A boat with no name

Today we removed the old name from the stern. It came off grudgingly, but after a few hours, shes almost ready to be renamed; Flyin Sideways!!

A whirlwind tour of Az.; saw some friends, enjoyed the dz. Got some great tips for Ensenada, and now we have 1 week to go. Make lists, prepare for depature, tick..tick...tick.......
 

joe wrote

It's been a great week! Finished up the battery banks, changed all the engine coolant hoses, installed our reefing system, finishing up details for our depature, and trying not to freak out on the whole adventure. Priorities, priorities, what are the priorities? Get it done, be safe, be gone!!!!
 

I just realized we have no pics of Flyin Sideways up

Dogs on a boat

Ensenada

After a week of projects, planning, a dry run at hauling up our dinghy , and vet appointments, it was time to get off the boat!  Yesterday morning we took off for Ensenada to check out the marinas. After getting stopped at the border and undergoing a cursory inspection, we were on our way. The drive down the pacific coast was spectacular. Along the way we stopped in Porta Salinas,a small marina in the middle of nowhere, we have a friend living aboard there, so we had to check it out. The wind was howling at about 25 kts, we walked the docks and heard the various histories of the derelict vessels left to die.
  On the road to Ensenada...no traffic, a little construction, 20 minutes and we're there.
Not many tourists, we walk down the docks, and instantly, the vendors are alerted!  The people were great, unfortunately there is the endless parade of street merchants selling the same things. People trying to make a living. Anyway, we went to all of the marinas in Ensenada, Cruiseport is it. Good security, helpfull staff, and protected from tidal surge better than anywhere else in the bay.

  So, 2 weeks until departure, lots to do........... 

Dinghy and engine........ Done!

Today we went to the infamous Minnie's in Newport and traded our racing blocks for a really nice new radio. Then we went to Oceanside and bought a dingy and motor that would not even be stolen by the most discriminating of thieves. Radar remains elusive!

 

AND...............................

written by Karin

We have to leave on the 29th. We knew that setting a date was imperative and by doing that we would quit procrastinating and hustle and get things done. I live by the creedo of "The best thing about waiting until the last minute to do anything is that it only takes one minute " Joe not so much, so we have been hustling to get ready to leave. Thus the title to this post, we get things down to 4 things that we actually absolutely must have, such as radar, dingy and motor, and refrigeration....then the ANDS set in... and water maker and spares and inverters and solar panels and shade and fresh water deck showers and and and and. We really wanted a water maker, but at a cost of 4 probably 6 grand when it is done is a convenience we will have to do with out. Solar panels will have to wait until the boat is in San Carlos and we have gone back to the states to work for awhile and earn them.  The main thing is we are going!!!!!!!!!!! AND I think it is better without the luxuries for our next 6 months in the Sea of Cortez.  Who knows maybe we will find we can live without and screw the jobs to add them and just keep heading south.   And after Hurricane season of course

Rain is so awesome...especially when you are in this nice dry boat with dogs snoring away...Life is good.