Jan 18

Arrived Wednesday late afternoon back at La Cruz. Our "shipmates" took us out for a farewell dinner at Enrique's restaurant at the rotunda.

Enjoyed a very quiet night at anchor. After a few more rolly night this past week, sure nice.  Made arrangements for a cab to pick them up on Thursday morning at the cab stand.

Thursday morning ferried "Ron, Gail, Tom & Toni" to the dinghy dock. The cab was not there and after a phone call discovered he was at the wrong place. No harm done as we got it straitened out and they had tons of time to spare. Farewell shipmates and that our tracks may cross again soon.

Like usually a empty boat feeling. Remedy, clean up and get the engine serviced. Discovered that the engine cooling pump had low water out put when idling. This indicates a loss of efficiency cause by wear. Took it off and discovered the impeller had a few cracks in the vanes. We carry lots of spares so replaced with a new one. Then spray paint the thing with some paint to look like new and it works fine now.

Have discovered the easiest way to keep our SS bright work in reasonably shape without constant polishing. After it is clean a little wipe with baby oil keeps it from staining especially in the warmer climates. Stainless Steel is really staining with salt and high temperature.
It is friendly to the environment as most of the polishes are rather toxic.

Looks like we are going to be sitting for a while so this week will start some ambitious work projects.

Jan 14

This morning departed with the high morning tide and mixed emotions as some got bitten by no see-ums overnight. picked up the sea breeze and are now sailing to Rincon De Giuyabitys some 20 Nm to the South.

Jan 13

Arrived in Manchaten Bay early evening and took anchorage in shallow water.
After sunset it looked like this could be a good anchorage but later at night the wind came from the NE putting us beam to the very light swell making for a interesting roll from time to time.

At 2300 hrs set a stern anchor to put as stop to all this and from there on it was a lot better. At around 0830 we got underway to enter the swallow harbor at a springtide. Took on a bit of fuel at the lowest diesel price in Mexico (we where told) 7.4 pesos per liter. Around $ 0.75 CDN per liter. While fueling we got to see a crocodile swimming away from the boat. Then off to anchor just outside the shipping channel. This is a historic town and at one time the whole West coast from South America to Vancouver Island was under Spanish control form here.


Nowadays it is only a shadow of its past as the town is poor and there is not to many tourist here. This season it is particular bad according to one local. Our crew went for a jungle tour with the zodiak. At night they took us out for dinner in a small place at the town square the hotspot of town activity at night.

Jan 11

We arrived late afternoon on the 9th at the Island to find only one other boat at anchor. We dropped our anchor in the South anchorage a tricky but beautiful spot.

The next morning a shore party consisting out of Tom, Ron, Toni & Gail explored the South and West slopes of the island. The other boat had left and we had the whole place for ourselves expect a few Fisherman and thousands of birds. This is a  spectacular place! Thousands and thousands of very tame birds, the most notable the blue footed boobies. In the afternoon who did some snorkeling and Dinghy exploring. Reports of thousands of large fish, a turtle, a shark and our previous mentioned shore party got whaled big time. They had front row seats of a spectacular breaching whales show. (Almost too close for comfort) The moon was out at night illuminating the bay and the surf crashing hard on the rocks nearby.

Sunday 11 Jan

Woke up early to a spectacular sunrise with thousands of birds overhead. The water was irresistible clear and before sun up John & Joanne had a swim. Thousands of fish surrounding this is as good as it gets.
The swell had increased overnight out of the NW and this morning took turns playing in the big 10' waves at the West coast of the island. The surf crashing loud in the rock wall with foam and spray flying high up in the air. The bounce back off the rock wall makes for giant washing machine making the dinghy ride a real adventure. Left this wonderful place this morning to try to get into Manchaten Bay (San Blas)at a decent hour. The harbour bar is to shallow to enter tonight so we are entering tomorrow morning is the plan.
 

Jan 9

Left this morning at 0300 hrs toarrive at a decent time at Isabela. Motor sailed some but mainly under power. Ron took a early watch and Tom took over at 0500 hrs. Seas are low swell with some land breeze but now has turned to the NW the normal pattern for this part of the day.

At 0800 hrs we encountered our first long lines and have been in it the whole morning. Several times we had to stop and twice dive overboard to free our keel of a fishing line. The last one just a few minutes ago was a deep line so it has floats but the long line is underwater making it deep enough to cross with out getting caught. All the other ones where right on the surface and impossible to cross with out getting entangled. Normally the fisherman tend there lines and come up when someone approaches but the majority of today was figure it out yourself. We usually just free ourselves and guide the line under the boat and proceed with out any damage to the gear. makes for a interesting morning. Crew enjoys all the excitement. Water temp is not bad and it is crystal clear.

We should  arrive late afternoon.

One Particular Harbor the real story by Thomas

Punta De Mita in the last evening, 33 Nm Northwest of Puerto Vallarta.  0300 hrs up anchor for Isla Isabella.  Motor sailed for 14 hours due into wind.  Lots of whale sightings, but the punch line was crossing at least 6 major fishing lines. No fouling of the prop, but quite the undertaking. We took several on the keel and pulled them for a ways with several detours around the end of mile long lines. In the end, no unhappy fisherman.  We encountered a turtle and lots of beautiful birds.
1630 arrival at beautiful volcanic (ancient) Isla Islabela.  Zillions of birds. We had a wonderful Mahi Mahi fresh off the stern (thank you fish) for dinner

Jan 8

The new crew, Ron and Gail Baker and Tom Smith and Toni Farquhar came on board last night.  We set sail today for a short introductory day and had a day filled with good snorkeling off Tres Mariettas, whale sightings and dolphins diving.  We head off early tomorrow morning for Isla Isabela.  All are doing well.

Jan 3

Night watch 0200- 0500 hrs. Underway Barra De Navidad to La Cruz.

Made  a quick trip South starting Dec 27 with 2 guest Barry & Wo. Stopped at Yelapa, Ipala and Chamala. The water was warm and we had an easy trip except around the cape where we had a bit of choppy slop. The more South the water got warmer and clearer. In Chamala it was 80f/25c.

The next day we made it to Tenacatita bay. There it was 82 and have not seen it this clear in years. The water temp is remarkable high this year. Is this is a result of global warming? Last year it was exceptional cool.

Made it to Barra De Navidad new years eve and got anchored early afternoon in a packed lagoon. There where 40 boats at anchor, but no concern as it is absolutely calm and we can anchor relative close. Spend the night in Grand Bay hotel with our guest celebrating till about 1100 hrs. Then we went back to the boat but we did not last and I woke up when the fireworks was going off. Had a look on deck and fired a few old flares off. Something that is a not uncommon practice here when we have a fiesta. Great to get some practice.

Barra is a lovely town of 4000 people but with holidays maybe 10.000 as many Mexican's from inland spend some time here. 

Left last afternoon around 1330 hrs and are making a quick trip up the coast. There is a light wind and we have only the main up and we are under engine. We used to sail it in the past but we need to get back to get ready for the next trip.

Cabo Coriente light house is starting to be seen and we have around 12 miles to go to round it. These are some of the best conditions we seen on this trip as last year we got beaten up on this same area.
There is a 1 knot current give us a boost. Joanne will be on watch shortly. We expect to be at anchor mid morning. Life is tough. comments