mvweebles
Guru
- Joined
- Mar 21, 2019
- Messages
- 7,745
- Location
- United States
- Vessel Name
- Weebles
- Vessel Make
- 1970 Willard 36 Trawler
No idea if this will be interesting, but thought I'd keep a log of day-to-day activities in the closing 6-months or so of my refit. Most days are pretty boring - I will be in Ensenada for another 2-weeks.
Today:
Organized some parts in my storage locker. I have a fairly large storage locker ("Bodega") where I keep spares and parts that will eventually be returned to the boat. I organized my electrical toolbag today. Pending are spare screws, toolbags for plumbing, mechanical, painting, etc.
Programmed the two solar MPPT controllers. They seem to be working fine. I have four 200W panels on my hardtop separated into two: starboard and port. I had to reset one of the controllers which is sort of a pain as it requires all power be removed. Seemed easy until I removed the two pairs of leads (one to the battery, one to the panels) and realized they were both hot. Caution.....
Orlando, the head mechanical guy, was working on the saloon A/C. I had ductwork constructed by Juan (carpenter/fiberglass) but the Webasto 16 Btu A/C needs installation. This requires 5" diameter insulated ductwork which is unusual. I ended up buying a 25-foot coil from Suremarine in the Seattle area but asked that they only ship the 2-feet I actually need. The rest I have no use for. Happens a lot on a project like this.
The Cutless Bearing has been pulled so I will need to pickup a replacement. I am on a first-name basis with the good people at San Diego Marine Exchange (SDMX) 80-miles north. I make the run every week or so. Pain in the ass.
Our dinghy is in. Meaning it has arrived at a freight terminal at Otay Mesa, a commercial area several miles east of San Diego. I need to get it from there to Ensenada, over the Border and Mexican customs. I have no idea how this will work out. Not even sure it will fit in my RV/Camper van. No idea about a lot of things. But I guess we'll figure it out next week. Scary.
Dinner at Wendlandt Brewpub which is a 20-min walk from our apartment. Ensenada is Mexico's top brew-pub region, and Wendlandt won top honors for the IPA a couple years ago. Really good beer. And their ceviche is fantastic. I had three beers, my other half had two. Two Ceviche tostadas and Mac & Cheese in the company of two adorable barmaids who have become friends. $510 pesos ($26 USD, plus tip). We stopped for ice cream on the way home ($43 pesos, $2.25 USD, for a cone).
I gave notice today at my work that I am done in 2-weeks. They want me to stay for a while longer for a couple small projects which I am happy to do, but there is now an expiration date stamped on my ass that clearly has a mid-2022 date. I like my work, I like the people I work with. Miraculously, they seem to like me and want me to stay. But its time to move on.
I'll try to inclide some pictures along the way. No offense taken if you find this boring. And no offense if anyone wants to take pot-shots. Just know it's a decent life here if you're into a bit of grit. Street tacos are amazing.
More as I feel the reason to write.
Peter
Today:
Organized some parts in my storage locker. I have a fairly large storage locker ("Bodega") where I keep spares and parts that will eventually be returned to the boat. I organized my electrical toolbag today. Pending are spare screws, toolbags for plumbing, mechanical, painting, etc.
Programmed the two solar MPPT controllers. They seem to be working fine. I have four 200W panels on my hardtop separated into two: starboard and port. I had to reset one of the controllers which is sort of a pain as it requires all power be removed. Seemed easy until I removed the two pairs of leads (one to the battery, one to the panels) and realized they were both hot. Caution.....
Orlando, the head mechanical guy, was working on the saloon A/C. I had ductwork constructed by Juan (carpenter/fiberglass) but the Webasto 16 Btu A/C needs installation. This requires 5" diameter insulated ductwork which is unusual. I ended up buying a 25-foot coil from Suremarine in the Seattle area but asked that they only ship the 2-feet I actually need. The rest I have no use for. Happens a lot on a project like this.
The Cutless Bearing has been pulled so I will need to pickup a replacement. I am on a first-name basis with the good people at San Diego Marine Exchange (SDMX) 80-miles north. I make the run every week or so. Pain in the ass.
Our dinghy is in. Meaning it has arrived at a freight terminal at Otay Mesa, a commercial area several miles east of San Diego. I need to get it from there to Ensenada, over the Border and Mexican customs. I have no idea how this will work out. Not even sure it will fit in my RV/Camper van. No idea about a lot of things. But I guess we'll figure it out next week. Scary.
Dinner at Wendlandt Brewpub which is a 20-min walk from our apartment. Ensenada is Mexico's top brew-pub region, and Wendlandt won top honors for the IPA a couple years ago. Really good beer. And their ceviche is fantastic. I had three beers, my other half had two. Two Ceviche tostadas and Mac & Cheese in the company of two adorable barmaids who have become friends. $510 pesos ($26 USD, plus tip). We stopped for ice cream on the way home ($43 pesos, $2.25 USD, for a cone).
I gave notice today at my work that I am done in 2-weeks. They want me to stay for a while longer for a couple small projects which I am happy to do, but there is now an expiration date stamped on my ass that clearly has a mid-2022 date. I like my work, I like the people I work with. Miraculously, they seem to like me and want me to stay. But its time to move on.
I'll try to inclide some pictures along the way. No offense taken if you find this boring. And no offense if anyone wants to take pot-shots. Just know it's a decent life here if you're into a bit of grit. Street tacos are amazing.
More as I feel the reason to write.
Peter