Honda EU2000i generator lifting harness completed - 2018

The idea behind this Honda EU 2000i generator lifting harness is to not have to lift the generator by hand while up on deck. This harness will allow us to connect the whisker pole halyard to the generator and lift it.

12000 btu Mermaid HVAC Wiring harness Labeled - 2018

Debbie and I disconnected the wiring harness from the Mermaid Marine Air electrical box and rerouted the harness so we could work with it. Then we stripped off the protective cover so we had access to the wires. Then we mapped the wiring to each part of the Mermaid Marine Air 12000 btu HVAC unit labeling them as we went.

Ocean Kayak Malibu Two cover modified - 2018

Debbie is modifying our Ocean Kayak Malibu Two cover. It was a sock cover, hard to put on. It will be a drop over cover esy to to just drop over the kayak😎

More EasyStart wiring work done - mapping - 2018

Debbie is getting some data for our project. That is of mapping the wiring in the Mermaid Marine Air 12000 btu unit. We are trying to wire up an EasyStart 364 so it will run in echo mode from our Honda EU2000i generator.

Our topping lift is removed - 2018

 We had our rigging adjusted by "Eddie" and his helper. Also "Eddie" removed the topping lift. We earlier put paydays on the end of the boom for the sail stack pack as it was connected to the topping lift.

Parties: Banderas Bay Sailors Splash and the Blast pirate party! - 2018

  The party was held at La Cruz Marina in Banderas Bay, Mexico. It was at the amphitheatre and had a live band. There were al pastor tacos and they were free! Also an open bar that was free! AND the Baja Ha Ha boats got free long sleeve "T" shirts that were free! We got ours back in 2013 when we came down on the Baja Ha Ha. 

UV water treatment filter system.upgrades for storage - 2018

 Our water filter system for the dock water in marinas like La Cruz (where they do not have potable water) was a bit gangly for storing.

Stateroom Imtra reading light mounted and working - 2018

 The Imtra reading light we fixed in up in Lake Chapala this summer we installed and it is working good. I still think they are a bit bright even after changing the LEDs out.

Teak cockpit grate gets a coat of Teak Wonder - 2018

 Well, I figured it was time for the teak cockpit grate to get a new coat of Teak Wonder.

Dish rack is working out great! - 2018

 Our new dish strainer, that we purchased at Bed Bath & Beyond 
in Guadalajara  is working out great.

Garmin GPSMAP 740 chartplotter on the way out? - 2018

 You can see that around the edges white is starting to show
 on our Garmin GPSMAP 740 chartplotter. 

Whisker pole gets a new hole drilled in it - 2018

We went to the machine shop (Mike's Torno) and had them drill a hole in the whisker pole.

 We could have done it but we were picking up a part for John and Jan Cone on m/v Context and thought hey, why not have them drill it. Cost was less than $5.00 USD. What a deal! But we did the measuring and marked the spot and brought the pole etc.

New Navionics navigation app for our Samsung tablet as back up - 2018

Our criteria for a back up app for our chart plotter was affordability and use off-line...no phone or WiFi connection.  This Navionics app works without both and is really affordable.

We purchased some TE-KA for our cap rail, eyebrow etc projects - 2018

This TE-KA will hopefully bring back our teak to new condition that's on the deck.

New strings on the Rainsong Guitar - 2018

I put new strings on my Rainsong Guitar. 

I picked up the strings this summer in Lake Chapala.

Bow signs for s\v Elegant'sea are hung up and looking good! - 2018

We had made up templates earlier and did a pre-design.

 Then once we got our new bow signs, we put on a couple hangers.

 Our bow signs are hung up on the bow pulped.and hey, they look good!😎

Inflating our Achilles 10'2 dinghy for the Winter cruising season - 2018

The Achilles LSI-310E 10'2 dinghy was in Summer storage and we pulled it out and uncovered it. Then unfolded it and it looks ready to be inflated.

Raising our Mexican flag for the 2018 cruising season! - 2018

While singing Cielito Lindo we raised our Mexican flag for the 2018 Winter cruising season.

Shakedown cruise in Banderas Bay, Mexico for heading South - 2018

Debbie at the helm. We are checking out our systems. Poling out the jib, checking the Ocean Kayak Malibu Two and Starboard Whopper ASAP SUP position with the genoa sheets, testing our WSO 100 setup etc.

We have our WSO 100 wind instrument mounted and working! - 2018

Driving to Mike's Machine Shop in our 2008 VW Jetta. We know of three machine\welding shops that do great stainless steel work in Puerto Vallarta and all three are on dirt roads. All three are nice shops too!! We are getting a mount made for the WSO 100 weather station we are mounting on top of the mast.

Delta Touch Faucet inspected and working great, was a bit low on the flow - 2018

Our Delta Touch Faucet was not letting out the water fast as is usual. 

So following their instructions, we checked it out. We did not find anything but when we put it back together it started working fine! Go figure but we will take it for the win😀

Cleaned and replaced Racor fuel filter and wet vac'd the bilge etc - 2018

 On the left you see the Racor fuel filter we replaced. We first drained the bowl of contaminants and then wiped out the housing. Then replaced the paper filter. 

 Debbie did the wet vacuuming of the bilge and picked out a nut and some other debris and generally cleaned out the whole bilge area.

New Starboard paddle board 10' leash purchased, old one broke twice!- 2018

OK why would our Starboard Whopper ASAP SUP 
paddle board leash break in two places!? 

Well, we did purchase it in 2014 so it is bit old. We have also purchased a shorter Starboard leash this year but I am not sure how it will work with getting on\off the boat (s\v Elegant'sea). The longer non-coiled leash works great for that.

Marking our anchor chain with paint for length and orientation - 2018

Debbie used Rust-Oleum in a can we purchased in the states. The Rust-Oleum here in Mexico we can only find in a spray can 😀

Burping our Beta 38 hp diesel motor after flushing the antifreeze - 2018

Our antifreeze is a 40\60 antifreeze mixture and 

I flush it every year. Then I "burp" the motor to let the air out. 

Fluorescent nav light to red LED completed - 2018

 This little project has been more time consuming than I thought it would be.

Chapala YC (Club de Yates de Chapala) and art show - 2018

At the Chapala YC art show!

Off to Mezcala and then to the Isla de Presidio with the fort - 2018

The town of Mezcala were we left for Isla de Presidio (Presidio Island) to see the fort etc.

Stateroom Imtra reading light fix - 2018

  Another lighting problem we were having on the boat was with the Imtra Hobart LED  light - the light staying on when switched off. It would dim but stay on.

Fluorescent nav light being rebuilt - 2018

This old "Slim Line" fluorescent light has been a pain for quite some time.

It is getting gutted and rebuilt as an LED red nav light.

Chapala Tiengus (street market) with food, clothes and baby chicks etc- 2018

Lake Chapala Halloween party! - 2018

We are.....guess what?😁 

Went to a Halloween party thrown by our next house sit.

Iron Horse biker bar in Riberas, Lake Chapala, Mexico - 2018

 We think this is the only biker bar in the Lake Chapala area. 

Debbie and I went for the Sunday BBQ and played some pool! Good fun!!

We got our bow signs for s\v Elegant'sea! - 2018

 These will hang port and starboard off the bow pulpit or possibly the life lines. We will use these at the dock and at anchor.  It will make it easier for people to know who we are.

Thriller at the Malecon in Ajijic - 2018

Thrill The World - 2018 - Lake Chapala - Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico

Video from Vagabondians.

EasyStart™ 364 to Mermaid Electrical box wiring detailed - 2018

 Before we touched the Run Cap. We determined that the “C” terminal was the one on the right with three wires on it.  The HERM is on the left.

EasyStart Wired to our Mermaid 12000 btu electrical box - 2018

Here we are out on the patio of our house sitting gig. First, we had to do some studying of both the Mermaid Marine Air 12000 btu electrical box wiring and the wiring of the EasyStart by Micro-Air.

Horseback riding in Ajijic, by Lake Chapala - 2018

Yes, we did some horseback riding in Ajijic by Lake Chapala, Mexico. 
We rode for over two hours and had a good time. 

Another pet sit in Lake Side - 2018

At our new pet sit with Lola the lab in the foreground. Nice people, nice pets, nice place and nice life!

Ajijic market critters - 2018

We were at the Ajijic Wednesday tiengus (the outside market) when Debbie spotted these items for sale. What do you suppose they make with these? Or are they pets. If so how do you name them😁

We had a new key made for our 2008 VW Jetta - 2018

The key shop in Chapala by Lake Chapala Mexico. You can see our VW Jetta in the garage.

Harken Deluxe Bosun's Chair + bird spikes purchased - 2018

We ordered our Harken Deluxe Bosun's Chair from Downwind Marine.

EasyStart 364 and Mermaid 12,000 BTU unit support - 2018

Here are some links for support to use. 

ICM Controls ICM203 Delay on Break Timer - support -2018

Here are the links to the “ICM Controls ICM203 Delay on Break Timer, 18-240 Vac, 1.25" Height, 2" Width 2" Length”.

Another Bed Bath & Beyond trip in Guadalajara - 2018

 You can see the head of one of the two small dogs("Collin") we are taking care of at our house sit. Yes, we were in Guadalajara again so we stopped at Bed Bath & Beyond and saw this "Kart"...just we we have been looking for.

3 louvered cabinet doors Done! - 2018

These two louvered cabinet doors go under the nav station. You can see my reflection in the new varnish taking the picture.

Guadalajara shopping trip, dish rack etc and Waterpik - 2018

 This is a "madesmart® Collapsible Dish Rack in Clear" plastic and rubber dish rack that collapses.

Guadalajara trip - 2018

That's us, we did a few touristy things this trip!

Rigger problems with the WSO 100 wind instrument - 2018

 Our rigger, who we will not name here, flaked on us!

New "Truper" rivet gun - 2018

 We had broken our Harbor Freight rivet gun on the very first use.

Primus Windpower AMP Meter Kit - Purchased - 2018

Primus Windpower AMP Meter Kit

Two cane doors done! 3 louvered cabinet doors left! - 2018

 

 Yay, no more cane doors to varnish!

Second day of fall! in Ajijic Mexico, homesick for sailing - 2018

 The second day of fall! Homesick for sailing. We had a big thunder and lightning storm with lots of rain last night. Glad we were here for the cool temperatures of summer! Enjoying the good berries - raspberries, blueberries, blackberries etc!

Ajijic Balloon Festival - 2018

Debbie at the Ajijic Balloon Festival .

A couple of bow signs for s\v Elegant'sea? - 2018

A quick template to see what about the sign size.

Varnishing our 5 piece summer project-new brush, louvres - 2018

The two cain cabinet doors are close to being done. A coat or two more should be it! 

Sailing out to sea in 2011 off San Diego to see no land? - 2011

 Debbie and I decided to try to sail out of San Diego Bay and go out at sea far enough so we could not see land. I do not think we knew how far and how much time it would take😀.

Ajijic bull riding rodeo up in the mountains of Mexico - 2018

Yes we went to the Ajijic rodeo (Day of The Charro) in the mountains of Mexico as we are staying here for the summer heat relief. This video is of the pre-rodeo parade in the Ajijic town square. 

This 1\2 inch hose is for anchor, paddle board and kayak wash down - 2018

Ok, this was a good deal and I like the hose because it is not real stiff. 

Ordered a new Mermaid 12000 btu electrical box - 2018

 We have been having some problems with our Mermaid Marine Air 12000 btu unit in the salon area.

Ordered our second EasyStart, this one is for our stateroom HVAC unit - 2018

EasyStart™ 364 (3-ton) Soft Start by Micro-Air

We ordered another EasyStart for our Mermaid Marine Air 5200 btu unit that we have in the stateroom. 

Fuel filter and hose fittings purchased for extended run system - 2018

Mr. Gasket 9706 Universal Clearview Fuel Filter

We purchased these items from Amazon.com.

Whitecap Teak Boat Wood Plugs purchased for helm seat screw holes - 2018

Whitecap Teak Boat Wood Plug 3\8"