Monkeys on boats?

Well I’d be lying if I said my days were anything but fantastic, life is uber-good!

The rainy season is already upon us however Splendid is dry. With the decks done I’m able to do smaller and more manageable projects. It’s a welcome change to be able to see a project to fruition in a few days

My friends Jim & Heather on SV Charmer are from Scotland and do canvas work. They are helping me out and I’m pleased to announce that by the end of the week Splendid will finally have a full cockpit enclosure. Let the weather come, we will be dry too!

I’ve finally rebuilt the cockpit table and replaced its piano hinge, it took a while for me to track down a stainless one. The last piano hinge I fitted didn’t last 6 months in the marine environment.

I also took off the forward hatch to varnish it and ended up totally taking it apart and rebuilding it. Funny how a project can turn from a 2 hour job to a week’s worth of work. That being said there are few joys greater than hard work followed by accomplishment. This is a work theory I’ve developed out of sheer necessity, I don’t have a choice in the matter.

I don’t know if you have noticed but the amount of pictures in the blogs have increased tenfold. Carla is mad with the camera and everything she sees, she photographs. 

Splendid is coming together at the speed of light now, I’m only hindered by my ability to purchase materials & equipment. I have two deliveries pending and if I can manage to make some money I will focus on a new stove, refrigeration system, and finally getting my water-maker installed.

I had a chat with my friend Jim about “minimalism” and in the Anny Hill (Voyaging on a small income) sense of the word I’m not as extreme of a minimalist as some. But I don’t want to live on cans of food and have a suspect water supply. I do however make bread from fresh milled flour, sail as opposed to motor every chance I get even if I’m only making a knot or two of way, and “use” as little as possible. I also believe in doing everything myself (within reason), I’m not so good with a sewing machine (yet).

Minimalistic cruising should be a balance suited to the individual. I also believe that sailors (captains) should take responsibility for their own boats and safety of themselves & crew. My intent with my next film is really to provide a roadmap to this life-style. I see so many people with dreams of cruising get in over their heads and drown in a sea of expenses, heartache, and finally heartbreak. Just because you can afford an $80,000 boat doesn’t mean you need to buy one.

“Cruising”, in my humble sense of the word equates to freedom. I try and guide my people towards buying a sound and simple boat for little money and adding the systems they desire over time. Yes a refrigerator is nice, but one should see it as a luxury item. Once we understand how to power it, insulate it, install and repair it, it won’t be a hindrance and expense that always needs the hiring of someone to fix in some foreign port. Cruising (to me) is about harmony, freedom, and happiness, It shouldn’t be a pain in the ass.

I’ve never liked generators and power my life almost completely with solar power. That being said I will need a small generator (Honda EU200) to power my new (300 watt) editing computer. Project BlueSphere doesn’t bring in much money for me and I try to rely & ask my readers for help with my expenses for maintaining my website & films. I don’t have many work options here in Panama and I’m trying to raise a few bucks through kickstarter (creative funding) for some equipment for my next film. I’ve also posted rewards for contributors including charter discounts. So if you have been thinking to come for a visit or just want to help out with the cause please visit my kickstarter page. When you go there you can click on the main image and watch a video I shot with the new Cannon T3i, looks GR8, not to mention some great charter discounts!

I saw one of the funniest things yesterday. A catamaran pulled up to Isla Linton and beached itself. The skipper tied a bow line to a palm tree and took off in his dinghy. Within minutes the monkeys traversed the line from the palm tree to his boat. They entered his boat and started tearing it apart. One of the monkeys manned, or monkeyed, one of the winches and I got the distinct feeling they were trying to pirate the boat and take off. You really need to click on this picture so you can see a larger image of the monkey at the winch, it’s hysterical!!!!

I made the monkeys a loaf of Easter bread as they are marooned on linton and you can watch me give it to them at the end of one of my YouTube videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdbO38HK3yY

My guest is coming on the 11th bearing a memory foam topper, my editing computer, and my Balmar max charge alternator regulator. I really hope I can bring my new battery bank back to life with a good equalize.

This picture is of our anchorage at sunset, I thought it would be a nice image to leave you guys with.

Sail far & live slowly.

– alex

Author: Alex

I'm just a sailor bum ;) View all posts by Alex