Fingers Crossed

We are keeping our fingers crossed in hope that this time we make it out of San Diego for good. The plan is to move to the Harbor Police dock tomorrow to make final preparations for the sail down the Baha Coast. The fuel problem is continuing to rear its ugly head, but I will solve it one way or the other this next week. Even if I have to pump the remaining sixty gallons out and put fresh fuel in. I might have made the problem worse by listening to bad advice. That is yet to be seen. A person advised me to put  an additive called SeaFoam into my fuel to bond the water to the fuel molecules in order to allow the fuel/water mixture to be burned out in the engine. What he didn't tell me is that by doing this it makes the water impossible to be removed through filtration and cannot be separated from the fuel. You would think this would be okay, since that means it would be doing its job and would be burned off in the cylinders and out the exhaust. A great concept, that is until I discovered a distinct problem with this solution. It seems that if you run water contaminated fuel through the system it can ruin your injectors.
I would imagine that would depend on the percentage of  water is in the fuel. Since there is no way of determining this, it is somewhat of a quandary. Now the label on SeaFoam claims that it removes water, cleans injectors, and increases octane/power. I intend to call the company and ask them what to do, and also inquire with local mechanics. I will also post the question on line.

The next issue is to enable us to sail wing-on-wing down the coast of Baha, which is necessary, I  must have a working pole. A while back I discovered the clip springs that hold the little locking buttons in place on my pole had corroded. When I extended the pole they broke and the little critters ran down the inside of the pole and escaped into the sea. Never to be seen again. To solve this little fiasco, I purchased a SS bolt to put through the pin holes to hold the pole at the desired length. Problem solved. Yesterday I went forward to make a bridle on the pole to enable it to be held in place while I secure it to the sail and the mast. It obviously has not been used in at least seven years and the release pin is frozen and I was unable to free it from the mast. f...!?!? It is soaking, while I am sulking! I will try again today.

The tentative plan is to have this all fixed at the Harbor Police dock within the next five days, before the slip price doubles, be off to Ensenada for a day, and then down Baha. You did notice I said tentative? I don't know about you folks, but I'm really getting sick of that word!

I want to go fishing in Mexico. I wonder when the fun starts? Just kidding, I love work, it keeps me occupied and is never boring. But then you know what they say about all work and no play! On the bright side, we will not be traveling down Baha alone. A sailor we met assured me that if we didn't have someone else to go with us when we head to Baja, he would go. He said he didn't want to see us go alone, as it is exhausting to sail short-handed on such a long cruise. Oh, by the way, we will have internet and our cell phone going down Baha, same number. Well, that's about it for now. See ya in the movies!

A friendly lot!

Tammy spent the day with us yesterday lounging in the sun. It was a beautiful day. It sure makes one appreciate the area down here. I can't imagine why I stayed in Oregon's cold wet climate for so many years. Even bad weather days down here are better than Oregon's good days. While Tammy and Judy were visiting, I decided to try to make a loaf of bread. When I lived in the Blue Mountains I used to make a loaf almost every morning. I couldn't remember if I made soda or baking powder bread. It was a quick bread and not only quick, but delicious. I tried a baking powder bread, but my baking powder was about four years old. The resulting loaf somewhat resembled a mud brick. Judy put baking powder on the shopping list. When it gets here I will try, TRY! Did I say that? Nay, I WILL make a delicious loaf of homemade bread! No more bricks.

At that point Tammy suggested, and Judy and I decided to make oatmeal cookies. Bad recipe, but they were edible. Anyway, while we were making cookies, a person hailed us from off the stern. As I turned I saw a gentleman standing in his inflatable hanging onto our stern. I invited him aboard and he introduced himself as Captain of a beautiful sailing vessel anchored between us and the shore. We visited for a bit and he then invited us over for cocktails that evening. After running Tammy back to the dinghy dock and her car, we went over for drinks and a tour of their 47' sailboat. They turned out to be a very gracious couple, as most cruisers are, and extremely knowledgeable, with over thirty years sailing experience and two circumnavigations under their belts. Quite impressive, I must say. We learned much in a short time last night and made some new friends. Their boat is only three feet longer and about three feet wider I would guess, but seems drastically roomier. (Judy thinks the white interior and open design of the boat makes it appear larger).Their boat is a racing cutter, made of Kevlar and all composit material. He said the fastest they sailed it so far was seventeen and a half knots. Overall it was a very enjoyable and informative evening.

The exhaust system is now new, with the exception of the riser. I procured the pipe to fabricate a new one which I will install in Mexico at a later date. The fuel polisher arrived yesterday. When I checked it out I discovered the builder had not tightened the pipe fittings. They were only finger tight with pipe sealer painted all around the outside. I had to completely disassemble the unit and reassemble it. Tightening each fitting as I went. The shoddy work that is deemed acceptable these days  never ceases to amaze me. Had I tried to use it as received. It would have shot fuel everywhere.

Judy says: our hosting captain told us all of their friends refer to his wife as a "saint" as she has spent over 30 years with him sailing and raised two children with him on a J36 boat (that's a very small boat for 4 peope!) But they seem a very happy, intelligent and fun couple......

Lazy days!

Yesterday my attempt to repair the check valve failed, due to my stubborn perfectionism. Yeah, it drives me nuts sometimes, and Judy? Well we will let that one lay. Anyway, the threads that hold the flapper on were kinda buggered up. I started to chase them, but since I didn't have a bronze nut, but do have a fear of corrosion on something that could cost us our engine if it failed. I opted to purchase a new one. To my surprise, a new 2" bronze check valve was only around a hundred dollars. Listen to me. I must have become used to the ridiculously high prices on marine products. ONLY indeed!

We ran an ad for a third person to sail to La Paz with us, to help with watches. Several people responded, but they all had prior commitments that, time wise, would be restrictive. The last one is a hoot. This guy e-mails us asking if we still need a sailor and if so he will send referances and a resume. I responded that we did, and would be leaving in a week or so. He e-mailed back stating that he had a volenteer engagment the 13th of next month, so couldn't make it. That is unless we could wait until then. Hmm! Let me see now. It takes seven to ten days to Cabo and another two to La Paz. Thats twelve days in my book, which would make us arrive in La Paz on the first. This would give him eleven days grace to catch a flight back. Hmm! Ya know, If his math is that bad I don't believe he would be a very good choice anyway. I think we will go it alone. I don't understand why people waste your time responding, when they are not serious about going. Maybee they are just bored!

The check valve will be here today at noon, but it is resupply day, so I won't get a chance to install it today. Maybee tomorrow? Yeah, this is supposed to be fun. Sure hope the FUN part starts soon. Maybee after I have completely rebuilt the boat, including all systems. Shit, by then it will be time to start all over again!

Here are some photos of some old friends that I hadn't seen in thirty years!

Old Friends

Last Sunday an old friend (Lorenzo) drove down from Santa Ana to visit. It was the first time we had seen each other in thirty years. He brought his wife (Karen) of ten+ years who was originally his High School sweetheart. A delightful lady who fit right in and was liked by all. We walked downtown to a restaurant next to the aircraft carrier Midway where they treated us to lunch and some great conversation. Lorenzo and I did a lot of reminiscing of old times and past brothers that are no longer with us in body, but will always remain in our hearts. We had a great day with them and hope to see them again in the Sea of  Cortez if they come down to visit as planned. In the past several years I have managed to locate several people that I was once very close to. Unfortunately, in doing so you also learn of those who are no longer with us. But the effort is well worth it, as there is no other feeling quite so good as connecting with long lost brothers & sisters.

Yesterday I started installing the new wet exhaust hose that runs from the wet muffler to the check valve and then out the stern. This time I only found one other problem that needed to be remedied, which is dfinitely an improvment. Yep, the bronze two inch check valve wasn't working. This being a somewhat spendy item I am attempting to repair it, as upon inspection I found that the nut holding the flapper on was missing. Figure that one. Oh well, it should be an easy repair. Notice I said MIGHT BE. You see, I havn't removed the nipple from the end of it yet. It is soaking in an anti corrosion liquid at present. This nipple must be removed to access the flapper, as the inspection cap is really ceased tight and I don't have access to a large vise. Today will tell the tale.

Judy is up now, so must go start my day. It's 6:45 am already. Time flys when you are having so much fun. Have a great day, and make an effort to get in touch with the old friends you lost touch with over the years. It really is worth the effort!

Electrical Drain

It seems that I might have inadvertently gotten lucky and found the source of my battery discharge. A couple of days ago our #1 bilge pump ceased to operate. When I tried to remove it, I discovered the electrician had not left enough slack in the wires to raise it out of the bilge. As the wires were traced back and the holders removed I discovered a wire spliced into the main positive feed to the pump. I followed this wire to its source, the alarm. I thought nothing of this until the next morning when Judy said "hey the batteries are up to full charge this morning." Now that was a first. It seems that the wire leading to the alarm is the culprit. I will check this out further today when I install the new bilge pump. Hopefully, this will finally resolve the most prevalent electrical problem.

We have been concerned with the possibility of having our outboard stolen due to its popularity with thieves. As a result, we painted it the most putrid florescent green you can imagine. Today we will compliment it with Judy's Native American designs, painted in an equally disgusting florescent orange. The reason of course is to discourage would be thieves, not to piss-off the Indians. Judy is very proud of her Native American Heritage. Even to the point of expressing it in such vivid colors.

Tammy delivered 24 gallons of water to us yesterday, and drove us around to the stores. She has been such a sweetheart. I don't know how we could have managed without her help.    She has a beautiful spirit, and is a very gracious lady. It makes me proud to call her my daughter.

Photos In SD

Downtown SD, as seen from our anchorage.

This photo was taken two days after the lady being kissed passed away at 94.

Tammy, clowning around!

Judy and I in front of HMS Secret.

Richard with a Civil War canon.

Judy & I in a Russian Submarine.



A New Year

Yesterday Richard, Tammie's mom's husband, treated us to a day at the Maritime Museum, and lunch at a local seafood restaurant by the statue of the sailor kissing a girl in Times Square at the end of World War Two. We had a great time and really enjoyed exploring the Replica 18th century British warship, HMS Secret, used in "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World," that is parked next to two old subs that can be toured at ones leisure. Also a  beautiful 1904 Steam vessel with a sleek traditional sail type hull. Before we leave here we will visit the museum on board an aircraft carrier built in 1945. Our long time friend Jim said it is a must see!



I am finally catching up on my boat work. I believe to have solved the "water in fuel" problem, but won't know for sure until we are headed to Ensenada once again. Speaking of "water in the fuel" we purchased a fuel pollisher on e-bay to take along with us. Figured it to be cheap insurance for the contaminated fuel in Mexico that we hear so much about. As soon as it gets here we can head south.We also purchased a Honeywell generator from Costco. It turned out not to be anywhere near "Whisper Quiet" like they claimed. It about drove us crazy the three weeks we had it. It also was not feasible due to it's excessive fuel consumption. In the end we returned the poor generator to Costco-got a refund and purchased a used Honda EU 2000i  generator on e-bay. What a differance. It is "Whisper Quiet" and is very fuel efficient.We also purchased some solar lights at Wal Mart to put on our stantions at night and have already lost four, due to the tops falling off overboard. Yesterday I taped the tops on with Gorilla tape. (Judy swears this is the only "DUCT TAPE" of any value left to purchase in the US-of which I agree whole heartedly!---must not be made in China!).

The Nissan 3 1/2 hp outboard we bought in Eugene before we left had a problem with water flow that I was suspicious of. It pumped water, but I didn't feel it pumped as much as it should. Last week I decided to check it out, but couldn't get it to fire, and it was flooding out. Damn, I really didn't need more to do, so I farmed it out to a certified Nissan mechanic. He (Dan Perkins) of San Diego, turned out to be highly professional and extreemely honest. A rare trait it seems these days. When finished he asked "which do you want first, the good news, or the GOOD NEWS?" He then proceeded to inform me that the engine was in almost new condition and barely broken in. He also said if I changed my mind about selling it, he would buy it for nearly TWICE what I paid for it!!! It is now performing flawlessly.

After extensive research on lifts and yards in Mexico, it has been decided not to haul out in Ensenada. We will sail to the Sea of Cortez and do it there, as the prices are much lower and they don't charge you to use your own paint, or to do your own work. It is only $15 a day in the yard.

I must close and get to work. Judy just found water in the bilge again, so I must find the source and fix it. Also today I must fix the leak on the exhausts wet muffler and find out why one of the bilge pumps "went on holiday" so to speak. Cheers, and have a great year!