Update, Oct. 15th: We are delighted to report that our friends and crew, Sue and John, have arrived safe and sound and roarin’ to get to work. Well, as roaring as you can be in 105 degrees… yup, broke the scale yesterday (Wednesday, the day they arrived)… was the hottest day so far. The good news is forecasts suggest that cooler temps will return by, hopefully, tomorrow. We declared yesterday a day of arrival and rest, except for poor Kathy who ended up working on the boat anyway. Salvador, the fellow who is going to work with her on some of the electrical work, could only meet yesterday afternoon for an orientation as to what work was to be done. So, while I drove into Guaymas and picked up S & J, Kathy slaved away with Salvatore for a couple of hours.
We finished installing all but one of the new faceplates and/or actual bodies of the new electronics at the Navigation station yesterday. Kathy has done a super job of spacing them and placing them and the panel looks good, very good. We’re quite fortunate that between the parts she brought down with her and those that were already here – we seem to have more electrical connectors and doodads than any of the hardware stores in the area. That’s great because we have always subscribed to the notion that…. while we’re likely to find someone with the knowledge and skill to do almost anything, he or she won’t be able to help us unless the parts required can be found…. ergo…. we have the parts (or as many as we imagined might be needed at some time or other).
We have been here just over a week and, for those newbie cruisers who are curious as to what’s involved, thus far we have: opened up the boat, collected the critter traps, hauled out the dinghy and the kayak that were stowed in the cabin; begun the electrical installations already mentioned; installed the dodger and the bimini; re-run the lifelines; removed two very large boat seats installed in the cockpit (we fondly referred to as the lazy boys… very comfortable but, for us, just too large for the available space. As well they cut down the available breeze and visibility. We will be replacing them with lower profiled, white cockpit seats… very similar to those on Shannon.); removed the previous name decal that was almost impossible to read from any kind of a distance; had it replaced with a larger name with easier to read font (and shamrocks, one on each side of the bow); determined the location for pretty much all of the items to be added to the walls and bulkheads; and begun the onerous task of sorting through the contents of both sets of bins (those we brought down with us this time and those that have been waiting for such attention in our hot, tin-roofed storage locker). Oh, we also moved into our rental house and have had to sort out a few things like the numerous leaks in the ceiling and floor, discovered during the first of a few thunderstorm showers and the little problem with the cistern (water reservoir) on the roof. We came home one day to find a waterfall cascading off the roof, right at the end of the carport where Rikki parks. The water cascaded for hours while we waited for the manager’s handyman to arrive. Rikki had a very clean and shiny backside from the constant washing. Seems the way water comes to this and most homes is by pipes from the ‘township’. The tanks fill up until a little float switch device tells them it’s full. Well, just like on a boat, these little float switches fail and, when they do, the water just keeps on coming. Luckily the roof is strong and designed for just such an event. Good thing, because it’s happened twice so far and the second time it happened about midnight. The water ran off all night until mid-morning when someone finally attended and fixed the situation. Somehow I can’t help but think it just might happen again. We shall see. All in all the house is just fine. A little rustic in some respects but very liveable and far nicer than staying on the hot, dusty boat in the work yard. Drinking water comes from large blue bottles which we get at the local store on an exchange program. Unlike home, where you just turn a tap for clear, fresh water… here you must first acquire the heavy blue jug, then find a place for it on your counter, and finally you must then work a long tube affair with a hand pump and a spigot into the top without overflowing the displaced water all over the counter and floor. It’s an art I am sure. And a skill I am only just beginning to acquire. I spilled a little less water last time, so maybe I’m learning. As for telephones, mail delivery and television… there is none'; unless you have your own cell phone and phone plan, don’t mind using UPS and speak enough Spanish to understand the TV programs (often violent or domestic). We were happy to find a couple of TV channels with English (and Spanish sub-titles)… actually some pretty good movies.. so between that and the movies we’ve brought along with us… we have plenty of entertainment for those down times.
Last night we four sat down and took a look at the list of projects awaiting us. We selected those that must be done before launch day, those that can be done once the boat’s in the water, and those that will just have to wait. It was a good discussion and was a great help in sorting out what needs to be done and in what order. Each of us have our skills and our areas of interest. Some are different and others are the same. I have no doubt we’re going to be a great team and SSpirit will be all the better for it. We have a launch date of October 30th and our work is cut out for us. The next 14 days will be busy but enjoyable and each day some of our old cruising buddies are arriving to begin preparatory work on their own boats…
So for now my friends… let me bid you adieu. It’s time to wake up the team and head out. We’re going to Rosa’s Cantina for a San Carlos breakfast today. Special occasion you know… old friends together. Take good care and have a great day. All the best from “soon to be cooler” San Carlos. CJ
