02/03/2012, Puerto Ballandra

After the overcast day I was snug in the cabin when the light turned pink. I came outside to this. I hope it comes through okay as all the shots on the blog are low resolution. Even high res really doesn't compare. I took 18 shots and they were all beautiful.

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02/03/2012, Sea of Cortez

After a leisurely start to the day I chatted with Kak in New Zealand for a while. The wind was picking up so up came the anchor and off we went with two reefs in the main and the jib up. I was only going about 10 nm but we turned it into 25. We sailed clockwise around Isla Coronados, between Coronados and Isla Carmen and into Puerto Ballandra. It was a good test of the new bob stay and it worked perfectly. I sailed in sustained apparent winds of 15 to 18 knots and the true wind was 18 to 25 for most of the ride. Obviously the wind instrument is working too. I'm tucked in with three other boats and there is lots of room for more. Here's a shot of one from Japan.

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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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