Change in Latitude, Change in Attitude

30 January 2008 | Moraga, Ca.
23 January 2008 | San Diego, Ca.
20 January 2008 | Pacific Beach, San Diego
18 January 2008 | San Diego, California
17 January 2008 | 7 Miles South of the San Diego/Tijuana Border
15 January 2008 | Ensenada, Mexico
15 January 2008 | 100 MIles South of Ensenada
13 January 2008 | Isla Benitos
09 January 2008 | Bahia Santa Maria
08 January 2008 | 100 Miles South of Magdalena Bay
07 January 2008 | Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
06 January 2008 | Rounding Cabo Pulmo
05 January 2008 | La Paz, Mexico
25 December 2007 | Moraga, Ca.
15 December 2007 | Ensenada de Los Muertos, Mexico
10 December 2007 | Los Frailes, Mexico
05 December 2007 | Smack Dab' In The Middle
02 December 2007 | Mazatlan, Mexico
30 November 2007 | 128 Miles South of Mazatlan, 28 Miles Offshore
27 November 2007 | 15 miles Northwest of Manzanillo, Mexico

Next Stop, Costa Rica

27 September 2007 | Isla Parida, Panama
Andrew
After cruising Panama's Caribbean and Pacific side for the past two months, we are finally making some distance and heading to Costa Rica! I am somewhat anxious to dive into a large cheeseburger, cold beer, and the internet. We plan to sail an overnight leg to Golfito, Costa Rica and check in first thing tomorrow morning. The last few days of cruising have been great with decent winds, beautiful islands, and rip-roarin' fishing, which is just the way I like it. Just yesterday we moved from Isla Secas over to Isla Parida and hooked two hearty Yellow Fin Tuna, a snapping Spotted Mackeral, and a large Jack. We kept one Tuna, the Mackeral, and successfully released the other two ("successful" as in we released them unharmed). The Jack was huge, probably close to 30 pounds, while the Tuna that got away was probably 15 pounds. The fun part about the Tuna bite was the fact that both lines hit at the exact same time. We obviously sailed directly over a large school of them. So, Chris immediately ran this way and I ran that way. I hate to gloat, but I'm proud to say that my fish was the one we landed! However, it must be known that my lewer had two treble (three barbs) hooks, while Chris' was a simple double hook. A little competition can't hurt every once and a while. It really didn't matter because we had TONS of sushi last night and three left over rolls for lunch today. I can't wait for the clock to strike noon. The soy is on ice. The previous day's fishing was just as hot. We landed two mahi which provided us with one of our favorite meals, BBQ'd fish tacos!! They are yum, yum good and we have lots of leftovers. So, there is no shortage of fresh fish aboard Cisnecito.

Before leaving yesterday I climbed to the top of the mast to check the condition of the various lines and parts it houses. Obviously I had never done this before so it was definitely exciting for me. I strapped on a climbing harness, buckled in two halyards with bowline knots and safety clips, and climbing I went. I had been to the first spreader numerous times before when entering shallow anchorages. This vantage point gives us a great view of the bottom and any hidden rocks. However, I have to be honest and say that I became a bit nervous when I began climbing to the second spreader, as I had never been that high before. Fortunately the boat sat in a well protected anchorage and rolled very little. However, minimal roll on deck is amplified on the mast. I stayed intensely focused on the top of the aluminum rig and made it up with no problem. The triple spreader mast stands a mighty 65 feet tall, which felt more like 650 when I finally made it to the top. I checked numerous cotter pins, various halyards, and re-taped any sharp edges that could potentially catch and damage the sails. After the work was done I snapped a few pictures, observed the beautiful view, and bounced my way back down to the deck of the boat. I made it. Wheww! Yes mom, I was extra careful just for you.

We plan to depart at noon today for an 8 am arrival tomorrow morning, so there is a bit of work to do before we leave. I plan to go for a swim before we leave and maybe swim to the nearby beach. Hopefully my next post will be from a land based computer where I can upload photographs from our last month's travels. More importantly, hopefully my next post will be after that juicy cheeseburger lunch.
Comments
Vessel Name: Cisnecito
Vessel Make/Model: 46 ft Nautor Swan
Crew: Andrew Roberts
About:
After working in the insurance industry for 4 years, I jumped at the opportunity to join Cisnecito, a 46 foot Nautor Swan. She currently lays in Colon, Panama preparing for her last extended cruise back to Newport, Ca. [...]

Checked Out and Headed to Central America

Who: Andrew Roberts