Back on the Hard
Five Islands
John & Sue
Mon 14 Jul 2014 19:51
It is now 10th July 2014 so a couple of months (at least) since our last update. It has been a fairly frustrating time. As you may recall, the cutless bearing on the port side could not be removed whilst the shaft was still in the strut. When we returned from Antigua, we had the boat lifted and dropped both the rudders, so the shaft could be removed and took the opportunity to inspect and clean the rudder posts. The bearing had to be cut out of the strut. The strut tube was then cleaned up and the new bearing fitted. We sent the shaft and the coupler to Dennis the Machinist for facing. We went back in the water after spending 4 months in the boat yard. Such a relief to have wind in our face again even though we were still tied to the dock. This was short lived due to engine not being able to be aligned. The new Supervisor at RAM Marina then came to have a look and informed us that we have to be hauled again. No sailing this season!!! We are now thinking that we will take the opportunity to re-power with 30hp Yanmars. The engines that are currently in Five Islands are 18hp Shibaura diesels which are a bit underpowered. We have made enquiries and feel confident that the expertise is here to do it. We have a couple of quotes for the new engines and are just waiting for a quote from the yard to do the work. Anyway we are back on land again. Following are some photos of the happenings since our return from Antigua in April. Red moon (lunar eclipse) as seen from the boat at around 1am.  Jocote fruit - sweet pulpy flesh which clings to the seed - yummy  Cashew - the fruit grows from the tree and the nut grows at the base of the fruit (or cashew apple). There are several trees here at the marina.  The cashew is called Maranon and the flesh of the apple is pulpy, stringy but really juicy. The Fruit is used for juice rather than eaten but we had a go anyway. Really unusual texture and we can understand why it is juiced rather than eaten.  Semana Santa is also a big deal on the Rio Dulce with the 'Procession of the Cross' happening in boats on the water. The procession made its way to 12 or 13 locations around the river where a blessing was asked for and given.  RAM Marinas fuel dock where the blessing was received.  Adan looks on as the benediction is read and the blessing by the priest is given  Jesus bearing the cross. A wooden statue. The gown is different each year.  Purple predominates. I was given one of these shirts to put on as i was standing on the dock taking photos.  The cruisers sitting watching the procession outside the RAM store.  This tree in the boatyard came into flower. A spectacular show that lasted 3 days only. It is now where 'Saber' is buried. She was a gorgeous dog belonging to Maureen, Charlie, Brendan & Beth from 'Kamaloha’.  Our Panamanian orchard sent out 2 flowers this year. It is still hanging from the arch at the back of the boat, clinging to the San Blas Islands coconut shell.  This is how you transfer crew from one 'mega power boat' to another. Pull in close and jump from the rail onto the deck of the other boat.  From the bridge. MAR Marina is in the foreground on the left and RAM Marina is across the bay on the right. That is the distance we have travelled in our boat this season.  View of the Rio Dulce looking down river from the bridge.  Extracting rudders. The rudder was supported as 'Five Islands' was lifted by the travel lift.  A happy hour sunset form the RAM dock.  We went out sailing on Lake Isabel with Dani & Jens (S/V Arwen) one afternoon. The lake is inland from where the marinas are located. It is a wide expanse of water and the afternoon breeze had us cruising along at 6.5kts, although being on a monohull it was at an angle (heeled). Not used to this as a catamaran doesn't sail tipped over. Decided to head back when this storm developed.  The light was beautiful.  The bridge over the Rio Dulce.  Water taxi depot in Fronteras.  Going under the bridge. Jens had to line 'Arwen' up and go under the high point. There are some power lines at that point as well (a little lower than the bridge).  Happy hour sitting at anchor on 'Arwen' after a great afternoon 'out’.  A bit of drama in the main street of Fronteras when the Chicken cafe caught on fire. It took at bit of push and shove to get the Bomberos (fire) truck through the press of traffic and people. The fire was successfully put out - all while we sat at a little 'comidor' and ate lunch.  Putting the cleaned and painted rudders back in (Byron & Frendi) with Noe looking on.  RAM farewell to Mark & Michelle, the couple on the left, from S/V Reach. The lovely Karen, the Marina Manager, saying a few words. Mark & Michelle were here for many months having the stern of their 40ft Manta Catamaran extended. It is now 42ft. Mark designed the extension and supervised the work. She looked pretty smick when finished. Eli & Marla are now doing the same to their 38ft Manta 'Iguana Dance’.  Back into the water for a few weeks before we hauled out again.  Went to town one day to do the shop and lucked onto a parade of school marching bands, who were competing in the regional component of the national competition. The dancers would proceed the band.  The costumes were spectacular as was the music. They were all really good.  Drums  Even the little kids got to participate and dress up in satin and lace. Doesn't get much better than this.  This is the ultimate 'hard top' bimini. Obviously not going very far any time soon.  Dinghy dock at Buno's, a Marina, restaurant and accommodation business that is for sale for around $US 1 million.  Castillo San Felipe located at the point the Rio Dulce river enters Lake Isabel. Rumours abound about a sunken Spanish galleon with a cargo of gold coin, although we did meet someone who said he had bought some a from a local who had discovered a wreck at the bottom of Lake Isabel. That brings us up to our trip to Belize (without the boat). I will continue that story in the next blog - we had such a good time. |