January 4, 2010    Return to our boat life

We concluded our week long hotel stay in the old walled city in Cartagena and took the local launcha back to the Bay of Cholon where our boat is at anchor.  Upon arriving back home, Aaron is immediately back at work on the generator.  Last night when Robert, our caretaker, ran the generator it overheated and stopped.  He called us and gave us the report last night, but nothing could be done.  So, Aaron checked it over, filled water, checked the impeller and hoses.  It started right up but noticed white smoke out the exhaust.  Dean on Blue Fox came over and between the two decided it might be the heat exchanger.  We have to return to Cartagena to get it fixed.

Once back in Cartagena, Aaron had good luck in removing the heat exchanger and took it to the same place that fixed our oil cooler on our generator, The Palace of Radiators, where while he waited, Mr. Radiator Man cleaned it, pressure tested it and found many leaks around the welds. He then welded where needed and when Aaron replaced it, the overheating problem was solved.  El Capitan is bueno!   

Happy New Year!

2010  The Year of the Tiger

January 8th   Someone Stole our Dinghy

We awoke today after celebrating Melinda's 50th birthday (s/v Southern Belle) party last night to find much to our dismay that our dinghy was no longer locked to our side. The cable had been cut.  On the cruiser's radio net, we listened as the boat directly anchored behind us saw it happening at 330 am and tried to radio for help, but no response.  Too bad they didn't have a blaring air horn to wake up the anchorage!  Too bad they didn't get in their dinghy and come over to wake us up, so that we could help in the matter!  But, it's gone and that's the reality.  Louis on s/v Simpatica comes over and picks up Aaron and I and take us ashore.  I head for the police department to file a report while Aaron and Louis dinghy to the Manzanillo area where our dinghy most likely was taken.  The Coastguard was alerted to the theft as well.  We get the word out on the streets by telling as many locals as possible, talking to the two marine stores close by and asking them to be aware if anyone comes by wanting to sell a motor or dinghy.  We will even pay a reward.   After several days, we have no luck in the return.  Luckily, we buy a rather well used dinghy from Judy and Dave on  s/v Fia for $100.  The price is definitely right and it has a few leaks that need to be repaired, but at least we have a way to get to and from shore.  Guess we will practice up on rowing since our efforts on finding a used motor have been futile.

January 12th   Wrapping things up in Cartagena

We have been busy with preparations on leaving Cartagena this past week.  No luck on a motor and the dinghy is still holding air, it just needs to be pumped up every morning.   It's exercise.  But, the cruising family have been wonderful in coming to our aid of taking us to shore and back.  I guess they pity us having to row!  We got our jib sail repaired by Renzon, who always does a nice job and in a timely manner.   I had new seat covers made for the cockpit chairs and I had two new fitted sheets made for our bed.  How wonderful that is!  I provisioned the boat with the necessary food and beverage items, keeping it to a minimum since we will be leaving the boat March 15th. 

January 15th  At the last minute before leaving.................  

We enjoyed a wonderful farewell dinner last night onboard s/v Not So Interim, with Maria Elena and Bert.  Later, at 8pm, our zarpe was ready so I met Manfred at Carulla grocery store to pick it up. Today, however, we arose early, and topped our fuel and water tanks off at Club de Pesca marina.  Julie and Tom on s/v Gris Gris came by while we were there to bid us so long.  Then, we reanchored and went over to s/v Tempest, Bob, to check out an outboard motor that he has for sale.  We end up buying it for $350, a Yamaha 4 stroke, 2.5 hp and only 2 years old. We are thrilled to be able to motor around again, not at any great speed, but we eventually get there!  So, within a week, we have managed to buy a dinghy and motor for $450.  Not bad at all!  The weather window looks good for Saturday, the winds are forecasted our of the NE 15-20 and the seas 4-6, both will be on our aft quarter, a good position to sail.  Much easier going west.  Our autopilot has been functioning properly ever since Sven isolated it so that it does not receive any data from the GPS.  That was a simple fix we like.  We head to the Bay of Cholon, 20 miles west, and anchor and do our final preparations before we leave for the San Blas tomorrow morning early.  We will be buddy boating with our good friends, Sonny and Kay s/v Valentina.  It's back to the San Blas islands once again.  Yes, I am ready for.............crab, lobster, and snorkeling and spearfishing.