Feb 28

Woke up as the sun is trying to get over the mountains. This is a very picture some place and the change of light makes it fascinating to watch. During the heat of the day colors are not as sharp as in the morning.

Brought Ron and Gail ashore for a excursion and dropped them off at the dock in town.
Picked them up mid morning and heard details of the rush hour accident on the busy donkey trail in town. Just as Ron is coming around the corner a donkey with rider came screaming along from the other side and wiped Ron out and knocked the hat of the rider off. We are  happy to report that the donkey came off without a scrape. Ron is fine to. So if you commute to work in grid lock traffic and dream of escaping to a small town in Mexico things are getting busy here to.

Set sail and just outside the bay found very light winds. So light we hardly had steerage but slowly building and around 1500 hrs had to put in a reef and had a greats sail.
Anchored off center island of Tress Marietas at 1730. A rolly night.

Managed yet again to get a one day spot in the marina and securely along side at 1200 hrs. as the sun is creeping higher it is warm once off the water and in between the buildings. Cleaned and washed for hours as the access to a hose with fresh water is not to be wasted.

At mid afternoon took the bus in to PV for a major provisioning trip. We usually take the bus in and taxi back. This is been proven to be a good system and eliminate a lot of carrying. So in a few hours we are back and spent a few hours getting everything stowed. Got to our bunks exhausted.

Feb 27 
Woke up with the birds. Matter of fact exotic birds as there are a few around here and it is great to hear them start there day with enthusiasm. For us it takes a cup of coffee and we are ready to go. Lowered the dinghy and washed the outside hull as early mornings are best because of the lower sun.

At 0900 hrs Ron & Gail our new guests arrived. After doing safety check and familiarization got underway at 1030. Ron eased WG away from the dock and before long we where outside the breakwater and set sail. A light Westerly breeze got us underway. Destination Yelapa. Had a great sail first day and at 1600 hrs moored fore and aft with the big bow and the stern anchors.
Enjoying the sun go down watching the beach.

 

Feb 23

Spent time fixing few problems. Had a broken batten in the main and replaced and repaired it. As it is a mighty heavy sail it is a big job. Thank goodness for electric winches. Started repair on dinghy as one lifting eyebolt has been sheared off. Needed to cut a hole in the fiberglass to get at it and have been spending time repairing and fishing the hole off.
Had a repair on the hull around the heater exhaust. Primed and been trying to fair this but due to a bad mixed batch of epoxy had to redo. So back to square one. Got the first fairing coat on tonight. Wind is picking up. Expect another swell coming in. Next crew boarding Tuesday.

Feb 20
Matt & Brad disembarked at 1100 hrs or so. Fair well shipmates and that our courses may cross again. Got out the breakwater at 1130. Arrived La Crux 1245. Checked in at port captain and laundry ashore.

Feb 19
Underway 0915 and course set for Paradise. Managed to radio them and secured a spot. Arrive around noon and docked A17 port too. Joanne busy with laundry. Matt & Brad help secure and tidy up. Enjoyed day in the resort.

Feb 18
Anchor up at 0900 hrs. Brad & Matt getting us underway they are getting good at it. Will miss them who will do the heavy work?
Slow sail and early afternoon arrival in Yelapa. Another fancy anchoring job and crew gets leave. Great town to explore. Low swell easy night.

Feb 17
Departed and set course south for Punta De Mita. Light winds. Strayed close to shore and did enjoy the scenery as this is a magnificent part of the coast with secluded sandy beaches and some small town. MOB practice contest. Great sail to anchorage. Pasted two power boats!
Out for dinner on the beach. Great meal thanks! Dingied back in dark under star filled sky.

Feb 16
Anchor up after breakfast and heading South for Jaltemba. Short day and crew ashore returning to quest. Very shallow bay. Small sailing vessel anchored in way close and on low tide almost in the surf zone. Nobody onboard. Dangerous as the anchor rode  gets ripped every wave. Crew back happy late afternoon. Re positioned behind island. Much calmer.
 

Feb 15
First to port captain to get clearance. Left on the ebb tide with large swell still running. Light winds and sails set. Destination Chacala. Arrived there at 1700 hrs with swell running in the anchorage. Crew feeling fine today. Sea legs maybe? Rolling all night despite having stern anchor set. Matt  Brad report success on the dacari front.

Feb 14
Anchor up at dawn or the Matt equivalent about 2 hours later. Great sail to San Blas. Whales every where. Big swell running. Matt queasy. Entered break waters San Blas with a bit of a breaking swell in the entrance. At anchor estuary. Invited into town for dinner. Thanks guys. great time in town. Quest for strawberry dacari's continuous.

Feb 13
At dawn Isla Isabela on the horizon. Fish on the line. At anchor in crystal clear water at 0900 hrs. Crew needed the day off so shore leave and John scraped part of the bottom. Great day glowing report of Birds, more Birds and birds and some Iguanas.
Home work anyone?

Feb 12
 Weather looked favorable so set course for Isla Isabela , 80 miles or so upwind. Sailed the whole day and got strong afternoon breeze of around 20 Kts. At night wind died and turned on the iron horse to get going. Matt & Brad doing first night watches. No traffic so easy night.

Feb 11
 Anchor up and set course for Boca De Tomathlan on the south side of Bay of Banderas. Light breezes and a nice reach. Crew practicing proper terms. That little stick holding out the sail and the little ropes that hold the sail on the stick etc.

1630 hrs Fancy anchored in 110' water with the bow anchor and stern anchor on the beach.

Feb 10
 Departed 1000 hrs from Paradise Village and leaving the breakwaters Western Grace dipped her bows into  the deep swell running off the ocean. First destination Puerto Vallarta for some diesel and some docking practice.  Very busy and congested but new crew did well and managed to get her along side with a bit of coaching. Than off to La Crux anchorage for detailed briefing on the vessel. Sailed to anchor La Crux 100 hrs. Great job!
 

Feb 9
New crew boarded in Paradise Village Marina. Enjoyed the day with cleaning etc.
Brad & Matt reported for duty and sailing instruction. A rather laid back crew this time and looks like lots of fun

Feb 7

A few more days and then we get going again. This has been a long stay and the anchor must be buried very deep. Friday we are going to get our next crew and we look forward to doing some great sailing and exploring around the area.

The days are getting longer and it is getting warmer, this afternoon it was getting pretty toasty. So it looks like Spring has sprung at least here. The whales are still around and we hear them regular singing or hear the muffled sound of a explosion when the breach right out of the water, but we are getting used to it and it got to be a real good show close by before we show interest.

Did clean part of the bottom but ran out of air for the scuba tank so brought it into PV to get a refill. A real ordeal as we have to carry the tank first to shore, up the hill to the bus than 45 minutes in the bus and a good walk in PV. Then the next day or so we can pick it back up. So time is ticking by but what is time in Mexico?

The anchorage has been getting emptier, but we still counted 31 boats this afternoon. Must have been over 50 here.

The water temps are at their low for the year and in a few weeks it will get warmer.  Friday will get in to Paradise for a water, wash and laundry.  Saturday pull out for a 10 day trip. Wondering if we still can sail...
 

Feb 2

Still swinging on the hook. it is been a long time and we are eager to move on. Accomplished a lot of maintenance but getting fed up with it.

Have a stage made so can now work over the sides when laying at anchor. This has been very useful to fix some small areas with some paint touch ups and polishing rails. 
The whales are playing in the bay and the breeze is fresh so great weather to go sailing.

Next week we are scheduled to sail for 10 days and can't wait. Today there is a big swell in the anchorage making it a bit rolly from time to time. Still about 30 boats at anchor here.

Two days ago in the early  morning a panga collided with one of the boats at anchor and one passenger of the panga suffered injuries. The boat hit a catatlina 34 suffered damage to the bow roller, furling system and destroyed the pulpit. The panga had substantial damage to its port bow. The incident happened when it was still dark and the cruising boat had a light on so they say. The panga was just getting up to speed and was unable to look over the bow as it was not on a step and did not see the boat. Clearly panga operators fault but as Mexico is under Napoleon law, so every one is guilty to proven innocent. In the recent past that meant every one was put in jail till things got sorted out. Luckily things have changed but still the boat cannot move on as it is ordered to stay put and lots of hassle.

It has been relative dark weather the last few weeks. Ideal for doing work but the tourist rather have sun.