Rich has been removing parts. Some items will go into our parts inventory such as the starter motor, fresh water pump, alternator and brackets. He removed the Racor fuel filter for cleaning and its enclosure to facilitate removing the old engine. We will remove the salon table, its stands, and the cushions. Plywood will be used to protect the floors and for sliding the engine on. We will also remove the companionway grab rails and stairs as well as folding back the bimini and taking off the dodger completely.
Rich has had several discussions with the mechanic as to the best way to remove the old engine. One thought it so drill a hole in the bulkhead at the aft end of the engine compartment and run a 2 inch steel pipe through it with a back plate. The pipe would extend into the salon. We would wrap a chain around the aft end of the engine and over the pipe and another at the forward end of the engine and a come-along around the mast in the salon. The pipe would be using to pull the engine up and the come-along would pull the engine out. Once it is out of the compartment we would use the boom with chains again to lift it out of the salon into the cockpit and then onto the dock. At least this is the current theory.
While Rich is working down below, I continue on the stainless. I have finished the stanchions and the fore and aft pulpits. Next are the shrouds.
When we are not working on the boat Rich and I have enjoyed many social activities. This includes happy hour and listening to reggae music at the Sky Bar here at the marina with Cindy of SV Bravo. Afterwards she led us through La Cruz to a small family run taco restaurant up the hill. Good, inexpensive food if judged by the other cruisers also enjoying a meal. Wednesday, 2/8, we went to the Pacific Puddle Jump seminar on rigging and in the evening we joined 6 other cruisers for dinner at restaurant 109. This is not really the name of the restaurant but that is what the cruisers call it since almost all of the entries cost 109 pesos.
Last night was movie night. There is an amphitheater at one corner of the marina where they have set up a screen and show free movies on Thursday nights at 7:00 pm. The Ikuai Restaurant sells beer and drinks at happy hour prices, hot dogs, popcorn and a few snack items. We brought our cockpit chairs to sit on, had beer, hot dogs and popcorn and enjoyed the movie. Part way through the movie, they stop for a bathroom and food break. The selection for this week was the movie, “The Help”. Rich and I both enjoyed it.
Monday and Wednesday mornings from 9 to 10 am there is a Spanish class which I have started to attend. I am picking it up very slowly trying to expand my vocabulary.
Our friends, Reg and Phoebe of SV Three Sheets stopped by La Cruz for a few days and we were glad we could get together with then before they headed south to Ecuador. Their first stop was Tenacatita and then on to Barra Navidad. Their engine was acting up a little when they went from Paradise Village to Punta de Mita and we met them for dinner at Si Senor. Reg thought it was a fuel issue and planned to replace the filters when he returned to Paradise Village. The engine coughed a bit when they stopped at La Cruz before heading south. We just heard that they too are having serious engine issues similar to ours with the same model of engine. They have diagnosed rust in the turbo with cylinder failures. The saying is “misery loves company” but we interpret this to mean you want someone to be with you and sympathize, not to have someone have the same problems that you do. Now they are facing some of the same issues we did, to repair or replace. We know how it feels and we are trying to support them as they supported us. Now instead of sailing to Ecuador they may be flying down instead and leaving from Mexico to go across the South Pacific. Cruising does have its rough moments.
Adios
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