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Leap day! Another day to work in paradise

Writer's picture: jeannebjeanneb

With leap year we were thrilled to have another day in paradise -- to do boat projects. It may be often overlooked, but owning a boat in the tropics (or near tropics) requires ongoing vigilance and maintenance to keep things working well. We've put a lot of miles on the boat in the last 12 months. More than many people put on their boats in 10 or 15 years. We have to show her lots of love as she keeps us safe!


A beach where boat wheels would be very helpful!

To kick things off easy, we started with installing some beach wheels on the dingy. This has been on our 'list' since literally 1999. When we sailed across the south pacific the first time, I really wanted dingy wheels. But I'm not sure if we couldn't afford it, or it wouldn't work on the transom of the dingy, or Dan just didn't want the extra gear -- but we didn't get them then. So when we were in San Diego in October, we were encouraged by others that it would really be helpful (especially since we aren't 20 and maybe don't have the same muscles as we did then?) -- so we bought some as a last minute purchase at the chandlery. We had no idea if they'd work. And guess what -- they didn't! So set number 1 was sent home with our friends the Wilcox's so they could use on their boat.



Boat wheels in action for the initial test

Then, when we flew to Los Angeles for the day to get our Visa's renewed for Mexico -- we bought set number 2, which we carried back in our luggage. After several attempts to find the perfect beach on which to install 4 holes in the dingy below the waterline, we had success. This week we've used the wheels a handful of times and so far so good!


Then we discovered one of our solar panels wasn't working, so we got to the real work. Dan took the solar panel apart, and to no avail it is now useless and stowed below deck. It is still under warranty and the company will be sending us a new one when we get back into the US and have a place to return the broken one and have a new one shipped in.


If you remember from our blog a year ago, February was safety month! And it is already time to inspect all our gear we bought last year and make sure it is good for another year (if we need spares we need to get them this summer). I've been taking the US Sailing Safety at Sea class this week as a refresher course and it was some good motivation. I hadn't taken this class for over 20 years -- and the technology and techniques have improved. Our life raft -- will need to be re-certified again in 2025. Our abandon ship back looked pretty good, but our flares will expire in early 2025 as well. We also will have to re-register our EPIRB and Personal Locator beacons this summer when we have access to the US mail a bit more easily. Life jacket inspection will be another day...


An easy day to test the emergency tiller

We also checked our emergency steering set up. We'd never actually tested it out -- so it was a good experience to make sure everything was in working order.


Lastly, we dug out our parachute anchor out of the aft lazarette and laid it all out on the deck and figured out how to use it. I'm glad we did because we discovered the huge bag did NOT include the rode that is used for it, so again, another thing to add to our list of things to figure out. It is something you hope you never have to use, but it feels good knowing that we have a plan for its deployment and retrieval.

Dan's workbench for the day

The last big boat project this week was to try to repair our boom vang -- which no longer is operational. Dan figured out what parts we'd need to fix it when we get to the boat yard. While Dan was pulling that apart, I inspected all our blocks to make sure they were in working order and did our twice-a-year "service" of rinsing off with freshwater and lubricating the ball bearings with silicone spray.


It was very productive week and we rewarded ourselves with fish tacos from the beach restaurant. There is still more to do on the list, but that can wait for another day. (I was going to say a rainy day -- but that might be a very long time). Onward!


Not a bad place to work on your solar panel


For more information on some of our safety gear:



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1 comentário


Convidado:
01 de mar. de 2024

Hola Dan and Jeanne!

My husband, Dave and I, along with our friends, Dave and Shawn, met you in Bahia Concepcion at Armando's Taco Restaurant. You were kind enough to share your sailing experiences with us! We are excited to follow you on your journey! Safe travels!

Curtir

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Captain and Chief logistics officer

Dan & Jeanne

After life on land for 22 years, we've decided to simplify, soak up nature and travel.  We look forward to sharing the adventure with you. 

 

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