February 22

News tidbits: A power boat on 'C' dock is called Sea Hearse. Apparently has something to do with carrying dead fish, but still bad mojo. It is always balmy in Panama, but temps have been hovering in the mid-90s with little wind and are forecast to go higher. Still fine sleeping, but even with acclimation, afternoons get toasty. Couple who signed on to handle lines have backed out, so still looking. Any cruising club buddies wanting to spend several hundred bucks (each) to see the Panama Canal from the inside, have three days to get here. Don't delay, first four win!

Got measured, filled out voluminous paperwork and received a ship identification number (3009803. If they bestow those in sequence, that's a pant-load of ships) for Canal transit on Friday. Mounted and wired external VHF cockpit speaker, finished installation of raw water pump, ran engine to check that and to heat oil for changing, performed full check of new inverter/charger without any hint of charred insulation, installed newly welded Voyager wind steering casting and messed around with some other crap that hasn't, at this moment, found its way from short-term memory into consciousness.

Fearing possibility of emergency shutdown as happened last two days, performed a precautionary termination of activity around 1800 for prophylactic ingestion of medicinal rum and coke. To assure continued health and safety, applied a second dose. Seemed to work. May ask around to see if anyone else has noticed ameliorative properties of this treatment.

Jack

PS Probably owe Larry some royalties. Come and get it big guy!