Working on the boat - wiring always seems to be a bugger when you buy a used boat.

 

Greg has been working for almost three weeks straight now and I can't get him to take a day off. He says the wiring on the boat is driving him crazy; he can't just ignore it. The other night in frustration he wrote this to a friend. Perhaps it will be useful to someone faced with the same problem - or it will just illustrate how frustrated Greg is.

"This boat had 3 solar panels and three separate charge controllers, one per panel. For whatever reason one panel was uninstalled and tied to the ceiling of the salon. I watched the two installed panels turn each other off one morning after I consolidated the battery bank. The first panel that got sun would start charging and raise the battery voltage, but only put out 4 amps. The second controller decided the batteries were therefore charged and would not pass any current. Then the mast shaded part of the first panel and the process would reverse. Never, EVER did I get the combined output of both panels. (ARRGH!) So I ripped out three charge controllers that cost the last owner $120.00 apiece and put in a single MPPT controller from BZ products ($149.00.) It can run all three panels simultaneously. With two panels working I got output at 9:00 a.m. and it

climbed to over 7 amps then floated the batteries before noon. Encouraged, I got out the third panel. It mounts on the dodger and uses a sort of trailer plug for the connection. Once installed it produced nothing! I started unwrapping taped-over wire and discovered 5 butt connectors on the negative wire (plus the connector) and 4 more on the positive wire. A pair of butt connectors was used to add one inch of wire!!???

 

I could measure over 19 volts coming off the panel but at the controller end I was only getting 7.6 volts. Apparently someone told the last owner that it was important (read CRITICAL) to match positive/negative wire lengths on DC systems (--??.) This can be true in high impedance systems and HF radio but really a bad idea on DC. Here are the rules I’ve internalized for DC wiring:

1) Never use any longer a wire run that necessary. A “run”means both sides, negative and positive (and these don’t need to be the same length).

2) Create a ground bus system. Use a run of big (really BIG) wire from one end to the other and connect everything to it.

3) Download a wire size calculator spreadsheet and live by it. If it tells you that you should use # 8 wire then DO it!

4) Connections cost you 2 volts/connection after these get some oxidation and these will in a boat (unless the wire size is so big that it makes no difference), so don’t splice wire and crimp/slder and heat shrink connections if at all possible. Especially splices!

5) MAKE THE WIRING SIMPLE. Don’t use paired cable if you can get shorter runs from your ground bus,

6) label EVERYTHING.

Incredibly, there is lots of wire on the boat, but if you want a piece smaller than #8 you must salvage it from some unnecessary installation. We have a large carry bag full (50 lbs or so) of cable up to 2/0 (11 feet in black and red just in case) and enough short connectors of various lengths to create a bank of 30 batteries or so (of course the boat might have trouble floating!.) Just removing the unnecessary solar wiring produced about 24 feet of #10 wire. But try to find a piece of #12, hmmm! Nothing happens in Mexico between Xmas and New Years and that means the chandlery is closed. I went to my favorite ferreteria and asked for “connectodors para cable” and got ushered to the back where I was shown “Todos” where I proceeded to buy them out of # 10 eyelets and spades. The boat comes complete with enough 18/22 and 16/14 “connectadors” and butt connectors of all sizes to stock Hardware Sales in Bellingham (best hardware store in the Pac. NW), but try to find a #10 eyelet for a ¼ in. stud – well!

Thanks for letting me blow off steam. Tomorrow I start plumbing the water maker because we’ll be getting our brackets and pulley soon (well manana, you know – in the next two weeks)."  Greg Hurt

Today Greg is working on installing the watermaker. I have to occasionally refocus him as he gets distracted by some new wiring enigma. Of course the membrane won't fit where he had initially planned to put them but it looks like he may have come up with a better plan. Its become obvious to me now, after two installations, that almost anyone can build a watermaker. However, designing the necessary mount for the pressure pump will probably throw most people. Fortunately for us, Greg is skilled at design and creating the engineering drawing for the machinist.

The skies were cloudy this morning and now the wind is starting to howl so its time to pack it in for the day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life in a San Carlos Boatyard

 

 

 

 

It's been almost two weeks now since we boarded Gitana and started clearing the decks. Greg has made it through his exhaustion and is getting his second wind as his muscles get back into shape. Me - my muscles are slowing coming back. Climbing up and down the ladder isn't a challenge anymore and my biceps are getting used to hauling up 40 lb bags and water jugs by rope. I can tie a bowline in my sleep now.

 

We have had some beautiful blue-sky days. Today is 72 deg and light clouds.

 

Marina Seca is very well run and kept extremely clean. Every pair of boats shares a power pedestal and each has its only water faucet which delivers potable water. We have a large area behind the boat for storage and it is kept cleaned and raked. 

 

The Marina Seca parking lot is very nicely landscaped.

A guard is always on duty along with two guard dogs, Pinto and Gourdo. We can walk back and forth through the gate at any time but we can only drive into the yard up until 5 pm and only for 15 min.

Our view to the south off the stern.

 

 Our afternoon view to the east.

 

The first few days we ate all of our meals in restaurants. One of our favorites is Evie's, home of San Carlos' best lemonada. There is a restaurant and bar upstairs where we had some terrific ribs ( pop: 1 bartender/chef, 1 bar patron and us ).

 



 

Our first breakfast was at Evie's

 



 Barracuda Bob's is a cruisers' favorite. It's located next to the marina, the manager (owner?) speaks English and the prices are great. It's very busy in the morning and always very welcoming. Gotta love the parking and artwork.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greg hadn't had coffee in a couple of days (can't find a grinder) and was looking a little glum. B. Bob's fixed that. Bagel and cream cheese was 25 pesos ($2) and burrito breakfast wrap was 60 pesos ($4.90). This was a lot less than eating at the hotel. 

Barracuda Bob's operates a very nice and clean launderia next door which also provides Internet.

 



 

 Last Wednesday I wanted to wash a lot of canvas and discovered the B. Bob's was closed so I hunted down another launderia that I had noticed in town. That was an interesting experience. The attendant, who was very busy ironing some one's laundry, didn't speak English but communicated that I could do my own washing and drying and pay her when I was done. Instead of 30 pesos ($2.50) per load it was 35 pesos (I thought the US laundries were expensive). There were several different washer models and it took me a while to figure them all out.

 

Once we got the boat somewhat sorted out and inventoried we headed out to shop. We were buying most things locally since we couldn't fit much in the car. There are several medium sized "supermerchados" near Marina Seca. The Sante Fe supermercado is actually within walking distance.  The markets are very well organized and kept very  clean. Every market has something slightly different - consequently we had to visit just about every store in town to get our "basics". Fortunately, Santa Fe has a very good selection of wines and liquors (our bar is better than it was in WA). A drinkable bottle of wine is less than $8 and tequila is CHEAP! Actually, I did get a bottle of Vino Tinto from Spain for $4 and it was fine with my chicken mole (the best I've ever made - I have to say). 

 

 

 

 

Frutas y Verduras (fruits & vegetables) look good and are priced reasonably. This could be a produce section in any number of US stores.  The dairy section is interesting. Yogurt comes in bright colors packed in big bags.  The meat section would take some people aback. Big frozen blocks of meat sit in front of the meat counter. The trays of chicken feet give me the creeps.

After the food was stowed we had to venture further out to find tools and kitchen utensils. I could not understand how a civilized culture could feed itself without the aid of a spatula or a whisk (I can't do everything with just the 20+ knives that we found on the boat)!

 

On the the why to Guaymas (pronounced Y mas) we came up behind a group of caballeros.

 

 

 A Home Depot has opened in Guaymas. We found a few items here; the store has less than the ones in the US. I found it extremely interesting that the parking lot was a permeable surface - grass under the cars. Sometimes Mexico is ahead of the US in innovations.

As much as I hate it, we were forced to shop at Walmart. At least I was contributing something to the Mexican economy so I was able to sleep that night. An Auto Zone provided the freon and gauges that Greg needed to service our fridge. A very large Ley supermercado in a newer shopping center made my little heart sing when I finally found my whisk and spatulas.

 

 



 

At this point Greg has installed the new roller furling and the new boom. Gitana was finally relieved of about 100 lbs of Mexican dirt and now we start paying attention to smaller details.

 

Gitana gets her new hailing port.

 Now for family matters.

Cinnamon has his own friends and fans so no blog would be complete with mentioning his activities. He has adjusted very nicely.

 

He has been busy checking the sail inventory and investigating every nook and cranny for any stowaways. He is much more curious about the great outdoors and he frequently walks the deck or calls down to us from the top of the ladder if we are working below. He has accepted the new bathroom facility we provided between the qtr berth and the companionway steps. His sleeping preference has not been made clear to us as yet. He has been trying numerous alternatives.  

 

 


 His favorite spot (as usual) when we aren't in it, is the bed.

 

On our way south we visited with our family and I wanted to share some pics (forgive me, I'm a grandma). We finally had an opportunity to visit with Greg's older son Paul and his family.



 

Paul and Renee's three children: Aislin, Bryann and Coen.

 



It was really nice to experience a little bit of Christmas. Bryann and Gunner posed for me by the Christmas tree.

 

 

 

I had lots of doggie moments while staying in Roseville, CA.

 

Granddaughter Joey (Trevor's daughter) loves to snuggle and carry Einstein (Trevor's dog ?), a toy Schnauzer, around the house.

 

Merry Christmas to all our friends and sailing buddies.

We will toast you on Christmas Eve.

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



South to San Carlos, Mexico

Mount Shasta, California    Over 14,000 feet high, last erupted in 1786 

 

 

The stress of waiting month after month for the completion of our purchase of Gitana finally ended in November. But that was nothing compared to the stress of putting Comocean "to bed", packing up and loading the car for the trip. I kept telling myself that this was the first time and following years would get easier. Many things that were important got left behind because there just wasn't any room in the car. The hardest to leave behind, and most important, was the sewing machine. The new boom and furling mechanism were securely mounted on the roof.

We left Blaine, WA on Tuesday Dec. 4th. Cinnamon was given his kitty sedative (NOT an easy task) and placed in his spacious carrier for a pleasant ride to Portland where we visited our friends Ken and Rita. Cin got to join us in the motel that night and he had a great time exploring the room. The next day we headed to Roseville, CA (near Sacramento) to visit family. I decided to see if Cinnamon could ride quietly on my lap and not try to crawl under the steering wheel or gas pedal (as he has done in the past when it was just he and I in the car).

To our surprise he was quite content to sit on the console between us, which only caused a little trouble when shifting gears. He was even interested in looking at the scenery from time to time.



Saturday we drove to Columbia, CA to visit our good sailing buddies Mel and Ann. They are refitting a Lancer sailboat which will be their Baja boat (another north/south boat duo). Sunday we were on our way again.

Here is a trick question for Washingtonians.

What is this?

You don't see this very often. Its not a Martha Stewart paint chip.

 

Its BLUE SKY. Did you guess right?
 

Driving through Arizona was a breeze with very light traffic and temps was perfect.

 

Crossing the border at Nogales wasn't too hard. Communication was a bit difficult since the guards didn't speak English and Greg had a very hard time understanding them. They looked through the windows of the car but were really only interested in what was on top. I showed them the picture of Gitana and pointed to the boom and the furler, and showed them the receipts. Once they grasped that these were new, they insisted on collecting 16% tax,  $156 US- ouch!.

 

 The route to San Carlos is on toll roads (25 pesos or about $2). The road is being redone and we switched from side to side as different sections were being torn up.

 

 

 

Approaching Hermisillo which is northwest of San Carlos.

 

 

Traffic was very congested in Hermisillo and driving through town wasn't a lot of fun.

 

"Flavor with Character - TECATE for you!"

 





I practice my Spanish by reading billboards and business signs as we drive along.

 

The trip from Tucson to San Carlos took close to 7 hours including the border crossing.

We arrived in San Carlos about three in the afternoon which gave us two hours to unload the Subaru before cars are locked out. Security is very tight at Marina Seca (dry marina).

Driving toward Marina Seca you can see Tetakawi (the volcanic mountain) in the distance. Unlike Hermisillo, San Carlos is very laid back and traffic is light.
 

The boats are moved from Marina Seca through town to the put in by low boy trailer. Tetakawi is visible from almost everywhere.

I wanted a sail-away ready boat, not a project boat, but I didn't get one.  The wiring is even worse than Greg thought. Now the really hard work begins. It took two days to figure out how to get 12 V power system up and running.

 

Good thing the comment on our neighbors boat is true.

San Carlos, Mexico Here We Come

 

 Looking out to Bahia San Carlos

 

 

Well, we finally have everything! We are packing (me somewhat frantically) for our planned Tuesday Dec. 4th departure. Cinnamon and I had quite a spat today when I insisted on putting his halter on him so he could get used to it. He demonstrated with several bites, one of which penetrated the skin, that he did not like it one bit! It will be a small miracle if everything fits in the Subaru. Greg was very restrained with his clothing - me not so much. He says we are going camping and to be prepared to rough it. Six months is a long camping trip.

 

 



 

Sharing a table with a 335 sq ft sail is a little challening.

 

Greg decided to cut down Comocean's old gib to fit Gitana and he hopes he estimated the height correctly. It's amazing what you can do with a Sailrite machine and an old sail in a small cockpit. The only casualties where a few broken needles.

 

After thinking about how difficult it can be to find fresh water in remote cruising areas we decided to uninstall the water maker from Comocean and cart it to San Carlos to install in Gitana. I wouldn't want to do this every year, since damaging the membranes would be very expensive, but it will delay the outlay of several thousand more dollars. Silly me, I thought I was getting a "sail-away ready" boat. We have invested several thousand dollars so far purchasing the things that Greg believes are absolutely necessary.

 

After a couple of stops to visit family we will be heading down 395 and hopefully reach San Carlos by Dec. 10th.

 

After a few weeks or so in the yard getting her shipshape we look forward to a planned visit with friends in Puerto Penasco (northern sea mainland side) and hopefully see our Mulege friends in the spring. We would love to have other friends join us if you would like to see Mexico.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good News

Things are looking up. Just received our Mexican importation permit for Gitana ( in only 4 days!) which came via DHL delivery. When we were in La Paz in 2011 waiting for my meds from Sacramento it took over three weeks by regular mail.

Got email confirmation of the US Coast Guard Cert. of Documentation on Monday the 5th; it only took one day to process after they received all the correct paper work. It only took the owner of the unnamed documentation service three days to accomplish what his employee couldn't in the previous 6 months. Haven't received the actual document as yet, but should be coming soon.

We have decided to pull the water maker out of Comocean and install it in Gitana so we don't have to worry about running out of water in remote locations. Greg has ordered all the parts that we think we will need and they are arriving daily.

We should be heading south very soon. Looking forward to seeing our Sacramento family and Baja friends again.

On top of all that, I'm really happy about the election results.

Wish We Were There

San Carlos Marina

 

Winter is close and we should be heading to Mexico now, we want to, but our efforts have been foiled by the documentation process. We have paid for Gitana but we don't own her.

Its a long and complicated story full of ineptitude and deception. Now six, almost seven months, after our offer was accepted, we still don't have a boat or our money! The documentation service, an established and well-respected company which I will not name, released the funds to the sellers before the documents were verified and accepted by the Coast Guard. The sellers don't have any motivation at this point to cooperate so who knows if the necessary documents can be obtained.

You might say, "Well that's what you get for buying a boat in Mexico". But - the sale was completed in the United States by a US company and the sellers are in Southern California. This shouldn't have been all that complicated.

We contacted the Coast Guard to see where the boat was in the documentation process last week and they returned our email in less than 24 hrs. They informed us that it had been rejected back in August. Apparently the agent overseeing the process at the unnamed company had dispersed the funds prematurely and hadn't given the situation much attention since;  her boss didn't know what was happening. Once we brought it to his attention he had an "oh shit!" moment. He took over and is now "giving it my full attention". He assured us yesterday that he should be able to clear this all up - when? who knows. Not good enough. We gave him two weeks to either get acceptable docs to the Coast Guard or return our money (which will come from his own pocket or his insurance company).

I want the boat. I want to be in the Sea of Cortez. Hopefully, this will all work out and we will be leaving soon. All the other boats we considered have been sold so I would have to start all over again and spend another cold winter in Washington.

 

What I have to look forward to. Another Washington winter.