The Fleet prepares to move onto the Next Season
Sowell Family's Travels on Gijima
Skipper: Tim Sowell Admiral Tracy Crew Sean & Alex
Tue 14 Sep 2010 13:53
of months on the dry for a complete redo. Yes Mitta Kulluu which has been
out cruising for 12 years (Bill and Jean) have had their boat out of the
water for 4 months on the island and lived in a house on the island. As Bill
put it he has got around to many of jobs he had on the list 12 years ago
when they started cruising, like us we have been able to plough through
those small jobs, but in Bill's case they are not small he re varnished the
whole of the inside.
But around the estuary there is a hive of activity as people get ready to
all leave within the next month. "Indian Summer" has returned with many
things for us(we now have covers over all ports and new fans), but they are
struggling with the house batteries which have failed while they were away,
but found some replacements locally. I am reinstalling the boat electronics
like Danny and other boats which we will test. Plus I spent 3 hours
capturing google earth charts of Costa Rica and researching the coast line.
This process is good as it gives you a good understanding of the coast
especially when you are comparing it with the cruising guides. You can zoom
in and see the coast the swell entering and then usually see photos on
Google Earth, I am able to look at possible plans. But like we learnt coming
down Mexico plans are for changing, the real thing is to understand the
options, and be able to discuss with others, local fish men (which I am
doing a lot more) and then consider weather.
Today Chuck on "Cherry Bowl" a steel trawler is meant to leave on the
morning tide, but I expected him to be underway already but the rain is
coming down, so I am not sure he will go out today, he is only going down 40
miles to the next port to be hauled to fix a hole he has in the boat from
last season (one of the nice things about a Steel boat is you can just cut
out a section of the hull and weld in a new piece. But Chuck and his
girlfriend basically cruise the Caribbean and Panama for the last 9 years
and have retired down that way, he and I have talked a lot about places in
Panama which we will now visit. Based on the books and talking to people
Tracy and I do not want spend too long in Costa Rica we would prefer to
explore the islands of Panama, they just sound magical, but again we will
see and it depends on shipping dates. As we read the blogs of some of our
friends doing the Pacific Crossing they too are coming to end of their trip,
all now moving fast through the western pacific to get to safe anchorages
for the Cyclone Season coming.
I am also in contact with a number of boats who planning to start their
voyages this year, and others in the Sea of Cortez all in the same mode of
preparing, planning and dreaming of the upcoming months of cruising, I think
this time is as fun as the cruising it's self as you imagination, research
and dreams allow you to explore.
Well it is full tide, we have light showers coming down doubt they will last
long, but filling up the tank, I need to complete the electronics re install
today, and modify the washing machine to improve the longevity of repairs we
have done here, we will see.
Stay tuned.