02/03/2012, Isla Coronados

After a good breakfast under a clear sky it was time to do some work. The wind instrument at the top of the mast has been supplying very iffy information since I left San Carlos so I decided to go up and have a look. After climbing into the Top Climber I ascended the mast quite easily. I cleaned and lubed the connection and crossed my fingers. On the way down I looked for the reason why the electrical conduit in the mast is slapping around and found it. A number of the rivets holding the conduit to the side of the mast have fallen out. I have no rivets or gun with me so I'll have to think of something else. Next came the bob stay. After emailing Tim Knight back home for advice I rigged the bob stay with a three to one purchase cascading to two to one for good measure. There are no blocks and the line has a published minimum strength of 8,000 kg so I'm confident nothing will break. I also made a large backing plate to counter any down force on the chain plate to deck bolt. I wonder what next weakest link will be? The wind instrument seems to be working properly and the bob stay looks good so I will get out for a test sail today or tomorrow or maybe both. Tomorrow has a small craft warning which could mean a fun sail to Puerto Escondido!

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02/03/2012, Isla Coronados

I left Loreto intending to sail due east to Puerto Ballandra on Isla Carmen but the wind was too nice to just sail 9nm so I decided it was a good time to check out the new bob stay. I fell off the wind and unfurled the screacher about half way across. Three gybes in winds from 10 to 18 knots convinced me I didn't like the new set up so I rolled up the screacher and headed up wind. I was going to get to Puerto Ballandra by about 5 which seemed to early so I headed to Isla Coronados and dropped the hook as the sun went down. Another good day on the boat.

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02/01/2012

After the morning paddle I motored for an hour and then raised sails in an 8 knot breeze. It was a very relaxing sail for a few hours and then some motoring to Loreto. Good cell coverage here meant some Skyping which left me in a good mood. I'll do some shopping here and head out for a couple of days.

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02/01/2012

I got an early start as there was no wind so it was easy to cook and eat underway. I stopped off Mulege to try to make a phone call but the reception was not good enough. A long, slow motor brought me to Punta Pulpito in time for a cerveza and supper as the sun went down. I had planned to hike in the morning but elected to go for a paddle instead.

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02/01/2012

The bob stay letting go was the result of both the single and double blocks breaking. The becket on the single and both sheaves on the double broke. I spliced an eye into a piece of Amsteel and ran it through what was left of the single block, over the bow roller and, back to the cleat on the bow. It should work once I figure out how to get it tight enough. I sailed south to Playa el Burro with just the jib up while I tried to Skype using the cell signal from Mulege. No luck; just enough signal to be frustrating. Once I got a few miles into Bahia Concepcion the wind died so I took the opportunity to calibrate all three tiller pilots. I dropped the anchor just after sunset and went ashore for dinner. Attached is a shot of my tiller pilot collection.

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02/01/2012

I left San Carlos at 6:30 in the morning and motored with very little wind for an hour. Then the wind clocked north and began to blow about 15 knots. It was a great ride for about five hours with the boat speed ranging from 12 to 16 knots and rarely below 10. Then the dreaded bang as the stay holding the spinnaker pole down let go. I wrestled the screacher down, unfurled the jib and carried on at 10 to 12 knots. I decided head for shelter behind Punta Chivato rather than in Bahia Conception. As I neared the anchorage I furled the jib and tried to start the motor. Nothing. I dropped the anchor south of the anchorage to stay away from the other boats while I tried to figure out what was wrong. The problem turned out to be a bad spark plug or two so I replaced them both. Attached is a sunrise from the next morning.

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