Well I took off for the weekend to Panama City to attend my friends wedding. I stayed at my buddy Roger’s house, had a blast.
Man…, I almost clean up okay? Mavis (right) is my friend Gary’s wife (Colombian), and the one who was bit by the monkey in recent discussion, she flew in for the wedding. The woman on the left owns a marina in Ecuador and wants to help me with a 
possible motorcycle tour of South America and offered a safe place to keep Splendid while I’d be gone.
My shoe choice as the topic of some discussion, I like it :)
I wasn’t planning on spending any money but I managed to get a few un-planned items. My buddy Gary sent me a 12v compressor, evaporator, and brain for a 12v refrigeration system. I think all I need now is a cooling unit and a water pump? Thanks Gary!
I’m not going to install it without adding some insulation to my cold box. I pulled my hair out looking for insulation about 6 months ago with no luck. Roger took me to a refrigeration shop that happened to have some and I had to buy it. I got a 3/4’ 5×10’’sheet of proper insulation for $70.00. I may have to get one more sheet but this should get me started. I want to add 4-6’ to the existing foam in my cold box.
I’m also preparing for “Mani-sayta” (no money in Kuna (spelling?)) mode. I’m trying to invest what I have left in supplies for painting, and to make my next film. My next film is my only hope of financial salvation.
Going into “Mani-sayta” mode with no spear gun is just no fun. Being broke is one thing, being broke without the ability to spear fish is completely another story. I lost my spear & tip on the reef a few months back and hadn’t replaced it. My fins are also shot and my mask leaks. I’ll get more silicone on the mask but my fins were really gone.
Anyway I found some long fins on sale for $60.00, and I got what I needed for my gun for another $85.00. I also had to buy a white shirt & chino’s for the wedding ($30.00). I’ve never had proper long fins and I’m really 
looking forward to trying them out today.
The wedding was fun but I did have a bit much to drink. Every time my drink was 3/4 empty my waitress would replace it with a fresh double, I think she was trying to get me drunk, oh the pain the next morning! I took a few hundred pictures & 15 gigs of video but this was my favorite picture, my friends agreed as did the subjects.
I drove home with a terrible hangover on Sunday. I had kind of a close call on the bike. I was carrying an extra gallon of fuel on the back of the bike. The can slid out of one of the straps and rested against the exhaust. 
The exhaust melted a hole in the gas can and a gallon of gas poured onto my bike under way. When I saw it there was just a bunch of smoke, I’m really happy it didn’t ignite, it would have been a disaster! I probably would have dumped the bike and impaled myself on the long spear sticking out of my backpack. Man I hate it when that happens!
I need to deal with my immigration this week. Then I may head out to the San Blas? One of the best aspects of living in the San Blas is there is just no place to spend money, one must fish!
Anyway, time to make some breakfast and get back to painting. I’ll take a mid day break to go spear fishing and test out the long fins!
Cheers.
– alex
Published in Alex Dorsey
Hey Alex, you have combined my two favorite passtimes in sailing and motorcycles.(especialy the dirt oriented variety). You may want to check out advrider.com. lots of info and entertainment about dualsport riding. Have a great day. Frank
Alex do you have the ability to take underwater pics? I would love to see what it looks like there. Now that I’m in Pensacola, FL there really isn’t any snorkeling or spear fishing like we had in Hawaii. I hope you great success today spear fishing and I hope even more that you will share you catch with us and how the fins worked out.
I’m really glad you did not burn up on your new motorcycle.
Grant, no I don’t. When I can pull it off I’m going to get a HD gopro, under $200 and from what I’ve heard from my friends an awesome camera. I’ll mount it directly on my gun.
I’m also going to get some underwater footage of my anchor and talk about proper setting techniques in the next film. I’ll also cover fishing/spear fishing as it is a really important aspect of minimalistic cruising.
I need to also order some wine yeast and get back into producing wine during mani-sayta. Truthfully mani-sayta is some of the best time in my life. I do more, eat better, and am happiest. I don’t stress about getting big projects like refrigeration, or water makers done. I just find myself uber-content with what I have and shoot lots of fish. The reef is like my church and mani-sayta brings me closer to it. I know, you guys think I’m mad, but its true.
I had a good afternoon on the reef. I shot a school master, two small snaps for dinner 2night, and a HUGE lion fish which I had for lunch. I’ve never ate a lion fish for the obvious cleaning dangers but a really tasty fish aside from some small bones. i wore my welding gloves when cleaning it. The pain from a lion fish is supposed to be so bad you pray for death after a sting, and some people have died from a sting.
Man its good to have my gun back. I’ll have to carry a backup spear or two from now on. A buddy of mine makes his own, I’ll have to look into it.
The fins are F___’N AWSOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Much more speed when I need it. I can really burn hard and go fast, or if I want to go deep I burn less oxygen which gives me a deeper/longer working depth. How is it i’ve been spear fish’n for so long and just got my first pair of long fins?
I also bought a yamaha 9.9 enduro outboard without a fly wheel or brane box. I got it for $60.00 and just couldn’t pass up having a backup motor to pull parts from if I need it. My master plan is do get rid of my inflatable and motor after I build the right rowing & sailing boat. I may get a little Yamaha 2hp if I’m in a situation that I really need to go far in no wind.
Just got up from siesta having coffee, and need to sand and paint.
Cheers.
Frank,
Thanks, I know about advrider.com. I have brren researching bikes and what I’d really want. There are plenty of $5000.00 + used bikes I’d like but I’ve been trying to be realistic. I’d like an older KTM 450 like this one, a perfect example:
cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/KTM-EXC-KTM-street-legal-2004-KTM-450-EXC-street-legal-amazing-nice-condition-KTM450-dual-sport-/360398205248?pt=US_motorcycles&hash=item53e9683140#ht_7749wt_1167
At some point I’ll get a good paying charter and fly/bus up to the states to take advantage of the poor economy and get something like that. The ride down here would be really fun to boot!
I have another crazy “Alex Dorsey” idea. I’m thinking to widen my forward hatch so I could lower my motorcycle frame & engine into the v-birth. I can easily take the wheels off in 10 minutes or so. I don’t see why I couldn’t easily lower the bike into the v-birth for transport?
I’m really enjoying having the v-birth as my workshop. If I took my sawzall and cut out the bunks and cabinetry I’d have a ton of room for a motorcycle shop/workshop. I’d dump a bunch of weight too. Anyway, something I have been mediating on.
Cheers
Wouldn’t the lack of a v-berth make chartering a bit difficult?
No, I can put a couple in the aft cabin, and another two in the main saloon. I really only like having a few people on board so it works well. I usually sleep outside on charter, or I can sleep in my shop :) Just an idea though, still thinking about it. Splendid is a big boat.
Alex,
The bike in the V Berth is a really cool idea. I used to race bikes off road in Southern California and have thought about doing something like this myself. I’m in the military now, with 10 years left ( similar to your other Army reader) and have researched a few sailboats that have cargo holds and small cranes for when I get out.
It seems that you have to get into the 50+ft range though to get a cargo hold and many of these are custom built for this purpose. Have you ever seen a sailboat with a cargo hold out there? I’ve heard about problems with the weight ratios with a loaded hold and an unloaded hold. Some solved this with water ballast, etc
Interesting thought anyway,
Cole
Cole,
I have seen plenty of sailing boats with cargo holds. There was a 65′ schooner in here that has such hold/access. I have a lot of weight in the v-birth already. I have an extra rusty 300′ of chain under the v-birth along with a bunch of heavy things I can part with. I also have a 60lb CQR on the bow which is my backup emergency anchor.
I’m planning to move this to the stern and zip tie the chain under my rub rail so I can deploy it from the stern if necessary.
I’ve already been planning on moving my chain and windlass from the forepeak to more amidship. Having all the weight of the chain/windlass on the foremost bow, as in most modern boats is just not a good idea. They do it to keep it out of the way and it’s more of a “luxury” design, but in my opinion a design flaw none the less. I’ll build a hold in the bilge for the chain just forward of the entrance to the v-birth and install a pipe from it to the deck for the chain. This will also move my windlass to just forward of the main mast and I can easily rig it to raise the main in my older years, and to raise the dinghy/motorcycle.
As I’ve been mediating on this more i would probably cut out the starboard bunk and widen the port to a double. This would give me the room to build a stand for the bike, and to give me a comfortable place to sleep in a charter situation.
You don’t need a crane either. A halyard is fine, if you want to get fancy you can build a pivot bar and use your windlass but I don’t think its necessary. We are only talking about 350lbs, easily raised using a winch or block & tackle.
You can think of smaller boats in the 35-40′ range they just need to be customized for your application. The more i travel, the more I want to carry a motorcycle.
Cheers
Does anyone know what it is called when stainless steel has that circular design scuffed onto it?
Does anyone know what it is called when stainless steel has that circular design scuffed onto it?
Does anyone know what it is called when stainless steel has that circular design scuffed onto it?
The “Beautiful Girl on the Left” and she just happens to own a Marina………..mmmm, what are you waiting for pull anchor and head for Ecuador.
That was my first thought when i read the blog. I would be motoring to Ecuador at 20knts. hahaha
LOL, I was thinking that too. Alex’s next stop should be Ecuador. :)
on a fire truck it is called a swirl design. Hope that helps.
You guys are funny. She is married to a gringo, gr8 lady tho. and the LAST!!!! thing in the world i want is any kind of relationship that lasts over an evening.
You say that now Alex but like most of us guys we seem to fall back in to the trap time and time again. All it takes is a good woman to come along and we seen to forget the past. But i do understand where you are coming from.
Curtis,
Time will tell :)
Man is it raining, torrential. Its hard to spear fish in the rain here as the rivers put a lot of mud in the water :(
“Does anyone know what it is called when stainless steel has that circular design scuffed onto it?”
I believe you are inquiring about damascus steel. The rings are not scuffed in but come out of the process of folding steel.
Adam,
No, I’m talking about this:
http://www.sonicbrew.info/metal/swirl%20patterned%20stainless1.jpg
I used to drive a friend of mines Rolls Royce back in the day. The dash was made from this stainless design. Also found on fire trucks. I want to make it on a sheet of stainless to do my counter tops. Out of all the countertops on boats I’ve seen, stainless is the way to go however it scratches. With this design it wont show small scratches and look good, durable for cutting & hot objects, and easy to clean. Its also cheap (here in Panama). I could get a sheet for under $100..00 to do the whole counter and splash wall. For $100.00 I’ll never have to think of another counter top in my life time, pretty cheap & a wise choice i think?It’s not something I’ll really think of till I’m out of mani-sayta but I’m interested to learn how to do it. I’ve heard taking a cupped wire brush and packing it with steal wool is the way to go. Also another way I cam make some money if I need to?I also found this discussion:
answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071220180552AALAMRn
Cheers
alex
To make that pattern on Stainless steel use a 2″ 3M Scotch-Brite(TM) Surface Conditioning Disc, 2 in x NH A CRS. # 00048011074580. I use a die grinder, or you can use a drill, or a drill press. Air powered die grinder spins faster. The discs come either hook and loop or rotolock. They also make large discs 4″ and 7″. I have used this on stainless and aluminum. My brother made a really cool stainless jeep bumper with laser cut outs and this finish. He used a programmable milling machine for precision placement with these discs to make the surface pattern. I used a piece of angle iron as a guide. You will need to experiment to get the pattern you want.
Hope this helps.
Bingo!
Harry, thanks for the info. I knew someone would know :)
ARK!.
I’m starting to drink a shot of good, old fashioned, stinky, rotten, noni juice every day. I took noni juice all through the Pacific and really believe in its health properties. I’m using my wine & beer fermenting containers to make noni juice on a large scale. It takes about 25lbs on ripe noni to make a gallon of juice. I’m thinking to make wine (Mulberry) from it. The whole process should take about 8 months, 6 just to make the juice.
Noni is supposed to be one of the most powerful natural medicines, I believe this totally.
I’m going to try and stock pile as much as I can.
ARK!.
I’m starting to drink a shot of good, old fashioned, stinky, rotten, noni juice every day. I took noni juice all through the Pacific and really believe in its health properties. I’m using my wine & beer fermenting containers to make noni juice on a large scale. It takes about 25lbs on ripe noni to make a gallon of juice. I’m thinking to make wine from it.
The whole process should take about 8 months, 6 just to make the juice. Noni is supposed to be one of the most powerful natural medicines, I believe this totally. I’m going to try and stock pile as much as I can.
Alex:
I got cut off… Oh well… Anyway, Noni Juice Wine. You could be a millionaire. I’m looking forward to sippin’ some with you in the San Blas. Got to figure it out. Things get busy up here with charters, but I really want to get it together to spend some time with you and your friends. The problem is that I may not want to come back.
I’m in the apt. now and looking for discs. I’ll let you know. thanks for the photos. Be blessed my friend. Talk with you later…
Capt. Paul
s/v Panacea
I’ve always said Colomban girls are the best (married to one) but that picture has me rethinking…. lol
That picture has me thinking too. I don’t often see myself cleaned up and in a tie. It looks like an older version of me from my previous life. It’s kind of freaking me out. Everything in this stage of my life is a bit “grungie”. I cant wait till Splendid is painted so I can clean up a bit. I’m tired of being covered in fiberglass, epoxy, paints, and thinners. So much of my daily energy goes into Splendid once I’m finished I can focus it in more cre8ive and clean avenues.
Colombian women are great, can be a little hot tempered, I’m sure you’ve figured that out :) ROLF
Capt Paul.
If you could come early next year it would be perfect. I will be in the San Blas filming and have a few guests who will be joining me. also If you could find that disk it would be gr8. If I can get windows XP working on my macbook I can move out of my acer. The only reason I use it is for windows live writher. There isn’t good blogging software for the mac. The acer’s screen is shot, and I need to use an external keyboard, mouse, and the screen turns off whenever it likes. I got salt water in in early in its life and even tho acer fixed it, it has never been the same :(
Cheers M8
Hi Alex,
been following you for a long time..
The answer to your question (about the pattern on stainless) is:
“Engine turning”
Rail down,
Dave
Dave,
Perfect, exactly what I was looking for. Here are two cool links on engine turning:
http://www.workingpsychology.com/diversions/jeweling.html
http://www.cs.ucr.edu/~eamonn/et/et.htm
I really like it!
Alex:
Just moving into our new apt. here in Fort Myers Beach a the boxes are being emptied as we speak. I’ll find that disc, I know I can.
As for Columbian women… I just did a charter with Luso and Charlotte. GREAT people. Me and my mate Alex enjoyed their company and helped put the fire under them to get that steel schooner out and play in the Atlantic a bit to hone their stuff.
They turned me on to a great coffee pot. I want one. Maybe they can share it up here. Yum.
I’ll be in touch within the next few days on that disc and we’ll take it from there.
I’d LOVE to come down the first of the year. Let me chew on it.
Later Brother. So what kind of TP can you get down there and what are your water sources.
Capt. Paul
s/v Panacea
Ok… I’m slippin’… It was Luso and Claudia… Don’t pay any attention to the guy in the last post. My feet are up and I’m on my second Corona and shot of Tequila. Charlotte, who’s Charlotte…
Capt. Paul
s/v Panacea
Capt Paul,
Claudia and Luso are G8. I spent the night over on their boat when i was passing through Miami about 6 months ago. I need to give them a ring.
New Apartment?
I heard a while back that one can not charter “foreign” built sailboat in US water, do you, or anyone else know if this is true?
Cheers
they fixed the perkins and now want 20k for the gulfstar 50………steal….if i wasn’t so invested in the fishing boat, i would snap this up…….good sails and diesel…..take it to colombia and put an interior in it…….someone buy this…….G
http://honolulu.craigslist.org/mau/boa/2652505242.html
Someone needs to buy that, who will it be?
Hey Alex!
I’m sailing a 35′ Cat to the San Blas this week!!! Look for a Yellow hull named SUNJET, I hope we can meet up someplace… My dad might have a proposition for you (delivery)…
How’s your weather??? We are in Cartegena now waiting on fair winds! We had a miserable run from Aruba!!!
What the heck happened to CLUB NATICO??? WHAT A DUMP!!! :(
RICK
The Gulfstar is still in my price range just not in my time frame. If it hasn’t sold by March I will look into it with more conviction. I still have 87 days over here. Then hopefully a charter with Alex.
Rick,
rainy here today and all night. Not much wind tho. Yeah, club Nautico looks like it got hit by a bomb. They were in the middle of a rebuild and the government shut them down. They want control of the marina.
Good thing about Cartagena to San Blas is it’s all down hill.
A delivery sounds good :)
Not sure of the law, but I know people all over the east coast doing it. Go figure.
You’re right, Luso and Claudia area GR8. Had a ball. Wish it was longer, but I’m going to stay in touch with them. I gave them the same advice. Their ready. Just get out there and sail. They will be fine. He’s very knowledgeable and Claudia is a gem. I’d sail with ’em anytime.
Still unpacking boxes looking for that disc. I know I’ve got it, it’s just were at this point.
Best to you buddy. Back to chasing leaks. We’ve got the Uber Death Cloud for the next few days. Wow! So much rain.
Capt. Paul
s/v Panacea
Anyway to shoot you a photo or two? I’ll make ’em small…
Capt. Paul
s/v Panacea
Hi followed you silently for years great site.
I think this forum is what you are talking about for charter in the US
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-350529.html
Anyway to shoot you a photo or two? I’ll make ’em small…
Capt. Paul
s/v Panacea
Anyway to shoot you a photo or two? I’ll make ’em small…
Capt. Paul
s/v Panacea
Anyway to shoot you a photo or two? I’ll make ’em small…
Capt. Paul
s/v Panacea
Hi followed you silently for years great site.
I think this forum is what you are talking about for charter in the US
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-350529.html