b.c.bound

Vessel Name: mistletoe
Vessel Make/Model: fraser 41
Hailing Port: victoria b.c.
Crew: chris and jen clarke
09 August 2009 | b.c.
09 August 2009 | hawaii
08 June 2009 | kauai
08 June 2009 | kauai
28 April 2009 | mx
28 April 2009 | mx
09 April 2009 | mx
26 March 2009 | mx
26 March 2009 | mx
16 March 2009 | puesta del sol
15 March 2009 | costa rica
15 March 2009 | costa rica
27 February 2009 | panama
27 February 2009 | panama
27 February 2009 | panama
16 February 2009 | panama
15 February 2009 | san blas
12 February 2009 | caymans
19 January 2009 | cuba
16 January 2009 | cuba
Recent Blog Posts
09 August 2009 | b.c.

hawaii to victoria

Nawiliwili is a few miles from the nearest town so without a bus service we knew it was going to be tough to do what we always need to do in every port. Internet, laundry, provision etc etc. we hitched a ride to town, which was easy. Getting a ride back to the marina was going to be tricky and we decided [...]

09 August 2009 | hawaii

lahaina to kauai

Marty was such a big part of our successful stay in lahaina that we wanted to do something nice for him. He accepted our invitation to sail with us to lanai. The wind finally started blowing in its normal pattern and we had a great sail with Marty steering all the way. We were worried it might be like [...]

08 June 2009 | kauai

maui to kauai

Maui has proved to be one of our best stops of the trip. We were planning to skip all the islands and go directly to Kauai. Due to lack of wind we pulled into lahaina to have a break from two days of solid motoring. We got in after hours so were not able to talk with the harbour master. Some locals were [...]

08 June 2009 | kauai

mx to hawaii

We cast off our lines from Nuevo Vallarta marina at around 5.00 p.m. We were planning on a gentle motor over to the marina in la cruz, about 5 miles north. The wind decided to pipe up as soon as we left the harbour and within a few minutes, we were covered in salt again! We snuck into the fuel dock as [...]

28 April 2009 | mx

p.v.

Finally getting to P.V. after such a slog up from Panama was a huge relief and we both felt like we had come to another one of those milestones along our journey. One thing this leg has taught us. Going up the west coast of the U.S. is definitely not an option for us. Reality has hit me in the face. [...]

28 April 2009 | mx

z-what to p.v.

A few days in z-what and we were ready to roll again. We weighed anchor early and motored a couple of hours around to Ixtapa marina to fuel and top of water tanks, wash salt off etc. Once done, out into a windless ocean and the grim prospect of many more hours of motoring. The wind gods were kind to [...]

p.v.

28 April 2009 | mx
chris
Finally getting to P.V. after such a slog up from Panama was a huge relief and we both felt like we had come to another one of those milestones along our journey. One thing this leg has taught us. Going up the west coast of the U.S. is definitely not an option for us. Reality has hit me in the face. We have the equivalent of two more Atlantic crossings to do before we sail into Victoria's inner harbour. Looking at a map, it makes no sense to go all the way out to Hawaii. However, if you draw 20 to 30 kt wind arrows and 1 to 2 kts of current coming down from the north, it is a simple choice.
But I digress.
Pulled into Marina Nuevo Vallarta unannounced on a Saturday afternoon. "Sorry, we have no space'' Shocked looks on our part. We didn't see that coming. The tears running down my face and the whining obviously had an effect on the poor lad. "O.K. I phone my boss. Uno momento." Lot's of Spanish chat resulted in a slip at the end of D dock becoming available. Something about saying that we were having engine trouble. Oh, yes! " Mucho problemo mechanico!" We were in.
Usually when one comes into a marina slip, one jumps onto the float with many lines in hand. Not here! The docks were a sad sight. Crumbling concrete, sagging decking. Step lightly, don't jump! The good news? 35 cents/ft/day. We'll stay for a week!
We discovered to Vallarta Yacht Club on the second day. Accepted us as reciprocal members. Cold beers, great food, internet and a view of Mistletoe across the bay. What more could you want? Robbie, who you may remember, was part of the great Nicaraguan Mohito party, arrived to take us away for the day. We accompanied him while he ran a few errands around Marina Vallarta, then hit Wal Mart hard. It has been a while since we have done a big shop with wheels so we made the most of it. Two bulging buggies. Lots of heavy stuff that we had been avoiding. It's so nice to have a friend with a vehicle! It has been a full on, hot, sunny year since we did the teak. It was definitely overdue. After a bit of sanding and 3 - 2 ½ hr sessions, we are looking pretty snappy again. Oil and filters are changed once again. Lot's of reorganizing of lockers etc for the next two passages. Rig check and clean tomorrow, paperwork/international zarpe on Monday and we are on our way. Stay tuned and wish us luck. Cheers, Chris and Jen.
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