On the other hand, while in the cockpit working on the window, I bumped something that bumped something else, that bumped something else that, unbeknownst to me, pressed the windlass switch. That caused the windlass to try to pull up an anchor that was already up. By the time I figured out what was happening it was too late: the windlass had overloaded and burned out. Not only will replacing the motor be a major expense, so far I haven't been able to free the motor from the shaft. I've removed it a couple of times before without a problem, but this time it's a no-go. I've tried the manufacturer's suggestions with no luck yet. Part of the problem is the lack of clearance and the tight space. But I still have a few more things to try before the saw comes out. Stay tuned....
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This yellow-crowned night heron landed on
the lawn of the timeshare next to the hotel.
Very unusual because they are normally quite
shy when people are about.
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This snowy egret briefly perched on a neighbor's
dinghy.
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By carefully stalking, and with the help of some
distractions, I was able to slowly get closer.
Long neck!
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| All my (black-bellied whistling) ducks in a row. |
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A sea turtle nest long after the eggs have hatched and
the babies gone. Only the broken shells are left.
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| Crab burrow and tracks |
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| No, it's not a sea monster... |
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| Just a dead Mexican (Pacific) spotted snake eel |
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| Another one that illustrates how it got the name. |
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| Sunset on the beach |
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| Sunrise after the season's first thunderstorm |
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The rain was a product of Aletta, the first tropical storm
of the season. The yellow X is a disturbance that could
turn into the next one. Both are expected to go northwest,
so they shouldn't cause anything more than rain and thunderstorms
where I am (just above the small cloud above Aletta).
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This is the Red Cabbage Café where ten of us
went to dinner. Across from the river in a
non-tourist neighborhood in Puerto Vallarta.
The little boy is the official doorman.
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While it caters to gringos, the food is authentic sophisticated
Mexican. Recommended!
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Good food, good friends, good vibes!
(Clockwise from the left: Mike, Lisa, Cindy, Mark
Tod, Donna, Lou, Bob, Maureen)
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| This is La Isla, a very upscale shopping mall in Puerto Vallarta. |
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| Designer stores |
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| Lots of waterscaping |
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I needed to get a special adapter only available at a Mac Store.
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WORK!
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I've learned to always test resealed ports before installation by
leveling the port and filling it with water on top of a paper
towel that makes even the smallest leak apparent.
Here's why: this one failed the first time.
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After sealing both obvious and invisible potential
sources of a leak, I retested. No leaks!
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| A bead of Sika 1a around the port frame |
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| Reinstalled and cleaned up just before the first rain. |
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| Restored interior wood after installation |
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| No leaks through two rainstorms |
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| The "before." |
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| The big burned out windlass motor |
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Per manufacturer's suggestion, I'm trying phosphoric acid
to free up the motor from the shaft. No luck so far.
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| Tight spaces make everything difficult. |
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Working in the heat and humidity is taxing, that's
why I get up early and quit early whenever
possible.
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While waiting for the phosphoric acid to do its thing,
I worked out in the gym at Palenque Spa for the
first time this season. It's well equipped and most
importantly, air conditioned.
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The daily fee of $3 for marina tenants includes all classes,
use of spa facilities (gym, locker room, showers, steam
room, sauna and jacuzzi), towels, robe, sandals and
ice cold lemon or cucumber water in champagne flutes.
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The just-remodeled spa looks much better in reality than
in these old stock photos. Subtle lighting, soft music...
pretty nice!
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