9:20.24N 82:10.66W
Red Frog Marina, Isla Bastimientos, Bocas del Toro, Panama
10.-18. January 2012

The prettiest and tiniest airplane I ever flew in!

Only 1 hour flight with Nature Air from San Jose de Costa Rica to Bocas del Toro in Panama with stunning view over the beautiful lands below us.

We were happy to see that the Marina had taken really good care of Andromeda and over all, she looked in pretty good shape.

However, while getting her ready and trying out every device, we faced the inevitable fact that various things needed repair or replacement.

The only 2 things that are still giving us trouble is the port sail drive and the generator. We knew it would either need repair or replacement. However, since spare parts are difficult to get and the salt water had been sitting in it for so many months, surely the damage is huge, so we decided to order an entire new sail drive unit which will be shipped to Shelter Bay in Colon.

There, we’ll haul out Andromeda for replacement before going through the Panama Canal beginning of March.

The generator has cost Michael and diesel engine expert sailor Jeff many hours ducked into the little hot space – unfortunately without result. We’re hoping for another mechanic in Shelter Bay. Til then, we’ll just have to live without water maker and washing machine. Both is easy here in Bocas thanks to the local laundry and almost daily rain showers.

So we’ve been pretty busy on board, but to Michael’s delight the surf has been pretty decent and he enjoyed some nice sessions at the various surf breaks around the islands.
Word is running around and Bocas has become a popular surfer’s destination. With the negative effect of kind of crowded spots.

We’ll move to the Bocas anchorage to pick up Iris’s friend who’s coming on the 20^th!