OK OK so I'm still in Arizona, but I'm now two weeks from a 7 Dec arrival back in hot and humid Panama. The rainy season ends in December, so I'll be able to work on the boat. Expect it will take at least 2 weeks to clean and prepare it for the real work I have to do, such as install new porthole windows, install a refrigerator, install a new autohelm, install a new cabin sole (that's a floor, for you landlubbers), and a hundred other repairs before relaunching. The boat is currently on stilts in a storage yard at Shelter Bay Marina, which is located at the old US Fort Sherman, across the bay from Colon, Panama (the Caribbean side of the canal). As for my crew, which consists of my brother David and hopefully a third member (one of David's friends), I have no idea where they are.
My plan is to try to get all the work done by the end of Dec, launch in early Jan, and get thru the canal by mid to late Jan. Once we get thru the canal, we'll spend one day at the Pacific side in Panama City, and then head out for Mexico. It's about 3000 miles. We can make about 100 miles per 24 hour day, so it will take about 30 sailing days to cover the distance. Allowing for multiple port calls for refilling the fuel, water, and pantry, and for recovery from long hauls, I anticipate the sail with take 4 months. (If you did the math, you noted that the average speed while sailing is about 5-6 miles per hour).
OK, that's probably all the boring you can take at one sitting, so I'll sign off for now.
You can email me at wtucker4@hotmail.com or islandfever41@msn.com.
You can see an article with a schematic of Island Fever at the following website: http://www.gulfstarownersclub.com/documents/GS41sSep72YachtingMag.pdf
Rob on deck during haulout
Rob on deck during haulout in 2007
Glad to have ya back at the helm once again, Bill. We look forward to seeing you in San Carlos - and perhaps will cross paths in the spring as you come north up the Baja. Marina Real is looking pretty sad...we are still slipped there off-season as they are cheaper and "handy" to the yard for care. But the docks and facilities are sure lacking. So much potential there, too. San carlos has some new restaurants and bridges/roadways after last year's hurricane and floods. Good luck with all the work - sounds like months of projects! La Paz has some good stainless and canvas folks and Mazatlan an excellent engine and boat repair place. You may see the US Navy in the Sea of Cortez, too. Watch out for ferries and shrimpers! Look forward to following your adventures. be safe out there. T de T L&B
ReplyDeletePS we hear wasp spray is a good weapon, better than mace.