September 29, 2016

Hot, hot, hot!!!! Record-breaking temperatures in the area exceeded 100 degrees! Even in the marina temperatures came close to triple digits. I tried to arrange to do paperwork tasks during the hottest periods because the heat and humidity made physical work miserable. So, the week was pretty evenly divided between boat projects and paperwork. I spent a lot of time on the phone, online and running around to get official business handled. I received my Temporary Import Permit or TIP, which is essential, and printed out what is supposed to be a receipt for pre-paying for the visas for myself and two crew members. I also applied for and paid for a Mexican fishing license. Conversations with my insurance carrier resulted in my needing to get a standing rigging survey done before they will insure me in Mexico. I'm in the process of arranging that now. There's more to do, but I'm less stressed about being able to get it done.

On the project side, the bright work refinishing is nearing completion with work on the transom cap rail half way there, and I did the 250 hour engine service which required way too much boat yoga. The new sail cover is done and looks fine after some adjustments were made. Next week the boat gets hauled out for bottom paint and some other work.

Did I mention I'm exhausted?

 

September 22, 2016

Still hectic. The usual projects plus the angst over paperwork. But I'm making good progress on both fronts. Just about done with the varnish on the port side. Next will be the cap rail on the transom, a relatively small job. I bought a four-part vang from Garhauer and added a big snapshackle to each end. I can use it to haul the boom to weather when hard on the wind, handy since Circadian doesn't have a traveler, as well as the usual vang/preventer to keep the boom down when running and to prevent an accidental jibe. I added ¼ inch Dyneema for the reefing lines on the main. It will not stretch, is incredibly strong, and is much smaller and lighter than nylon or polyester of adequate strength. Still need to add the many ties used to secure the folds of the reefed sail. Finally got in contact with Vanessa of Manten Canvas to make my new sail cover. It will be the same color as the canvas on the jib. Could be done as soon as tomorrow, but more likely next week. I just ordered a spare raw water pump from Beta: nearly $500! But I guess it's worth it if it goes out in the boonies of Mexico! The photos show a few other minor little additions that will add to the success of the cruise.

Made some significant progress on the paperwork slog. I applied online for my TIP (Temporary Import Permit), and it appears I was successful. I'll know for sure when it arrives. Also got an email from the HaHa folks that basically said “Don't worry about your official port of entry. Just select Ensenada from the drop down list when applying for TIP or FMM visa. It will be taken care of in Cabo.” I contacted my insurance company regarding hull insurance in Mexico, but I'm still waiting for a call-back. And I just got back from my lawyer to discuss updating my will and trust. I think I'd rather sand!

Carol came up for the weekend and we saw the newly completed replica of Cabrillo's ship, the San Salvador, that was visiting the Channel Islands Maritime Museum.  Very interesting!

September 15, 2015

Not surprisingly, things are still hectic. The big accomplishment this week was the bending on of new sails. The new main is 9.1 oz. triple-stitched Dimension Polyant sailcloth, made in Germany. It features two reef points (75% and 53%), a cunningham (flattening) reef point and a draft stripe. The jib is made of 8.2 oz. Dimension Polyant, has two reef points marked in red tape, and the Subrella UV shield is a color match for the blue hull. I need to have a new sail cover made to accommodate the heavier mainsail, but I'm not having any luck contacting my canvas maker, either by phone or in person. Sigh! I also still need to order line for the new jiffy reefing and put together the new vang from Garhauer to finish off the working sails. I got a good enough price from Ullman Sails on the working sails that I was able to talk with Gary about a cruising spinnaker (genniker). He had some multi-color blanks he had gotten from Catalina Yachts that he can use as the basis for making my custom sail at about half the cost of starting from scratch. So, it and a dousing sock are now in the works!

I continued the refinishing of the port side cap rail and rub rail. It's going fine, but all that sanding is pretty tiring! Lookin' good, though.

On the HaHa front, there's a bit of concern that we may be in violation of Mexican law by not checking in at a port of entry prior to our arrival in Cabo, which oddly enough is not a port of entry. The port of Ensenada, while a port of entry, has neither the capacity nor the willingness to handle some 150 vessels from the HaHa coming in all at once. Hopefully something gets worked out in coming weeks or it will be up to each skipper to decide whether to stop in Ensenada despite the Port Captain's reluctance. The event organizers don't seem to have any answers right now....

 

September 8, 2016

A busy week.  As I'm nearing the end of the boat projects, the focus is shifting toward handling paperwork and logistics.  I've solidified arrangements with the crew, and I'm aiming for a departure from Ventura about October 25th.  I've scheduled a haulout for October 3rd.  My new sails are scheduled for hoisting tomorrow morning.  On the project front, I've started refinishing the port side cap rail and rub rail, and completed several smaller jobs.  Other than the projects to be done on the hard, about all that remains is regular engine maintenance, and cleaning and organizing. Should be able to get in some sail time to dial in the new sails and try out the wind vane.  Of course I'll still need to tackle the Mexico paperwork maze and complete storage arrangements for the car.....