Nav station varnish and on it goes - 2013

December 2014 - Currently in La Cruz anchorage in Banderas Bay Mexico (across the bay from Puerto Vallarta)
 When will it ever end, when will it ever…end. Like never….

Paddleboarding the La Cruz anchorage

End of December - La Cruz Anchorage in Puerto Vallarta Mexico

Bernard & Becky on M\V Worth Waiting 4 is behind me.

At evening glass off it was time to launch the paddleboard. I did fine and was heading out to John and Jan on M\V Context and Bernard & Becky on M\V Worth Waiting 4 but as I was heading out the seas got more bumpy and was getting tired. I am just not in paddleboard shape and not good at it when the seas get lumpy. So I headed back and only dumped once. Nice sunset and the water is so warm so dumping into the drink is not an issue there but it is with the amount of energy I spend getting back up onto the paddleboard and paddling again. I will get better and it is surprising how much distance I can travel in a short amount of time.

I was trying for John and Jan on M\V Context.
Both M\V came down on the Fobar and both are from San Diego.
 

Anchored in La Cruz Anchorage - Diesel fill cap leaks,, siliconed - 2013

End of December - La Cruz Anchorage in Puerto Vallarta Mexico
Here are a couple pics of water over our diesel fill cap on our deck. Our fill cap is sitting in a big puddle of water. This is we believe how we got water in our fuel. We polished our fuel and sealed this cap up with silicone. This we do not like, the below water fill cap. It would be fine if it was the fresh water fill.
Putting silicone around cap to keep it from leaking.
 Next summer project, add scupper to this area so now puddle of water on top of the fill cap.

In La Cruz Anchorage - Christmas Eve Brunch (at condo) in La Cruz - 2013

End of December - La Cruz  Anchorage in  BanderasBay Mexico
From right to left - Pamela and Dennis, Ruth, Barb, Chip then
Bill with his back to the camera.

La Cruz Anchorage in Banderas Bay, Mexico - RAIN - 2013

End of December 2013 - La Cruz Anchorage in  BanderasBay Mexico

Looking off the port side of s\v Elegant'sea.. 

Honda EU2000i with the tv, speaker Spectra Watermaker etc - 2013

End of December - La Cruz Anchorage in Banderas Bay Mexico

 We finally did it. We finally broke down and pulled out the Honda EU2000i generator. It has been a good week of clouds and rain. A couple of nights it was real windy, the type of wind that continually tugs at the anchor snobbier and deck cleats, straining and groaning. The wind a howling and waves slapping the boat.

Ford Ka

12\23\2013 Paradise Village Marina in Banderas Bay, Mexico

Ford (Ka)

This is really a Fiat made for Ford I think. It has 1300 cc's and has a smaller engine than the 1980 shovel head Harley Davidson we owned for 23 years J But who cares really? Better gas mileage with a small motor and we are evlado (retired) so we are in no hurry J

Hugh and Barb on M\V Aussie Made at Paradise Village Marina set us up with the Ka as they know Mike and Nicole on M\V Sloboda at Paradise Village Marina who had\have the Ka.

Sloboda is a Nordhavn and are featured in the new Nordhavn 2014 calendar in the month of February.

 Barb walked to their boat with us and introduced us. We all were invited aboard had a nice chat. We were un-expectedly surprised that they had paper work for the Ka. We had thought it was a lost cause, drive it till it drops sort of. They also said we can have the Ka as soon as they leave for Cabo, in a week or so. We can try to make it legal in our names. That may not be so easy but at last we now have the paper work including the title and bill of sale. We will check this possibility out and if it looks promising we will start to repair this Ka. All good news and it sure makes life easier especially for my doctor apt.

tick tick tickertape….

Latest news:

"Mike and Nicole plan on heading south maƱana and said you can have the car, register it in your name if possible. They would like to use it when they're down here who isn't very often. They'll be gone until New Years and then fly back to Dallas."

IMSS again for hi-\back plus.X rays etc - 2013

12\20\2013 Anchored in La Cruz , Mexico

 Debbie and I went to Home Depot and then Starbucks in the Liverpool mall in Puerto Vallarta (PV).

Santa's workshop was below us and between the mall music and Starbucks, it was almost (or it was) too much to bear. Also it was rather warm there in Starbucks. The roof there is made of sail-type material as a design and the sun beats through with the AC not keeping it cool enough in that area. Starbucks WiFi was less than we expected so we left.

Anchored in La Cru - Banderas Bay Slash and Dash - 2013

Middle of December- 2013 - La Cruz anchorage in Banderas Bay Mexico

The bay is calm and a couple knots of wind. The water temp is about 80 deg and air is 81.3 with barometer at 29.84. It is 10:00 AM on Saturday 12/15/1023.
We found out that our pictures we are taking with our digital camera are way too large. This means It takes way too long to upload them and for you it means it takes way too long to view the page. We think we have fixed the problem and will check it (the photos) from time to time to make sure. We reduced the latest ones by 85%! now they are web page ready.

Varnished galley sink trim and backsplash - 2013

December 2013 - Nuevo Vallarta Marina in Nuevo Vallarta by Puerto Vallarta Mexico
Yes we varnished galley sink trim and back splash and will continue to do some of the trim in the salon area.

Eddies place in Nopal Beach, Nuevo Vallarta Mexico - 2013

Beginning of December 2013 -  Nuevo Vallarta Marina in Puerto Vallarta Mexico
 The last blog posts I have been doing from Eddies Place in Nopal Beach, Nuevo Vallarta Mexico.
 I needed to hunt down some good coffee and fast WiFi ad this place is close by. Nice little are around here in Nopal Beach, Nuevo Vallarta.

Varnish In the sink area, backsplash and trim - 2013

December 2013 - Nuevo Vallarta Marina n Banderas Bay Mexico (by Puerto Vallarta)
While Debbie's away Chip makes a mess!

Docking at Nuevo Vallarta Marina, Banderas Bay and anchor chain work etc - 2013

 We had to parallel park here so we got two long lines ready for tossing to the dock worker Elizabeth sent over to help. As we approached Debbie was the deck hand and threw a bow line beautifully like the pro she is to the dock worker who then made it fast. This enable me at the helm to make a good dock without smashing into the fairway.  

Surf car for us to use

Beginning of December 2013 Nuevo Vallarta Marina in Puerto Vallarta Mexico

 We have a car to use! We can use it till late December then the owner wants it till just after the holidays then we have it for good I think. The owner is leaving with their boat for La Paz. It is a beater, as it runs rough and overheats some but we think it will be fine for grocery store trips and the such. Who knows, with some new plugs and TLC it may last a while and run better, maybe not but at least it is cool for now. 

Our first trip to Mega with it will be Tuesday so we will see how it does. I have driven some short trips to paradise Village from Nuevo Vallarta and it does OK, no over heating but it is a short distance.
My makeshift cane and rolling back pack (holds computer etc) next to the car.
Debbie said to leave the rosary beads on the mirror, we look like locals, so as my first action got aborted and I agreed. Debbie drove and did well.
It is great to just leave the shower gear or other things we do not want to carry in the car, it locks. We usually role on the bus so every thing we take gets taken every where we go. Like shower gear, computer and other boat parts go to Home Depot etc and back to the next bus along with the Home Depot stuff.
I am am not even sure what kind od a car it is :) has a Ford motor so must be some kind of Ford.


We now are at Marina Nuevo Vallarta for five days, Debbie in US

Beginning of December 2013 - Marina Nuevo Vallarta in Banderas Bay , Mexico
We now are at Marina Nuevo Vallarta and it is quite OK. The surrounding area is quaint I guess is the word and so far it has been good. We are here for just five days as Debbie goes back to the US for family matters.

La Cruz anchorage - Paddleboarding, Cleaning bottom etc - 2013

Thanksgiving 2013 in - La Cruz anchorage in Banderas Bay, Mexico
 We will be going to Philo's in La Cruz for our Thanksgiving  dinner (pot luck).

To the left is Alan & Laura on S\V Rhapsody and the Capt Ron Brown on his 36' Islander Freeport S\V Hazel Rose

Problems & solutions, need a hip replacement etc

Late November 2013 -  La Cruz anchorage in Banderas Bay Mexico
Well, well, stuff just happens. We left  Paradise Village Marina and went to the Marina Riviera Nayarit atLa Cruz (La Cruz Marina) for a few days. Then we went out to the La Cruz anchorage where we are now. Everything on the boat is working for I think the first time. It is all working at the same time! But…..then there is the people.

Anchored at La Cruz - Red Tide causing decision making anxiety - 2013

2013 - La Cruz anchorage Banderas Bay Mexico
m\v Pegasus is leaving the La Cruz anchorage today for Punta DeMita in Banderas Bayy because of the Red Tide s\v Gitane is still in the La Cruz anchorage but is heading to Zihuatanejo soon where thy will spend the season.

Winterizing the 12000 BTU Mermaid HVAC unit - 2013

November 2013 - s\v Elegant'sea is currently in Paradise Village Marina in Banderas Bay Mexico (by Puerto Vallarta)
 We took off the 3\4 inch hose from the through hole valve and put our 3\4 inch Spectra Watermaker 200T Deluxe pickling hose on it to give the hose some length.

Clothes wringer gets wringer lift

While in Paradise Village Marina in Puerto Vallarta Mexico in November


Debbie service the clothes wringer. She made her own spray paint both and painted the wringer with rust-oleum because some of the galvanization was wearing off and some rust as forming.

 
 
What can I say? Nice job Debbie!
 

 
 

Serviced our Beta 38 hp for cruising - 2013

November 2013 - s\v Elegant'sea is currently in Paradise Village Marina in Banderas Bay Mexico (by Puerto Vallarta)
Need it or not the Beta Marine 38 hp got serviced so we could go six months without servicing it.

Red tide at La Cruz Marina and anchorage- Latitude 38 Profligate - 2013

Middle of November - 2013 - Marina Riviera Nayarit at La Cruz in Banderas Bay, Mexico
We went to the Marina Riviera Nayarit at La Cruz for a couple days and then planned on going to the La Cruz anchorage for a week. Then start to sail south.

Cap Ron Brown s\v Hazel Rose - Islander Freeport 36' - 2013

Middle of November 2013 - La Cruz Marina in Banderas Bay, Mexico
We watched Cap Ron Brown on s\v Hazel Rose come into the marina. He had just came across from Cabo San Lucas. He said it was a tough passage as he got knocked down twice and had two weather fronts to pass through. There was lots of lightning and I am guessing rain as we got lots of rain from one of the fronts.

Fixed windex and Garmin wind vane - 2013

November 2013 - Currently in Paradise Village Marina in Banderas Bay Mexico (by Puerto Vallarta)
 The day before we left Paradise Village Marina in Puerto Vallarta Mexico for LaCruz, Jorge who owns the "SYS Serrvin Yacht Service" chandlery there went back up or mast and put our Garmin wind vane  back there, with bird spikes.

s\v Lungta at Paradise Village Marina and Caleta be Campos - 2013

Beginning of November 2013- Paradise Village Marina in Banderas Bay Mexico
 We were researching Caleta be Campos as a safe anchorage and we came up with the blog for lungtalife. The boat was across from us at Paradise Village Marina so we went over and had a chat. A cement boat. We again saw visited them in Zihuatanejo.

Getting ready to shove off head south from Puerto Vallarta, Banderas Bay, Mexico - 2013

Beginning of November 2013 - Paradise Village Marina in Puerto Vallarta, Banderas Bay Mexico 


We have been working feverishly away getting ready to leave the Paradise Village Marina. We have consolidated our three dock boxes into one and another Baja Ha Ha 2013 boat came into the slip next to us. We had to move our spring lines to let it dock. Not a big deal as we are leaving in four days! We will go to La Cruz marine for two days then out to the La Cruz  anchorage for a week or so before heading south.

New cruising season starting! - Off to Zihuatanejo, Acapulco and Huatulco etc.! - 2013

Beginning of November 2013 - Currently in Paradise Village Marina in Banderas Bay Mexico
So I am sitting in the stateroom with the Mermaid Marine Air, A/C (HVAC) on and am typing away. It is Sunday and our day off from boat projects.  I have a groin pull so I am trying to take it easy.

 It is November now and the marina rates are up for the high season. We are also itching to get off the dock and head to anchorage. We are thinking a week in La Cruz anchorage then off to Yelapa to catch a mooring ball for a day or so and then round Cabo Corientess.  Then we will cruise down the Mexican Riviera till we get to Huatulco, Mexico.  We will be making many stops (some familiar from last season, some new ones) and anchoring at them along the way.

Rope swim ladder is a challange

Beginning of November - Paradise Village Marina in Puerto Vallarta Mexico 2013



We have been testing the rope ladder on the side of our 36’  Islander Freeport sail boat. So far it has been pretty useless. It hurts the feet to try to climb it. It is hard to stay balanced. We put some 1 1\2” sanitary rubber hose on some of the adder with wire test hoping to keep it off the side of the boat some.


We have done several tests so far and have been disappointed even from a standing position on the paddleboard.


I was in the water and tried to climb the ladder. The bottom rungs went under the side of the boat below the water line and I cut my toe on a barnacle. Guess we need a bottom cleaning!

All in all it was not good. I did eventually get up but not for the every or even occasional use.
The hoses did not help.

Next time we will try amidships where the hull is flatter and there are stays where we can attach a line for grabbing on the way up. Also while on the paddleboard I can grab my "get wet shoes" from the deck and climb up the swim ladder with them on, not hurting my feet.

Air Breeze wind generator trouble shooting - 2013

  We dropped the pole and hen dis-connected the wires to the boat. Debbie put a line on the wires and then a rag in the pole. Then she taped the top of the pole with white electoral tape.  We cleaned and polished the pole and put it back up.

Cockpit teak grate gets a coat of- Reteak Wondered - 2013

November 2013- s\v Elegant'sea is currently in Paradise Village Marina in Banderas Bay Mexico (by Puerto Vallarta)
We removed the teak grate to clean it and apply the Teak Wonder.

Salon fluorescent lighting, convert lights from fluorescent to LED - 2013

End of October 2013 - s\v Elegant'sea is currently in Paradise Village Marina in Banderas Bay Mexico (by Puerto Vallarta)
We decided to change over all of our salon lights from fluorescent to LED (as previously mentioned in this blog). 

Dinghy chaps are getting close to done and looking good - 2013

End of October 2013 - s\v Elegant'sea is currently in Paradise Village Marina in Banderas Bay Mexico (by Puerto Vallarta)
 This is the chafe material at the transom - it's well protected with the dinghy material (hypalon) yet figured we didn't want it to wear on the chaps.

Two new guide books, Mexican Boating Guide, Sarana Guides - 2013

Beginning of November 2013 - Currently in Paradise Village Marina in Banderas Bay Mexico
The first one we got was "Sarana Guides" and we obtained the electronic version. It is good down through Panama.
 The second one we are getting (James and Charlotte on m\v Pegasus are bringing it down) is "Mexican Boating Guide".

Cleaning our jib sheet winches, big job but way worth it! - 2013

Beginning of November 2013 - Currently in Paradise Village Marina in Banderas Bay Mexico
You can see a the gray flipper by my left hand.

Gave away old Sevylor paddleboard

End of October - Paradise Village Marina in Puerto Vallarta Mexico 2013


Ended up giving away this paddleboard. I could not get the leaks fixed. Tried several times and new leaks kept appearing and the clock is ticking to sailing time. We gave it to Kelly on Emerald Lady.

Completely took apart Port winch cleaning\greasing - 2013

End of October 2013 - s\v Elegant'sea is currently in Paradise Village Marina in Banderas Bay Mexico (by Puerto Vallarta)

The port winch getting greased and it was a bear to get dismantled.

Garmin autopilot and rudder stop modified - 2013

Old Garmin rudder stop arm with doughnut on top. It is bolted to quadrant.

OpenCPN for back up chart plotting

End of October - Paradise Village Marina in Puerto Vallarta Mexico 2013

 We have decided to use OpenCPN as our back up chart plotting program. We installed it on our PC with Windows 7 and are using the "hockey puck" GPS that plugs into the USB port. This all works fine at our nav station. A boater friend gave us the maps to Mexico for OpenCPN so we are all set.

 We will still use the Garmin Homeport software to make routs and upload them to the Gamin chart plotter.

 We also signed up for ActiveCaptian (free) which Garmin Homeport also uses.

Sailrite belt order our Ultrafeed LSZ-1 Sewing Machine - 2013

Debbie ordered up some new belts for our Sailrite Ultrafeed LSZ-1 Sewing Machine.

Rudder stop machining

Middle of October - Paradise Village Marina in Puerto Vallarta Mexico

 The rudder stop that is bolted to the quadrant is getting hit by the Garmin A drive unit when at a quarter turn to starboard. We decided to remove the rudder stop and have 3-mm or about a 1\4 removed or a new one made up. We will be going to a machine shop on Monday in Puerto Vallarta Mexico with John and Kelly on Emerald Lady.

Two 9\16 bolts held this in. Now you see it.


Now you don't! You can see the place on the A dive that rubbed, it is white at the end.

We serviced the Starboard Barient 28 Winch - 2013

October 2013 - currently in Paradise Village Marina in Banderas Bay Mexico (by Puerto Vallarta
There is no grease in this winch.

Vacuflush J Series Tank Cleaning with CLR

Middle of October - Paradise Village Marina in Puerto Vallarta Mexico

 To help got the hard water deposits from the lines and duck bills use:
1/2 pint (1 cup) CLR (Calcium,Lime & Rust remover by Jelmar)
1/2 pint (1 cup) water

 


Pour in toilet bowl and flush for 3-4 seconds then turn off tank. Let soak for 8-10 hours.
We noticed there was a lot of build up inside the hoses to the holding tank.
Do this process annually.

Bottom Job Info and pricing - 2013

October 2013 - Paradise Village Marina in Banderas Bay Mexico (by Puerto Vallarta)
Month of September best pricing...talk to Coral @Opequimar

Juan Antonio Gonzalez Reyes
www.marineworkspv.com
Casa: (322) 222-7583
Movil: 044 (322)156-9569


Pricing in September 2013:
50% off daily rate for lay days (regularly $80)
15% off haul out
Free pressure wash
$1/foot to paint


(Boater Ken on Catalina 30 got Comex paint for $250 US per gallon. He also said that one could arrange and pay for work at this pricing in September then potentially have work done in October or November...do not know if this will be the situation when we are ready in 2014.)

Under cockpit wiring secured, lazzeretti work! - 2015

October 2013 - s\v Elegant'sea is currently in Paradise Village Marina in Banderas Bay Mexico (by Puerto Vallarta)
Securing and re-positioning the engine control panel wires.

Painted out dish cabinet behind the Force 10 stove - 2013

October 2013 - s\v Elegant'sea is currently in Paradise Village Marina in Banderas Bay Mexico (by Puerto Vallarta)
 Debbie painted out the aft cabinet that holds the cups and glasses etc. We had some work done this cabinet in San Diego which was replacing some wood.

Stern rail SS bracing for davits and dinghy etc - 2013

Middle of October - s\v Elegant'sea is currently in Paradise Village Marina in Banderas Bay Mexico (by Puerto Vallarta)
 We had the welder over, well his workforce and they did an excellent job making two braces for the stern rail. They will also probably serve as handles when coming up the stern steps.