I have to vent a bit!
I promised myself that when I returned to Panama I wouldn’t get caught up in the cruiser soap opera, keep to myself, and steer clear of bad JUJU and people. Sometimes it’s impossible. Many of the cruisers here get stuck and complacent as life here is very easy. It reminds me a bit of the movie “The beach”.
I had bad neighbors move in about a month ago and I wish they would leave. A couple came and anchored on top of me about a month ago. Their anchor drug and they almost hit me in an early morning squall about a week ago (I understand, ship happens). They pulled in their scope so as not to hit me and never reset their anchor. I can tell by the way they swing they have about a 3:1 ratio of chain to depth out and its just a matter of time before they drag again and hit me. They are anchored in front of me in the prevailing winds. I don’t really care they are so close, but what really chaps my ass is the guy has been complaining to me about my sanding and getting dust on his boat. He told me I “should leave” for a more secluded spot so as not to annoy “anyone” (him). This coming from a guy that blasts a generator on deck and has a large barking Rottweiler (the dog is quite nice). He is an old complaining type of guy that stands on his deck bitching to the locals about going by too fast in their launchas and waking his boat. He reminds me of the old neighbor to Dennis the menace, ARRRGGGG! If he doesn’t leave in a few days I will most likely relocate just to get away from him. Funny as I write this he is on the phone (in his boat) and I can clearly, CLEARLY, hear every word he says, that’s how close he is. I’m in my cabin as well. I’m trying to figure out why his problems (a complete stranger) are my responsibility? I ended up telling him a few things yesterday and I really hate being drug down to such a place……, Gozzzzfraba :)
On a more positive note.
I’m well on my way to having the 1/4 stern fair. I’m spending more time with it than I had planned and will end up with a better finish as a result. Time is on my side. I’ll be ready to paint the stern (hull) soon. I’m painting it black (decks white) and will live with it for a week or so as I decide if I like the dark finish (heat & appearance). If I don’t like the black I don’t know what I’ll do, I’m not so interested in having another all white sailboat. I came across Ben Afflic’s boat in Tahiti. The hull was awlgrip brown. I didn’t really like it at first but it really grew on me. Splendid is a classic boat, and I want her painted with classic colors. I really like the color scheme of the Guinness label. Black, tan, burgundy, and gold.
I’m also refinishing my guitar. I have the 5th coat of varnish on and I just ordered new machines ($30.00) for it. I haven’t played it since Australia :( I cant believe I almost tossed it back in Florida. I’ve had it since I was a young teenager.
I also got Splendid’s bottom cleaned yesterday, wow, was it a mess! It took me about an hour and a half (Thank God for my sea breath) but I’m ready to move if need be. I will be moving to a more secluded spot when it comes time to for me to shoot paint.
Man I cant tell you how much I love my motorcycle. I love taking long rides in the rain and getting myself covered in mud. Its a bit hard on me not being ready to do some serious sailing at the moment, however being able to harness the freedom of the open road is really filling some of that gap. There is such a feeling of freedom on two wheels :)
I’m going to have a disk brake installed on the rear wheel and at some point I’m going to paint it with a zinc chromate to protect it from rust and the harsh environment of the sea. I want to return to the Marquesas and ride, ride, ride, through the mountains & jungle hunting pig :)
Anyway I’m off to sand and unintentionally (unfortunately) annoy my “too close” neighbor. The funny part of it all is the wind doesn’t even bring the dust to his boat. I hope I don’t end up a crotchety old man :(
On a health note I’ve almost completely wiped wheat out of my diet over the past 4 months and “WOW”, do I feel fantastic. It’s taken me 45 years to figure out I’m allergic to wheat. I’ve lost about 15-20 pounds in the last 4 months, my energy level is much better and my digestive issues have gone the way of the doe-doe. It’s good to live clean & healthy.
I’m working on a new video I hope to have up within the week.
Peace, Love, and S&M (Sailboats & Motorcycles)
– alex
Hey Alex,
I’ve been following your travels for years now. You really do inspire more people than you realize. I wanted to share my adventure with you.
I bought an old fixer-upper just over 4 years ago. It’s a US Yachts 35. I’ve been working on her ever since. I stripped it out to bare fiberglass inside and rebuild almost everything. It was a good project as I know my boat inside out now. Well after all this time she finally hit the water ( Lake Ontario) last Monday (June 20). What a thrill. I haven’t stopped smiling for a week. I feel sooo good. One day in the not so distant future we’ll be coming south.
I spent a lot of cold winter days working on her and dreaming of a warmer climate and it’s getting closer. Thanks for the inspiration.
Sailboats and Motorbikes Amen to that
sounds like they are frogs. too many frogs in that area ……remember boo boo? G
You know what Alex maybe you could be real nice to the old guy, when he looks your way give him a big smile and a frendly wave maybe a good morning. That will show him you are unifected by his crapy attude and he may move out to find someone else to bitch at. People like that need someone to be mad at. He may be happer standing on a corner in downtown Boston and bitching to every one who walks by.
How is the paint gun and tank setup working?
Gary, actually boo boo is dead, and I do remember him all too well :) The guy is Canadian but that doesn’t mean anything, I have lots of Canadian friends, frogs too :)
Timtoolman,
I’m using my 12v hookah compressor (seabreath) to shoot paint at the moment (just shot a test).It has a large collapsible tank that keeps a steady spray at 20-25 psi. I cant shoot any paint because ding-dong is anchored right next to me. I may move today, he is supposed to take off in the next few days. I really like the spot that I’m in because its not rollie, or too bugie.
I think in order to get my gun / pneumatics working off of the scuba tanks I need an accumulator tank in the system after the secondary pressure regulator. I cant use the collapsible one from the sea breath because I don’t think it will handle more than 25 psi and I don’t want to rupture it.
Raining cats & dogs now :)
A human being is part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. We experience ourselves, our thoughts and feelings as something separate from the rest. A kind of optical delusion of consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from the prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty. The true value of a human being is determined by the measure and the sense in which they have obtained liberation from the self. We shall require a substantially new manner of thinking if humanity is to survive.
(Albert Einstein, 1954)
Hi Alex, if you really want a disc setup, look at the yamaha dirt bikes brake setup. I don`t know what is there for you to look at but seems that is the setup you want, maybe you can buy a rear wheel & parts from a junk yard..maybe a 250 brake & wheel?? it would take some doing but , if that drum works right they work… but they gotta be right,& they are easy..might be cheeper to fix the drum if it does not work right, remember the (kiss) thing? (keep it simple silly) HA HA…… Butch
Alex,
Great quote from Mr. Einstein. My Mom instilled in my siblings and me that the best way to contribute to the world was to give unselfishly of ourselves be it a helping hand, a word of encouragement or something monetary to ones in need. I have lived my life as close as I could according to my Mom’s teaching but it’s not always been easy, what is easy is selfishness. Selfishness can be like a warm blanket that protects us from life’s dirty inconveniences.
Alex, tell me you got a couple of heavy locks for that bike. Don’t go getting that pride and joy of yours stolen. You’ll be crushed if that happens. Not wishing bad things, just sayin…
Been raining regularly here in Sarasota. Going sailing tomorrow anyway.
Tell that wanker that he is the sort of arrogant prick that real cruisera want to avoid and thats why they dont live the ashore life
Sounds like Albert and Alex have been reading the “Thread of Awareness” http://www.thread-of-awareness-in-chaos.com/
and the log of the Moira http://www.log-of-the-moira.com/START.HTM
some amazing pacific sailing there…
Well it’s 4:10 am and Splendid just took her first big hit!
A squall hit about 3:30.
SOP, I got up and checked the GPS and took a peek at my neighbors (in front of me) to make sure they weren’t dragging, they seemed to be holding. I went back to bed and was nearly asleep. BANG, CRUNCH, SCREETCH!, Splendid jolted HARD to port . It sounded really bad :(
I jumped into the cockpit throwing on a pair of jeans, my neighbors were flying by at about 2 knots (After hitting Splendid). Their anchor hooked and they were parallel to to me and I was pushing them off in blinding rain & wind. The wind/rain was so powerful I couldn’t open my eyes into it.
I was holding their boat off for the better part of a minute and they weren’t on deck, “HELLO, anybody home” …, “Just a minute alex”, about thirty seconds later they were on the deck (nude) and I found myself wondering what they were doing all that time? No more damage was being done at this point as I was holding Splendid off pretty well. Good thing I had the solar panels own on the port side otherwise I would have lost them.
They were both in panic mode. “WHAT DO WE DO”, I replied “please let out your chain, and get behind me”!
She had her hand down in the anchor locker screwing with the gypsy, cleat, and snubber. He was trying to let out chain by pushing the down deck switch for the windlass. I had to ask hit to wait until his wife’s hand was out of the windlass locker to let out the chain. Some people really lack common sense. That is the one thing, along with a good attitude, you need to be a responsible sailor.
As I’m writing this I can hear their anchor chain grinding on mine, and every so often Splendid jerks to one direction. “The Doctor” (My awsome 80lb. manson supreme) is holding both of our boats through the squall. The cool thing about it is I feel totally confident that she will hold the extra load. I love my Supreme :)
After the squall I’m going to assess the damage to Splendid, for the moment I can see that two of my stanchions are bent. Man I’m happy my solar panels were down.
Cheers
Sorry to hear about your boat some people ha. I wonder if the old guy will compensate you for the damage he caused or will he just move some where else.
Well, the damage isn’t too bad. I few gouges out of the fiberglass on the bow, and two bent stanchions. His bendi-boat took it a lot worse. I told him to “forget about it”, he said he’ll leave today :) :) :) :)
Butch,
I don’t know that I need a disk setup but I don’t know why my rear brake is so weak? I’m wondering if they used the wrong pad, is that possible?
Mike,
selfishness is like a warm blanket for sure, too bad more people don’t know that :) Your mother sounds like an awesome woman!
Spotty,
I did get a THICK chain, and a BIG lock. At some point I’d like to get a cable alarm but the bike is parked just outside of Hanz (my friend’s) property and his dogs don’t let anyone near. He keeps the dogs (pack of 6) lean. They are not pets but watch dogs. They guard the dinghies at his restaurant dock, the property, and my bike.
Mark,
That’s what I’ve been talking about for years, the natural order of the world. We don’t need “the system” to govern or protect us. Men need to be free and governed by instinct and human morality. The righteous will always rise, good does conquer evil (if you want to put it that way), and I believe people are inherently good. I believe our real enemy is the belief we need something “more” to control (govern) us. In the past century western man has given away family to a dual income household (big house, big cars), the illusion of “security”, most of his freedom/time (80-90%, (working 5/6 days a week, 340 days a year, till he is 65 years old)), and for what? a 45 foot Beneteau, health care, poor health (eating processed garbage, sitting at a desk, obesity), and a small income (post 65). What if you die at 64, are crippled, or too fat to live past 65?
I’ve never fit in, and as uncommon my life style is, I’ll be dammed if I can understand why we (western man) are so quick to give our lives away? We only have one shot at this big blue sphere we call home and we should enjoy it.
I can hear my neighbors windlass & yelling. They are trying to get the anchor up and are stuck on my chain, got to run.
I’m so happy they are leaving!
Oh…, and Butch, the guy at the bike shop said he would put on a new rear disk brake for $140.00. However I would prefer to get the drum working better??????
timtoolman,
I don’t want any compensation, it’s nothing I cant fix (shrimp boat philosophy) in 5-8 hours of my time. The guy is leaving and if I were to “negotiate” with him more of negativity would be all jacked up in my karma zone.
if the boat was painted black, the patch would show no matter what you did unless you paint the whole side……don’t paint that beautiful boat black…..G
Gary, Gary, Gary. My paint is so bad it has to get painted one way or the other. On my shrimp boat it would be no problem to reshoot the area, I don’t need a “yacht” finish, not to mention the fact I LOve black hulls. If it is too hot I won’t paint the whole boat. I’ve been on/talked to many black boat owners and I’m making the right decision, for me, if not ill change it :) it’s only paint not like I’m extending the hull or anythig :)
Alex, I’m wondering about the wheat issue. I’ve apparantly missed any mention of this in prior logs, so I’m asking about the wheat issues. Is it wheat, gluten, or something more insidious? I say that because eliminating wheat also tends to equate to going low-carb, which can tie in with insulin issues/diabetes. Symptoms from this easily overlaps wheat/gluten intolerance. Just something else to consider. It’s far more common for it to be an intolerance to gluten (celiac issues) or wheat, just review and read labels. Wheat is used in so many things, not just as a consumable, but also for packaging. I have some personal experience on this as my girlfriend was diagnosed with a wheat allergy. We went wheat-free, and she had the same results as you…..for a while. Things went bad, to the point of seizures, but since it’s not epilepsy, she’s summarily dismissed as “depressed” by so-called expert neurologists. Amazing how they suddenly become psychiatrists when they don’t have a clue. Turns out, she’s not gluten-intolerant or allergic to wheat. She actually has a weird insulin resistance with a subsequent excess insulin production( my theory) which has been slowly inflaming her nervous system over a period of years. We are having some success by restricting caloric intake (think glycemic index) and metformin. Thank God we found one MD that was open to ideas and is supportive. Just be aware.
Hi Alex,what is most likely going on is it is the right shoes but what happens is the drum gets super smooth from sand & crap,is the brake adjustment cranked way in? If there is not alot of play & very poor stoping power we would rough up the drum & shoe, mostly the drum, give them a little grip.. the arm on the side of the brake hub has a spline that may not be in the right spot,( poor leverage) also if the arm has to travel a long way before making contact, not good,, but if its what I think,pedel is there just takes alot of pressure to work,its all about the drum getting polished so smooth it just sucks, rough that baby up & it will help, just don`t grind or sand it out of round or you will feel it in the pedal, don`t be afraid to rough it up some,few min with some 36 grit or whatever ya got, be smart about it ,it just needs traction, .. Butch
sorry alex, just don’t want to see a friend make the same mistake i did…………G
Tim,
A few months back I decided to change the way I eat for good. Processed & packaged foods, wheat, & dairy are very minimal in my diet now. I’m not doing any kind of fad / lo-carb thing, just eating natural food. I get plenty of carbs from vegetables, fruit, and bean & rice flour. I bought a vita mix so I can mill my own non-wheat flours for breads and stews. I had really bad gastrointestinal issues my whole life and for the fist time I’m feeling really good. My energy level is way up as well. My body craves a lot of animal protein and I’m making a lot of chicken, beef, and pork stews.
I don’t know if it is wheat, gluten, or dairy. but cutting 80% back on all of them has made a HUGE difference in my health and well being. I’m thinking its wheat and not gluten because I am eating a good amount of oats, and oats have gluten.
I’ve probably cut my caloric intake by 70%. No soda, sugar, fast food, chips or other garbage. I eat honey for my sweet craving and lots of home made granola (oats, nuts, flax, honey, salt, raisins), toasted in a pan, really YUMMY! My asthma symptoms are nearly gone. Also my appetite is a fraction of what it used to be. I also cut out the occasional xanex & sleeping pill and have turned to teas ((mostly green) great Chinese shop here)), and herbs. I make a really nice green tea with dandelion flour. I’ve also cut my alcohol intake by a good 70%. I’m having 4/5 drinks a week now as opposed to a day.
Part of my journey is getting healthy this year. I’m turning 46 on July 14th, and I really want to be a healthy old guy in my coming years :)
Butch, I will look into it, thanks . Good rear brake is kind of important :)
Gary, no worries, just paint. I’m thinking to put a fat cream/tan sheer stripe like some of the old whalers. The sheer stripe would be from the bottom of the toe rail, to about 4 inches below the rub-rail. In reality only the bottom 65% of the hull would be black.
Lots of thunder booming !!!
Good on ya re: eating healthy!! Just a FYI; oats is gluten free if uncontaminated by other grains. Happy Birthday Alex!
Ha. I thought I read they had glutin? Even better as I like oat flour. Non wheat bread doesn’ t rise the same but still good :)
42 ft steel ketch $3,000 honolulu.craigslist.org/oah/boa/2471636362.html
Hi Alex, I’m curious about where you get your nutrition and diet information. I want to make a lot of the same changes you seem to have made and would enjoy reading up on it a bit. thanks.
Just remember you need money or time for a big project boat. In both scenarios you’ll also need a good dose of patients, focus, and copious amounts of determination :)
Bindlestiff,
As far as diet I have my own philosophy on what I put into my body. It has come to me from a culmination of living on a boat with storage and refrigeration issues, asthma, and a digestive system that has never worked well. My research of natural solutions to my asthma brought me to an understanding of opioid peptides (http://www.13.waisays.com/constipation.htm) , and from there some lights began to turn on. From there I looked more into dairy and at the end of the day I don’t think its a good idea to “suckle” off of another species milk, not all the time at least.
Living on Splendid provides a nice test-tube where I have experimented with cretin foods, extinguishing other foods, and introducing certain herbs, plants, and teas. I’m not in a situation where I’m at many social events, or exposed to much fast foods. When I go to the store I shop (locally) for a few weeks and that’s it. I know coffee isn’t so good for my asthma but I just love it. I only allow myself one cup a day, the rest of the day I drink natural tea or room temperature water. I also try and eat locally wherever I am. When I was in Tokyo a friend suggested I visit a Chinese Herbologest he knew. We didn’t share language but I managed to explain my breathing and digestive disorders and he mixed me up an amazing batch of tea that I wish I knew the ingredients of, it was a powerful medicine!
I’m also changing my relationship with alcohol. I’ve never been a bad drinker although I’ve been a heavy drinker at times. I’m finding I just don’t have time or money for it anymore. When I’m centered, and not in a stressful environment or relationship I don’t crave much alcohol. Being centered, stress free, and eating healthy is a delicate balance of nutrition, awareness, and spirituality.
Spiritually I believe in the world around me, and I believe that nature provides me with everything I need, not Pfizer, McDonald’s, or Kraft foods. Basically I like to eat what I can find in the jungle or in the sea. Meat, eggs, fish, vegetables, nuts, fruit, honey, and wine (rotting fruit) are all found in nature. The Cuna drink a wine made from pineapple and no added yeast. The yeast in the pineapple skin is enough to kick off a heavy fermentation ;)
If I start my next film here on the Caribbean side of Panama, and in the San Blas, I’m planning to travel with a Cuna medicine man into the jungle and learn a little more of the use of herbs, plants, flowers in my own quest for wellness.
Everyone is on a diet of some sort. The Cuna mostly live off of the sea, other tribes (Embara) from the mountain and predominantly fresh water. I also think we need to look at our personal heritage. I’m mostly Eastern European (Russian / Ukrainian ) and American Indian. I’m a meat and vegetables kind of guy.
Basically, if you find it in nature, and its something you want to put in your mouth, it’s probably okay. I’m trying to get away from cooking (raw foods) as well , especially frying. Ingesting large amounts of oil (good or bad) I don’t think is so good. That also rings true for juicing. Its one thing to have an orange or two (lots of sugar). It’s another thing entirety to juice (process) 15 for a few glasses of juice. Better to drink large amounts of water.
All this being said I am having the occasional scoop of ice cream as a treat (maybe once a month), a few beers, or a rum & coke. I can clearly feel the effects that all have on my system. I think the biggest problem in western man’s diet is we just don’t know what “luxury items” or “treats” are. A scoop of ice cream every month or few weeks is a treat, the idea its okay to have as a daily dessert is something else all together. I love a cold coke. I had one 4 days ago in Portobello, it was lovely :) I know a lot of people who have multiple big gulps a day.
I’m not claiming to know whats good for anyone, but i am finding whats right for me.
Any insight is welcome.
Hey man,
Ive been checking in on you every now and then.I’ve got both of your videos.Iam 55years old still working and own a1965 islander wayfayer on the tennessee river.My wife and I “GO OUT ONTHE BOAT EVRY CHANCE WE GET”we would love to be able to get out there someday.I must say that i miss NAMASTE.I work on my boat all the time also because it gives me something to do.George Buehler says you can work on your boat or go sailing.Please go sailing and kept us motivated.You can work on your boat tomorrow.
Just a few thoughts on diet.
When it comes to coffee there was a study done on men that drink an average of 4 to 5 cups of coffee a day. They compared their health to other men that 1 to 0 cups of coffee per day. The men that drank up to 5 cups where 54% less likley to get colon cancer.
I have a question on asthma and what triggers an attack. I can remember a girl friend of mine had ashma and would get attacks every once in a while. At the time her and i were too poor to afford medication so when ever she had an attack she would drink strong coffee and the attack would stop. This reamidy worked every time. Any thoughts?
Also do you carry boat insurance on splended and if not is it a law to have boat insurnace?
Cheers
Marty,
I will be going sailing and back to the San Blas soon. Before the bulk of the rainy season hits I want to pull and re-bed my chain plates, my stanchions, and really have Splendid water tight.
Curtis,
I’ll look into the coffee thing. There are various triggers that cause my asthma to kick off, the number one trigger for me is stress , that’s why I dont think too much coffee would be good for me. I do take Albuertol when I really need to. In my younger years THC (Marijuana) was my poor man’s answer to asthma it worked every time as well, (ingested not smoked, and in lo doses).
I don’t carry boat insurance, nor do most international cruisers. Truthfully I don’t believe in insurance and like the idea of everyone taking “personal responsibility” for their boats. My neighbor that just hit me and bent my stanchions and scratched and gouged up my hull would probably have a check from his insurance company cut for me but truthfully I don’t want it. If he didn’t have insurance he probably wouldn’t have anchored on top of me and he would have had a few more bucks for a decent anchor. Not relying on insurance also makes me more cautious of my boat and personal safety.
I canceled my insurance on Namaste when I told my insurance company I was going to Cartagena (Colombia) for hurricane season. They told me it wasn’t possible if I wanted to stay covered and they wanted me to return from the Bahamas to Florida for hurricane season “but there are no hurricanes in Colombia, and lots in Florida” ? Needless to say I didn’t get into it with the woman in the cubicle on the phone and just canceled my insurance. No, it’s not a law (yet).
Its a beautiful morning and there is a sander with my name on it :)
Cheers.
My friend’s brother Peter passed away from cancer yesterday, he was 37 years old.
Life is short!
I’ve been looking to build a real sailing pram (dinghy) and I’m thinking to buy the plans and start construction after Splendid is all painted up. What a great pram, it nests, check out the sailing video:
http://www.clcboats.com/shop/boats/rowboats/dinghies/passagemaker-take-apart-dinghy-wooden-boat-kit.html
Alex ,
Take a look at the nutshell pram.I just bought the plans and the book .It looks to be a fun project.The material they suggest you use is kind of exspensive I just bought a used Walker bay to hold me over till I have time to build it. Check it out if you haven’t already.
Sail On Brother
Marty