Cleaning up after engine removal

After we removed the engine, we began the process of cleaning up and putting the boat back together, at least part way before Sarah, Jesse and Rae arrive.

Here is what the bilge under the engine looked like when it was removed and we took out the fiberglass engine pan. It was very 'yucky' (note: the technical term), and cleaning it involved siphoning out all of the old 'fluid', and going in with bilge soap and brushes to clean.

This is what it looks like now after we cleaned it and Rich painted it with bilge paint.

We still have more work to do before we install the new engine but that will wait until after the visit with the kids.

In the meantime we have been visiting with friends. We had dinner on Wednesday night with Adam and Cindi of SV Bravo, along with the folks from SV The Rose and SV Boomer. They gave us some good suggestions of places to anchor at in the Sea of Cortez this summer. We are looking forward to seeing the places they talked about.

Thursday we took the bus into Puerto Vallarta and met Reg and Phoebe of SV Three Sheets. As they are having their engine rebuilt and will not make it to Ecuador in time for their daughter's visit, Reg is staying with the boat to monitor the rebuild and Phoebe flew to Ecuador on Friday. They took the 'express bus' from Barra Navidad and had plenty of stories about their adventure. We spent the afternoon and evening with them at Marina Vallarta, then took the bus back to La Cruz.

Saturday afternoon as we were finishing cleaning the boat, Biaggio of SV Gem stopped by on his dingy. Biaggio was on the Pacific Puddle Jump with us in 2002. He is now a single-hander and just arrived at La Cruz from Isla Isabella. The last time we saw him was in Australia in 2004. It was good to catch up with him. Biaggio will also be cruising in the Sea of Cortez this summer. We look forward to visiting with him more and others during the PPJ reunion on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

This afternoon we will pick up Sarah at the airport. Tuesday we pick up Jesse and Rae. We can hardly wait.