on the 6'th. Set the sails again about 0800 and headed almost due south in 10 knots. Doing ok 'till about 1900 so we struck the sails again and ran the engine. Again.

Pretty uneventful really, winds pick up and we sail, they die down and we motor. Uneventful few days.

Nov 7'th. 0600 Sailing under Genoa we see a ship behind us, kind of ghosting with us a few mles off. Can't really make it out with the binoculars – looks pretty big. Maybe a smaller cruise ship or something of the sort.

At around 1200 hrs we get a bit clearer picture and turns out it's the Mexican Navy. Then the VHF goes off in Spanish. Seeing as we are the only two boats in sight, I figure they were hailing us so I replied asking if they could Hable English. They did. Very well too. They also said they had noticed “suspicious activity” and would like to board us. What was I going to say.. NO you can't? So I asked them to clarify that they want us to pull down all our sails and lie adrift so they could board. Yes, they said. Ok, I said.

1230 hrs boarded by the mexican Navy Ocean Patrol Vessel P110. They even sent over a guy with a machine gun. I asked if we could get some pictures, but they said no. Sorry, I tried. Only have the ones of the ship.

Interesting boarding procedure and I am certainly glad our paint is in need of renewing because it definitely is now :-). They sent over about 8 guys in the Panga and 4 boarded us. The chief was very friendly as were all the others – even the guy with the machine gun had a smile for us. They said they picked us up the night before when we passed Ensenada and asked where we were headed. We said Manzanillo. They were a bit confused as to why we didn't check in at Ensenada and the “suspicious activity” was that we were sailing very slowly (we averaged about 4 knots overhight because there were very little winds) and thought we may have some trouble and they wanted to see if we were safe.

Meanwhile Kingsley is showing one of the guys the boat down below. He was checking the cupboards and the holds, looked in the Bilge and just about every nook and cranny. Didn't check the fire extinguishers, flares or any other safety equipment. I think they were looking for contraband. Didn't find any.

When the chief was informed (in Spanish) that we were exatly what we looked like – he seemed a little disappointed but also smiled and asked what the plants were as he had never seen a “window box” garden on a boat before. Yes, we got hold of a Jalapeno, some lettuce, mint, and garlic at the SLO fair in Santa Barbara. They are doing quite well too. Even after I knocked the top off the Jalapeno with the Kayak Paddle.

At any rate, they filled out the paperwork and asked us to sign in. Then he gave me another document to fill out – It was a “customer satisfaction survey” I thought that was funny. Gave them an excellent review and handed it back to them. They waved their Panga back over and the disembarking was a bit more of a struggle than the boarding.. Seas had built a bit and we were sideways to them now as well.

They hit our hull and broke off part of one of the hull portlight “sills” then came around again and put a large scrape in the paint a bit further aft. No, it wasn't a RIB.. just a glass Panga. Wish it was a RIB.

Like I said, we need a paint job anyway so I'm not too concerned about that, and I am certainly glad they only broke the sill of the portlight and not the glass (it goes underwater when we are sailing) but it is still damage that needs to be fixed.

They took pictures and so did we. Then after they got back to their ship we got hailed again and told that they were very sorry for any inconveniences and that if there was any damage etc. To report it to the Navy head office. And wished us safe seas. I believe they were truly sorry for the little damage they caused and I just said everything was well and we can be on our way. It took about an hour to repair the “sill” around the portlight and all is well. The scrapes on the paint are on the Port Side anyway and that is still in need of paint from the fire at Ladysmith marina.

We'll contact the Navy and let them know what damages were and that they could avoid it in the future by using RIB's.. We know of a great RIB outfit that sells SOLAS approved units for very good prices. ArgoSea brand. (ours) :-).

After that we set sails up again and continued under Genny alone making 6 – 7 knots.

2100hrs Kingsey's on shift and I get a call on the com that he has waay too much sail up.. Turns out 11.8 knots is a bit fast. So up we get to change down to yankee & stay. Then things start to go astray.. Started the port engine to maintain headway while changins sails. I notice that the Stbd sheet hits the water so I head over to retrieve it before it fouls the prop. Wind blows the headsail halyard out to fly in the breeze. After several attemts to retrieve it and the gusts blowing it it is too high up to reach. We decide to pull it completely down and re-run it in the light. Of course it jams whe we attemt this.

So we run under stb'd motor again for a while. We were too exhausted to try and get the main up again.

0800

We find ourselves just outside (11 miles) of Bahias De Tortugas and decide that an emergency stop is in order so I fire up the Port engine to gain more speed and a faster entry. Winds are building and the main halyard is now fouled. Not an easy task to get it free. Away we go at about 4 knots.. 4 knots?? Why? I thought we might have picked up some kelp leaving san Diego, but I would have thought ot was long gone by then.. Hmm.. well reverse and fwd a couple times just doesn't improve it so we decide that is another thing to check in Turtle Bay. Then we see the entrance is really not there – Fog? Nope, sand. Seems the winds had picked up enough to engulf the entrace to the bay in a pretty nasty sandstorm. Yikes.. Now what...

Well, the Port engine decided it didn't want to go in there either and quit. Temp gauge looks fine, but the engine room tells a different story. Opened the hatch and the boat filled with steam in an instant. Seized. SHIT!~!!! and a few other fine words from the profanity dictionary. Ok.. we still have the Stb'd one.. but we are down to 1 – 2 knots.. Why is that.. then it quits. WTF!!!!! Go below again and see what's up.. All's ok with that one in the E/R so I fire it up again.. runs fine.. put it in gear and it quits..

Only thing it could be is fouled with kelp or a line.. Well.. the headsail halyard made it's way free, came down and dragged just enough to foul the prop. GRRRR..... Now we are almost dead in the water again under stas'l alone making about 1 knot. Not a big deal. Winds were blowing offshore so we have sea room to Japan. Entrance to Turtle Bay is still full of sand. And it's a beat in there anyway. I look up from the engine room and can't find Lucy.. She's now up the mast to clear the main halyard – what a gal.. A TRUE mariner. After she does that, Kinsley volunteers to see if he can clear the prop.

Great guy and another TRUE mariner. He isn't able to (but huge kudo's for the attempt) so Lucy goes in to do it. Prop cleared. I am still in the engine room seeing what I can do with the port engine.. It's rolling over now so it'll go. That's a good sign. Hope it isn't too badly damaged. Removed thermostat and rocker cover to check for noticable damage and valve clearances. Roll it over and she fires almost right away. GREAT!!!!

Stbd prop cleared now we are able to make 5 - 6 knots toward Turtle bay and find that the sandstorm in now starting to clear. That's a good thing. Seems that an emergency stop is definitely in order now.

0200 Nov 9, 2011

Bahia Tortugas

27 deg 41.183N

114 deg 53.3 deg W

Anchor down and port engine still running to see if it overheats again. Was running fine until about 15 minutes after anchoring. Temp gauge says 170 deg or so.. Starting to steam below. Hmm.. Beginning to think that Faria gauges are crap. Shut her down. Thinking that it could be the muffler restricting the raw water flow too much so I take that off, cut it open and remove the baffle. Now it's just an ice cream bucket sized riser muffler like those you buy out of a chandlery.

First thing to happen here is El Gordo comes out in his boat and asks if we need fuel. All our jerry cans are empty now so we give them to him and he takes off. About an hour later he comes back with them filled up and asks for $77 I gave him $80. Wow, less than $1 a litre here (80 litres) in the middle of nowhere Mexico. DELIVERED to our boat. AWESOME. I already love this place.

Time to make a list of some other items that need checking and then head to bed.

Nov 10, 2011.

Repairs required -

Re affix nav lights – BOLT down, screws are inadequate

Fwd Halyard

epoxy muffler

grease raw water pumps

repair port throttle cable

fix portlight

tighten rudder stuffing box

re-provision for rest of sail to Manzanillo

diesel

After getting most of this done, we decide it's time to head to town (about 1700hrs.) We get to the “dock”, tie up and meet Enrique the owner. He's caught a Tuna and displaying it on the pier. It's about 3 pounds. We laugh and exchange some broken english and broken spanish. He says we need to eat at his restaurant because it's good food. He points and shows us the building right on the beach.

First time ever on Mexican soil - Headed to the bar :-)...

Funny because as we pass it to go for a stroll in town, before returning there for supper, Pedro and Dolores (now known as “Mom”) are on the deck asking if we are coming for dinner. More broken languages and we communicate that we are indeed coming back but want to find a market first.

Super dusty town – to be expected, I guess, after the sandstorm they had yesterday. But so friendly it's amazing. Everyone says Hola and all have smiles. They have pretty much everything you need here from groceries to wi fi internet kiosks that are about $2 an hour.

When we head back to Enrique's, "Mom" greeted Lucy with a hug and a kiss on the cheek. So happy to see us. They were planning for a party on Friday because the Powerboat fleet from San Diego is due. Power version of the Baha Haha) We were the only customers in there. The food was plentiful and tasty. Pacifico Cervesa's were also flowing well. Unfortunately they didn't have the margarita mix until the taxi came in on Friday so Lucy had to do with a coconut bannana thing.. Kingsley had one too.

"Mom" dancing up a storm!

They set up the music and we met the whole family and the dancing started. Everyone was dancing at one point – even the really young ones. We tried to relay that we wanted to help set up for the party, but the Spanish dictionary was on the boat and we didn't have the vocabulary to convey our message. They just smiled and said Yes, Fiesta Tomorrow Night.. We are planning to leave on Friday so we can make our way to Manzanillo ASAP so we aren't planning on attending..

Beautiful moon over the bay and it was time to head back so we gave them our best wishes and headed home. El Gordo met us on the dock and let out to our dingy for the row home. I cannot get over the friendliness and hospitality of these folks. They truly are magnificent.

Nov 11, 2011 No special day here in Mexico. Rememberance Day in Canada, Veterans Day in USA.

A day to complete repairs on our vessel so we can get on our way. Epoxy wasn't quite dry on the muffler so I left it 'till a little later and carried on with other things. More checks on the port engine and repairing the cable/controls. Greasing up the pumps and making sure everything was in order for an evening departure.

Headed into town about 1100 for groceries and internet so we can get the latest weather and contact our loved ones.. Updated a bit on facebook and met more fabulous people. Thay all laughed at me because I think my Spanish needs work. I laughed too. Kept telling everyone “your Welcome instead of Thank you .. Ahh!

When we get back to the boat, I install the muffler – it's now ready – and make sure everything else is hunky dory on the port engine. It fires up almost immediately, the throttle works great and all seems fine, except there are bubbles in the heat exchanger and it's just started – not close to hot yet.. Bad news. Either the head gasket is gone AGAIN, or the block is cracked. Good news is that we have everything on board to repair the head gasket. Other good news is that we still have the Stb'd engine – only have to transfer the house battery charging from port to stb'd alternator.

I decide however, that it is best to wait until Manzanillo before any attempt at repairing the engine because if anything is needed, it would be easier to find it there. If it is hooped then we must decide what is next. I am praying it is just the head gasket again.

Transfering over the charging circuit turns out to be a 4 hour job.. Not because of the 2 wires that needed transfering over, but it's time to clean all the terminals and grease them all up again.. flashlight at the ready I disconnect the house battery expecting everything to go dark.. (sunset here is at 1800 hrs) and everything stays on. Don't understand it.. Looking for a capacitive discharge system in the inverter and can't find anything that would cause the lights to still be on.. Disconnect Start battery 1 as well, still lights on.. Disconnect start battery 2 – STILL lights on.. Every battery in the engine room in disconnected and STILL we have lights. Am wondering when Tesla paid a visit. I forgot that I had connected the Anchor battery to the house a few weeks ago because the lack of sun in Southern California caused the solar panel to NOT charge the anchor winch battery. So that is where it was coming from. At any rate – we had lights while all the terminals were removed, cleaned and re-connected. Now the Stbd Engine is charging all. Port battery is disconnected and there is no possibility of using that engine for now. That'll wait until Manzanillo.

It's now 2430 hrs and Lucy and I are both exhausted. More things to take care of tomorrow so we will depart for Manzanillo on Sunday first light.