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Written by: 1/27/2010 12:02 PM
The boat is stronger than she’s ever been. New fuel tanks, rebuilt engine, and a slew of smaller projects have Jargo well fit to head back offshore. Now all I need is weather.
The winter trades are howling outside of the protected bay. It’s been four months since I’ve really been sailing and two of those months had me living in either an apartment in Cartagena or bouncing around friends and families homes in the States. To say I might have lost my sea legs would be an understatement. I am going to stick around a few more days until a system moves through which should make the wind lay down a bit and let the 12 – 14 foot swells come back down to a more reasonable 8 foot tall. No reason to overdo it first time back out.
Something strange that I’ve not yet tried will happen when I make my departure from Colombia, I’ll be sailing WEST! The past year has been nothing but making miles South and East, but the time has come to turn Jargo’s bow towards the setting sun and follow it over the horizon. This could take years. : )
While the Pacific leg would be hard to classify as anything but going big, I’ve started going small on my equipment. Everyone told me over and over to go as big as you possibly can with your dingy. NO, No, no. Engine and dingy thieves are everywhere around here and hauling a 170 lb dink with a 75 lb 15 hp motor up every night is for the birds. So, for $100 USD I found myself a little 2 hp outboard that is wonderful and light. Now I am looking to trade my 10.5 foot AB RIB for a 8.5 or 9 so that I can get rid of my davits all together and just lift the little dink by halyard on the side of the boat. Easy, quick, and saves fuel to boot and it is expensive in the Pacific.
The loss of the davits will also clear my transom up considerably so that I can mount a wind vane self steering system. This is a unit that can steer the boat with zero electrical power using the wind itself to dive an independent rudder. = I don’t have to steer or run down my batteries. Plus, it is a good back up for the electric autopilot.
I am so ready to go sailing again. Barring major unforeseen changes, Jargo should swim in the Big Blue Pacific by March. Cheers Everyone!
Lee
P.S. Per Twitter: To err is human, to arrrrrgh is Pirate
4 comment(s) so far...
Re: Caratagena to Panama Lee -- Good luck on this adventure. I am looking forward to watching go thru the canal. -- Cheryl
Re: Caratagena to Panama
Lee -- Good luck on this adventure. I am looking forward to watching go thru the canal. -- Cheryl
Re: Caratagena to Panama Godspeed and good winds, brother
Godspeed and good winds, brother
Re: Caratagena to Panama Lee,I like going small unless it is your ground tackle. I had a hard dinghy and oars. Not only did it keep me in shape to row, but I rowed almost as fast as some of my friends with a loaded down inflatable. I had a 2.5 HP motor for those few times I felt I needed a motor. It was nice to just hear the quiet splash of the oars on my early morning trips to shore. If I do it again I will make a two part nesting hard dinghy out of a 12 - 14 foot good rowing boat like a Whitehall. I also had a Cape Horn windvane and Eves steered me all the time except for those rare motoring days.
Lee,I like going small unless it is your ground tackle. I had a hard dinghy and oars. Not only did it keep me in shape to row, but I rowed almost as fast as some of my friends with a loaded down inflatable. I had a 2.5 HP motor for those few times I felt I needed a motor. It was nice to just hear the quiet splash of the oars on my early morning trips to shore. If I do it again I will make a two part nesting hard dinghy out of a 12 - 14 foot good rowing boat like a Whitehall. I also had a Cape Horn windvane and Eves steered me all the time except for those rare motoring days.
Re: Caratagena to Panama Steve and Cheryl...Thanks! I am excited and scared for the canal transit. Should be pretty cool if I can relax enough to enjoy it.Marcus - All I've done the past two days is study vane gear. Cape Horn looks very cool, but I don't think I can afford or cut the holes necessary for the internal connections, but I love the idea. Looking for a used Hydrovane for their simplicity or if I go new, a Pacific Pilot from Windpilot. I'd originally decided on just going with autopilot and a spare, but may be reconsidering it. Or, may not if I can't find one I can get for a reasonable price. Per the ground tackle, couldn't agree more. My little 39 footer now has to 60 pounders on board and 300 ft of 3/8 BBB chain. Anyone want to buy a 35lb CQR and 44 lb Danforth?
Steve and Cheryl...Thanks! I am excited and scared for the canal transit. Should be pretty cool if I can relax enough to enjoy it.Marcus - All I've done the past two days is study vane gear. Cape Horn looks very cool, but I don't think I can afford or cut the holes necessary for the internal connections, but I love the idea. Looking for a used Hydrovane for their simplicity or if I go new, a Pacific Pilot from Windpilot. I'd originally decided on just going with autopilot and a spare, but may be reconsidering it. Or, may not if I can't find one I can get for a reasonable price. Per the ground tackle, couldn't agree more. My little 39 footer now has to 60 pounders on board and 300 ft of 3/8 BBB chain. Anyone want to buy a 35lb CQR and 44 lb Danforth?