Playing the Guitar and harmonica "Blowing in the wind" by Bob Dylan - 2020

 
Playing guitar and harmonica for the choirs of "Blowing in the wind" by Bob Dylan. I sing the song the choirs and then pay the Choirs with the harmonica. Spared you the singing Debbie took this for our grandson, he is playing the harmonica.
December 2020 - Anchored in Tenacatita

Ocean Kayak Malibu-Two hoist, made by Debbie - 2020

Ocean Kayak Malibu Two hoist, made by Debbie.
  No need to struggle with the Ocean Kayak Malibu Two. It is 12' long and about 50lb.It is about the same weight as a jerry jug but bigger. To move it from the surf racks to the foredeck for overnight passages is much easier and safer with the hoist and main halyard. Lowering it to the finger pier for hurricane season is much easier when raising it with the hoist. 

Now anchored in Tenacatita, moved from Barra de Navidad - 2020

Leaving Barra de Navidad 
Had an uneventful little passage from Barra de Navidad to Tenacatita. Once we got out of the Bahia Barra de Navidad and out past Cuastecomates,and into the open ocean it calmed right down.

Aground at anchor in the Bahia de Navidad Lagoon - 2020

You can see the red - low tide spot on the Garmin GPSMAP 942 chart plotter. As soon as we turned on the instruments the low water alarm went off๐Ÿ˜œ๐Ÿ˜ We were healing a bit over when Debbie realized that Ok, yes, we were aground! It was a negative low tide and that's what got us. We had been anchored at that spot for a few days without a problem.
Anchored at N19 11.266  W104 40.420

Adding coats of varnish for glassy look - 2020

Here I am varnishing the eyebrow to look like glass. I went over last years varnishing which was a start over from when we used Sikkens Cetol Marine Natural Teak about seven years ago. The teak was looking bad. So I stripped it and applied Epifanes clear varnish. Now to get that varnish looking really good. It needs a couple new coats anyway.

New back-up Beta 38 hp motor thermostat and gasket purchased - 2020

When we purchased our new Beta 38 water pump we also purchased a new thermostat for the motor.  71.0 19.5
Thermostat 600-72450 Gasket 600-80490 - Purchased in July 2020 from Beta Marine (Beta Marine West) in Sausalito, CA

Short anchor bridle using rolling hitch in Bahia de Navidad Lagoon - 2020


We are anchored in the Bahia de Navidad Lagoon which is mud and about 10 feet deep. So putting any bridle in the water which is less than clear or down to the mud makes a mess of the bridle

We gave away our old Garmin GPS 72 to some fishermen - 2020

 
 There was a fishing panga going by our boat at anchor in the Bahia de Navidad Lagoon so we hailed them over. We gave them the Garmin GPS 72. and they seemed pleased. We had put fresh batteries in it and it was ready go.

LOMVUM Laser Tape Measure 393' purchased - 2020

LOMVUM Laser Tape Measure Laser Measurement Tool 393 ft with M/In/Ft Unit Switching, Backlit LCD. We purchased this tool for anchoring, among other things. We can measure how close a rock or boat etc really is. Purchased from AmazonWe purchased this on July 29, 2020

Garmin hand held GPS Etrrex 10...purchased - 2020

 
We had an older Garmin GPS 72. we used for a while for anchoring mainly. But it was really slow at getting satellite data and was not that easy to use. So we upgraded to this new one. We only need basic functions and mostly just to take a Mark (waypoint).
Purchased from Amazon July 2020.

New Sticker and Bungees to the Starboard Atlas Extra paddle board - 2020

Debbie and I added the red sticker and some bungee chord to our used Starboard 2017 Atlas EXTRA Starlite 12’0″ x 36″ that we had purchased this summer. The board had been repaired and then partly painted which left it a bit plain. 

Anchored in Tenacatita December 3 - 2020

 Here in Tenacatita anchorage with only 3 other boats. In a month or so there will be, say 30 or so. It is nice to have the place to ourselves...well kind of. The weather is nice and very much enjoying life here. Not that a crowd is not fun just this is nice also.

Anchored off Isla Cocinas (Kitchen Island) at Chamela (Perula) - 2020

Anchored off Isla Cocinas (Kitchen Island) at Chamela (Perula). Another sloop is here at the smaller island (Isla Pajarera) and a sport fisher just anchored and became our neighbor boat.

Anchored at Chamela\Perula Isla Cocina - Kitchen Island (Pรฉrula) - 2020

 
Perula Isla Cocina- Kitchen Island (Pรฉrula). It is peaceful here and the water is really clear. There are pangas going by once in a while bringing people out to the Isla. These islands are state parks.
We are anchored at the big island. That's how fellow cruisers are calling them. There is also a boat here at the little island (Isla Pajarera).

Chamela\Perula pier and malecon being built - 2020

The pier being built is part of a malecon that is also being built. It seems it will have a boat launch ramp and another spot will have some boat docks. Maybe for the launch ramp or fishermen or? Anyway, not big enough to be a marina, per se. They paved the main road through town all the way to the malecon. There looks like a men's and ladies' restroom building there also. Also another building for ??.

First anchorage paddle with new\used Starboard Atlas EXTRA Starlite in Camela (Perula) - 2020

The new\used Starboard 2017 Atlas EXTRA Starlite 12’0″ x 36″ paddle board I bought from Surf Mexico is much better suited to my size than our Starboard Whopper ASAP Paddle Board that I had previously purchased from Surf Mexico. The Atlas Extra is 2" wider and 2' longer. It will float up to 280 lbs. So a person and small dog say. The Whopper will float up to 220 lb. I am at 210 lb and can sometimes go a bit heavier๐Ÿ˜ง

Spectra Ventura Watermaker 200T Deluxe pre-filter problems and unpickling - 2020

Debbie unpickled our Spectra Ventura Watermaker 200T Deluxe! We are back making water again now that we are at anchor! This picture shows our settee unfolded (makes a double bed) so Debbie can get at the water maker. This is after we fixed a pre-filer problem.

Anchored in Chamela (Perula, Mexico) with easy high speed Wi-Fi! - 2021

Wow, what a difference some years makes!!! We're anchored in Chamela (Perula Mexico) where a simple click on the TelCel website, a hundred pesos (for the modem location change) and we're back in business with high-speed internet. No more using the old technology of the bands ancha USB stick!! Or using the phone as a hotspot. We do have an outside antenna that we connect the modem to for help boosting the signal. Works great!!

Ipala anchorage and shore trip then sail to Perula (Chamela) - 2020

While in Ipala (Tehuamixtle) we went ashore and had some lunch among other things. Quite fun. Our first stop here in the Fall. Usually we do an overnight sail to Chamela(Perula). The weather is so much nicer here now than when we stop on the bash back up the cast in the Spring!

Paradise Village Marina to Punta De Mita - 2020

 We anchored in 23 feet of of water and our weather window is for 5 days. We should have 2-4 foot seas and winds at 4-9 knots. Of course there is always the chance of more. For instance, on the way here, we had 20 knots apparent for a while. We shoot for the low numbers as we will be going around Cabo Corrientes (Cape of Currents) in a couple days.

New vanity mirrors for the head finished - 2020

Our new vanity mirrors. Not a straight forward project like you would think. First we took the old mirrors to a glass shop in Mezcales to have the new ones made. They made one too big so we had to bring them back for a recut. Then we could not get them in the slider slot. It turns out they are too thick! So now we need to get the edges beveled. Yet not at the original shop!

Got some Beta engine zincs ready for the season - 2020

 We needed to take the Spectra Ventura Watermaker 200T Deluxe pre-filter housing up to a vice so we tagged along the BetaMarine 38 hp motor zincs we needed to cut. Off we went to the Paradise Village Marina aquatic rental shack on "A" dock. We know behind the shed there is a nice work bench with a vice! 

Good shakedown motor sail and sail on Banderas Bay - 2020

Sailing Banderas Bay, Mexico for our shakedown. Went well with only a few issues - eg the main sail batons are not set in the slugs correctly,

Put a swivel on our Mantus Chain hook and bridle system - 2020

The had to purchase the 1\2" shackle at Zaragoza Chandlery but we had the 3\8" swivel. We tried the swivel on the chain hook but it would not fit. We also tried a 1\2" swivel on a stainless steel one at Zaragoza Chandlery but the closure would not work correctly. You can do without the plastic closure but we chose to keep it.

Varnishing up the forward teak eyebrow; ready to set sail - 2020

This eyebrow has sat all summer and needs a little sprucing up. There were a few marks where the varnish was gone.

4th part of our boat cover off for adjustments - 2020

 
 This is the 4th section of our boat cover. We sent it back for more adjustments and are waiting for it to be returned. We are also hoping to set sail soon for the season. 

More sewing for Debbie - repairing the side shade etc - 2020

 
 There were some repairs needed with the Velcro on our side shade for the cockpit. Debbie fixed it up nicely!  Our handy dandy Sailrite Ultrafeed LSZ-1 Sewing Machine has got some years on it now. Debbie keeps it oiled up and keeps up the attachment inventory and some spare parts. 

We changed our J-Series VacuFlush tank service to our convenience - 2019

It is better for us to service the J Series VacuFlush Vacuum Tank while at the dock in a marina. So we decided to do service our J Series Vacuum Tank early and include the piston.

Debbie made a new helm seat canvas back - 2020

 
The back to our "Directors Chair" helm seat back was too tight for the new arms so Debbie made a new one๐Ÿ˜Ž

Groco ARG Series Raw Water Strainer - strainer replaced - 2020

 The Groco ARG Series Raw Water Strainer had a broken top (handle) so it was sitting cockeyed in the housing. 

Debbie re-engineered our mast boot cover - 2020

The mast boot was looking kind of sad and was not fitting so nice any more. It is years old and needed some sprucing up. Debbie put some new Velcro on it and made some adjustments to the fit. Debbie made this boot back in 2010 when we were in San Diego.

Purchased a set of used Magma pans to replace our 15 year old set - 2020

Sitting in Chuck's condo.
We purchased these from Chuck on s/v Chelsea Crew out of La Cruz. Our current set is a well worn 15 years old or so and the one handle we have left is a bit burnet. We did purchase a Saute/Omelette Pan for our set a few years ago and this set came with one also. These Magma Products, A10-366-2 Gourmet Nesting Stainless Steel Cookware Set, 10 Piece Ceramica Non-StickSaute/Omelette Pan are in great shape! 

Up goes the Bimini, getting ready to leave the dock! - 2020

First we removed the old tarp covering the cockpit and then the Sunbrella coverings Debbie made for the winch and stern running light etc. Debbie had done some re-stitching of the Bimini a few weeks ago.

Refurbished the backstay ICOM SSB antenna connection - 2020

Replaced our old #6-#3 STR Split Bolt which we purchased at Home Depot. Our new one is, I think, a #2 and it fits better. I stripped off some new wire and all is good. 

All the new wiring done and old wire removed for this summer - 2020


On our 1978 Islander Freeport (s/vElegant'sea) we have a compartment in the lazarette for electrical. We can access it through the Nav Station through a louvered door. That is where I am now, inside the compartment through the louvered door. Lots of wires to tidy up!

Painting new Beta water pump\bilge touch up - 2020

Our original water pump is showing its age and we thought we should get a spare. We have 1000 hours on our Beta 38 and it is 8 years old. The pump came without any paint. So painting it now is much easier than once installed. "PlastiKote" by Valspar (209 universal red). It matches our Beta engine paint perfectly. It is high temp engine enamel paint

Twist fasteners on our Bimini side shade - 2020

Debbie grabbing the early morning shade to replace some Velcro with twist fasteners. This is our Bimini side shade and a spot that attaches to the stern rail was not holding any more.

Hoses on the 1 1\2" thru-hull and three-way valve - 2020

 
This project turned out a bit easier than we had thought it would be!
Got to love that! It was a bit messy but not by much. All done and working. 

Caframo fans we are replacing with new ones in cockpit - 2020

Caframo Ultimate 757 12V 2-Speed 7 inch Fan - Direct Wire are the new fans. Our Caframo "Ultimate" 2-Speed Fans old fans we purchased from a marine swap meet and they were a much older version. Eventfully one stopped working and the other worked on only one sped. They are sooo nice to have out in the cockpit!

Some surf rack balls to protect the paddle board - 2020

The ball is held on with some twine. Tie it on both sides and it will not come off.
It keeps the paddle board from resting on the top edge of the life line stanchion. 

Debbie fixed our Ocean Kayak Malibu Two seat straps - 2020

These seats fit our Ocean Kayak Malibu Two. We use these for quick trips ashore in the kayak (or no seats).  These have bronze clips that are worn out and do not stay closed. So Debbie sewed on some that we had that work! 

Debbie checked out our Force 10 stove for propane leaks ect - 2020

Here Debbie is testing for propane leaks in our Force 10 stoveJust a maintenance thing. She also installed a new AA battery for the electric start for the burners, broiler and oven.

One set of our surf racks extended - 2020

You can see the difference between the port rack and the one I took off the starboard side. We shortened the one set some years ago but now find with our new\used paddleboard they need to be wider! The Starboard Atlas Extra SUP Starlite is wider and we find the wider racks fit better.

Test of Jabsco bilge pump Model 6600 operation and flow - 2020

 After doing the plumbing, installing the "out" hose to the thru-hull/valve and putting in a in hose with strainer down into the Jabsco bilge, it was plumbed.  Then we ran wires to the nav station and wired them up to a switch and a buss. We put the switch into the electrical panel then fused the pump with a 10-amp fuse.

Purchased another portable cylinder for the propane locker - 2020

 

  We ordered this one from Marine Exchange\Downwind Marine. 700503 11lb STEEL LPG CYL. W/OPD VLVE. We have already purchased one and it has been working great. Our old tanks have been recalled years ago but we kept using them and then one broke at the valve. Composite cannot be fixed. These fit in the same box we built and are just hard to get brought down here. Not for sale here in Mexico.

Purchased a Pickleball Paddle Set - 2020

 

JP WinLook Pickleball Paddle Set - 2 Premium USAPA Approved Graphite Rackets Honeycomb Composite Core Ultra Cushion Grip; Gift Kit with Accessories - Portable Racquet Bag and 3 Balls, Indoor Outdoor. Should work well in  Paradise Village Marina(Tennis courts) and in Bahia de Navidad among other places.

We installed the replacement Whale IC Gulper Pump sensor - 2020

 

 We installed the replacement Whale Gulper IC Diaphragm Bilge Pump sensor and it is working. We have a deep bilge that is out of reach so we can not screw in a strainer like on the Rule 2000 bilge pump or the Whale Gulper IC Pump. So to get around that we attached the sensor to a big zinc and lowered it into the bilge. The zinc keeps the sensor\strainer from jumping around when the pump is running, holding it to the bottom of the bilge. For the Rule pump, we use a PVC pipe with it clamped to it.

We moved the switch to our Blue Sky Energy Inc Solar Boost 3024iL DUO - 2020

This switch is a bit hard to get to. We installed it before we headed to Mexico and now realize we need to use it more than we thought. We are moving it to where we have three more and access is much belter. Purchased the wire and terminal ends at Zaragoza Chandlery 

New Covers for our DaNard dinghy wheels with Truper tires - 2020

We purchased new Truper tires for our DaNard Dinghy Wheels as our tires were worn out - all cracked etc. The new Truper tires are actually wheel barrow tires - which are slightly bigger.   So we gave away our old covers to s/v Eyes of the World in La Cruz and needed to make new ones.

Debbie cleaned out our chemical locker - 2020

Debbie's mess! Ok it's our mess that needed going through. We passed a lot of items onto the dock workers like old cans of spray paint etc. 
There are varnishes, solvents, thinners, epoxy's etc in here. 
They are stored in old battery boxes. One had a crack which Debbie fixed, epoxied. 

Finished painting the bilge/starting battery area & Whale IC bilge pump back in place - 2020

New Gulper IC Diaphragm Bilge Pump sensor test...works!
We refreshed the bilge paint job because we were going into the yard and needed to remove the items here so we could have the PSS Shaft Seal Maintenance Kit installed. Also our Whale Gulper IC Diaphragm Bilge Pump sensor stopped working so we are replacing it.

Painted up Jabsco 6600-j pump and have it back in the engine space - 2020


Jabsco Model 6600j (now 36600) is sitting in place and will get wired to the switch at the Nav Station. Next week it will get plumbed. We need to get some hose and we already purchased some #14 wire at Zaragoza Chandlery .

Paint shop for Axalta paint to use on our flat deck area - 2020

We went to Bucerias and purchased some paint for our flat deck areas. For instance around the inside of the gunnels and some anchoring areas. We will paint at anchor in the spring when the weather changes. 

Debbie re-stitched the Bimini\dinghy chaps and patched the chaps - 2020

The harder of the two was the Bimini. It is larger and hard to handle. Debbie was not looking forward to either project(chaps or Bimini) but the Bimini was the least liked. She plowed through and after a couple days they are both done. 

Another piece of our boat deck shade done: dodger area - 2020




Next to last part of our boat cover is done. This has a zipper on each side for boat entry. We can use this cover with our sails on or off the boat. Helps keep the boat cool and sheds the heavy rain water.

Our new-to-us used Starboard "Atlas Extra" SUP - 2020

This is a used Starboard Atlas Extra SUP Starlite

. It is 12x36x4 3\4 made of  Starlite (fiberglass). Also bought a used paddle. We also have a Starboard Whopper" that my wife will now use. I wanted a bigger board for choppy days while at anchor etc.  Got it used from Surf Mexico at their sale.

New 1 1\2 inch through hull with valve and elbow - 2020

This is what our 1 1\2 inch bronze through hull, valve and elbow looked like before it was installed at the Opequimar boat yard.

Blue Sky Energy IPN ProRemote installed and working - 2020

Yes we have our Blue Sky Energy IPN ProRemote working now! We do only have one solar panel out of the four hooked up for testing. It is modern and gives us a lot of good info on the batteries and we can equalize the batteries using the solar panels right from the remote. 

Debbie did some maint on the refer lid - 2020

The lid to the refer gets hit when we put them back on and even sometimes when we remove it. We added the insulation when we rebuilt the refer.