Solo Again!

The week has been hectic…, projects, projects, and more projects. You know what they say the definition of cruising is? Fixing your boat in exotic locations, it’s pretty true.

I’ve got 4 new Trojan T-105 batteries installed. The batteries were about $400.00, with another $100.00 in cabling. Wow what a difference in power! I’ve also got 2, of my 3 solar panels charging during the day, what a treat. I still need to mount them on the stern pulpit, but the bulk of the work is done.

I bought an old Sea Tiger manual windless that I need to rebuild & mount on the foredeck. I really think I’m going to need that in the deep anchorages of the Pacific.

I also need to look at my compression post. A bit of the wood is rotting where it touches the bottom of the hull. I’m going to loosen all of the rigging, jack it up with an auto jack, and glass it to the hull. Theoretically easy, but I think it will be a bear of a project.

I also got a 2nd anchor roller in the states. My primary anchor is a 40lb plow with 80’ of 3/8 chain, and 150’ of line. My 2nd anchor is a Hooker (Danforth type) with 100’ of 5/16 chain, and 100’ of line. I also have a large Danforth on the stern, and a series drogue ready to deploy in bad weather.

The antenna to my EPIRB broke, I need to find or build a replacement. ACR wants like $130.00 for an antenna “RIDICULIOUS!” I could probably pick up the same one at a Radio Shack for around $5.00, I really hate that!!!!

I must be really stupid, but I’ve asked Lupe not to return from Venezuela. I’ve been neglecting my writing, video and photography. I feel that for the moment my path is one of a single-hander. I want to finish what I set out to do. Sail around the world in a small boat alone. I couldn’t have asked to spend time with a nicer person though, and I really enjoyed our time together.

If you’re interested in hearing my story from the beginning, pick up a copy of “Latitudes & Attitudes”, I’m working on my 3rd piece for them now. I got the January issue when I was back in the states at a West Marine. It really made me happy to see my work published. The gang at Latitudes and Attitudes are a really great group of people to work with as well.

Anyway, that’s it for today.

Happy New year everyone!

Peace, Love, and Coconuts!

– Alex