All good things come to those who wait.
I have a small charter the 10th threw the 14th ($150/day), and another March 30 threw April 4th. My job on the ship looks like its a go as the drug test can take place on the ship.
When I get back from the job in the Bahamas I’m hiring two guys to make it happen. $800.00 gets me two good fiberglass workers for a month, plenty of time. Splendid will be fair and painted, I will shoot the hull myself in the water.
I’ve always wanted a black hull. I know…, I know, it’s hot. Well not any hotter than a blue or red hull, and truthfully I want it a few degrees warmer. If the ambient temperature in Splendid is slightly warmer than ambient outside she will be dry as the moisture will whisk out. That’s the theory at least. I have asthma and if I can stop the mold from growing as much, its all worth it. If I don’t like it I’ll paint it white and be better for it. They say the coolest boats have a layer of black paint under the white as the UV rays don’t pass through the black paint. I also love the looks of a black hull and like the fact it isn’t as easy to spot at night. Eventually I’ll have tanbark sails which will really kick off the classic look of the old sailing boat that she is. Black will also be nice to have in cooler climates.
After the paint I will juice up the kitty with some backpacker runs & charters and I’m planning to transit the canal by next December with a few bucks tucked away for the Pacific. I have a lot of carpentry projects but will save them for Asia where teak is abundant and good carpenters affordable. I want to sail to Hong Kong where Splendid was built back in 1973 (I was only 8). I’m sure I’ll get caught in the area for years :)
Man I’ve been busting my butt on the boat, so much my entire body is soar, cramped in the engine room and lazerettes. All three of my bilge pumps decided to take a dump at once so I had two nasty days of plumbing in the bilge and rebuilding pumps. I need a rebuild kit for my manual pump but fixed it up with some silicone for now. The switch in my rule pump died and I think it is what has been causing me copious amounts of electrolysis. The internal switch has had a short. A few months ago I tracked down a small amp draw to that pump and decided it might be normal for the pump, obviously not.
Okay, here is some B I G news. After screwing around with the Kubota for so long I’m finally using it to charge the batteries. I need to get a larger belt to fit the newly fitted impellor pump and re-plumb the raw water but its good for the moment using the electric pump :)
Splendid is an absolute disaster and littered with tools, today is the starting of the clean up process, I hate cleaning!
Has anyone gone through the operation for surfers ear (exostosis)? I have it really bad from the cold waters of California and when I get back I’m going to look into having it taken care of. Surgery is quite affordable here and I’m thinking it would only cost a few grand at the most. My ears hurt on a daily basis and its keeping me out of the water.
I’m excited to lift the anchor after being caught in La Guma Breeza for so long! San Blas is such an amazing place especially during the dry season.
There are still plenty of Charter Raffle tickets available in the store :) A week in the San Blas for $50.00 might be a good time ;)
Cheers from a sunny Panama.
Sail far and live Slowly!
Alex