ROATAN
Friday morning
By the time I got to the pier there were a few people there waiting to help me dock/parallel park, between two boats. No problem mon, missed both boats and just nudge against the pier with the fenders, wind was in the right direction, just blew me right into the pier. Said my thanks for all their help, and finish tying up the boat the way I like it. Then proceeded to do all the necessary paperwork to rent a slip for a couple weeks or less. Anything after that I might as well stay for a month, it'll cost the same. Doing the briefing all I could remember was which room the marina guest where using as a bathroom. And what time happy hour was.

When leaving the shower (hotel room) I screwed up and locked it. The guy on the pier - who was giving me directions on how to steer my boat, a boat he knows nothing about, and I have owned for 20 years, give me a break - was waiting to use it next. But now it's lock, so he begins to give me a rash of shit about my screw up. I apologize, I didn't know that I was suppose to leave the dead bolt out so the door wouldn't fully close, just like it was when I went inside. His wife asks the maid two doors down could she come unlock the door. Problem solved. But he still continues to lector me on the proper way to close the door and why didn't I do that, it' so simple. I then beg for his forgiveness, or ask him to give me a break mon, I'm tired and I really don't need this. He gave me a break.

After my nap - happy hour. It's a self serve bar and an honor system to pay for it. Just write down what you had. Met up with one of the rescuer's, Lenny on the s/v Emily Morgan, another Texan from Dallas. Got a quick Texas History lesson and the meaning of his boat name, aka the Yellow Rose of Texas. Got the version they don't teach in school, may not be appropriate for those young ears. Also met two other boats from the Kemah area. One asked me if I ever been to happy hour on Party Bill's boat? Duh, his boat was on the opposite side of the pier from me when I lived in Marina Del Sol, Kemah. They stayed at the same marina on Pier F and visited Pier C about every week. The other boat was from Porta a Fina and was docked next to a friend of mind. Small world or I haven't gotten far enough from Texas yet? After happy hour off to the Hotel lobby of Fantasy Island Hotel for a poor internet connection, let the family and friends know I made it to my intended destination but a day later then planned. Was able to hook-up with Sparky via Skype. He'll be around tomorrow to show me around.

Saturday, 16th,
Jerry the Harbor Master came by early. He had a big cat coming in and the cat would fit where I'm at better than the other slip, would I mind moving. Not at all I'm too close to the happy hour bar. That perfect wind to help me dock was still present, but it won't help me undock, completely opposite. All hands on dock to help me move. First guy to help was the same guy who gave me so much grief the other day; he's not such a bad guy after all. But he still insists on telling everyone how to drive their boat. We get all tied up in the new slip. Just around the corner 2 slips down from the Happy Hour Deck, it's even deeper then the last one, and I might not bump the bottom on low tide again. After getting all settle in I tried the Generator, it wouldn't turn over, so now I have something else to fix.

Sparky showed up right on time, which translates to - sometime that day. Island life agrees with him well. I really didn't have much to do but decompress and check in and find an ATM machine and a local SIM card for my cell phone. He also needed to get something done at the phone co. The rest of the day was running errands between the auto repair places to the parts place. Back to Sparky's house before nightfall, and I'm trying to figure out how to get back to the boat. One of the head lights on his Trooper isn't working, an easy way for a cop to make extra cash.

Sparky's house guest, Greg's girl friend and her friend from downstairs and a couple other of their friends was heading out to party at another carnival calibration - or something like that. The mall that it was going to be at was close to the marina, so I'll just ride with them. Turn out they were riding with me, I being the nice guy ended up paying for the taxi to the mall, buying all the beer for 5. Turn out to be a "something like that" fete. Just a DJ in the mall parking lot with a lot of youngsters and a few older men in the crowed. Then we ended up at the disco upstairs and guess who paid for it all. Then we took the taxi to another club and guess who paid for it all, then we finally ended up back at Sparky's house, but I wasn't home yet. Taxi driver would take me there for more money. K volunteered to go to make sure I got home alright. By that time I was out of local currency and all I had on the boat was a Benjamin. Taxi driver didn't have change but K did. That was the last I seen of that Benjamin.

Sunday, 17th,
A lot of things need fixing after that last crossing, and the definition of cruising is making boat repairs in exotic places. On top of the list was Otto's strange noise. New nuts still in place. Oil level a little low, that's not the problem and it's not making any noise at the dock, must have fixed itself. But while I was in that lazerett I did notice one of the control lines on Windy was frayed pretty bad. May not make another 200 mile crossing. Lucky me I have a spare just the right size, but wrong color. It works. But I need to reroute the line to prevent that from happening again. There is a better way, but the quick fixed was just drill a hole thought the hull and attached the eye nuts and bolts there. I'll have to add the backing plates later. I added more shaft guard around the hydraulic ram of Otto, just in case that other line wanted to rub.

While in the hole I decided to find and fix the connecting rod from the tiller pilot to the wind vane so it won't fall out anymore. Drilled two small holes in the ¼ " stainless steel rod and inserted two cotter pins. Now that'll keep that rod in place and when need to remove just pull the pins. Added to the list, find some steering fluid.

I tried starting the generator again, it turned over but wouldn't fire off. Kept trying and it finally started, I look out the back and it was making all kind of smoke, the engine kept acting like it was gonna die and then come back to life again. I figured I did get some water to back up into the cylinder again and it'll clear up in a little while. In a little while the nice neighbor who is so good at docking came by howling if everything down below was okay, I came up, sure why, look at all that smoke and oil in the water. Oh shit, ran down and shut off the generator. Now what?

To get to the generator, remove all things from the lazeretts, and put a 6'3" person in a 3'6" space. Get the idea? Checked the oil and it was all milky, meaning I did get water in the engine lots of it. I'm hoping I haven't ruined it. Need to do a quick oil change. But with so much saltwater mixed with the cool oil it is too thick to pump out through the dip stick. So I have to pull the drain plug, and wait for that yuch to fill the engine bed, and try to sop it up with a blanket that I hope I won't have a need for anymore. Boy what a mess. Clean it up, added fresh oil, turned on the engine for a few seconds and repeated a couple more times and oil is still milky. The generator only hole a quart of oil but at this rate I was going to use a lot. Well Buddha needs an oil change so I used the old 8 quarts of oil from him to cycle thru Genny. The second cycle oil not milky anymore. Done another 6 cycles to make sure. Since I can't keep the boat off its sides I'm going to have to come up with a way to keep water from entering Genny. Quick fix, there is a drain on the muffler, just drain the water and leave out the plug just in case. Other fix is installed a block valve between the engine and muffler and close when under way. Another thing on the list of things to do.

Monday 18th,
Now time to check in. We want to go to La Ceiba tomorrow and it might be a good thing to have my passport stamped, just in case. This may not be the only country that don't charge any entry fees for boats but it's the only one I know of. All officials are located in the same building. They just never there at the same time. So it takes a couple hours, way faster than Mexico.

Tuesday 19th,
Sparky have to go get his residency renewed in La Ceiba, I want to go outboard engine shopping. There was a bus from the hotel to the airport for free so I hitched a ride as far as the ferry terminal. I was early but it didn't cost. Advertised as fast ferry, and for a ferry it was fast, them big waves didn't even slow us down. Glad we didn't try to come over in my boat, it would have taken us all day instead of an hour. Before we arrived I was instructed to remove all jewelry, I only own a cheap watch, and take that little camera off my belt and put in my pocket. A bunch of bad guys in the city and if they see an easy target they strike. The taxi driver actually found the Migracion Oficina, we kept asking for Imigracion Officina. To get his papers is just like anywhere else. Hurry-up and wait to find out you have to go to the other side of town to get some more papers, then back again. And hope you don't have to repeat. Sparky got it right in the first cycle, so now we can have some lunch. I'm visioning some nice Honduran restaurant, but we are in a hurry, got an evening ferry to catch. The mall where the Oficina was located had plenty of restaurants to choose from, I choose Chinese Honduran something, Sparky found a US chain.

Next stop the Yamaha dealer in La Ceiba. Dream engine was a Yamaha Enduro 8hp 2-stroke. Can't buy any new 2 strokes in the US anymore, but for the same weight as a 5hp 4 stroke you get more power that will actually get my dinghy on the plane. The only way to get an 8hp in Honduras would be to special order it from Japan, delivery maybe in 6 months. Only a dinghy would use one of these and he selling to the fishing boats, minimum they want are 15hps. That's why they get stolen so often, nobody but a dinghy wants a small motor. I'm thinking of a 9.9hp 4 stroke now. They have a nice 15hp 2 stroke for only $2200. Sparky gives his sell pitch. He should have gotten a commission, because on his advice I bought it. He got one just like it while in Mexico last year and paid $200 more. So for the same weight as a 9.9hp 4 stroke I get more HP. Not that I don't like my little old free 5hp Mariner, it's great for short distances but to really get out there I want something faster and dependable to get me back. Since they accept Visa, deal was done; they will actually deliver the engine to the ferry. My problem to get it to the boat.

Sparky needed something else but we never did find the store. Made it back to the ferry with plenty of time to spare, but no motor yet. Sparky knows one of the guys working there so we spent time talking, Sparky worked his charm and we're getting a discount on the shipping charges. By the time we get this big box loaded in the SUV and to Sparky's house it's too late and I'm too lazy to make it to my boat and deal with that big box by myself. So I spent the night at Sparky's, some of the girls from the weekend were there and we listen to a little Bob M. out on the balcony before it was time to try to get some sleep in a hammock.

Wednesday morning the young guy downstairs, Farell helped us get the motor out of the box and unto the boat. This thing is bulky and heavy, guess the only solution is to start going to the gym. It's mind now. Now to find a place to store this thing until needed.

Other things to fix, try to find out where all this water is coming from. After every hard sail I'm getting water along both sides on the inside. I thought it might be the chain plates but only found one that showed a water stain. Storage area in the aft cabin is wet, glad everything was in plastic boxes, but they are not water proof so some papers did get wet. Glad I got just about everything wrap in plastic. Had an open roll of paper towels that is now mush. Toilet paper spared. Can't find the source may have to start some destruction inspections. No electronics damage, except some dummy left the forward hatch open and one of them buckets or water hit the forward cabin's thermostat. It no longer works; another item to add to the list.

Thursday
Well before I store this monster engine I better make sure it works. Launch the dinghy from the foredeck. Wrestle with the motor until I got it on the transom without it going in the water. Hook up the fuel line and it starts on the 3rd pull. Let it idle for a while, then jump in for a test run. Boy all those horses in the water really make a difference. Book say don't go to full throttle for the first 10hrs. Heck half throttle and feel like you flying, don't know when I'll need full throttle. Spent the rest of the morning playing with my new toy. Now where do I put it? I think it'll fit under the saloon table for now. Now there is only one sitting spot for the table, oh well it's only me.

That evening I hitch a ride on the hotel's bus to Sparky's. From there to the local version of the UPS store. I had a care package from home. All my mail, mostly tax stuff. Darn I still got to do that thing! And more boat parts, and finally the last pieces of the first aid kit arrived. Glad I only needed a bandage thus for. And a brand new ICOM 802 HAM/SSB. That old one I got off of ebay just not doing the job. Lots of stations keep asking me to repeat myself and saying there is a chirping sound.

Friday
First thing is to install HF radio. Need to make sure all that $$ was well spent. Couldn't connect with Phil, but was able to almost connect with Capt. George Golden. When asked to switch frequency's I couldn't. Damn radio out of the box only let you used preprogrammed frequencies. The manual give instructions on how to manually enter a new frequency, but unless you preformed the unlock procedure you can't switch frequency's. But the freaking manual does not give instructions on how to unlock the radio. Got to go to the internet to get instructions. Now how come they can't put it in the manual?

That evening is Fantasy Island version of a Rubber Ducky Race to help raised money for the marine park. It's nowhere near as exciting as PinkPhuree's Rubber Ducky race with almost 2000 ducks. They only had 15 but never the less it was a duck race and all the adults on land was acting like children, cheering there favorite ducks on. There were several dollars betted on each duck, I betted $2 dollars between 2 different ducks. The biggest duck was the odds on favorite. All that windage he should win easily. But he ended up on his side and came in 3rd. Well at least I got my dollar back. The other duck I betted on, the little brown devil looking one came in somewhere in the middle of the flock.

Saturday
Radio checks made to Phil and George, and MMSN on the HAM radio. Nobody complained about the chipping noise and most stations could hear me well. So at least the new radio works. Can now scratch radio problems off the list.

While the dinghy is assessable it's time to install those crack U-bolts. Only I ordered ½" instead of the 3/8" that I needed. Oh well, maybe they won't break anymore since they are twice the size. After that it's time to work on the alternator. Belt seems to keep getting loose. Found the mounting bolt for the alternator installed backwards, reverse it and no more play in the mounting. Also on the list was to change out the battery to the autopilot wireless remote. I've only been having the new battery for 2 months. Now I can steer the boat from anywhere aboard or anywhere within 50feet. I gonna have to try steering the boat from the dinghy one day.

Mon. 25th
Well I have been looking at all this beautiful clear water but haven't gotten under it yet. Time to go diving. First dive was terrible. It's been too long since I had a real dive. I didn't add enough weight and was fighting to stay down. Couldn't relax and enjoy, so I ended up cutting the dive short and followed the students back to the boat. Second dive of the morning was a lot better, but now have a leak in the inflator hose to the BCD.

Instead of the normal happy hour at the marina Jerry added a Wine tasting contest. The winner or the contest would be the types of red wine served at Happy Hour. Too bad it wasn't a rum tasting contest, I would have really been messed up afterwards (drunk). Now we are too happy to go cook something to eat, but Fantasy Island is an all inclusive resort. So the plan was launched, just show up like you belong there and leave a good tip and nobody will ask for money. It worked, just don't make a habit of it or they will come to the boat looking for payment.

There was a big group from Canada or Quebec that reserved every room at the resort. Most of them divers and only spoke French. Made for quite an interesting week, Spanish, French and every now and then someone was speaking English. I don't know if the Garifuna Dancer's was just for them or something the resort done every Monday, but they had this camp fire on the beach where the dancers performed. It was what it was.

Tuesday
Went diving again. But what a special treat, a couple from Canada and me had the whole dive boat to ourselves. Dive master took us to one of his favorite places. Forgot the name but there was a yellow seahorse located just where he said it would be. Big cracks in the reef form by an earthquake many years ago. The second dive had more cracks but not open on top, like doing a cave dive.

Once back at the dive shop I started talking with the head guy in charge, the guy who came to my rescue when I was stuck on the reef, about a dive sticker he had on his wall. It was a NABS sticker. He informed me that he has finally gotten the National Association of Black Scuba divers to come to his island this November for their annual Dive Summit. Come to find out I met the brother at Houston's Sea Space a few years ago, and promised to send him some customers. To all of my brother and sisters who belong to NABS, you will enjoy this trip. And don't forget to ask Daren and Vilma about the crazy guy on a sailboat that passed thru in February. I mention to them what the summits are like; they can't wait to have that many black divers in the water at the same time. Hurry up and get down there NABS. Sure wish I could make the next summit, but I'm supposed to be somewhere in the South Pacific by then.

Wednesday
I promised Sparky I would help him install some solar panels on his boat to keep the battery charge to keep the bilge pump running to keep the boat from sinking. He can't leave an electric card from shore to the boat, someone will steal it. He came by the marina right on time - sometime that morning. First stop at one of his favorite places for breakfast. Kind of like a tacoria in a gas station, cheap good food. Only cost a dollar. We finally found a welding shop that had the brackets we wanted, but the owner was in one of the local bars, nobody knew which one. By evening the panels were temporarily mounted. But the green light on the controller wasn't working. Took it back to the store where we bought it from and it work on their system. So back to the boat only to hit a rock which punctured the tire. No spare and no jack. Someone stole the jack already and the spare was flatter then the flat. Hitch hiked back home, caught a ride with a guy who keeps his boat anchored in Brick Bay just behind Sparky's boat. They had been trying to get in touch with each other, finally by chance.

Next day, first order of business was to fix the flat. Surprisingly no one stole the SUV or any of its contents. So it was just a matter of getting someone with a jack and lug wrench to remove old tire and install a brand new used tire. We never did get the mounting brackets for the solar panels, so we just used some wire ties to keep the wind from blowing them away. A thief - nothing will stop those pirates. At the end of the day, the green light came on and as far as we could tell the battery was getting a charge. Boat might not sink while he's away.

Sat. 2nd
Sparky have an early afternoon flight, headed back to the USA. I now have no more tour guide. I'm gonna have to have fun all on my own.

Monday
Time to get the boat ready to go. Motored to the fuel dock and added 50 gal. diesel. Darn, I used a lot to get here from Isla Mujeres. It was only 300nm as the bird fly, but that current really added to the miles over water.
Had laundry done. When I went to pay the bill at happy hour I was told you cannot have a laundry bill higher than the bar bill. Boy did I pay for that the next morning.

Thursday
All the previous days were spend getting the boat ready for another ocean passage. All the previous nights were spent writing stuff for the blog and posting pictures. That blog is beginning to be work. I sure hope you guys like it.

Left Roatan early in the morning just as planned, at about 230pm. Got hunged up doing last minute emails and lunch with Lenny from Emily Morgan. But I did make it out to the ocean without running aground.