Preparing the Boat for rainy Season
Sowell Family's Travels on Gijima
Skipper: Tim Sowell Admiral Tracy Crew Sean & Alex
Tue 20 Apr 2010 22:11
jobs, and getting ready for ray season which will start when we are away.
I had a local diver join me on a bottom dive today, we went over the boat
totally, 3 1/2 hours duck diving the bottom, (who needs a gym to stay fit).
The viability for some reason was not good so when I diving the prop I had
to get within 1 foot to see it, and that makes it interesting when you have
a screw driver and pliers to change the zink, while duck diving. We got the
old zinc off after the struggle and then found the new zincs the wrong size
big issue so now I have ordered them from San Salvador we will try again
tomorrow morning. It was interesting diving today as the young local was
like a seal, he dived the 8 feet to bottom of the keel without any effort,
and 8 feet in the not the issue it is also going in, and then applying
pressure on the hull to clean it. Once is fine but for 3 hours, and
swimming around the boat a couple of times, and then the tide change swings
in and the current goes to 3 to 5 knots so now you holding on by a rope so
as to avoid being dragged off. So what I found was the most effective was to
use the rope as guide and I pulled myself in past the rudder and next to
prop, where you lean against the rope as holds you in place. Makes for an
entertaining and physically good start to the day, the water temperature in
88 today so nice.
I also ordered a set of Port Light rain covers it will be interesting to see
if they turn up before we leave. But I would like them in order to get some
circulation of air while we are away.
I know I have talk about getting into the lifestyle rhythm but Dan Fitz said
you will know when you have reached it when you can be very engaged and
enjoying a detailed discussion debate with other cruisers around anchoring,
being able to contribute and enjoy. Well this happened today we had 3 of us
in the pool after the morning work, and we discussed anchors, tackle and
situations, two of have Rocna anchors. Even though I have anchored 100s of
times, I enjoyed the discussion, on types of bottoms, holding, swivels, and
bridles learning as we discuss. Dan maybe I have hit that spot and I am very
satisfied with the lifestyle. The next discussion I want is experience
around dinghy glued parts in the heat as some of my attachments are coming
on, I suspect I will need some good glue, I have tried one fix this
afternoon, and we will see but maybe over a beer at sunset.
To show how the community is developing, one of ladies off Sunsenation
started a exercise session, which Tracy attended and enjoyed, she does this
as Sean and I did Spanish using Rossetta Stone and then watching some
Spanish cartoons. The nice thing it forces Tracy to split away from the kids
and do her own thing for an hour or so, and the timing fits well in after
the home schooling. This afternoon we are all heading off to a different
bar/ restaurant about 2 miles up the river for sun downers, it is getting to
know the community, going beyond Bahia De Sol.
It is getting to Sun Downer time!!