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!

Progress

Slowly, but surely; we're getting things done.

We've both been working nearly everyday, but in between, we've managed to pick up 16 yds of marine vinyl, new foam for our cushions, and our new Honda 2000 generator.

Our sewing machine froze up, so we had to get a replacement. Another Singer, that's working fine. The Sail pack is 98% complete; the mainsail has been washed and repaired,and new hatch covers are in production.

Our friend Tom, and I went down to the marina last week, and removed the solar panels to protect them from hail and wind damage. We also scrubbed the decks, to remove fish guts, bird poop, and dust.

Our two big purchases coming up; the water maker, and the A/C. Hopefully in the next week our two, we'll get back to the boat for more cleaning and outfitting. The clock is ticking......we hope to be back in Mexico by the end of October. We'll see.....

Missing the boat

My apologies, for not posting updates lately. Karin and I have both been working, and figuring out our strategy to get back on the boat. There are many things to decide. The house, the plane, the boat, they all have their own sets of variables, and directions we could steer. We agreed that a water maker, radar, and A/C are priorities; then we get to the and's...a storm sail, and  a new outboard, and, another anchor, and new cushions, and.... and....!
We're hoping to spend more time on the boat in Sept. and try to leave sometime in Oct.
 I miss the boat!
We'll get some photo's posted as the projects begin, and I'll try to give a weekly update.

Unloading the boat

Having our days off together is a rarity, so, yesterday, we took the opportunity to go for an overnight stay on the boat! Aside from someone swerving into our lane, we had a an easy drive down to Rocky Point.
When we got to the boat, all was well, except for all of the guano!

Karin and I decided to open the hatches, and let it air out a little, while we went to Mary's, for a shrimp cocktail, two tacos, and the obligatory Margarita!
                              The Malecon is really nice, with an impressive statue of a shrimper.

The sun was just beginning to fade, as we started unloading things from the boat, and into the car. Fortunately, it was high tide, so getting up the ramp to the parking lot wasn't too bad. It took us about four or five trips, but, we managed to empty the V berth, gather lots of canned goods, clothes, and kitchen utensils.

Of course, we had stuff everywhere!

The night cooled down a little, and we had a chance to reflect on our trip. What a great experience, and now, we're ready to do it again; but, the Pacific will be more challenging than anything we've faced so far.

The next morning... we finished loading, payed our slip fees, and headed out. 

Two of our favorite restaurants were closed, so we stopped at a roadside taco stand. Our Spanish needs a lot of work; we couldn't seem to communicate that we wanted orange juice?! I can say jugo naranja, but the girl just had a blank stare, we gave up and had some beef soup (birria).

Time to get on the road and back to Arizona.

Work!

Well, I think the blogging is going to slow down a bit. Karin is already flying again, and I'll probably start working this weekend. It will take a little while to get the sailing kitty healthy again, but it is good to see friends. We a have a list of projects around the house, and on the boat, that will keep us busy for a while!
 The sewing machine is being repaired; we bought 16 yds. of marine vinyl to make new cushion covers for the boat. After that, we'll start looking at getting a watermaker, and re-plumbing our fresh water system. Our favorite; and.... and,.. and!

Scottsdale

We are finally in the house in Scottsdale! We made our first trip back to the boat yesterday; she has been bombarded by seagulls, but other than that, everything was o.k. We needed to get some things off the boat; clothes, pots and pans, the TV, and other things to make life on land a little more comfortable.

Back to our crossing from Refugio! Whew! That was exciting; about a half an hour out of the anchorage, we set sail, and boom! Fish on! We caught a beautiful Yellowtail; we still have alot of fish, so, it was his lucky day. The sailing was good, but, the predicted southeasterlies were more from the south, and the swell was slightly southwest, making for a rolly start. The wind increased, so we furled the genoa, and put in the first reef on the mainsail. Now the swell was increasing, with large breaking whitecaps; Karin suggested we go for the second reef. I agreed. With lifevest and safety harness on, I went forward to put in the reef. The conditions were getting rough, but, I thought we were doing all the right things. Karin was wondering if we should turn back; that didn't seem like a good option, as we would have to bash against the wind and seas for several hours.
 As I completed the reef, and headed aft, I looked at Karin on the wheel, with a six foot wave behind her; and surfing across the wave, was a large shark! I wish I had a picture!
A few minutes, or hours, passed, and the conditions weren't getting any better. As we descended into a trough, we did a small accidental jibe. Unfortunately, it was enough to foul the mainsail on the rigging. We're done! Start the motor, drop the sails,and ride it out, the rest of the way to Rocky Point. Motoring was less stressful, but still uncomfortable. Things were crashing in the cabin, it was difficult to stay on course, and it was getting dark. It was going to be a long night! We had planned our trip to arrive at high tide, but we were going too fast. After reducing the throttle, to adjust our arrival time; we decided  that we would just have to anchor outside of the harbor, in the dark!
 A few hours later, we headed into the harbor. Our slip wasn't ready, so we aimed for the first open one we saw. My least graceful docking so far. I bumped the dock, just enough to break the pvc water line, and send a plume of water flying into the air. Oh well, we made it!

We got the dogs off the boat and headed for a hotel. Air conditioning! A few days of rest, some good meals, and walking the dogs. ( Gypsy has made a miraculous recovery!?)

A few trips to the boat to get her ready for marina life, and we'll be on our way to Arizona. Now, she's tied up for the summer, and we'll be making trips down to day sail, and make improvements for the next leg of the journey!

Puerto Refugio to Puerto Penasco

Internet has been a challenge lately! We did have an exciting crossing; the forecast winds were 13-19. Weighing anchor for the last time in a while, we thought we were set for the 104 mile crossing. A few hours later we were rolling through 3 to 6 foot, breaking chop, with a solid 25 knot wind. No pictures from that part, but Refugio was  fantastic! People gave us a 30 lb. Yellowtail, sashimi, and Karin's Sushi rolls!

More on the crossing once we get settled in Scottsdale and internet.  Anyone want a house in a great location near old town in Scottsdale?  It's for sale!