We ran from Cabo San Lucas up to Los Frailes, then Los Muertes, and finally up to La Paz. We stayed there for over a month, getting fridge repaired (that was pretty quick, filling up on shore food, making Sam's club reprovisioning runs, etc. Note: The barnacles grow FAST in La Paz! in 21 days we had about 1/4" to 3/8" of barnacles on our prop! Had to clean it off in order to go anywhere! We also finally installed the 210 amp Balmar alternator w/ external regulator on the Gardner. I de-rated the output of the alternator to 65%, or around 135 amps. So with the main engine running, the hydraulically powered generator running, providing power to the Victron Quattro Inverter Charger, and good solar input, we can put about 350 amps into the 1200 ah of LiFePO4 batteries, staying below their max allowable charge rate. For a short trip, we can use them all, and charge the batts from 50%, up to 100% in about two hours.
We ventured out of La Paz and spent about 10 days around Espiritu Santos and Isle Partido. Absolutely stunning! We finally broke out the SUP's as well (SUP = Stand up, Fall down,climb back on, rinse and repeat paddleboards). This brought 4 of them with us, thinking of all the people who would be visiting us on the boat . . . This was the first time we the opportunity to try them out. We ended up figuring out which two we liked the most, and sold the other two. A note on that: It is not legal for cruisers who are not MX citizens to "sell" stuff in MX, so we trade for "Coconuts"
when advertising on the morning cruising nets . . .
The run from La Paz to Mazatlan was a port beam sea and was kind of rolly, even with the paravanes out. It was 30 hours from Los Muertos to Mazatlan at about 6.5kts (ish). The entrance to Marina Mazatlan is kind of gnarly. Our old cruising guide said to do the entrance at slack, keeping to the RIGHT side of the channel. Local knowledge stated stay to the LEFT side of the channel, and the soundings on Navionics bore that out. We draw 5.5', but had no issues aside from the four local charter boats that came tearing out of the channel taking their half right our of the middle as we were heading in.
We did some more maintenance here in Mazatlan, and finally installed the fresh H20 wash down system, parts for which we have been dragging with us from Washington State. So we can pull into an anchorage after a passage, anchoring with 6 or 8 veteran sailboats, and do a full fresh water wash down of the solar panels, windows, and decks!
causing high blood pressure and stokes on the sailors who all insist that a couple on a cruising sailboat can survive on < 1 gallon of fresh water/day!
We didn't move on a boat to camp. Or to just "survive". I can sleep in a ditch on the side of the road rolled up in a wet poncho . . . been there, done that. I have no desire to ever do it again if I can help it!
We're taking the opportunity here in Mazatlan to have the boat bottom cleaned. Rueben did a nice job for 13,000 pesos, or about $76 usd. Currently having Lois and crew clean/polish all the stainless, wash the entire exterior, and wax it. Total cost 8,500 pesos, or $500.00. It takes a bit of "supervision" to make sure that all the parts are clean, but overall, they are doing a good job. Similar jobs in the US are something I don't even want to contemplate, cost wise!
We also plan on putting on enough fuel to get us through to Panama before we leave Mazatlan.
In a few days, Laura and I (and three cats), and Peter and Cheryl on Weebles will depart for points South. Our current goal is to leave Mexico on or before 29 March so we don't have to worry about resetting our visa.
We have some personal issues, that depending on how they play out, may expedite our movement down to Panama and through the Panama Canal. We'll know in a few days or a week how that's going to play out.
The Wx here has been colder. Last night it got down to about 57 degrees! Brrrrr, Entirely too cold. We actually had to use blankets on the bed!
We may try fishing again as we head down the coast, but we need to eat our way though some of the tuna in the freezer first.
Well, more later after we get moving. Take care all!
. We look forward to meeting your guys in person!
