Weather and shipping

Our progress toward departure has been slow and steady. Now, we're in the final stages, ready to go,..... and, the weather looks iffy, also, the shipment of our radar bracket won't be here until Friday!
Patience....patience...patience!  Our motto is, we'll leave when we're ready; not before. There are always more details to take care of, and, things to check. Hopefully,weather permitting, we'll set out this weekend. The only thing we know for sure, is that things can change; so, no worries... we'll be on our way soon!

1st sail in a while!

Well, it's been a hectic few weeks, but finally, we got her out on the water again.

Last week our friends, Mark, Tom, Pam, and their dogs Ziggie and Cokie, all made the trip down to Rocky Point. On Friday, we got Toms boat Sovereign in the ocean for the first time!

We had an enjoyable, and uneventful sail for about three hours.Once we returned to shore we came to the realization that we had arrived in Rocky Point, the same time as the largest Harley Rally of the year. It was loud everywhere! 

So, on Saturday, we headed out again with both boats; we got pictures under sail, headed up to Sandy Beach to anchor for the night, and have some burgers.

The next morning, we rafted up for breakfast, in total calm conditions. Of course, just before the eggs were ready, the wind came up, and started pushing us toward shore! After rushing through breakfast, we untied, and set sail. The conditions were perfect! We buddy sailed for several hours, and started heading back to the marina. Tom elected to stay out a little longer... like 10 minutes, before the wind started getting stronger, and he decided to follow our lead. The channel coming into the harbor is not marked at all, due to shifting sandbars. At one point we were in 7.8 ft., with shallow water alarms going off!

Unfortunately, Tom found the sandbar twice; but managed to get off, and make it into the marina.

The new Yamaha started up and ran fine. We also managed to get our Radar, and storm anchor on board. Driving across the border into Mexico is always thrilling; will we get a green light, or red; and get searched? Green light!! We got everything unloaded, and had a great weekend with friends. We managed to sail, party, have some good meals, and get ourselves back to Arizona.

So, we're back in Scottsdale, making the final arrangements to set out again. Just a few more things to do, and we'll be on our way.

Leaving an abnormal life and returning to an abnormal life...

Karin wrote

Wow!  The time flew so quickly.  We returned home the midst of July, walked back into our jobs with much happiness.  Saw the friends that we love soooo much and now we're returning back to our boat and a life that we love just as much.  It's hard to describe.  I wish we could take the amazing people from Skydive Arizona with us, all on their own boats of course! hahaha!
It was weird returning to land after living on the boat for the past year and now it is just as weird returning to a new adventure that will entail a completely different lifestyle than what we previously enjoyed in the Sea of Cortez.  This is scarier and yet more exciting sailing down the Pacific towards Panama, but I'm very lucky to have such a competent Captain / Sailmate in Joe.  He is such a Mcgyver and loves a challenge, maybe a little to much, his favorite line is "The best way to get yourself out of a difficult situation is to put yourself  there in the first place", but I know between the two of  us we will be fine, or should I say the four of us.  Gypsy is recovered and returning and of course Cappy Jack!

More stuff!

We spent a great weekend at the Drop Zone; I did 9 tandem jumps on Saturday, then. we went as Castaway's, to the infamous, Skydive Arizona Halloween party! "Wilson!!!!!!!!!!!!!" It was a great way to bid Aloha to our friends, until we see them again.
Sunday afternoon, we headed back home to start getting ready for departure.

We're almost there! Today, we received our Radar, spare zincs, GPS card for the entire Pacific coast, from Puerto Vallarta, to the tip of South America! and 

the largest item, that we hopefully won't need; a 65 lb. Mantus Storm anchor.

Roughly 10 days 'til departure. Wow! It's getting real! We'll need at least one more trip to the boat before we're ready to live aboard. Tomorrow, we'll get our visas renewed at the Consulate, and revise our T.I.P.(temporary import permit), to avoid paying duty on our recent purchases. After that, it's just last minute provisioning and  final details with the house and the plane. 

We can't wait to get back out to sea!

Nineteen days to go!?

The clock is ticking....... Last week, Tom and I went to Rocky Point to work on the boat. Luckily, some friends of ours have a rental property there, that we can stay in.

As usual, we got to the boat, and it was covered with poop and fish guts. A couple hours of scrubbing, and we had the cockpit cleaned up. By then it was time to eat!, we went to the Blue Marlin for dinner. Tom and I had Humberto's famous Seafood dinner for two;  wow! Clams, shrimp, fish.. it was awesome!

Back to the house for a cocktail; watched The Jerk on VCR and called it a day.

We hit it hard the next morning, digging into our plumbing situation, cleaning, going through the lockers, and...surprise! A gallon of old oil had leaked out of its container, and half filled the battery box we were using for storage. An oily mess! The only thing I could think of was filling the box with sand, then, scooping it out. It worked, but, there's a lesson here.... store liquids with good protection from leaks.

Tom and Miguel helped me get up the mast, to install bird spikes, and remove the broken windex. Unfortunately, I didn't prepare for checking the steaming light or replacing the flag line. Karin will get her turn to go up again on the next trip. Another lesson: plan your trip aloft... bring everything you need, and bring a line tied to a bucket to bring up what you forgot!

After reinforcing the solar tower, we put the panels on, and some PVC sheet to protect from rain and sun.

We cleaned a little each day; it's looking like a boat again!

Two and a half weeks to go! Ordering stuff, and figuring our last minute needs vs. wants. We made it this far by planning and  doing research, but also, by deciding when we feel ready to go. So; even though we've marked a date, the weather is the most important consideration. Technically, we could leave anytime; but, the more preperations we make now, the more safety and comfort, we'll enjoy later!

Lists!!!!

We have target departure date!!! November 6th; during our friend Marks visit. Weather permitting, he'll sail with us on the first leg, down to San Carlos.
We've got some preliminary lists started, but, I'm sure they'll change many times before we leave!
Projects continue; cushions and covers are complete for the cabin.

We started the airplane, and gave her a bath before taking pictures for Trade a Plane. Next is getting the annual inspection done.

Trying to plan for rainy season; we found some clear vinyl to cover the cockpit. That material is difficult to work with, but it will be 100% waterproof!

Our basic lists are covering most of the things we need to do to the house, before we leave. 

The boat list is the longest.....priorities, priorities.....constantly juggling what needs to happen next.

Lastly, the airplane. Try to sell!

Fortunately, we have had the opportunity to work with our friends, make some money, and have fun!

It's been a busy couple of months, but we are ready to get back out to sea! It seems so long ago, that we we're cruising around the Sea of Cortez, without a care. Just cruising and enjoying the simple life.

We'll be going to Rocky Point again next week, and thanks to some friends, we'll have a house to stay in while we get things done on the boat!! Lots of things to do on the boat... one thing at a time, and we'll get it done. Stuff's happening!

About a month to go!

Since the last post, not too much has happened. We've both been working alot, but we did manage to get our new Yamaha outboard, and Air Conditioner!

We went to see some other cruisers that we met in the Sea of Cortez up in Wickenburg.  It was fun, and we did get some info about importing things into Mexico. It seems that most of them stay in the Sea of Cortez, so we didn't hear much about Central America. 

Tomorrow, we'll go to the Mexican Consulate here in Phoenix, to get as much information as we can. The issue is, we've purchased several items that we may have to pay duty on; so, the more we can find out about import regulations, the better. Unfortunately, everyone you ask, gives a different answer; and it ultimately depends on the person at the border!?

October is it! We intend to get down to the boat as much as possible. Karin has begun provisioning, and I'll be taking care of repairs, modifications, and installations. Still, our biggest challenge is the dogs! Gypsy is having good, and bad days; Jack needs more activity, and we want them both to be happy. Just like everything else; we'll figure it out!