Maintenance/Cruising Log

I started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. When the coffee is started, I feed our two cats, Jillian and Jordan, and attempt to brush their beautiful coats.

Some birds landed on the bow pulpit of DREAM AWAY, and were making quite a fuss. This got Jordie all excited, and he headed out to do battle! You can see him slunk down on the deck, and the birds on the bow pulpit. He did not try a capture, but it would have been interesting.

Jordie Stalking His Prey

We listened to the Rio Dulce Cruisers net on DREAM AWAY. The net is everyday at 0730 except Sunday. It covers all of the local news and events, and a good source of local information that matter to cruisers.

I did my announcement for the specials at Backpacker’s Hotel on the Rio Dulce Cruisers net.

Today the Casa Guatemala grocery boat is scheduled to come by, but we do not have enough cash to buy the groceries. I had to go get some cash from an ATM, so I went to RAM Marine which is closest to Monkey Bay Marina.

When I arrived at RAM Marine, I got the cash, and also purchased four chocolate bars for Kitty. When I got back to DREAM AWAY, she was a happy camper!

The Casa Guatemala grocery boat came by, and we got some vegetables and some meats that we needed. They did not have everything we needed, so we will go into town tomorrow after we go to the swap meet at Mar Marine.

The remainder of the day I worked on the computer getting the July Maintenance/Cruising Log formatted and uploaded to our web server. I got all of the html files uploaded, but did not get all of the photos uploaded. There were 173 pictures in the July Maintenance/Cruising Log!

While I was working on the computer and my web page, Kitty was being the perfect galley slave! She put together an outstanding meal. We had a pork loin with baked apples, and a cream and mushroom sauce. She also made a braised cabbage with apples.

She also baked a carrot cake with pecan icing. To literally add the icing on the cake, Birgit, off of MUKTUK brought down two pieces of homemade cheese cake. Needless to say Kitty’s outstanding meal was topped off with TWO wonderful desserts!

Of course during the evening meal we watched two episodes of All Creatures Great and Small. After which I did the dishes and cleanup. I worked for another hour on the web page update, and went off to bed.

I started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. When the coffee is started, I feed our two cats, Jillian and Jordan, and attempt to brush their beautiful coats.

Did not have the Rio Dulce Cruisers net this morning, because it is Sunday.

I added some fuel to the fuel tank in the tender, Kitty got up early, and we headed over to MAR Marine to the swap meet. I was specifically looking for some plastic deck plates, the ICOM RC-25 remote control, and a Shurflo 2088 model freshwater pump.

I was able to get three deck plates, but could not find the ICOM RC-25 remote control or the Shurflo 2088 model freshwater pump. I purchased one of the deck plates as a donation to Freddy’s Friends. The other two deck plates I purchased from another sailor selling treasures!

The Three Deck Plates I Purchased

While we were at MAR Marine we took a tour, and I forgot my camera, of a huge 85’ steel sailboat that has been renamed ALABAMA. It was purchased by an Australian couple, in Alabama, and it is now registered in Australia.

They are near the end of a major refit, and will be leaving the Rio Dulce in about a week. They are sailing the boat to Indonesia to charter the boat there. It is amazing the amount of work being done on the boat. During any one day they typically have between 10 to 15 local workers doing projects on the boat.

After the tour, I took Kitty back to Monkey Bay Marina, and we had a passenger. Gil from TRUTHSAYER needed a ride into town, and after I dropped Kitty of we headed into town.

I docked the tender at Bruno’s. Gil and I planned to meet at Bruno’s when we were done our shopping. My first stop was at Miriam's Tienda to purchase a bag of the really great tortilla chips she sells. From there I went to our left hand veggie stand, and purchased some veggies that the Casa Guatemala grocery boat did not have yesterday. Believe it or not no one on the street did not have radishes.

After the left hand veggie stand, I went to the Dispensa Familiar and got the groceries we needed. After the Dispensa Familiar, it was off to Ingrid's Tienda, where I purchased the wine and rum. From Ingrid's Tienda, it was back to Bruno’s.

Gil was waiting for me, so we loaded all of our purchases into the tender, and headed over to TRUTHSAYER. I dropped Gil off and he returned a hose I had loaded him to temporarily fix a problem. He had the problem under control and did not need the hose any more.

When I got back to DREAM AWAY, I got to work on the update for July. I finished uploading the photos, and got all of the edited html files uploaded. I got the actual email update sent out, so that was good news.

I had promised Kitty that I would make her favorite meal today, so I got to work making my spaghetti sauce. I sauteed the ground meat, chopped veggies, and added the tomato sauce. When I finally finished, it was just a matter of letting it simmer.

Browning The Ground Meat

While I was doing the cooking, I caught Jillie napping in the main salon.

Jillie Napping

We took a nice reading break in the cockpit while the sauce simmered. At 1745, I went into the galley and started the water for the pasta. Kitty invited John, the Monkey Bay Marina manager, to dinner, so we had a nice meal as we watched the new film Robocop.

Not that I am a big movie fan, but I tried watching it is Spanish on three of the bus trips to Guatemala City, and wanted to actually see what the point is. Not a great film, but the concept was interesting!

After cleanup of the dishes, I checked my email. I got an email from a friend who lives in Australia, and said he could not read the July Maintenance/Cruising Log using Microsoft’s Internet Destroyer browser. That was a bit of shock, because I had no trouble seeing the log using Firefox, Chrome and SeaMonkey Browsers, and had no problems at all.

He was correct, as I brought up Windows XP on my virtual machine, Microsoft’s Internet Destroyer browser would not see past the first picture. At least I know the problem is with the code for photos.

Tomorrow I will have to work on the problem with folks not being able to look at my Maintenance/Cruising Log using Microsoft’s Internet Destroyer browser.

I started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. When the coffee is started, I feed our two cats, Jillian and Jordan, and attempt to brush their beautiful coats.

The sunrise this morning was one of those I had to record, and of course I will share with you. I nice combination of sun coming up and interesting cloud formations.

Sunrise Over Monkey Bay

We listened to the Rio Dulce Cruisers net on DREAM AWAY. The net is everyday at 0730 except Sunday. It covers all of the local news and events, and a good source of local information that matter to cruisers.

I did my announcement for the specials at Backpacker’s Hotel on the Rio Dulce Cruisers net.

After breakfast I got to work on the Maintenance/Cruising Log using Microsoft’s Internet Destroyer browser.

I use Google Docs to do my daily log updates, and then download the doc in "html" format to my computer. I then take the "html" file and manipulate it to suit my needs for the DREAM AWAY web page. Late last year, Google made some major changes in the way they output the "html" file, especially with pictures and links. I kept up with my changes, and they did not have any effect with any of the browsers I use on a regular basis. It is my fault that I did not actually check the Internet Destroyer browser.

I was able to find the coding problem with the pictures in the "html" file for the July Maintenance/Cruising Log. I made the necessary changes in the "html" file, and uploaded the file to my web server. I brought up my Windows XP virtual machine, and then brought up Microsoft’s Internet Destroyer browser. The fix worked, and I was able to view the July Maintenance/Cruising Log with Microsoft’s Internet Destroyer browser.

I checked the January, May, June, Maintenance/Cruising Logs, and I had the same problem with not being able to read past the first picture using Microsoft’s Internet Destroyer browser. I went back to my laptop, and modified the "html" files for the January, May, and June, Maintenance/Cruising Logs. I knew how to fix the files, so it went pretty easy.

I uploaded those files to my web server, and verified I could read the January, May, and June, Maintenance/Cruising Logs using Microsoft’s Internet Destroyer browser. They were all working, so I was a happy camper.

To make everyone aware of the problem and the fix, I sent out another DREAM AWAY update today making everyone aware of the problem and the fix.

I had spent most of the day working on this problem, then the fix, and then letting everyone on my distribution know, it was time to get ready for our evening’s social get together. I made an adult beverage, and went and took a shower.

We had made plans to go to Casa Perico with Birgit and Andreas. They are new to the Rio Dulce, and wanted to see what it is like. Not only is the food good at Casa Perico, but it is a nice little ride up through the jungle to get to Casa Perico.

We left Monkey Bay Marina in our tender around 1615. We wanted to make sure we had enough time to arrive, eat and return before it gets dark. We do not like being out on the Rio Dulce after dark in our little tender.

We had a nice ride up the bayou through the jungle to the restaurant at Casa Perico. We were greeted at the dock by Peter, one of the employees at the restaurant.

Swimming Dock For Casa Perico On The Rio Dulce

Jungle Surrounding Bayou On Trip To Casa Perico

Arriving At The Dock At Casa Perico

We got settled at a table and ordered our drinks. Birgit and Andreas ordered a Gallo, and I ordered a Moza. Kitty ordered a Mojito, which they really do well here.

Beer Menu

Peter Working On Kitty’s Mojito

As we were enjoying our refreshment, we ordered our dinners. Birgit, Andreas, and I ordered the Chorizo Suizo off of the Special’s Menu, and Kitty ordered the Wiener Schnitzel.

Special’s Menu

While we were waiting for our meals, Peter came over and visited with us. Birgit, Andreas, and Peter are German, and they were nice to us and visited with us speaking English. When our meals arrived, Peter went back to work and we enjoyed our meals.

The Chorizo Suizo From The Special’s Menu

Kitty’s Wiener Schnitzel

We enjoyed our meals, as they were wonderful. We left Casa Perico around 1800, as it was getting close to twilight. We went down the Bayou, and back across the Rio Dulce to Monkey Bay Marina. When we arrived we went up into the ranchito, and visited until the bugs got to be too bad, and we went back to our respective boats.

When we got back to DREAM AWAY, we watched two episodes of All Creatures Great and Small, and then went on to bed.

I started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. When the coffee is started, I feed our two cats, Jillian and Jordan, and attempt to brush their beautiful coats.

I took a break, and went back to the restrooms, and saw one of the howler monkeys sitting on a branch, and was able to get some good shots.

Alpha Male Just Checking Out The Area

Obviously A Male Howler Monkey

We listened to the Rio Dulce Cruisers net on DREAM AWAY. The net is everyday at 0730 except Sunday. It covers all of the local news and events, and a good source of local information that matter to cruisers.

I did my announcement for the specials at Backpacker’s Hotel on the Rio Dulce Cruisers net.

After breakfast, it was a lost day for me. My joints were very sore, I was having hot flashes, I had a mild case of diarrhea, and I was very tired. I went to bed, and did not get up until 1630. Kitty made dinner, but I only had a bite, and one piece of cantaloupe.

I did not make it through one episode of All Creatures Great and Small, and I was back into bed. I hope I am not coming down with another case of Dengue Fever, or Chikungunya.

It had been raining a lot during the night, so at 0400, when there was a break in the rain, I went and pumped out the tender. It was not completely full of water, but I felt good about going to the trouble. It did not rain any more during the night, but if it had, it could have been a real problem.

I started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. When the coffee is started, I feed our two cats, Jillian and Jordan, and attempt to brush their beautiful coats.

We listened to the Rio Dulce Cruisers net on DREAM AWAY. The net is everyday at 0730 except Sunday. It covers all of the local news and events, and a good source of local information that matter to cruisers.

I did my announcement for the specials at Backpacker’s Hotel on the Rio Dulce Cruisers net.

Kitty got up early, and vacuumed the boat and a couple of other domestic goddess chores before breakfast.

After breakfast, Kitty went up to the ranchito to do a couple of loads of laundry. I got to work emptying the front cabin, as I was looking for a couple of pieces of teak wood to make some covers for the interior of DREAM AWAY. I also wanted to make sure I had a piece of 1” stainless steel pipe for a project back on the dinghy davits.

I also wanted to move my spare Heart Freedom Marine 25 Inverter/Charger back under the bunk in the front cabin. I felt there is a better environment on DREAM AWAY rather than out in the storage area in the shop. The storage area is open air, and very damp with all of the rain we have been having.

I got the teak wood I needed, and verified the stainless steel pipe was there. I moved some stuff around to make room for the Heart Freedom Marine 25 Inverter/Charger. I went to the storage area, and using a wheelbarrow, I brought the Heart Freedom Marine 25 Inverter/Charger to DREAM AWAY. This unit weighs 56 pounds so I thought I would use some mechanical advantage.

I go the spare Heart Freedom Marine 25 Inverter/Charger moved onto DREAM AWAY, and up into the forward cabin. I put it under the bunk in the forward cabin, and then put everything back so the forward cabin was useable again!

Since I had the wheelbarrow at DREAM AWAY, I loaded my Sailrite sewing machine into it and some sewing stuff I needed and hauled all of it up to the rancho and off loaded it onto a table. I have some sewing to do, and I can spread out and be very cool working in the rancho.

On one of the several trips back and forth, from the shop to DREAM AWAY, Kitty pointed out one of the Howler Monkeys in the trees very close to the walkway to the rancho. I took several photos, and it is obvious why these monkeys are called Golden Mantled Howler Monkeys.

Golden Mantled Howler Monkey In The Trees

Next project, since I still had use of the wheelbarrow, was to remove the main sail from DREAM AWAY. First item is to remove the sail cover, the take the sail off after removing the reefing lines and the sail ties.

When that is all done roll up the sail so it is a somewhat manageable ball, and then move it to the rancho. I had planned to fold it right away, but it was still damp, so my plan is to hang it on the rancho overnight to dry out.

While taking the sail off, I noticed a problem with the gooseneck. One part of the swivel connection was not working, so that would take some looking after.

Sail Cover On Main Mast And Main Boom

Gooseneck On The Mast And Boom

“Ball” Of Mainsail Ready To Be Moved

Mainsail In The Wheelbarrow In The Rancho

Mainsail Hanging In The Rancho

With the mainsail hanging up in the rancho, I went back to DREAM AWAY to work on the gooseneck. I got out my can of Aero Kroil, and applied some to the seized parts. After about 10 minutes, it came apart.

Unfortunately, while I was getting the gooseneck off of the main mast, I broke a hook used when the mainsail is reefed. When you see the pictures, you can see why, and it is actually good news, as the hook obviously needs replaced.

Jim With Gooseneck Removed From Main Mast

Gooseneck With Broken Hook

Tomorrow I will clean up the gooseneck, and get it working the way it should, and also be looking for a piece of round stock to replace the hook on the gooseneck.

Now it was time for a shower, adult beverage and reading break!

It had been raining a lot during the night, so at 0400, when there was a break in the rain, I went and pumped out the tender. It was nearly completely full of water, so I was very happy about going to the trouble. It did not rain any more during the night, but if it had, it could have been a real problem.

I started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. When the coffee is started, I feed our two cats, Jillian and Jordan, and attempt to brush their beautiful coats.

We listened to the Rio Dulce Cruisers net on DREAM AWAY. The net is everyday at 0730 except Sunday. It covers all of the local news and events, and a good source of local information that matter to cruisers.

I did my announcement for the specials at Backpacker’s Hotel on the Rio Dulce Cruisers net.

Talking with Efrain, the guardian here at Monkey Bay Marina, he said he was out at 0200, and bailed out my tender as it was almost full then. I did it again a 0400, so we had an incredible amount of rain!

We had no electricity since 2400, and still none in the morning, so I could not start on my sewing project. The mainsail had got wet because of the huge intense rain overnight, and there were a couple of wet spots on the floor of the rancho. The “fold the mainsail” project was put off until later.

I started in on the only project I had available, given the conditions. I worked on cleaning up the gooseneck. Even if I could not get the hook welded on right away, I could get the gooseneck functioning properly so I could get it back on the main mast and main boom.

It was basically a matter of cleaning all of the swiveling parts with a file, sandpaper and a solvent. I got the parts cleaned and back together, all lubricated with silicon grease. It was ready to go back onto DREAM AWAY.

Gooseneck Parts On Workbench Being Cleaned

Gooseneck In The Vice

Before I get into that part of the project, I just wanted to relate to the, what I call, “the walk of color”. Here at Monkey Bay Marina, we have a small compact area, but just the short walk from the shop to the owners house is so full of color and life. It makes it such a pleasure to be here. I am sorry I do not know the names of all the flowers, but please enjoy them.

“The Walk Of Color” Red Ginger

“The Walk Of Color” Black Orchid

“The Walk Of Color” Another Red Flower

“The Walk Of Color” A Beautiful Orchid Blooming

“The Walk Of Color” Heliconia Pendula

“The Walk Of Color” Pretty Yellow Flower

Now that I bored you with a bunch of flower photos, I will get back to boat projects! I got the gooseneck put back on the main boom and main mast. I was concerned about high winds blowing the boom around.

Gooseneck Installed On Main Mast

Gooseneck Completely Installed

While I was working on my projects, Kitty was working on the trivia questions for tonight’s game. We were the quiz masters, so we had to have all of the questions printed and ready to hand out. The actual questions were done, but they had to be formatted, printed, and then cut to size.

Kitty Printing The Trivia Questions

I also repaired my flip flops, as the bottom was coming off.

Repaired Flip Flops

I also put all of the parts I had taken off the generator during the troubleshooting back on. It will be at least a month before Kitty gets back to the Rio Dulce after her trip to the states. She will be bringing the new fuses back with her. I can take the junction box on the generator apart then to install the new fuses.

Putting Parts Back On The Generator

The mainsail hanging in the rancho, along with the floor had dried out, so now I was able to get the mainsail flaked up and put into its bag. I put the bag back into our storage area in the shop.

Flaking The Mainsail

Mainsail Bagged Up And Ready For Storage

Now it was time to shower and get ready to be picked up by the launcha from Hotel Kangaroo/Las Mexicanas. We got picked up, and after picking up another 10 or 12 folks, headed up to the restaurant.

We got settled in, ordered our meals and our adult beverages, and the game began. We had a great time, and I think everyone else did also. What I thought were easy questions, turned out to be harder than I realized.

A new team, Hellava, won the event, and they will be the quiz masters next week. We all paid our bills, said our goodbyes, and climbed into the launcha, and Gary delivered us all back from where we came.

We have electricity today, so after breakfast and cleanup, I went off to the rancho to get the sewing I had planned for yesterday done today. Kitty was already in the rancho helping John, the Monkey Bay Marina manager, set up and install a 32” TV and a DVD player.

With that installation, we will be able to set in the cool of the rancho and watch movies that will be played on the DVD player, and displayed on the TV. It ended up being a most of the day installation, as there was some missing bolts. John had to go into town and get the necessary fasteners. All was well in the end, the installation was completed.

TV And DVD Player Installed

I got busy with my sewing projects. I had some repair projects to complete. I had to sew up a ripped pair of shorts and some shopping back that needed some repair.

Sewing Area Set up In Rancho

Jim Setup In The Sewing Area

Jim Repairing Shopping Bags

My next project is to build a cover for the fuel tank in the tender. I had lost the cover a couple of months ago when the tender capsized with Nicola in it! Anyway the cover floated off, and I needed another one.

My plan this time was to sew in some straps to pass through the cable that I use to lock the fuel tank to the tender. If I do that, and the tender decides to capsize again, I will not lose the fuel tank cover.

I did not take any pictures of the construction phase of the cover, just the finished product. For me, the sewing is the easy part. If the machine is adjusted properly, it just happens!

For me the hard part is patterns, and making sure there is enough material, including the hems and so on. That to me is the challenge. It is very embarrassing to put something together, and on the last seam, you are ½” short of material.

I did pretty good with the fuel tank cover. I had enough material so I only needed two pieces. One piece for the top, and one piece for all of the sides. When I got it all sewn together, I cut out the straps for the hold down wire, and sewed them in.

I took the fuel tank to the tender, strapped it in around the handles of the new cover, and straightened it all out. And I nice looking cover it is!

New Fuel Tank Cover On Fuel Tank

New Fuel Tank Cover Showing Seams For Straps

New Fuel Tank Cover Showing Hold Down Straps

With that project finished, I cleaned up my area in the rancho with Kitty’s help. I then transported the sewing machine and all of the material and sewing supplies back to DREAM AWAY.

It was time to clean up, and get a shower. John, the Monkey Bay Marina manager, had invited us to dinner this evening. John purchased some fried chicken and some carnitas in town. I was anxious to eat, because I love carnitas.

John also had some homemade salsa, prepared by a friend of his, and he has a cool way to bake/microwave potatoes. He takes a potato, and cut it in half. He then microwaves it so it is just barely soft, then lays it on a hot grill for the remainder of the cooking process. The part laid on the grill is nice and crispy, and the remainder of the potato is soft like a baked potato!

John did all of the preparation, and Kitty and I helped with setting the table and some of the condiments. When the meal came it was wonderful, and we all enjoyed a great meal. John had even brought some french fries for Kitty to enjoy with her chicken. She is not a big fan of carnitas.

Jim At The Table Waiting For The Meal

John Checking On The Meal In The Outdoor Kitchen

Dinner On The Grill

After a most enjoyable meal, John even brought some sweet fruit that is sold locally here called rambutan. It is in the lychee family, and the variety grown here is very sweet, and most enjoyable. We each had several of the fruit, and it made a great finishing touch to the meal.

We got busy and cleaned up dishes, and pans, and stuff, so we could get back to our respective boats before the mosquitoes came out. When we got back to DREAM AWAY, we watched two episodes of All Creatures Great and Small, and then went to bed.

I started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. When the coffee is started, I feed our two cats, Jillian and Jordan, and attempt to brush their beautiful coats.

We listened to the Rio Dulce Cruisers net on DREAM AWAY. The net is everyday at 0730 except Sunday. It covers all of the local news and events, and a good source of local information that matter to cruisers.

I did my announcement for the specials at Backpacker’s Hotel on the Rio Dulce Cruisers net.

After breakfast, I spent the morning working on the computer catching up on email and of course working on the Maintenance Log. Today the Casa Guatemala grocery boat is scheduled to come by to pick up donations for the flood victims, and to sell meat, cheese, bread, and veggies.

I waited for the Casa Guatemala grocery boat to show up before I went into town to get a couple of items that the Casa Guatemala grocery boat would not have. The Casa Guatemala grocery boat did not come by 1400, so I left Monkey Bay Marina and went into town.

I docked the tender at Bruno’s. My first stop was at Miriam's Tienda to purchase two bags of the really great tortilla chips she sells. From there I went to our left hand veggie stand, and purchased the fruit and veggies we needed, including some beautiful radishes.

From the left hand veggie stand I walked down to the road to San Felipe. I went into the TiGo store on the corner and purchased Q50 using our triple coupon, on Kitty’s phone. From there I went to the Pollo Pinulito store to purchase french fries to go with our hamburgers I am cooking tomorrow afternoon.

I went to the Dispensa Familiar and got the groceries we needed. After the Dispensa Familiar, it was off to Ingrid's Tienda, where I purchased the wine and rum. I then went across the street to the whole chicken lady, and purchased two large whole chickens. It was back to Bruno’s, into the tender, and back to DREAM AWAY.

First thing was a glass of ice water. Kitty and I put the groceries and food away, and then we took a reading and cool water break in the cockpit.

It was a laid back dinner of leftovers, and of course two more episodes of All Creatures Great and Small. We did the cleanup and it was off to bed.

I started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. When the coffee is started, I feed our two cats, Jillian and Jordan, and attempt to brush their beautiful coats.

Did not have the Rio Dulce Cruisers net this morning, because it is Sunday.

After breakfast, Kitty went up to the ranchito to do a couple of loads of laundry. I stayed on DREAM AWAY and worked on a couple of small projects, and then got into our water system.

On one of my many trips back and forth to the ranchito, I got some photos of the Howler Monkeys in the trees right around the rest rooms. It looked like a family of approximately six Howler Monkeys just stopped there and actually spent most of the day there.

Howler Monkeys In The Trees

I repaired a broken knife from Nicola and Noels stash of dishes they have left up in the outdoor kitchen. I used some locally purchased super glue.

Knife In Two Parts

Repaired Knife

While working on the workbench in the garage, I happened to notice the broken ABUS lock sitting next to the hook that had broken off of the main boom gooseneck. It dawned on me, if I could get the ABUS lock apart, I have found my piece to weld onto the gooseneck.

ABUS Lock And Gooseneck Piece On Workbench

Kitty was saying the fresh water on DREAM AWAY was getting a sulfur smell to it, so I decided it was time to check the on deck water filter, and to clean out the hoses that bring the water from the dock to the inside of DREAM AWAY.

On Deck Water Filter Housing

First thing I did was to mix a solution of chlorine bleach and water. I disconnected the first of two hoses, and poured the solution of chlorine bleach and water into the hose, and connected the ends together. I made sure I swished the solution around in the hose, and then let the hose set in the sun.

First Hose Setting In The Sun

I then took the water filter housing apart, and it was immediately obvious where the water taste problem was coming from! The filter was horrible! I took the filter out, and filled the housing with the solution of chlorine bleach and water. I connected the hoses together and let the solution swish around for 15 minutes.

New Water Filter - Old Water Filter

Filter Housing With Hoses Connected

I went back to the first hose, and drained out the solution of chlorine bleach and water, and then connected that hose to a hose on the dock. I ran good fresh water through both hoses to make sure the solution of chlorine bleach and water was thoroughly rinsed out.

I got my second hose, and filled it with the solution of chlorine bleach and water, and connected the ends together. I let it set out in the sun, and I walked back and forth on the hose to loosen any gunk that might be in the hose.

I then disconnected the dock hose from my first hose, and then used the dock hose to thoroughly rinse out the filter housing and the two hoses connected to it. When I had finished that, I drained the second hose, and thoroughly rinsed it out.

I had all of the pieces of the exterior water system cleaned and rinsed, I installed the new filter cartridge in the housing, and then connected the system up to the fresh water spigot on the dock. I turned on the water, and let it run about five minutes, to make sure the complete system was rinsed thoroughly.

Water Running Out Of The Exterior Water System

I shut off the dock water, and then connected the outlet hose out of the water filter to the on deck inlet fitting to DREAM AWAY so we would have our fresh water back again. Hopefully problem solved!

Next project is to put the mainsail cover back on, but first I had to put messenger lines on the main halyard and the main boom topping lift. With the messenger lines on, I can pull the main halyard and the main boom topping lift up into the mast so they are completely out of the sun.

When I want to go sailing again, all I have to do is pull on the messenger lines and the main halyard and the main boom topping lift are exposed and ready for use. When I finished running the messenger lines, I put on the mainsail cover.

It was time to go get my shower, as I had to prepare the burgers I will be cooking tonight. we had a great meal planned, but I did not take any pictures!

I mixed up 1 LB of ground pork, and 1 LB of ground beef, along with some spices, and chopped onions, and made the burgers. I sliced some tomatoes, and some onions as garnish for the burgers. I also sliced some onions and mushrooms to grill to add to the burgers.

John, the Monkey Bay Marina manager, joined us for dinner, and it was a good one. I also reheated the fries I purchased yesterday in town, and they were very crunchy, just the way Kitty and I like them. John was not overly enthused. I had a cheeseburger, and it was paradise!!

We cleaned up after dinner, and Kitty and I went back to DREAM AWAY, and watched two episodes of All Creatures Great and Small, and then went to bed.

I started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. When the coffee is started, I feed our two cats, Jillian and Jordan, and attempt to brush their beautiful coats.

We listened to the Rio Dulce Cruisers net on DREAM AWAY. The net is everyday at 0730 except Sunday. It covers all of the local news and events, and a good source of local information that matter to cruisers.

I did my announcement for the specials at Backpacker’s Hotel on the Rio Dulce Cruisers net. I also made the announcement of the Monday special at Hotel Kangaroo/Las Mexicanas.

Graciella had asked me to start making the announcement every Monday. Of course I said I would.

After breakfast, I decided to use some left over solution of chlorine bleach and water from yesterday, and wash the underside of the hard Bimini. It was very dirty, and was starting to bother me. I got it washed, and it looks so much better now.

Underside Of Hard Bimini Before Cleaning

Underside Of Hard Bimini After Cleaning

Yesterday, John, the Monkey Bay Marina manager, pointed out another beautiful orchid that was blooming at one corner of the rancho. I wanted to get a photo today before it went away. The last orchids I took a photo of only lasted about four days and was gone.

With the wind blowing it was difficult to get a good shot of the flower, so eventually I had Kitty hold the flower steady so I could get a picture of it.

Orchid At Corner Of Rancho

I invited Kitty to have lunch at Hotel Kangaroo/Las Mexicanas. Tomorrow will be a packing and get ready for the trip day, and she will be leaving on the noon Litegua bus to Guatemala City on Wednesday.

We got into the tender and headed upriver. We had a couple of stops to make before we got to our lunch stop. The first stop was RAM Marine. I had to get cash, and while I was there I walked back into the yard to check on TANTALUS and SERENITY.

No ladders were handy, so I just did a walk around each yacht. There was no major damage, but I will have to go back later this week in my work clothes so I can get a ladder and check on the insides of each yacht.

We got our cash, and then headed to Backpacker’s Hotel. We had some clothes donations we needed to drop off for the flood victims on the north side of Lago Izabel. We also ordered some cat food from Heather, the director of Casa Guatemala. Some of her people go into Guatemala City every week to shop for Casa Guatemala, and they pick up the cat food our kitties like.

We left Backpacker’s Hotel, and continued on up river to Hotel Kangaroo/Las Mexicanas. Today is Monday, so I knew I was having the Monday Special which is BBQ Pork Ribs in a pasilla sauce. Kitty decided she would have the tostadas.

Coming Up On The Hotel Kangaroo/Las Mexicanas

Inside Of Restaurant

We had a very nice visit with Graciela, and caught up on all of the news with her and Gary. Gary was not feeling 100%, so he was taking a nap.

Graciela At Bar With Her Grandson

Our meals showed up, so Graciela let us enjoy our meals. Both meals were wonderful, and neither Kitty or I could finish them. We each took home a doggie bag!

Jim’s BBQ Pork Ribs In A Pasilla Sauce With Rice And Beans

Kitty’s Three Tostadas

Jim Having A Bite Of Kitty’s Tostadas

We really enjoyed the meal, and then to top it off we had one of their homemade flans. That was an outstanding finish!

Homemade Flan

We finally rolled out of Hotel Kangaroo/Las Mexicanas, and went down river to DREAM AWAY. When we got home, I fixed an adult beverage, and we had a reading break in the cockpit.

Dinner tonight was just a snack, after the big meal today, so we watched watched two episodes of All Creatures Great and Small and went to bed.

I started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. When the coffee is started, I feed our two cats, Jillian and Jordan, and attempt to brush their beautiful coats.

We listened to the Rio Dulce Cruisers net on DREAM AWAY. The net is everyday at 0730 except Sunday. It covers all of the local news and events, and a good source of local information that matter to cruisers.

I did my announcement for the specials at Backpacker’s Hotel on the Rio Dulce Cruisers net.

Today is Kitty’s last full day on DREAM AWAY before she leaves on her trip to the States tomorrow. She will be gone a total of a month. Her first stop will be Tampa, Florida, so she can attend the murder trial of the man who murdered one of her best friends, two days before her second marriage. The trial is in Ft. Myers, Florida.

Her second stop will be Atlanta, Georgia, to visit with our children for a couple of days. Then she goes to Charleston, West Virginia, to visit her best friend Kathy, who has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

After a couple of days there it is back to Tampa, Florida, to visit with our nieces and their families, and then on the 13th of September, she will fly back to Guatemala, and then the Rio Dulce.

We spent the day, pretty much hanging out. Kitty did a couple of loads of laundry to make sure she had all of the clothes she is taking clean and ready to go. I helped with some of the chores and some of the packing.

We had a nice relaxing dinner. I made a cucumber, red onion and tomato salad. I also sauteed our leftover grilled huisquil, fresh mushrooms, and sliced onions. I added our two leftover hamburgers to the sauteed veggies, and it made a nice meal. Of course while we enjoyed our meal we watched two episodes of All Creatures Great and Small. After cleanup, we headed off to bed!

I started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. When the coffee is started, I feed our two cats, Jillian and Jordan, and attempt to brush their beautiful coats.

We listened to the Rio Dulce Cruisers net on DREAM AWAY. The net is everyday at 0730 except Sunday. It covers all of the local news and events, and a good source of local information that matter to cruisers.

I did my announcement for the specials at Backpacker’s Hotel on the Rio Dulce Cruisers net.

Made a nice DREAM AWAY omelette for both Kitty and I. She did the final packing and we were ready to go into town at 1100. Because Kitty had two pieces of luggage, John, the Monkey Bay Marina manager, offered to let me use the big launcha.

I thought it was a great idea, but there was a delay, and we did not get under way until 1115. It is a very fast boat, so we got into Bruno’s in no time. I picked up the luggage, and we went up to the Litegua Bus station. Kitty went into the office and purchased her ticket.

The bus was a couple of minutes late, but got under way around 1205. Was not happy to see Kitty go, but I understand why she has to make the trip.

Kitty In The Waiting Area At The Litegua Bus Station

Kitty Having Her Carry On Inspected

Kitty Getting On The Bus

Kitty Inside Bus Waving Goodbye

I went down to Ingrid's Tienda, and purchased two bottles of rum. I went back to Bruno’s, got into the launcha and went back to Monkey Bay Marina. The launcha with the 70 HP motor on it really flies. Once it is on a plane, you can back down on the throttle and it is still moving along at an amazing speed.

Back on DREAM AWAY, I changed into work clothes, and put together tools and stuff to make progress on a couple of projects. I have three major projects to accomplish in the next month, but also a couple of small projects to get done.

The three projects are aft portion of DREAM AWAY leaks, move the air conditioner, and rebuild the galley surfaces around the galley sink. One of the small projects is to cut, fit, dye, and varnish some pieces of teak wood to cover some holes in the overhead of the main cabin and the aft cabin.

I went out to the shop and checked to make sure the three pieces of teak wood I am going to epoxy together will be enough to to make six round pieces to cover six holes in the overhead in the main cabin and the aft cabin. It is going to work!

Three Pieces Of Teak Wood That Will Be Epoxied Together

Next was not an actual DREAM AWAY project, but the vice in the shop was missing a part in one of the jaws, which made the vice very hard to use. I found a piece of scrap aluminum that I could cut and use as a piece to fill in the jaw. I cut, and drilled the replacement piece, but I did not have the metric bolts I needed to complete the repair.

I will have to go into town tomorrow and see if I can find the two metric bolts I need.

Vice With One Jaw Piece Missing

Piece Of Aluminum To Cut Out Jaw Piece

Drilling Holes In The New Jaw Piece

Now I was going to take apart the ABUS lock in the hope the stainless steel part could be used to repair the broken part on the main boom gooseneck. Once I drilled out the keeper in the lock, it came right apart. I am a bit disappointed, because I am pretty sure the stainless steel part is going to be too small!

Preparing To Drill Out The ABUS Lock Keeper

Lock Apart On Workbench

Stainless Steel Part For The Main Boom Gooseneck

Now I got my piece of teak wood out and measured off four six inch pieces that will be used to cover some holes in the main cabin overhead.

Measuring The Six Inch Pieces Of Teak Wood

Four Pieces Cut Out

With the pieces teak wood cut out, I got started on cutting out four pieces of aluminum angle. I have some leaks on the new hard dodger I fabricated and installed last year. I need to install some pieces of angle aluminum to steady the back end of the starboard I am using for the roof of the hard dodger.

When I install the pieces of aluminum, I will be able to put the sealant in place, and hopefully that will stop the leaks.

Piece Of Aluminum Angle In Vise

Cut Pieces Of Angle Aluminum With Hole Drilled

When I finished drilling out the aluminum pieces, I loaded up all of the tools and parts into my bag. I swept down the workbench and the surrounding work area, and then went back to DREAM AWAY.

I fixed an adult beverage and took a small reading break. After the break, it was time for a shower. When I came back from the shower, I feed Jillian and Jordan. They were most pleased.

I then went into the cockpit and continued my reading break. It started getting dark, so I went below and fixed my dinner. It was left overs, but very good.

Kitty called about 1840 to say she was at the airport in Guatemala City, but there was nobody at the Delta ticket counter. She will have to wait for them to show up before she can check in.

I finished dinner, then did the cleanup, and got to work on the computer. Then it was off to bed after giving Kitty a call.

August 13, Thursday, 2015

I started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. When the coffee is started, I feed our two cats, Jillian and Jordan, and attempt to brush their beautiful coats.

I listened to the Rio Dulce Cruisers net on DREAM AWAY. The net is everyday at 0730 except Sunday. It covers all of the local news and events, and a good source of local information that matter to cruisers.

I did my announcement for the specials at Backpacker’s Hotel on the Rio Dulce Cruisers net.

Had breakfast of toast, cereal, and of course fruit. Just as I was finishing up, I got a text from Kitty saying that she was finally in Tampa. Had some engine problems in Atlanta, that delayed the flight, but she got there.

It had rained overnight, so I pumped out the tender. We had to move the tender away from the dinghy dock at Monkey Bay Marina, because the owner was in for four days. He keeps his power boat, MONKEY BUSINESS, at the dingy dock.

I moved my tender down near DREAM AWAY, but this morning I moved the tender back to the dinghy dock. I also took with me a fender, that keeps losing air. It must have a leak in it, and I was determined to find it.

I took the fender out to the shop, where we have a compressor. I filled the fender up with air, and then went by the hose in the ranchito. I let water run all over the fender. I verified it was not the fill valve that was leaking. I did find a small hole in the fender where air was leaking out. I dried the fender off and marked the spot. I will repair the fender later.

Fender With Hole Marked

Now I needed to get to work on the stanchion base that is over the garage, and is leaking. I have a hard time believing the threaded rod I have going through the stanchion base blocks is leaking, but we shall see.

Stanchion Base Over The Garage

I took the acorn nuts off of the threaded rod, and then removed the plate on top of the stanchion base. Now I needed an additional nut to put on the threaded rod. I then tighten the new nut against the acorn nut, and then I can back out the threaded rod.

Box Of Nuts That I Keep In The Garage

I then backed out the first threaded rod. When I looked at it, there was no way it was leaking because of the amount of butyl tape sealant I put on it.

Backing Out First Threaded Rod

I started backing out the second piece of threaded rod, and I now saw the problem. If you look at the Cap Rail & Name Board Replacement Project page you will get the full project. The stanchion bases that I fabricated were all made of five individual pieces of Extren fiberglass plate, that I put together using just polyester resin.

I thought at the time, it might be better to put the five individual pieces of Extren fiberglass plate together with fiberglass and polyester resin. I think now I am paying for that decision.

When I was backing out the second piece of threaded rod, the top half of the stanchion base was loose! The stanchion base was split, so water was running between the two halves, and then down the threaded rod at the very end where there was no butyl tape sealant.

Threaded Rods Out - Stanchion Base Split

The temporary cure I will do for now, is sand and clean up the two stanchion base surfaces, and then epoxy them back together. Yesterday I verified that I had three pieces of teak wood (Deck removed from DREAM AWAY years ago) I could epoxy together, so I could cut out circles to cover holes in the overhead of the main cabin and the after cabin.

I got the epoxy and took it back to the shop. I did a dry fit of the three pieces of teak wood, and then mixed up a pot of epoxy.

Dry Fitting The Three Pieces Of Teak Wood

Epoxy Applied To The Three Pieces Of Teak Wood

I applied the epoxy to the three pieces of teak wood, and then with the remaining epoxy, I went out to DREAM AWAY. I applied the epoxy to the two pieces of the stanchion base. I pushed the two pieces of the stanchion base back together.

I then dipped one of the threaded rods into the epoxy and put it back in place. I did the same with the second threaded rod, and screwed then back into the stanchion base and the hull to deck joint. With both of the threaded rods in place, I put the acorn nuts back on and tightened down on them until the epoxy just started to squeeze out.

Now it is just a matter of letting the epoxy set up, and wait for a rain storm, to see if that fixes the leak. If it does, I am going to have to sand down all of the stanchion bases and apply at least one coat of polyester resin to seal the stanchion bases.

Stanchion Base All Back Together

I had blown out my flip-flops this morning while pumping out the tender, so they had to be repaired. I did the quick fix and used Super-Glue!

Blown Out Flip-Flop

Glued Flip-Flop In The Vice

Now I needed to get back to repairing the fender that has a small hole in it. It seemed like the thing to do is treat it like repairing a leak in an inflatable. I got out my inflatable repair kit, and the patch glue and the patch out, and went to work.

I followed the instructions, which said to sand the patch, and sand the area to be repaired. The apply the glue to both the patch and the fender in this case. After glue application, wait 15 minutes, and then apply the patch. The wait 24 hours before using!

Glue Applied To Fender And Patch

Patch Applied To The Fender

Next on the list, I went back to the shop to cut an angle on one of the blocks of teak wood I am using to cover hole in the main cabin overhead. I did the setup on the drill press table, and then made the cut with my jig saw. The cuts only needed minor sanding to finish it up.

Cut Made On Teak Wood Block

I brought all of the teak wood parts and tools back to DREAM AWAY, and then took a shower. After the shower I made an adult beverage, and then went up to the ranchito.

Tonight is trivia night, so I waited for the launcha from Tortugal. It had been a while since I had been to Tortugal, so I was looking forward to trivia, and to the restaurant.

When I got there, Daphne, the owner was in the restaurant, so I had a visit with her. It was good to visit with her. A long story, but we had met her in 2004, and when we first came to the Rio Dulce, we stayed at Tortugal.

I was put on a team with Stan, a Canadian, Stephanie, English, and Stuart, a Kiwi, so we really had an international team. Our team name is Brainstorming!

The Brainstorming Team

I ordered the special, which was Tuscan Chicken, and it was very good. Especially good with a cold Moza.

We had a great time playing trivia, and we won the game! Now we are quiz masters for next week's game! We even tried to lose, but could not do it.

One question was “What are the seven deadly sins”? We did not know all the sins, so we added sailing, and the stock market. The quiz masters gave us bonus points!

We paid our bill, and the launcha brought me back to Monkey Bay Marina. Before leaving Tortugal, we decided to get together in the coming week to get together our questions.

I started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. When the coffee is started, I feed our two cats, Jillian and Jordan, and attempt to brush their beautiful coats.

We listened to the Rio Dulce Cruisers net on DREAM AWAY. The net is everyday at 0730 except Sunday. It covers all of the local news and events, and a good source of local information that matter to cruisers.

I did my announcement for the specials at Backpacker’s Hotel on the Rio Dulce Cruisers net.

Hung around the boat working on the computer. I was waiting to talk to Kitty via Skype to see how she was doing. I also wanted to find out about her schedule. We finally did get to speak, so that was nice.

It did rain overnight, quite heavily, and perhaps the leak I worked on yesterday on the stanchion base over the garage is fixed. I did not notice any water on the workbench this morning.

I needed to go into town to get some money on my phone. I pumped out the tender and headed into town. I parked the tender at Bruno’s, and the walked down the street to the TiGo store to purchase Q 100 on my phone. I then proceeded all the way down to the concrete mall. I needed to get four metric bolts to fix the vice in the shop. I went to Pintorsa, because I knew they had a great selection of fasteners, and they had what I needed.

I walked back to Dispensa Familiar and got the groceries I needed. I walked back to Bruno’s. I got into the tender and went across the river to Backpacker’s Hotel. I wanted to verify that Heather got the cat food in Guatemala City for me. As it turns out she forgot, so I will get it next week.

I had planned to have one of my “free” lunches at Backpacker’s Hotel. I get one “free” lunch a week for doing the specials announcement on the on the Rio Dulce Cruisers net. I had the fish burger, and it was outstanding!

I also enjoy Backpacker’s Hotel because you set right over the Rio Dulce, and the tall bridge over the Rio Dulce is just above you.

Bridge Over The Rio Dulce From Restaurant at Backpacker’s Hotel

The Rio Dulce From Restaurant at Backpacker’s Hotel

I left Backpacker’s Hotel, and went back to DREAM AWAY. I changed into my work clothes, and took the new fasteners and some tools out to the shop and verified they worked in the old vice. It was a success, so not I will probably cut another piece of aluminum for the other jaw. The aluminum pieces in the jaws is much easier on wood and soft metals than the steel jaws.

Vice With No Jaw Installed

Vice With New Aluminum Jaw Installed

Steel Jaw Still In Vice

Finally we have a working vice in the shop. I went back to DREAM AWAY, and measured the two remaining pieces of teak wood to cover holes in the main cabin overhead.

I took the two pieces of teak wood and my tools back to the shop, and set up to do the cuts. I had to cut a 45° angle on the edge on one piece, and trim the end of the second piece.

Angle On Edge Of One Teak Wood Piece

Four Pieces Of Teak Wood Ready For Varnishing

Now I had to cut two 4“ pieces of 4” PVC pipe that I want to use when I reset the air conditioner in the main cabin. I am pretty sure these pieces of PVC pipe will be much better than what I have now.

When I was at the concrete mall earlier today, I asked about 6” PVC pipe. That is the size I really need for the air conditioner. They had the PVC pipe, but no short pieces. I had to purchase a 20’ stick of pipe, when I only needed 1’.

I decided to try my experiment with the 4” PVC pipe that I have. I am going to cut two pieces of the 4” PVC pipe, splint each one, then join the two together to make a 6” diameter piece. We will see how that goes tomorrow when I actually get the air conditioner out.

Two Pieces Of 4” PVC Pipe, Cut And Split

With the PVC pipe cut, I put them into my storage area. I loaded up my tools and parts and went back to DREAM AWAY. I went up and took a shower, and when I returned I got my stuff ready to cook tonight’s meal.

I had thought about this meal for a couple of days. I am going to have grilled butterfly chicken, roasted baked potatoes, and broccoli. I took all of the food and preparation items up to the outdoor Kitchen. I cut the back out of the chicken, laid it flat on the pan, and then put a mixture of oil and spices under the skin. The chicken went on the grill.

Chicken On Grill With Broccoli Experiment

I prepared the potatoes the way John, the Monkey Bay Marina manager, does his potatoes. Cook them about ¾ done in the microwave, and then cut them in half. Baste the open side, I did this with the leftover spices and oil I used on the chicken. Then put the potatoes on the grill for roasting.

Potatoes Ready For The Grill

I then cut up the broccoli, placed it on aluminum foil, added the last of the oil and spices, and put it on the grill in a low heat area to cook while the chicken is cooking.

I tried roasting a couple of pieces of the broccoli stem, but that did not work out! When it was all finished. I took it back to DREAM AWAY, and had a wonderful meal with a dessert of fresh rambutan.

Completed Chicken And Potatoes

Dinner Is Served

The meal was great, but now I also have enough leftovers for two more meals!

I started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. When the coffee is started, I feed our two cats, Jillian and Jordan, and attempt to brush their beautiful coats.

I listened to the Rio Dulce Cruisers net on DREAM AWAY. The net is everyday at 0730 except Sunday. It covers all of the local news and events, and a good source of local information that matter to cruisers.

I did my announcement for the specials at Backpacker’s Hotel on the Rio Dulce Cruisers net.

Slow start to the morning, but nice start! As I was preparing breakfast, I got a call request from my friend Jim on Skype. As I was talking with Jim, my friend Paul called in. I chatted with Paul and told him I would talk to him when I finish my call with Jim. All three of us are good friends, and we all used to work together at DEC.

Just as I was completing my call with Jim, Kitty called in on Skype. I talked with her catching up on all her news, and then I relayed my news. She was going off shopping and getting her hair done so would be gone most of the day.

When I hung up with Kitty, I called Paul and got caught up on all the news with him. He asked me to check on his yacht, SERENITY, and I told him I had planned to do that this coming Monday before he called. So that will work out.

When all the calls were finished, I finished my breakfast preparation, and then actually ate my breakfast. After breakfast, I went up to the bathrooms to take care of business, then came back to the ranchito and made ice.

The Outside Of the Bathroom And Shower Building

Making Ice

The onboard Ice Maker is down. I need to fix it, but the priority is low. Right now, and the reason for this is the cost, I am making ice cubes in the big refrigerator up in the ranchito, and then bring them down to the freezer on DREAM AWAY.

Until I get the ice maker working on DREAM AWAY, my son, does not let me forget about it. I am pretty sure the compressor is bad, but I just do not have the time to put into it. Tomorrow!

It had rained last night, so I also took the time to pump out the tender. You never know when we might get a major rainfall, and I do not want the tender to capsize.

Tender With A couple Of Inches Of Water At The Back

The main project for the day is to move the air conditioner in the main cabin. The air intake is to the back, and I want to move it to the front where it will be much easier to clean the air filter. I also want to change the air hose from the unit to the plenum. And last I want to put the air conditioner tray at a bit of an angle so the condensation would drain out better.

Present Orientation Of Air Conditioner

Air Conditioner In Desired Orientation

What I discovered when I moved the air conditioner is when it is moved in the orientation I would like it to be, I will have to do some major construction. I am not willing to do that right now.

I will put the air conditioner back the way it was, but with a new piece that connects the air conditioner to the plenum. I had cut some pieces of 4” PVC pipe yesterday. I took the mounting bracket off of the air conditioner up to the shop to see if the two pieces of the 4” PVC pipe will fit on the air conditioner mounting bracket.

PVC Pipe On Air Conditioner Mounting Bracket

The PVC pipe fit on the bracket, now I had to see if it would bolt to the top of the air conditioner, and then into the plenum.

Fun day! On the way back to DREAM AWAY my flip-flop came apart, so I had to take time to repair it. The dock is too hot to walk on with bare feet.

Flip-flop In Need Of Repair

It gets better. As I was in the garage with the hatch open, I noticed it was raining. I jumped up and outside to close hatches, but it was not raining? I went over to the starboard side of the boat, and noticed a pinhole leak in the water hose that provides water from the dock to DREAM AWAY. That leak was causing a fine spray that seemed like rain!

Now I took the time to repair the hose, and then it was back to the original project. I moved the air conditioner in its tray out to the steps between the main cabin and the middle cabin. This gave me access to the hole in the plenum to see if the PVC pipe would fit.

Air Conditioner Sitting On Steps

PVC Pipe On Bracket To Dry Fit Hole In Plenum

Plenum Hole For PVC Pipe

The PVC pipe did not fit in the plenum hole. I got some files and rasps, and made the plenum hole bigger and more round, and finally the PVC pipe fit into the plenum hole. With the PVC pipe in the plenum hole, I discovered the PVC pipe was too high, so I had to cut off about 1/2” of the PVC pipe.

Back to the shop with the PVC pipe and jig saw to make the cut.

PVC Pipe Marked Before Cut

PVC Pipe After Cut

I took the PVC pipe back to DREAM AWAY. I put the mounting bracket with the PVC pipe into the hole in the bottom of the plenum. I then moved the air conditioner from the step to its proper location, and lined up the mounting bracket to the air conditioner.

I got everything lined up and bolted together, and it is a perfect fit. I also put a batten under the after end of the air conditioner tray, so the condensation will actually drain out of the tray.

Air Conditioner Bracket With PVC Pipe Stuck Into Plenum

I powered up the air conditioner, and it runs fine. There are no air leaks around the PVC pipe or the plenum hole. That is good news, so all of the effort was not in vain!

I cleaned up and put all of the tools away from that project. I got together all of the tools and parts I needed to cut and finish the round covers I am making to cover the holes in the overhead in the main cabin and the after cabin.

The epoxy I had used to put the three pieces of teak wood together took a couple of days to set up, but it finally did. Now I can cut out the round covers. I got my tools together, and went out to the shop.

Three Pieces Of Teak Wood Epoxied Together

I got the hole saw set up on the drill press, and clamped the piece of teak wood to the drill press table with a scrap piece of wood under the teak wood. I then cut out the six round cover I needed.

Set Up On Drill Press Table

Round Cover Cut Out And Ready For Final Sanding

Unfortunately one of the covers broke along a seam. Turns out there was not much epoxy there. Rather than mix more epoxy, I decided to use Super-Glue to repair the cover.

Five Round Covers and Four Rectangular Covers Ready For Varnish

When I cut the aluminum angles that I will use on the hard dodger, I did not have a file with me to clean up the cut edges. I brought a file with me today, so I used it to to clean up the edges of the aluminum angles.

Aluminum Angles In The Vice Getting Filed

I put all of my stuff away in the shop, and cleaned up the shop and swept it down. I went back to DREAM AWAY, and put all of the tools away. I went and took a shower, and felt like a new person.

I started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. When the coffee is started, I feed our two cats, Jillian and Jordan, and attempt to brush their beautiful coats.

Did not have the Rio Dulce Cruisers net this morning, because it is Sunday.

I was greeted with a beautiful sunrise this morning when I woke up. I was out taking pictures before I had a chance to brush my teeth.

Sunrise On The Rio Dulce

After breakfast, I spent most of the morning working on emails, and trying to get the August Maintenance Log caught up. That is the biggest problem with the Maintenance Logs. If I work all day on projects, I do not have enough time to make entries and keep up with the email load.

The teak wood cover I used Super-Glue to repair was ready to go. I took the cover, some sand paper, and the sander up to the shop. I did the final sanding on all of the teak wood covers.

Teak Wood Covers Ready For Dye

I use a dye on all of the teak wood I put on DREAM AWAY. I do this to try and get all of the teak wood more or less the same color. It is amazing the different colors teak wood has!

I used a tack rag to wipe down all of the covers to remove any loose debris or dust remaining on each piece. I then applied the dye I use that I affectionately call agent orange!

Tack Rag And Dye Ready For Use

Dye Applied To All Of The Covers

I went back to DREAM AWAY to have a bite of lunch to let the dye dry before I apply the first coat of varnish. On the way I stopped by my tender, and was horrified! The tender was filled with dead mayflies! There were so many there was a stink!

Dead Mayflies In The Tender

Needless to say my lunch was delayed while I cleaned out and pumped out the tender. The local fish were very happy with me. It took a while, but I eventually got the tender cleaned out, and smelling better.

After lunch, I went back to the shop. I wiped down the teak wood covers with the tack rag, and the applied the first coat of varnish. Since this is interior teak wood, I will probably only apply five or six coats of varnish.

First Coat Of Varnish Applied

Next on the list was a nice cool shower, and then I sat in the cockpit with a banana daiquiri, and worked on the August Maintenance log.

I started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. When the coffee is started, I feed our two cats, Jillian and Jordan, and attempt to brush their beautiful coats.

I listened to the Rio Dulce Cruisers net on DREAM AWAY. The net is everyday at 0730 except Sunday. It covers all of the local news and events, and a good source of local information that matter to cruisers.

I did my announcement for the specials at Backpacker’s Hotel on the Rio Dulce Cruisers net. I also made the announcement of the Monday special at Hotel Kangaroo/Las Mexicanas.

After breakfast, I spent about an hour on the computer. I needed to catch up on the August Maintenance Log, and emails. Kitty is still very tired and out of sorts, so I have been put in charge of keeping friends and family up to date on all of the happenings with the trial, and with her good friend Kathy.

When I finished the computer work I started in on the holding tank project. This is something I had been meaning to investigate, and attempt to do something about but so far have not been able to carve out the time.

A little background here. Since I do not not have the Maintenance/Cruising Logs updated and on the web page that covers our trip from Louisiana to Guatemala, you all have no idea of all of the problems encountered along the way. Some of the events are mentioned in the Captain’s Logs during that period, but not many details.

I am getting off the subject a bit. When we arrived in Clearwater, Florida, after the Gulf crossing from Louisiana, I noticed the holding tank had expanded! It was very difficult to get the crates out from under the workbench in the garage.

I had no idea what had caused the problem, but I did try and use one of my bottle jack’s to push the holding tank back in place. All I accomplished was to raise the workbench. Because of other problems at the time, I did not go further.

Today I decided to give it a try. I got out blocks, pieces of wood and a bottle jack and did the setup. Of course, like most things on a boat, I had to move all of the stuff under the workbench, and on top of the holding tank.

I finally got it all set up and cranked down on the bottle jack, and held it for about ten minutes. When I let out on the jack, the holding tank went back to where it was.

Since I was going off for a couple of hours, I decided to do the setup again, and leave the holding tank compressed while I was gone. Maybe that would solve the problem.

Bottle Jack Pushing Down On Holding Tank and And Up On Workbench

Blocks Of Wood Between Workbench And Deck

I got my stuff together, and jumped in the tender, and went up to the restaurant at Backpacker’s Hotel. Stan was already there. We had to wait for Steph and Stu, so Stan and I looked over each other’s questions. Stan is going to do questions in a category named “Totally Bogus”.

He will ask a question, and the four answers seem totally bogus, but one of them is correct. I like the concept, so we shall see how it goes over. Steph and Stu showed up, so we ordered drinks and our meals. The three men ordered the special, chicken fingers, and Steph ordered the Thai curry.

While we were waiting for the meals to arrive we worked on our questions, and we decided that each one of us would do three questions. There would not be a specific category, pretty much general knowledge for them all.

The team liked my bonus question, so we are going to use that, and I already had two tiebreaker questions, so we will use them. So we have all of the questions ready, and each team member will print their own questions. That way no one person has to do all of the printing.

The meals came, so we got down to enjoying them. The chicken fingers were very good and plentiful. Steph said the Thai curry was very good also. We enjoyed our meals and then went about our separate ways.

Steph, Stu, and Stan Enjoying Lunch At Backpacker’s Hotel.

I walked over to Tienda Reed to get some coffee filters and crackers. I then walked back to Backpacker’s Hotel, got in the tender, and went over to RAM Marine. My first stop was TANTALUS. I got up into the cockpit, and changed into work clothes. I did not want to get my good clothes dirty.

First thing I noticed on TANTALUS was that someone had run a power cord down below and started charging a battery.

Power Cord Going Around Companionway Door

Battery Being Charged Down Below On TANTALUS

I did a look around, and looked into the bilge, there was water in the bilge, but it was a very small amount. Nothing to worry about. I locked the boat back up, and headed over to SERENITY.

When I got to SERENITY, I noticed that some of the work I did on the tarp was good, but some of the ropes had come loose. I emptied the pools in the tarp, and ran some of the ropes again.

Water Pooled On Port Side Forward Tarp

Water Pooled On Starboard Side Tarp

When I got the tarps hopefully done up better so the rainwater will drain off of the tarps instead of forming pools, I went down below. Paul said he needed the numbers off of his outboard motor so he could purchase a new carburetor for it.

I took some pictures of the id plate, and another information plate. Wanted to make sure I had the necessary information. Went back up to the cockpit, closed the companionway, and locked it. I took the key back to the marina office, and went back to DREAM AWAY.

SERENITY Outboard Motor ID Plate

When I got back to DREAM AWAY, I removed all of the boards and blocks of wood that I had used to compress the holding tank. It is not back to where it should be, but I gained about a half of an inch! Some good news.

I went back to the shop. I sanded down the teak wood covers, and then wiped them down with the tack rag I applied the second coat of varnish.

Second Coat Of Varnish Applied

I then took a much needed shower, and then had a small reading break with an adult beverage. Because of the big lunch today, I had cheese, crackers and salad for dinner. After dinner and clean up it was back to emails.

I started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. When the coffee is started, I feed our two cats, Jillian and Jordan, and attempt to brush their beautiful coats.

I listened to the Rio Dulce Cruisers net on DREAM AWAY. The net is everyday at 0730 except Sunday. It covers all of the local news and events, and a good source of local information that matter to cruisers.

I did my announcement for the specials at Backpacker’s Hotel on the Rio Dulce Cruisers net.

Caught up on all of the emails that I needed to answer, and then emails for Kitty to friends and family about the trial and dear friend Kathy.

We had a rash of mayflies last night, and the screens in the main cabin had bunches of bodies on them. I got out the wet/dry vac and vacuumed all of the bodies out of the screens. When it starts to rain, I remove the screens to close the hatch. Before the vacuuming, it would have been a mess if I had removed a screen.

Now it was time to get to work on a known leak and finish it off. On July 2nd, I had removed the starboard aft wooden grab rail. After removing the grab rail, I duct taped over the holes, and the leak in the head stopped!

Now it was time to finish the job by installing the new stainless steel grab rail, you know the one that needs no maintenance! Once the grab rail is installed, I will be able to cover the holes in the head overhead.

There were three holes I had to have access to to install the new grab rail. As per normal procedure I am using ¼” bolts to secure the grab rail to the deck. I want to drill the current ¼” holes to ½”, and fill the holes with epoxy.

When the epoxy has set up, I will then drill the ¼” hole through the epoxy, and not the wood and fiberglass in the deck. This way if the grab rail bolts do leak, the water will not get into the wood.

So I had to have access to the underside of the three holes currently in the deck so I can plug the holes. Two if the holes are already exposed. I had to move the overhead light in the head to expose the third hole.

One Of Two Holes In The Head Overhead Exposed

Second Of Two Holes In The Head Overhead Exposed

Overhead Light Covering Third Hole

Lamp Removed To Expose Third Hole

I went outside to the cabin roof and removed the duct tape covering the holes. I dropped the grab rail ends that I will be using down through the two holes I will be using for the new grab rail. The bolts welded to the grab rail ends were too long, so I measured where I needed to cut off the end of the bolt.

I removed the grab rail ends from the cabin roof, and drilled out the ¼” holes to the ½” size. I then went back into the head and using duct tape I covered the bottom of the three holes.

Three Holes On Cabin Roof With Duct Tape On

With the three holes covered on the bottom, I mixed up a pot of epoxy, and filled the three holes in the cabin roof. I went below in the head to make sure the epoxy was not leaking through. There was some slight seepage, but nothing to be concerned about.

Holes Filled With Epoxy

I moved the shade awning out of the way so the sun would shine directly down on the epoxy and accelerate the chemical process. While I was waiting for the epoxy to set up, I went back to the shop with the two grab rail ends. I set the ends up in the vice, and cut off the excess of the ¼” bolt on the grab rail ends.

Grab Rail Piece Set Up To Be Cut

Two Grab Rail Pieces On Shop Workbench After Cut

While I was back in the shop. I sanded down the teak wood covers, and then wiped them down with the tack rag I applied the third coat of varnish.

Third Coat Of Varnish Applied

Grab Rail Ends In The Holes In The Cabin Roof

I measured the length of ⅞” tubing I would need between the two grab rails, and then went back out to the shop with the piece of ⅞” tubing. I put the tubing into the vice, and cut off the piece I needed. After the cutting, I used a file to smooth out the ends.

Tubing In Vice Being Cut

I went back to DREAM Away, and verified the grab rail ends would fit into the holes in the cabin roof with the piece of ⅞” tubing in place. It was a perfect fit. I got out my butyl tape sealant and put it on the bolts on the grab rail ends.

Butyl Tape Sealant, Tubing And Grab Rail Ends Ready For Installation

I put the grab rail ends into the holes with the butyl tape sealant around the bolts, and pushed them in tight. I went down into the head and put on the washers and nuts, and tightened down the grab rail ends.

I went back out to the grab rails on the outside and verified the grab rail was installed and tight. It seems like a good job.

New Grab Rail Installed On Cabin Roof

The outside was done, not I had to finish the inside. I put the overhead lamp back onto the overhead of the head, and installed the two teak wood I had made months ago to cover these holes in the overhead.

The Head Overhead WIth Covers and Light Installed

When I finished that project, I got one of the big buckets from the stern, and filled it about 2/3rd full of water, and added about a cup and a half of bleach. I added the main sheet to the water and two of the sheet nets that we use in the cockpit to keep the sheets from tripping folks.

Hopefully by tomorrow the main sheet and the two nets will clean.

Big Orange Bucket From Stern In Cockpit

Mainsheet And Nets beside Big Orange Bucket

Mainsheet and Nets Inside Bucket Getting Soaked And Cleaned

With that all taken care of it was time for a shower, adult beverage, feed the kitties, and then feed the captain!!

I started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. When the coffee is started, I feed our two cats, Jillian and Jordan, and attempt to brush their beautiful coats.

I listened to the Rio Dulce Cruisers net on DREAM AWAY. The net is everyday at 0730 except Sunday. It covers all of the local news and events, and a good source of local information that matter to cruisers.

I did my announcement for the specials at Backpacker’s Hotel on the Rio Dulce Cruisers net.

The trial for Michael Spiegel is still ongoing. It was very hard on Kitty and Family yesterday. The Prosecution brought out all of the pictures, and descriptions of how they found Harry and Marilyn, pretty graphic.

I spent some time catching up on emails for Kitty, as she is not able to keep up with the email traffic with friends and our family about the trial, and also dealing with the illness of her dear friend Kathy.

After breakfast, I needed to get started on the main project for the day, which is removing the Genoa from DREAM AWAY. Before I got into that, I decided it was a good time to do a full backup of my laptop.

I have been doing data backups, but had not done a UNIX “dd” command backup of the complete hard drive for some time. During breakfast, I did the data backup, and then after breakfast I started a UNIX “dd” command backup of the complete hard drive.

UNIX “dd” Command Backup In Progress

WIth the back up running it was time to get started with removing the Genoa from DREAM AWAY. The good news and the bad news on this operation, is I needed no wind so I could take down the forward awning, and the unroll the sail.

Here on the Rio Dulce, no wind means lots of heat, and the humidity was very high today. Any way, I had to take down the forward awning first. Here a bit of good news, in that I did not have to take it completely down.

Forward Awning Before Start Of Project

I removed the awning from the port side of DREAM AWAY, and moved all of the awning to the starboard side. I then unrolled the Genoa, and dropped it onto the deck.

Genoa Sail On The Foredeck

That was the easy part, now I have to get the Genoa sail off of the boat, and back to the rancho so it can be folded! I went back to the shop and brought the wheelbarrow back to DREAM AWAY, and loaded the Genoa sail into the wheelbarrow.

Loading The Genoa Sail Into The Wheelbarrow

I took the Genoa sail back to the rancho, and off loaded it there. Christina had offered to help me fold the sail when she gets back from town. I took her up on the offer, and besides the wind will be up in the afternoon, so it will be much cooler.

I went back to DREAM AWAY and put the forward awning back up in place. With that done I pulled the Genoa sheets up to the foredeck getting them ready to be cleaned in a bleach and water solution.

Forward Awning Back In Position

I then removed the remaining sheet nets that were in the cockpit. They were in pretty bad shape, and needed a really good cleaning.

Sheet Net Hanging In The Cockpit

I mixed up a solution of bleach and water in one of my big buckets, and dumped the sheet nets into the bucket. A good overnight soak will get them nice and clean and white again.

Sheet Nets In The Bleach And Water Solution

I have been looking for a piece of ⅜” stainless steel rod that I thought I had, but have not been able to put my fingers on. I also needed two pieces of thick teak wood to make a frame for the screen around the large hatch in the after cabin. I was also looking for a piece of 1” stainless steel pipe that I need for the after awning project.

I had pretty much looked in all of the likely places on DREAM AWAY, except for really looking under the bunks in the forward cabin. The last time I was looking there I did see the piece of 1” pipe, so I knew it was there.

I moved all of the stuff out of the port side of the forward cabin, then got in under the bunk, and removed 90% of the stuff in there. I got the piece of stainless steel pipe I needed, and the two pieces of thick teak wood, but the piece of ⅜” stainless steel rod was not to be found. I guess I must have used it on another project, but for the life of me I cannot remember where!

Forward Cabin Under Port Bunk

I put all of the stuff back under the bunk, and then all of the stuff in the forward cabin.

When that was all put back, it was out to the rancho to fold the Genoa sail. I got Christine, and we headed out there. I had just piled the sail on the floor, so we had some straightening to do.

Genoa Sail On The Floor Of The Rancho

Christine and I got the sail folded and into the sail bag. It was so much easier having some help. It is a real project if you are doing it by yourself.

Folded Sail In The Bag

I took the sail bag back to the shop, and put it aside for right now. I had the two thick pieces of teak wood out in the shop. I borrowed a hand plane, and cleaned up the crooked edges of the two pieces of teak wood. I put the wood in the vice, and used the plane. It did a great job!

Cleaning Flat Surface Of Teak Wood

I finished cleaning up the two pieces of teak wood, and then moved onto putting the fourth coat of varnish on the teak wood covers. I sanded the covers, wiped the down with a tack rag, and then applied the varnish.

Fourth Coat Of Varnish Applied

I cleaned up the area in the shop, and then it was time for a shower and an adult beverage.

It was not a great day for Kitty and the family at the trial in Ft. Myers, Florida. Kitty and I talked, and I got everyone caught up with emails.

I started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. When the coffee is started, I feed our two cats, Jillian and Jordan, and attempt to brush their beautiful coats.

I listened to the Rio Dulce Cruisers net on DREAM AWAY. The net is everyday at 0730 except Sunday. It covers all of the local news and events, and a good source of local information that matter to cruisers.

I did my announcement for the specials at Backpacker’s Hotel on the Rio Dulce Cruisers net.

I spent all day on the computer, trying to get the Maintenance/Cruising log caught up, but by the end of the day it was not caught. I spent quite a lot of time getting friends and family updated on the Michael Spiegel trial, and updated on our dear friend Kathy.

From our standpoint, the trial is going well. The expert witness for the defense was not very well prepared, and the prosecution tore him apart. The trial finally ended around 1800 local time. It just does not look like the insanity defense is going to hold water.

Heard from daughter Judy. One of the interviews she had on Tuesday, that she did not feel good about, came back and offered her a job, and she accepted. This is a job at the school which she really wanted because it is only six miles for her home. She is very excited, and of course so are we!

She will go in tomorrow and do the fingerprinting and basic paperwork to get all of that moving along. On this coming Tuesday she goes in for her orientation, and she starts teaching Wednesday morning. Finally all of that education will be paying off!!

When I talked to Judy, I told her I would have a tot of rum tonight when I return from trivia as a salute to her new job!

Spent about an hour getting my questions printed and cut up for the trivia game tonight. Got that all organized, so I am prepared for the night.

I made one last effort to find the piece of ⅜” stainless steel rod. I have a stash of small metal parts and small pieces of Starboard under the hatch in the galley floor. It is basically scrap pieces I did not have the heart to throw away.

I completely moved all of the pieces out. Still no piece of ⅜” stainless steel rod. The good news is while I had all of the stuff out, I vacuumed out the area. I put all of the stuff back, and then vacuumed the whole boat.

Area Under The Galley Floor

Area Under The Galley Floor With Most Parts Removed

At 1530 I went up and took a shower, and washed the wound on my left foot with soap and water. That is the new regimen.

Wound On Left Foot

I dressed the wound, and got dressed and got all my stuff together. At 1630 I headed up to the ranchito to await the launcha from Tortugal. The launcha finally came and we got to the restaurant and got set up for the game.

Drinks and meals were ordered and we got into the game. It was a good game and everyone seemed to like the questions. After the game, so many people were leaving the Rio Dulce for a couple of weeks or months, we will not be having trivia for a couple of weeks.

The launcha brought me back to Monkey Bay Marina. As promised, when I got on DREAM AWAY, I had a tot of rum to celebrate Judy’s new job. I read a bit and then hit the sack!

I started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. When the coffee is started, I feed our two cats, Jillian and Jordan, and attempt to brush their beautiful coats.

I listened to the Rio Dulce Cruisers net on DREAM AWAY. The net is everyday at 0730 except Sunday. It covers all of the local news and events, and a good source of local information that matter to cruisers.

I did my announcement for the specials at Backpacker’s Hotel on the Rio Dulce Cruisers net.

Did some more catch up on email, and kept up with the Michael Spiegel a fair bit of the morning. This morning was closing arguments for both the prosecution and the defense.

In between looking at the computer, a took two of the cockpit sheet nets and one piece of line for the mainsheet traveler out of the bleach solution, and did a final rinse on all three pieces. I put the line for the mainsheet traveler back where it was supposed to be, and hung the sheet nets up to dry.

Mainsheet Traveler Back On Line (Red Line)

I then made up another solution of bleach and water in my big bucket and dropped in one of the Genoa sheets and the three remaining cockpit sheet nets. I will let these soak overnight to be sure they get really clean.

Big Bucket With Genoa Sheet And Cockpit Sheet Nets

A quick update on the Michael Spiegel trial. The closing statements are finished and the jury was given their instructions, and they went into deliberation around 1052 EST.

I got started on my next project. The other day, I was looking at the storage areas that are available back in the shop. The storage area I chose is 5’ wide. I noticed a couple of the other areas are 7 1/2’ wide. I asked John, the Monkey Bay Marina manager, about that, and he said they are all the same price. He also said there was one of the 7 1/2’ wide storage areas on the top (more space) was available.

I told him I wanted to change, and he said it was OK. This sort of worked out for me. The bad news about the move is that all the plastic and plywood pieces that make up the “floor” of the storage area are by definition on the bottom.

So, to make the move I had to empty all of the stuff out of my original storage area to get to the “floor boards”, move the “floor boards” to the new storage area, and then put all of my stuff back. As I mentioned this sort of worked out for me. I needed two pieces of plastic that made up the “floor” to use to cover holes on DREAM AWAY where I am going to remove hatches to fix leaks.

It took me pretty much the remainder of the day to do the move. It was a lot of work to get it done, but I got it done.

During a break I got an update on the Michael Spiegel trial. The jury deliberated less than three hours. He was convicted on all three counts, two second degree murder charges, and one first degree arson. Finally some peace for Marilyn’s friends and family. He will be in jail for the remainder of his life.

My Original Storage Area Before The Move

New Storage Area At Start

Emptied My Original Storage Area

All Of My Stuff In The Shop

Putting In The Floor Of The New Storage Area

All Of The Stuff In The New Storage Area

With the move finished and the area cleaned up, I moved onto putting the fifth coat of varnish on the teak wood covers. I sanded the covers, wiped them down with a tack rag, and then applied the varnish.

Now it was onto a shower, which I really needed, and back to DREAM AWAY for an adult beverage and a reading break in the cockpit.

I started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. When the coffee is started, I feed our two cats, Jillian and Jordan, and attempt to brush their beautiful coats.

We listened to the Rio Dulce Cruisers net on DREAM AWAY. The net is everyday at 0730 except Sunday. It covers all of the local news and events, and a good source of local information that matter to cruisers.

I did my announcement for the specials at Backpacker’s Hotel on the Rio Dulce Cruisers net.

It rained last night, so the first project after breakfast is to pump out the tender. I need to go to RAM Marine and then into town today, so I want to get all of the water out of the tender. It is not supposed to rain, but sure enough if I do not pump it out, it will pour and capsize the tender.

Tender With Water In The Hulls

I did not mention it, but the last time I used the tender and put it away and locked it all up, I tilted the engine up out of the water, and gasoline leaked out of the carburetor. There is some kind of a problem that I need to look into.

The next project, and the reason for the changing of storage areas yesterday is I need to move a sheet of sheet PVC, and a sheet of Extren fiberglass plate out to DREAM AWAY. I am using these two sheets to cover the holes remaining in the cabin roof when I remove the aft cabin hatches.

I also need my hatch insert that I cut out of the Extren fiberglass plate that is going on top of the hole left from removing the aft cabin wooden hatch. The wooden hatch is being replaced by a Lewmar #20 Ocean Hatch. It does have less area, but they will not leak, and need almost no maintenance!

Moving The Three Pieces Out To DREAM AWAY

Now another set of issues come up because of the hatch replacement. After I have fiberglassed down the piece of Extren fiberglass plate, and the area is cleaned up, I will want to apply white gelcoat.

I have a lot in the way. I have to remove my boarding ladder, and finish off the pads for it, and apply gelcoat. I also have to remove the Life Raft so I can gelcoat underneath the launch frame, and I also have to remove the SCUBA compressor to gelcoat underneath it. So quite a bit to do.

First item to remove is the Life Raft. I take it off of its frame, and move it up to the foredeck, and lock it down there.

Winslow Life Raft With Cover Off

Winslow Life Raft And Ready To Go

With the Winslow Life Raft out of the way, all I have to do is remove the teak wood boarding ladder, so I can remove the hinges of the wooden hatch, and then remove the wooden hatch.

Wooden Hatch And Teak Wood Boarding Ladder In Place

Teak Wood Boarding Ladder Removed

You can see from the condition of the pads that I use to hold down the teak wood boarding ladder, that they need work. Cleaning them up, and making them pretty is all part of the general work plan for the two hatches.

I removed the wooden hatch, and all of its hardware. Our good friend Noel wants the spring lifting device from the hatch, but may also want the hatch if it will fit his boat.

Wooden Hatch Removed From Aft Cabin Top

Hatch Hole Covered With PVC Sheet

I had to go into town for several reasons, so I got cleaned up. The only other cruiser here at Monkey Bay Marina, Christine, needed to go into town also, so we got into the tender and headed over to RAM Marine.

Both Christine and I needed cash which we got at the ATM at RAM Marine, but I needed to go to TANTALUS. I went up to TANTALUS and disconnected Big Bertha from the battery, and disconnected the power cord from Big Bertha. I took a photo of the controls of Big Bertha, locked up the companionway, and left TANTALUS.

Big Bertha Controls

I went and found Karen the yard manager and asked her about the order of the drip less seal for SERENITY. She said that the seal was in transit.

Christine and I left RAM Marine and I docked the tender at Bruno’s. Christine and I agreed we would meet back here at Bruno’s when we finished shopping. My first stop was the left hand veggie stand, and purchased some green beans. I then went to the TiGo store on the corner and purchased Q100 using our triple coupon.

I have been using a bunch of time on the phone keeping up with Judy and the trial. We have been using Skype as much as possible, but we also use the phone.

I then went to the Dispensa Familiar and got the groceries and cat food I needed. After the Dispensa Familiar, it was off to Ingrid's Tienda, where I purchased the peanut butter and rum. From Ingrid's Tienda, it was back to Bruno’s.

Christine was waiting for me, I had one more stop to make. We got in the tender, and went around the corner to the El Relleno fuel station for five gallons of gasoline. We got the fuel, and then it was back to DREAM AWAY.

I put away all of the groceries, and then took the teak wood boarding ladder back to the shop. I wanted to get a good look at it, and see what condition it was in. It is in very good condition, it is just the Cetol has worn off in the high use places.

Teak Wood Boarding Ladder On Workbench

I then went and got a shower, fixed an adult beverage and took a reading break. After that I fixed a dinner of pork chops and sauteed carrots, cabbage and onions.

I put the dressing on my left foot, and sent a photo to Dr Riley, so she could see the progress on the infection

Left Foot Photo

I started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. When the coffee is started, I feed our two cats, Jillian and Jordan, and attempt to brush their beautiful coats.

Did not have the Rio Dulce Cruisers net this morning, because it is Sunday.

A day of some significance! Forty-nine years ago our son Stacy was born, Happy Birthday.

Kitty is flying from Tampa to Charleston, West Virginia, to visit her friend Kathy. She finally got there, but what an adventure it was! Kitty called me this morning when she was at the Atlanta airport . She had a pretty exciting time. I guess the weather was pretty bad, because they did not make it on the ground until the third attempt.

When she got on the ground and was taxiing to the gate she looked at her boarding pass, and realized it was not in her name, and she was destined to go to Portland, Oregon! Once in the terminal, she got all of that organized, and then she knew which gate to go to to get to Charleston.

Once she got to the gate, the flight was delayed because of weather, then the plane was broke, so they had to get a new plane, and the crew for the new plane was in Birmingham, Alabama.

When I talked to her this morning it was 0900 my time which was 1100 her time and she was scheduled to be in Charleston at 0930! Running very late!

I called again at 1245 my time, 1445 her time, and Craig had just picked her up at the airport, and they were headed someplace to have a bit so she and Craig could talk. Craig said there is a cast of thousands at Kathy's house.

Today I spent the whole day on the computer with the exception of a side trip to Casa Perico. For some reason all of the German boats here at the marina had unloaded a bunch of books, all in German. Our book shelves were way overfilled.

I talked to John, the Monkey Bay Marina manager, and asked him if I could give away a bunch of the German books and a bunch of the English books. He said yes, PLEASE.

The owners of Casa Perico are German, so with the help of Christine, who is also German, helped me put together a box of books that we took over to Casa Perico. They were extremely happy to have a new supply of books.

I made great progress on the Maintenance/Cruising Log, and I got some parts that we need ordered, and on there way to our niece Terri’s house. Kitty will pick them up there on the way back to DREAM AWAY.

I started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. When the coffee is started, I feed our two cats, Jillian and Jordan, and attempt to brush their beautiful coats.

I listened to the Rio Dulce Cruisers net on DREAM AWAY. The net is everyday at 0730 except Sunday. It covers all of the local news and events, and a good source of local information that matter to cruisers.

I did my announcement for the specials at Backpacker’s Hotel on the Rio Dulce Cruisers net. I also made the announcement of the Monday special at Hotel Kangaroo/Las Mexicanas.

During the Rio Dulce Cruisers net, I asked about finding a piece of ⅜” stainless steel rod, and was advised to ask Carlos the welder, that he would probably have some.

I worked on email and got caught up on the maintenance log. While working on the computer, our male cat Jordan decided it was nap time just beside the chair I set in at the nav station.

I Am Not Dead - I am Napping

I finished on the computer, and went out on the front deck to get the second Genoa sheet, and the last cockpit sheet net out of the bleach and water solution they were soaking in. They were very clean, so all they needed was a good rinse and then hung up to dry.

Cockpit Sheet Net Hung Out To Dry

Genoa Sheet Hung On Liferail To Dry

Cockpit Sheet Nets Dry And Ready For Storage

When I got all of the nets and sheets squared away back in the shop, I changed clothes, and got into the tender and headed into town. I docked at Bruno’s, and headed off north on CA13. It was a long hot walk, but I finally got to Carlos the welder’s shop.

When I got there, I could not believe the amount of stuff he had there. The problem would be finding the piece I needed. Carlos was not there, but his son was. I showed him what I needed. He started looking for the piece, but was not having any luck.

I finally joined in the hunt and was lucky enough to find a 12” piece of ⅜” stainless steel rod. I asked the price, and he said Q30, and I said done deal. He cut off a brass fitting that was on the rod, that I did not need, I paid the Q30 and left.

Just as I walked out of the gate by his shop, there was a tuk-tuk. I hailed it, and he took took me back to town for Q5! I got off at the Dispensa Familiar, and went in and purchased cat food. I then went to Ingrid's Tienda, where I purchased rum. From Ingrid's Tienda, it was back to Bruno’s. I got into the tender, and went back to DREAM AWAY.

When I got back, I changed clothes, put some tools together to go work on the carburetor on the outboard engine. Whenever I tilt the engine up, gasoline leaks out of the carburetor. My thought is to work on the problem and find the cause so if I need parts, I can get Kitty to bring them back when she comes from the States.

I went out to the tender, and removed the carburetor. Something at which I am getting good! I took the carburetor back to the shop so I could work on it.

Carburetor On The Outboard Engine

Outboard Engine With Carburetor Removed

Before taking the carburetor off of the engine, I ascertained the leak was not coming from the fuel pump. When I got the carburetor back to the shop, I took it apart. I was especially looking for loose parts or bad gaskets.

Carburetor Apart On Workbench

I could not find anything that could be a problem, but when I put the float chamber body back on the carburetor and tightened it down with the main jet bolt the gasket split. Fortunately, I did have a spare, so I put it on and put the carburetor back together.

Carburetor Back Together, Ready For Installation

I took the carburetor back out to the tender, and installed it on the engine. I started the engine and adjusted the idle jet a bit, and the engine ran just fine. I stopped the engine, and raised it out of the water.

There was no gasoline leak initially, but after a couple of minutes it started to leak very slightly. The leak is much less, but it is still there. I am beginning to suspect the gasket between the main body of the carburetor and the float chamber body. I have a gasket, but I did not feel like putting it on right now.

I had taken the teak wood ladder off of DREAM AWAY and taken it back to the shop to start sanding it down. I had treated it with Cetol a couple of years ago, but it has worn off in the high use places. Cetol is hard to get outside the States, and if you can find it, it is very expensive. I thought it would be a good idea to paint the ladder. I talked it over with Kitty and she suggested we just let it go back to natural teak wood, and it will turn grey with age. Sound familiar!!

Teak Wood Ladder Getting Sanded

I went back to DREAM AWAY, and fixed an adult beverage, and had a reading break. I got dinner for our cats, and then took a shower. When I returned from the show, I had my dinner!

I started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. When the coffee is started, I feed our two cats, Jillian and Jordan, and attempt to brush their beautiful coats.

We listened to the Rio Dulce Cruisers net on DREAM AWAY. The net is everyday at 0730 except Sunday. It covers all of the local news and events, and a good source of local information that matter to cruisers.

I did my announcement for the specials at Backpacker’s Hotel on the Rio Dulce Cruisers net.

Spent some extra time working on email, trying to keep friends and relatives current with the happenings of Kitty in West Virginia. Like everything else, some good news and some bad news.

Today I am going to remove the Lewmar Ocean hatch in the aft cabin. I am also going to remove the screen insert, that has not worked very well since I installed it. My plan is to build a screen fitting much like the one in the forward cabin. I do not have a good picture of that screen fitting, so you will have to watch this one being built!

I am removing the Lewmar Ocean hatch for two reasons. First when I initially installed the hatch, and built the base, I applied paint to the base. I now want to apply gelcoat, and in fact I want to apply gelcoat to the whole after cabin exterior. For the gelcoat application to work, I have to sand off all of the paint.

The second reason to remove the Lewmar Ocean hatch is one of the hinges has popped the rivets that hold the hinge to the base. I am not sure how I am going to do this, but I am sure I will come up with some plan.

Hatch Looking To The Outside Screen Trim Ring Barely Visible

When I installed the hatch screen trim ring, I stuffed foam around the outside of the screen trim ring to seal up any spaces, because the screen trim ring did not fit perfectly. The foam worked, but the sun had eaten it up, so I had to have the vacuum cleaner right there as I removed the foam.

Foam Behind The Screen Trim Ring

Once I had removed the foam, I then removed the screen trim ring, and all of the hardware. I took the screen trim ring and the screen out to the shop. I have put it with other stuff I will try and sell at the next swap meet.

Screen Trim Ring And Screen Removed

With the screen trim ring and screen removed, I next removed the hatch. I took out all of the screws and then very carefully pried the hatch base away from the butyl tape sealant I used to seal the hatch. The hatch came off, and I am sure I will be able to use most of the butyl tape sealant that remains on the hatch.

Hatch Still In The Hole On Deck

Hatch Removed From Deck

Next I tried to put the bolt back into the stanchion base on which I had worked on a couple of weeks ago. I did not have success with that, but will look into at a later time.

Stanchion Base With Bolt Missing

Next project is to try and re-attach the hinge on the hatch I had just removed from the aft cabin deck. I looked it up on the Internet to see if anyone had done it before, but could not find anything.

I cleaned out the old rivets from the hinge and the base. It looked like I could probably re-attach the hinge with the rivets I had on hand. I found the rivets, and got out my hydraulic rivet gun, so I am all set to go. I removed the loose hinge from the hatch base, and the broken rivet parts just dropped out.

Hinge Removed From Hatch Base

One problem I had was that the tip on the hydraulic rivet gun would not reach all of the way down into the hinge base to the top of the rivet. I added six #8 flat washers, and that solved the problem. I was able to install both of the rivets and repair the hatch.

One Rivet In, Second Rivet Ready To Be Crushed

Both Rivets In And Hatch Back Together

With that project complete, I took the hatch, the teak wood board I am using for the screen in the aft cabin, the grinder and my bung cutter back to the shop.

First I worked on the teak wood board for the screen. I marked a notch that had to be cut in the board so it would fit under the hatch.

Notch Marked On Teak Wood Board

Notch Cut On Teak Wood Board

I had some small pieces of teak wood pieces in the shop, that were pretty much scrap. I decided to use what I could and cut teak wood bungs. I use these bungs quite often on DREAM AWAY, so it is a good idea to have them around. I cut several ¼” and ½” bungs.

Cutting Bungs On The Drill Press

When I finished cutting the bungs, I set up my bench grinder, and cleaned up hardware and fasteners I had removed when I removed the wood hatch in the aft cabin.

Bench Grinder Set Up With Fasteners And Hardware

I then cleaned up the area, and took all my tools and wood back to DREAM AWAY. I put everything away, and went up and took a much needed shower. I came back to DREAM AWAY and had my dinner, and got to work on the Maintenance Log.

Before I climbed into the sack, I dressed the wound on my left foot. It is looking much better.

Wound On Left Foot

I started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. When the coffee is started, I feed our two cats, Jillian and Jordan, and attempt to brush their beautiful coats.

I listened to the Rio Dulce Cruisers net on DREAM AWAY. The net is everyday at 0730 except Sunday. It covers all of the local news and events, and a good source of local information that matter to cruisers.

I did my announcement for the specials at Backpacker’s Hotel on the Rio Dulce Cruisers net.

After I answered more emails, and had breakfast, I got to work on the screen board I am making for the Lewmar Ocean hatch in the aft cabin.

To make room for the screen board, I had to cut out some of the trim work on the teak wood that is around the hatch hole on the interior.

One Corner That Needs Trimming

Forward Side Of Teak Wood Trim That Needs Trimming

I had to go out to the shop to get a tool, and there was one of the howler monkeys sitting on a branch, and I was able to get some good shots. She was by herself just literally hanging out.

Howler Monkey Sitting On A Branch

Because of the condition of the teak wood trim on the inside of both hatches in the aft cabin, I have decided to sand, dye and varnish all of the teak wood on both hatches. I had to do one because of adding the screen board in the one hatch hole, so doing the second did not add that much.

Condition Of Teak Wood On The Inside Of The Hatches

I had to fold up the mattress in the aft cabin so I could work on the one hatch. I did not want a bunch of debris falling into the bed on which I am sleeping.

Folded Mattress In Aft Cabin

I took the teak wood trim pieces I need to attach to the hatch trim out to the shop to cut and trim.

Cutting Trim Pieces

I brought all of the pieces back to DREAM AWAY. As I came on board I caught Jordie hard at work!

No Dad, I Am Not Napping, I Am Checking The Circuit Breakers

What A Beautiful Face

Now I had to install the pieces I will need to attach the screen to the one hatch in the aft cabin. First I drilled holes into the one piece of teak wood that is the base for the screen. I did a dry fit of that piece, and the two pieces that are above it.

The other piece of teak wood trim that attaches to the screen base had to have teak wood bungs put into it, so I did a dry fit of the bungs.

Hole Drilled Into The Teak Wood Screen Base

I then mixed up a batch of epoxy, and inserted the teak wood bungs into the trim piece.

Teak Wood Bungs In The Trim Piece

I then went into the after cabin, and applied some epoxy to the underside of the screen base, and screwed it into the teak wood hatch trim. I then applied epoxy to the back side of the other two trim pieces, and put them in place with bits of wood and pipe to hold them in place.

Screen Base Installed

Two Trim Pieces In Place

While the epoxy I had used was setting up, I decided to get the hole covers I had varnished last week off of my workbench in the garage, and actually covering the holes!

To do this meant I needed a lot of tools and parts. I needed two drill bits, screwdrivers, vacuum cleaner, a box with screws in it and a box with washers in it. When I got all of this together, I had to drill holes in the cover for the screw clearance, and then a hole in the overhead for the screw to go into.

It all went pretty well, until the last cover was to be installed. I then realized, I had varnished the incorrect side! Oh well, I have some other parts to varnish, so add it to the list.

One Of The Holes In The Overhead That Needs Covered

Hole Covered

Table Full Of Stuff Needed For The Operation

Another Set Of Holes Needing Covered

Holes Covered Minus One Piece

That was nice to get the holes all covered (minus one piece!). I put away all of the tools and fasteners, and did my usual. I fixed an adult beverage and took a small reading break. Then it was off to the shower, back to DREAM AWAY for dinner, and more work on the maintenance log.

I started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. When the coffee is started, I feed our two cats, Jillian and Jordan, and attempt to brush their beautiful coats.

I listened to the Rio Dulce Cruisers net on DREAM AWAY. The net is everyday at 0730 except Sunday. It covers all of the local news and events, and a good source of local information that matter to cruisers.

I did my announcement for the specials at Backpacker’s Hotel on the Rio Dulce Cruisers net.

Caught up on emails, and made sure friends and family were caught up on Kitty and what is happening with her. Things are settling down at Kathy’s house, so Kitty is able to get caught up with her sleep. This means that with visiting and helping care for her good friend Kathy, she will have time to catch up on her email.

After breakfast I started on the cleanup the teak wood trim around the two hatches in the aft cabin. The hatch hole for the small teak wood hatch had several holes in the fiberglass that needed to be repaired before I could get the teak wood trim ready for dye and varnish.

Before I could start anything on the hatch hole, I had to seal off the hole from the underside. I got two plastic trash bags, and taped them around the teak wood trim inside the aft cabin.

Hatch Hole From Inside The Aft Cabin

There were some screw holes on the front of the hatch hole, and some screw holes on the port side of the hatch hole. Using a countersink, I made the holes much larger so they would be easy to fill. I mixed up a small batch of the finishing putty and applied it to some of the holes.

I initially mixed a small batch because I was not sure the cream hardener was still good. The finishing putty kicked right off, so I knew I had good cream hardener. I mixed another batch of the finishing putty and filled the remaining holes.

Front Holes Filled In

Port Side Holes Filled In

I had some of the finishing putty left over after filling the holes, so I applied it to the boarding ladder pads, that need to be faired.

Boarding Ladder Pads

I let the finishing putty set up and harden. I then sanded down all of the spots until the area was nice and smooth. When it comes time to apply gelcoat to this area, I will be sanding it all down with a #220 grit sandpaper.

Forward Holes Sanded

Port Side Holes Sanded

With holes filled and sanded, I sanded down all of the teak wood I could reach from the outside. When I finished, I went below and carefully removed the plastic I had put up on the inside of the hatch.

Using the vacuum cleaner while I was sanding, I finished sanding the inside of the teak trim on both hatch holes in the aft cabin. I also sanded the corners of the teak wood trim on both hatch holes. These corners are very sharp and hard on the screens I made for the hatches. Making these corners rounded will make the screens last much longer. I wiped down all of the teak wood trim with a rag dampened with acetone.

Next fun project is to mask off all of the teak wood trim around both hatch holes top and bottom. This was necessary because I need to apply the dye to all of the teak wood, and of course the varnish.

Masking Tape Applied To Inside Of Large Hatch Hole

Masking Tape Applied To Inside Of Small Hatch Hole

Masking Tape Applied To Outside Of Large Hatch Hole

When I completed the masking of the two hatches in the after cabin, I went back to the shop and applied the dye to the one hole cover I had varnished on the wrong side. I also applied the dye to the teak wood piece that will hold the screen on the large aft cabin hatch.

Dye Applied To Teak Wood Pieces

I then went back out to DREAM AWAY and applied the dye to the teak wood trim around both hatch holes.

Dye Applied To The Small Hatch Hole

Dye Applied To Front Of Large Hatch Hole

Dye Applied To Large Hatch Hole

When I finished that, I put all of the dye, tools and other items away, and I am sure you know the drill by now!

I went and took a shower, when I returned, I fixed an adult beverage and had a reading break. When the break was finished, I had dinner, and then spent some time on the computer catching up on the Maintenance/Cruising log.

I started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. When the coffee is started, I feed our two cats, Jillian and Jordan, and attempt to brush their beautiful coats.

Because of the planned trip today immediately following the Rio Dulce Cruisers net, I had my breakfast before the net.

I listened to the Rio Dulce Cruisers net on DREAM AWAY. The net is everyday at 0730 except Sunday. It covers all of the local news and events, and a good source of local information that matter to cruisers.

I did my announcement for the specials at Backpacker’s Hotel on the Rio Dulce Cruisers net.

Today is the day Christine and I are going to Quirigua. It is an archaeological park about an hour for where we are on the Rio Dulce. It is a small Maya site, but significant because it has the tallest Stella of all of the Maya sites in Central America.

I have a lot of photos of the site, but did not identify the stella as we looked at them. I thought I would be able to find a map of the stella on the Internet, but have not been successful so far.

You can click on the links and read a lot about Quirigua specifically, and the Maya civilization in general. Just let me remind you as you look at the Stella, the altars, and the acropolis, they did not have wheels, they did not have metal tools, and they did not use mortar when they built these buildings. Each stone was made to fit where it needed to go.

Also each Stella has four sides and each side has carvings on it. They are all glyphs, and all have meaning. Quite a lot of work went into these Stella.

Another thing that surprised both Christine and myself, is the size of the steps at the acropolis! When we walked up the steps, the steps are huge. It was a real effort for us, and the Maya are very small statured people. Our first thought was how did they ever climb the steps, and the second thought was why?

That is the background and a little history on the day. We left Monkey Bay Marina right after the net and docked the tender at Bruno’s. We walked up to the main street and got a Collectivo to Morales. A Collectivo is a minivan that seats about 13 people, but I have seen well over 20 in them! Sometimes a real adventure!

On the way to Morales, we came around a corner on the highway, and there had been a landslide. Fortunately it was not real bad and traffic was moving very well.

Landslide Seen From Window Of Collectivo

When we get to the split off of the main road that goes between Guatemala City and Puerto Barrios, we get out there rather than going all of the way into Morales. We catch another Collectivo heading to Los Amates, which is on the main road to Guatemala City. The road to Quirigua is just before the municipality of Los Amates.

We get out of the Collectivo at the road to Quirigua and start walking down the road. Christine had read that Quirigua was only two kilometers down the road. No problem I say! We walk about a kilometer and come to a sign that says Quirigua two kilometers! Now I am beginning to wonder.

I have since read on another site on the Internet that the distance is four kilometers. After doing the walk, I do believe this figure. As we are walking we came across a stone cross on the side of the road. No explanation, But I had Christine take a photo of me.

Jim At The Cross

We continue walking, and we are walking in the middle of a huge Del Monte banana plantation. Just before we get to the archaeological site, we see bunches of bananas crossing the road? We had noticed bunches of bananas moving through the plantation, but could not figure it out.

When we got to the “banana crossing” we saw what they had going on. It is a motorized tractor driven by one man, and he pulls several bunches of bananas out of the grove to the packing plant! The tractors run on overhead tracks throughout the plantation.

When a bunch of bananas are deemed ready, they are cut off the tree, and hung on this track. When they make a “train”, a tractor comes and picks them up. We stood at the road crossing of the overhead track and watched the process. There is a man that swings the track back and forth over the highway when a tractor needs to cross the road.

Track Frame On One Side Of The Road

Split Track On Opposite Side Of The Road

Empty Tractor Going Back Into The Grove

Tractor Crossing Road Pulling Bananas

Bunches Of Bananas Crossing Road Behind Tractor

The good news is the archaeological site was not very far down the road from the “banana crossing”. I told Christine when we got there, I was taking a tuk-tuk back to the main highway!

We paid out Q80 entrance fee, and started our walk around the site. Please bear in mind what I had said at the beginning of this entry. I am going to show some of the photos of the Stella and the Acropolis, but I do not know which Stella is which. Please forgive me!

Probably Stella A

Another Side Of Stella C

Close Detail On A Stella

Largest Of All The Stella

Detail Of The Largest Of All The Stella

Detail Of One Of The Altars

As we were walking around the main plaza we certainly noticed a very large tree. I took a picture of the tree, and then took another picture of Christina next to the tree to give a real idea of the size of the tree.

Very Large Tree Growing In The Plaza

Christine Standing Next To Tree

Steps Up To The Acropolis

Side View Of Steps Up To The Acropolis

Christina On The Acropolis

Jim On The Acropolis

The Ball Field On Top Of The Acropolis

Christina and I did some more walking around, and then headed to the entrance to await the arrival of a tuk-tuk or a collectivo. We waited 20 minutes, and neither appeared, so we started walking back to the highway. We walked a good kilometer, and we came to a place where someone else was waiting for a collectivo.

We stopped there and waited another 10 minutes or so, and a tuk-tuk arrived and took us up to the main highway. We sat down in the shade of a small comedor at the main highway and only had to wait 10 or so minutes for a collectivo to show up.

We got on the collectivo and headed to Morales. I had planned to stop at the Dispensa Familiar in Morales to see if they had a better selection of cat food, or at least more variety than the Dispensa Familiar in Rio Dulce. Christina, said she did not want to go to the Dispensa Familiar in Morales, so she got out at the crossroad on the main highway.

She got a collectivo back to the Rio Dulce, and we planned to meet at Bruno’s. I continued on to downtown Morales. I walked two blocks to the Dispensa Familiar, and checked out the cat food. They offered more variety of the type of food they really do not like. Any way since I was there, I bought some of the variety I can not get in Rio Dulce.

I walked back to the collectivo area, and got on a collectivo heading back to Rio Dulce. When I got to Rio Dulce, I wanted to shop for a couple of vegetables, and I had decided to purchase some fried chicken for dinner. I had nothing prepared, and I was just too tired to cook anything.

As I was looking for some avocados, I ran into Christine on the street, and she was looking for veggies also. She had just purchased avocados, and she directed me to the veggie stand. I got the avocados, then the fried chicken, and we headed to Bruno’s. We got into the tender and went back to Monkey Bay Marina.

I had a great time, and I am sure glad I went. Christina was great company, but I was worn out! I took a shower, after feeding the cats, and then I had my dinner, and I was in bed by 1900!

I started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. When the coffee is started, I feed our two cats, Jillian and Jordan, and attempt to brush their beautiful coats.

I listened to the Rio Dulce Cruisers net on DREAM AWAY. The net is everyday at 0730 except Sunday. It covers all of the local news and events, and a good source of local information that matter to cruisers.

I did my announcement for the specials at Backpacker’s Hotel on the Rio Dulce Cruisers net.

Before and after breakfast, I spent time getting friends and family updated on Kathy’s condition, and how Kitty was doing overall. I also endeavoured to get caught up on the Maintenance log. I also started a load of laundry using the washing machine at the marina.

I got an early start on the varnish project. The first thing I did was lay out a tarp over the aft cabin bed in case I spilled any of the varnish while doing the application.

Tarp On Aft Cabin Bed

I then went out to the shop, and did a light sanding of the two teak wood pieces I had out there. I then wiped them both down with a tack rag, and then applied the first coat of varnish.

Two Teak Wood Pieces Ready For Varnish

Two Teak Wood Pieces With Varnish Applied

I then took the varnish out to DREAM AWAY. I wiped down all of the hatch hole teak wood trim with a tack rag. I then applied the first coat of varnish to all of the teak wood trim.

Varnish Applied To The Small Aft Cabin Hatch

Varnish Applied To The Large Aft Cabin Hatch

Varnish Applied To The Front Of The Large Aft Cabin Hatch

As I mentioned earlier, I had started a load of laundry. It was finished, so I ran a couple of extra lines on the front of DREAM AWAY, and hung the laundry to dry. I was taking advantage of the great wind we have here on the Rio Dulce.

Laundry Hanging On The Front Of DREAM AWAY

The Casa Guatemala grocery boat came by, and I purchased, fruit, veggies, and some meat. Having the Casa Guatemala grocery boat come by the marina is so convenient! The problem was they did not have everything I needed so I had to go into town.

I changed out of the work clothes and into town clothes. I got into the tender, and docked the tender at Bruno’s. I walked down to the left hand veggie stand, and purchased some jalapenos and some cilantro.

I stopped at Tienda San Lorenzo and purchased some soda crackers. I walked back to Bruno’s, got into the tender, and came back to Monkey Bay Marina. I took all of the dried laundry off of the lines, folded the clothes and put them all away.

Today was reasonably productive, so I went and took a shower. I came back from the shower, and prepared my dinner of a chicken and veggie stir fry. I also made my Southwest Black Bean Pico de Gallo to have tomorrow afternoon, when Christine are going to play rummikub. Naturally while doing this I was enjoying an adult beverage.

I also took a photo of my left foot wound. I had to send it to my doctor in Guatemala City, so she could check on the progress. It is looking a lot better.

Left Foot Wound Photo

I started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. When the coffee is started, I feed our two cats, Jillian and Jordan, and attempt to brush their beautiful coats.

This morning after breakfast, I spent time catching up on emails, and the August Maintenance log. With the first of September coming up, I want to get it done and caught up, so I can get it up on the web page very soon.

I then got started on the varnish project. I wiped down the two pieces of teak wood I had out in the shop with the tack rag. I went back to DREAM AWAY and put down the tarp over the bed in the aft cabin, just in case I spill or splash some varnish. I then wiped down all of the hatch hole trim teak with the tack rag.

Tarp On After Cabin Bed

It was back out to the shop, and I applied the second coat of varnish the two pieces of teak wood there. I took the varnish back to DREAM AWAY, and applied the second coat of varnish to all of the hatch hole teak wood trim.

Second Coat Of Varnish Applied To The Small Hatch Trim

Second Coat Of Varnish Applied To The Large Hatch Trim

Next project is one you are probably very tired of hearing me talk about. Please let me say, I am very tired of actually doing it. I went up to the tender and removed the carburetor. I really wanted to fix the gasoline leak I have when I tip the engine up.

I took the carburetor back to the shop, and took it apart. Last time I worked on the carburetor I had replaced the gasket around the Main Jet that holds the float chamber to the carburetor. When I took the carburetor apart this time, I noticed a lot of caked dirt around the Main Jet.

I cleaned all of the dirt around the Main Jet until I could see shiny metal. I also pulled out the float chamber gasket. It looked pretty rough. Since I had one in stock, and have three on order, I decided to put in the new float chamber gasket.

Carburetor Apart On Work Bench

I put the carburetor back together, and took it back out to the tender, and installed the carburetor onto the engine. I pressured up the system and there were no leaks. I tilted the engine, and waited about two minutes and still no leaks!

I put the engine back in place, and started the engine, and adjusted the idle jet where the engine would idle when it was in reverse or forward gear. I stopped the engine, and tilted up again. I waited a couple of more minutes, and still no leaks. I may have that problem fixed!

While I was working on the engine, our next door neighbor left his house.

Next Door Neighbor Leaving

Now to another project. While I am varnishing the teak wood around the hatches in the aft cabin, I can not get too aggressive with other projects that require heavy sanding. I decided I could remove the wooden grab rail on the port side of the aft cabin, and install the stainless steel grab rail.

This one on the port side was more involved than the one I had to replace on the starboard side. There are five bolts holding the grab rail to the cabin top, and I only wanted to put holes in the aft cabin overhead at the ends of the grab rail.

Wooden Grab Rail On Port Aft Cabin

I drilled out the teak wood plugs, or bungs, and removed the bolts. The hope was that the nuts inside the overhead were stuck in fiberglass, and the bolt would unscrew. That worked for three of the five. The good news is they we spaced out enough that I was able to get a hack saw under the grab rail and cut them off.

The two outside holes in the cabin top needed to be drilled through to the inside of the aft cabin, so I could cut a hole in the liner. I needed to be able to get to the nuts that I will be using to hold down the stainless steel grab rails. I put a piece of duct taped over the holes.

I did not do that cutting today, as I did not want the dust to get on the freshly applied varnish. I did cut out the three other holes with a countersink, I made the holes much larger so they would be easy to fill. I mixed up a small batch of the finishing putty and applied it to those holes.

Five Holes Covered Or Filled

Now it was off to the shower to get cleaned up. I had a wonderful shower, and got dressed. I grabbed my chips and the Southwestern Black Bean Pico De Gallo I made yesterday and went out to the rancho. Christine was already there, so we got into the rummikub game.

As we were sitting there playing, John, the Monkey Bay Marina manager, came out and watched us play. He brought his own dip, but shared our chips.

I think we played five or six games, and then we called it an afternoon. I went back to DREAM AWAY. I ate so much chips and dip, I did not eat dinner. I called my good friend Jim on Skype, and then called Kitty also using Skype. When I finished the calling, I had a bowl of my homemade strawberry ice cream, dressed my foot and went to bed.

I started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. When the coffee is started, I feed our two cats, Jillian and Jordan, and attempt to brush their beautiful coats.

I listened to the Rio Dulce Cruisers net on DREAM AWAY. The net is everyday at 0730 except Sunday. It covers all of the local news and events, and a good source of local information that matter to cruisers.

I did my announcement for the specials at Backpacker’s Hotel on the Rio Dulce Cruisers net. I also made the announcement of the Monday special at Hotel Kangaroo/Las Mexicanas.

Today I am going to apply the third coat of varnish to the teak wood trim on both hatch holes. Before I can do that I have to drill and cut holes in the overhead of the aft cabin for the grab rail ends. I do not want dust flying around with wet varnish.

First thing I need to do is drill two holes in the aft cabin overhead from outside. This is where the grab rail ends will go through the aft cabin deck. It will also show me where to cut out two larger holes with a hole saw. This will give me enough room in the overhead to get a fender washer and nut on the bolt welded to the grab rail ends.

Before I could drill the holes, I needed to tape a trash bag under the area where the drill bit will come through. This will keep any of the fiberglass from spreading all over.

Trash Bags Taped To Aft Cabin Overhead

I heard the howler monkeys very loud and they sounded real close to the restrooms, so I got my camera, and went out to the area. There was a family of three howler monkeys hanging out in a tree right over the restrooms. There was an obvious male, a female and a baby. Of course I took some photos!!

Male Howler Monkey In The Tree

Female Howler Monkey In The Tree

Baby Howler Monkey In The Tree

I went back to DREAM AWAY and removed the duct tape covering the holes on the aft cabin roof. I then drilled two holes all the way through the aft cabin overhead liner. I went inside the aft cabin, and did an adjustment on the plastic bags covering the holes I had just drilled through.

Hole Drilled Through The Aft Cabin From Outside

I got my hole saw out and also the vacuum cleaner. I then cut the holes in the aft cabin overhead liner with the vacuum cleaner running. The combination of the vacuum and the plastic bags, there was a minimum of fiberglass spread around.

Hole Cut In Aft Cabin Overhead Liner With Hole Saw

I dropped the grab rail ends that I will be using down through the two holes I will be using for the new grab rail. The bolts welded to the grab rail ends were too long, so I measured where I needed to cut off the end of the bolt. I also measured the length of ⅞” tubing I would need for the actual grab rail.

I removed the grab rail ends from the cabin roof, and drilled out the ¼” holes to the ½” size. I then went back into the aft cabin and using duct tape I covered the bottom of the two holes.

½” Hole Drilled in The Aft Cabin Roof

Hole Covered On The Bottom With Duct Tape

With the two holes covered on the bottom, I mixed up a pot of epoxy, and mixed in some cabosil and filled the two holes in the cabin roof. I went below in the aft cabin to make sure the epoxy was not leaking through. None was leaking through.

Epoxy Setting Up In One Of The Holes

While I was waiting epoxy to set up, I went back to the shop so I could cut the ⅞” stainless steel tubing and also cut the ends off of the bolts on the grab rail ends.

When I got out to the shop, the family of howler monkeys were still in the trees right over the restrooms. Brace yourselves, I took more photos!!

Mom And Baby Howler Monkeys In The Tree

Baby Howler Monkey

Back to work! In the shop I cut off the ends of the bolts on the grab rail ends. I also cut the ⅞” tubing to the proper length using a manual hack saw.

Cutting The Bolt On the Grab Rail End

Cutting The ⅞” Tubing To The Proper Length

When I come back to DREAM AWAY, and the epoxy had kicked off and was set. I sanded down the epoxy so that it was smooth with the cabin top.

Sanding The Cabin Top Smooth

When the sanding was complete, I drilled out the two ¼” holes needed for the grab rail ends, and then put the grab rail ends into the holes. They fit just right and the ⅞” tubing was cut to the proper length.

Grab Rail Ends In The Aft Cabin Top

I then put the tubing inside the grab rail ends, and attempted to put the grab rail ends into the holes in the cabin top. They would not fit, the tubing was about ½” too long! When I looked inside one of the grab rail ends, I saw some metal that had not been cleaned out properly.

I took the grab rail end down into the garage, and put it into the vice. I was able to file out the remaining metal, and get the tubing to fit properly. I took the pieces back up to the cabin top, and did a dry fit. It worked just like in the plan.

I got out my butyl tape sealant and put it on the bolts on the grab rail ends. I put the grab rail ends into the holes with the butyl tape sealant around the bolts, and pushed them in tight. I went down into the aft cabin and put on the washers and nuts, and tightened down the grab rail ends.

I went back out to the grab rails on the cabin top and verified the grab rail was installed and tight. It seems like a good job.

Grab Rail Ready For Installation

Grab Rail Installed On the Aft Cabin Overhead, Port Side

I still had more item to take care of. Since I was done with the dusty stuff, I applied the third coat of varnish to the two pieces out in the shop, and the teak wood trim around both hatch holes in the aft cabin.

Another productive day, so it was time for a shower, adult beverage and dinner.