SHIPWRECK!
29 November 2013 | Berkovich Marina - La Paz
Jay/Hot
11/29
We are having real bad luck on this cruise so far. 2 days ago, the outboard died. We still have no specific cause of death, but I suspect the cheap mix I've been using over the past year. One retired Yamaha tech said I should mix at 50:1 even though the owner's manual says 100:1.
This morning we had difficulty leaving the moonless gloom of Puerto Escondido. We "kissed" a rock as we left the harbour at the point (OK maybe a French Kiss). We motored away from it and nothing appears to be out of order. There is a considerable amount of fairing on the leading edge of the keel. Tomorrow, while we wait out what looks to be a 2 day Norther, I will dive on it and have a look. I've had rougher rides on the travel lift so I don't expect too much wrong. If it isn't too bad (just a little fairing), it will wait for the end of the season. If it is a bigger problem, La Paz will be a good place to fix things up.
We made sail as we went out into the Sea after Candeleros. After sailing OK for a while, the wind started dying, and our ETA looked like getting in well after dark. We tried starting the motor and the starter wasn't having a good time. So I went below and tightened the connections on the starter. That seemed to do it and we will keep the motor on all day unless the wind gets too strong. Tonight I will attack the starter connections with dielectric grease.
After motoring for a bit, I put out the genny and we are presently motorsailing and recovering from the sad experienced of the past 3 days. I daresay with the good times must be just around the corner. We've had just about all the bad things that can happen this season.
Later....
We got into Salinas by 1625. As soon as we got the hook down, I got the dinghy over the side and I got into the water and had a look at the keel. It was a pretty sad sight. It is clear that Karina will have to come out of the water and soon. We got a good recommendation about Berkovvich yard. Apparently, since last year there is a new loo with showers that the cockroaches haven't got to yet. I guess we will stay here and wait out the norther and then head into town to push the restart button on this cruise.