To answer this pressing question this was our day Sunday. It was not typical
because the few days between launch (splash) and leaving are generally very
busy. Cruising boats have a lot of systems and everything needs to be
activated and checked before leaving. It's much easier to fix issues in our
homeport than some of the remote places we visit.
We awoke at 7AM. By 7:15 I had the ham radio going so we could receive the
days weather forecast. I checked into a ham net, giving my ham ID, vessel
ID, names of the people on board, location and observed weather. I tried to
call our friend on the sailboat Linda but they we not "On Frequency". I
also checked the operation of the XM satellite radio, the VHF (local up to
about 25 miles) radio. I received weather information from the best two
armature weather forecasters that cover this area.
Next the 12-volt "boat computer" was re-installed and checked out. During
the fall cruise it seldom worked for sending email. I took it home at swore
at it a lot so now it worked on the first attempt. But the season has just
started and computers have a way of settling the score.
Time to start with some repair items. The base of the mast where it sits on
the keel was blistering up about two inches. So I removed the floorboards,
scraped and wire brushed the problem area. Wiped it down with acetone after
vacuuming the vicinity. Two coats of paint and the mast should be fixed for
years.
Next came three quick jobs. I lubricated the sail tracks where the sails
would be installed tomorrow. The tape on the ham radio connection to the
antenna was coming off. I cut off the old and installed a new very stretchy
silicone and hopefully durable tape. Third a terminal block in the bilge
was rusty. Thirty minutes on my stomach with a wire brush and some new parts
and it shined like new. Note to myself: wire brushes do conduct electricity
so save the fireworks for the 4th of July and shut off the house AND shore
power before doing this again.
During this time there was a knock on the hull and somebody asked if we had
any cookies. It was cruisers we meet two years ago near Puerto Vallarta. We
had them over for dinner and a game of Mexican Train. We baked and ate
chocolate chip cookies hot from the oven during the game. They still
remember those cookies.
They had us over for dinner (fresh jumbo garlic shrimp) and drinks. During
the last two years they sailed south to Ecuador in their 51-foot sailboat
Victora spending lots of time in Central America. Lots of interesting tales
(I broke my one drink only rule) but the most interesting was their
observation that Central America is best visited via car not a boat. They
motored all the way back except for four hours of sailing. On the way down
they got caught in a 60-knot storm ¼ of the way into crossing the Gulf of
Tehuantepec. Winds were predicted to be 20 to 30 kts. They thought, "Good we
will be able to sail". They turned around and went back to a safe harbor.
Theft, excessive paperwork, numerous lighting storms and hot humid weather
were also issues.
Back to what we do all day, after making plans for dinner we went into town
for a late lunch and to fill our portable gas tanks. We need gas for our
generator and outboard motor.
Back on Vagari we baked cookies and cleaned up for dinner.
All this time Rhea was working on other items such as filling the water
tanks and provisioning.
We had a very pleasant dinner with old friends as described above. We were
in bed by 9:30.
As of Monday the 19th our plan is to leave the marina Tuesday afternoon. We
will anchor in the bay for the night and leave for the Baja before sunrise.
.
This was also sent via WIFI not ham radio.
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