It pays to be in the right place at the right time. It just witnessed this Cal 46 (Perkins, water maker, genset, blah blah blah, GEORGIOUS BOAT) sell for 20k. Not many people get a better deal than I did on Splendid, but this was one of them, what a great cruising boat. It needs a lot of cleaning and work, but WOW, what a steal. The guy selling it has health issues and wants to be out of Panama by Friday, he gave his jeep to his cab driver :( what a bummer. If I had only come to Panama the day before.
Anyway. I’m in Panama city. I got a call from a friend this morning and I’m a bit nervous about being away from Splendid as the weather in Linton has taken a bad turn and its blowing hard! I have a ride with friends back to Linton tonight after I get my parts back from the machine shop.
I’m really happy. I just sat down at “El Corral” for lunch and had one of the best bacon cheese burgers of my life :)
My friend Alex (another Alex) is coming to visit for a while on the 27th of December. I met her in New Caledonia when i was crossing the Pacific. We should have a good time in the San Blas after the rainy season has past. It will be weird having company again, but I’m happy about it. Life is good in Panama.
I’m in the Allbroke mall now and have to go look at cheap video cameras. My flip is flipping out and I need to tap it on something hard to get it to work, not a good sign.
Thanks for buying my videos and raffle tickets for a charter. My diesel tanks are dry and the few bucks coming in is going a long way. I should have another video up by the end of the week.
Sail far and live slowly.
If you haven’t seen my latest videos or are interested in buying a raffle ticket for a charter please visit the Project BlueSphere Store.
Cheers
Alex
Good deal! I just got my fist boat, a Tartan 30, for about $4000 from a 86yo fella who was only concerned with the boat going to the right person! Definitely in the right place at the right time kind of deal.
If your looking for a decent cheap HD camera that can handle life aboard, check out the Kodak Playsport. You can get them for $100 or less online. The first one I had broke (stopped writing to the SD card) but I sent in to kodak and they replaced it with no fuss, no problems since…they are cheap… but its decent wide angle HD and waterproof.
I am man enough to admit when I’m wrong, and i was wrong. I never should have made this trip to Panama city. I…, as most of the cruisers down here do not have insurance, everything I own is on Splendid. I checked the weather before I left and it didn’t look that great, but okay??? I dint like it but it was getting worse later in the week and I’ve been trying to find a window to leave Splendid for the night for about 10 days. The weather has been uber-crap!
I have developed a sense about the weather that supersedes any chart I can download. When I left yesterday morning there was a aspect of the wind that was just downright mean. I told myself at Portobello “Alex, get off the bus and turn around, Panama can wait”. I didn’t listen to my little voice and could have lost Splendid on a reef. I got a call this morning from a friend “Alex, its really blowing here but Splendid looks to be holding fine. The reality is I drug about 100 feet towards the reef. The reef is still 80 feet away but you get what I’m talking about, it could have been bad news. All i need is to loose the rudder or hole the boat!
When I got to Hanz’s place my dinghy was not where I left it, just a big breaking swell. I spoke to Hanz and he had drug it ashore next to his house. In 25+ knots of wind, a large swell, and blinding rain I had to make it home to make sure my girl was okay. As I was rowing out to where I thought it was safe I got pooped a few times by green water, “SH!# there goes my iphone and acer” i thought. I did have the acer in a water proof bag, and the iphone in 3 zip locks. Then I hit the prop on a rock, “AHHHH”. After that I had a mile and a half rough ride through an angry sea before making it back to my girl.
The computer and iphone were dry but everything else I had to ring out. I should have turned around in Portobello!
I’m having a few stiff drinks listing to the wind HOWL through the rig.
All is well.
Cheers.
There’s alot to be said for that sixth sense, unfortunately we don’t listen to it all the time. Glad Splendid and you are safe.
Alex,
When you have to start banging your electronics to make them work, it is usualy the connections at the batteries. Get a smallish wire brush and a emery cloth or nail file and scrub the contacts VERY thourghly, be patient and do a good job. also check where the wires are soldered to the contacts if possible. Clean and re-solder them if they are green. This will work 98% of the time.
Warren
s/v Gypsy Soul
Great to hear all is OK Alex. Close call on a few fronts, and great no serious damage.
Well there you have it. More adventure. That little voice doesn’t yell. I hear it, but mine just doesn’t yell. I do hear it, but sometimes it it’s not yelling, I don’t listen. Usually a mistake.
Glad things are OK and keep that computer wrapped up. Good boy. Take care of yourself and stay in touch.
Capt. Paul
s/v Panacea
Alex, I’ve been thinking on Chartering with you for a week, in a couple months. Can you fill me in on some particulars? Like which airlines is best, where to fly into, what to bring, how’s the $$$s are handled. And the biggie, can we sail the San Blas??
Landlocked in Texas,,,,,,,,,Dennis
dennis……………having buddy boated with alex in the san blas, and most of panama….i am sure a week in the san blas, with alex will turn out to be the best vacation of your life. p.s. speargun mandatory
I’m figuring on just that,,,,,,,,,getting ready to splash my boat into the big blue in this next year, and figure a week with Alex is just the PUSH I need to get my butt in gear…….Hopefully when he get’s thru “messin round on island time”, he’ll get back with me–
sunfishin, send me an email to alex at projectbluesphere.com and we can chat about it :) Sounds like fun.
Well I’ve been ‘watching’ for a long time, and now I’ve decided to paticipate. I hope to leaving in a year or two for my own adventure. The news that you saw a 46 ft Cal sell for $20k really got me excited.
Are there any places to look for deals like that?.. I’m fairly handy with repairs etc so I’m looking for a good deal.
Thanks for allowing me to follow your adventures. (Good and bad)
Use http://www.searchtempest.com to do nation-wide Craigslist searches for “Sailboat” and “Sail”.
I paid $9k for my 1974 Cal Cruisering 35 which is loaded with accessories (solar panels, wind generator, diesel generator, water maker, etc.) but needs to be re-wired, re-varnished, re-painted, etc…. Engine runs great and the sails are like new, though!
I saw a 45′ Morgan go for $10k that just about broke my heart. That boat was beautiful inside and out!
Recently a 1960s Cal 29 (flush deck) sold in the FL Keys for under $1,000. when I was looking for a good boat to cruise in, that model was on my short list.
Find the local salvage operators. When they tow a boat they usually auction it off.
Haunt the local marinas for boats that look abandoned. Get the contact information from the manager and call the owners. They might be happy just to get out from under the dock fees.
Talk to the live-aboards at anchorages and give them your contact information. Let them know what you’re looking for. Word of mouth works wonders, and remember to give them a little finder’s fee.
Mfagan,
if you are serious put as muCh cash in your pocket as you can and start walking the docks and talking to people. It is a buyers market and you should take advantage of it, the cal for 20k was the best deal I’ve seen, the boat will be in my next video. Stuff your pockets with what you can afford and go hunting, take no prisoners!