tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15576965879094091522024-03-14T02:32:10.040-07:00s/v Jean Marie<center>
This is the ship's blog of the sailing vessel Jean Marie. She set sail for Mexico in the fall of 2011.</center>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08920525884868201444noreply@blogger.comBlogger101125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1557696587909409152.post-49047469021581708132015-09-20T17:22:00.001-07:002021-11-30T12:09:42.464-08:00A New Chapter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CCkoii70hWs/Vf8H2ngyUEI/AAAAAAAACKo/tfyEk_5BeJU/s1600/DSCN1278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CCkoii70hWs/Vf8H2ngyUEI/AAAAAAAACKo/tfyEk_5BeJU/s320/DSCN1278.JPG" width="320" /></a>It's hard to believe four years have passed since we first cast off the dock in Alameda and started our crazy journey down the California coast. So much has happened in those interim years -- much of it I'd like to forget -- it seems like a lifetime ago. It certainly turned out to be an adventure; although, not the one I envisioned. We made quite a few memories and more than a few close friends along the way, many of which are now spread out in various ports around the world. And, our little 5-month-old cockpit-bound deckhand is now an enthusiastic big brother. Jean Marie, however, still sits patiently in a Mexican marina, re-powered and re-polished and waiting for her next odyssey.</div>
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Last night I returned from a week-long trip to Puerto Vallarta and am happy to report the new Beta 43 is finally installed and running perfectly. After four tortuous years, I can finally say we've closed the book on our engine problems. For anyone still following our troublesome tale, I'll fill you in on the events that have transpired since my last update...</div>
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As you may recall, I had to send the transmission back to Beta when the engine arrived last August. Through miscalculation and misinformation (not pointing any fingers) the transmission I originally ordered would not work. It was a close fit but, once we got it on the boat, we realized the ZF-25 straight shaft transmission I ordered would not align with the prop shaft without raising the front of the engine 3 inches higher. And, in the very confined space we had to work with, that wasn't going to happen. Fortunately, Beta also sells the ZF-25A transmission with an 8% down angle, providing a simple solution to our problem. Simple, that is, if we weren't currently sitting in a marina in Mexico. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a4eeIhW8QIo/Vf8HyVC6neI/AAAAAAAACKU/XlI-kkkyBZQ/s1600/DSCN1254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a4eeIhW8QIo/Vf8HyVC6neI/AAAAAAAACKU/XlI-kkkyBZQ/s320/DSCN1254.JPG" width="320" /></a>So, the painful process of shipping the ZF-25 back to Beta and then shipping a new ZF-25A to Puerto Vallarta began. This involved hiring Juan (the paper-guy) to drive it to San Diego (a very long distance) and drop it off at DHL for delivery to the UK. Then, many months later, I hired Juan again to drive back to San Diego and pick up the new one. Yes, it's a ridiculous way to get parts in and out of Mexico but, as anyone who's had the misfortune of dealing with Mexican shipping agencies and customs officers will tell you, it's the only way to be certain your package will arrive. Which it did, eventually.</div>
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In April, with the new transmission delivered, I flew back down to PV eager to finish the job. Jack Tinsley, the mechanic who helped install the engine had been hired to deliver a motor yacht and would be out of the country for a few months. He recommended another mechanic, Andre Joineau, to help out. Andre immediately went to work. The new engine feet we had made extended over the existing stringers so Andre glassed in new stringers, adding support further aft. He demonstrated quality and precision in his work which, I had to admit, was an unexpected surprise. I could not have been more pleased. He then went to work installing the new transmission and aligning the engine to the prop shaft. By the time I arrived, most of the work was done. We needed to make a few modifications to the shifting and and throttle cables, moved the oil filter aft for better access, reconfigured the water hose connections, and cut away some of the cabinet for the new exhaust. I was beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.</div>
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Then the moment of truth arrived. On that warm sunny day in April, after bleeding the fuel lines, cracking open the sea-cock, and double checking all the connections, I nervously turned the key for the first time. To my surprise that shiny little engine fired right up, chugging along in perfect mechanical rhythm -- the sweet and welcomed sound of a well-tuned diesel. I'm not ashamed to say that, for me, it was a truly emotional moment given the circumstances, surpassed only by my wedding day and the births of my sons. Alright, that may be an overstatement but the point is: I was really happy at that moment, and if it not for the scalding heat I would have hugged that little red engine.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j3DadetG7N4/Vf8HyQJPZvI/AAAAAAAACKY/BuszNW91PmY/s1600/DSCN1267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j3DadetG7N4/Vf8HyQJPZvI/AAAAAAAACKY/BuszNW91PmY/s320/DSCN1267.JPG" width="240" /></a>But, alas, our protracted drama was not over just yet. We soon discovered that the standard alternator with built-in regulator was overcharging the batteries. No worries, I had anticipated this problem and asked Beta to send a brush-box kit that would allow me to connect my external Balmar smart regulator to the new alternator. So, we promptly swapped out the internal regulator with the brush-box and wired in the Balmar regulator. Problem solved. Unfortunately, it didn't work. <br />
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I wasn't about to let a little charging issue set us back so while Andre took the regulator to a local shop for testing I took the boat out on the bay to break in the engine. My goal was to put 25 hours on the engine over a three-day period, motoring around the bay during the day and anchoring out at night. I would charge the batteries for a while and then disconnect the alternator to prevent overcharging. This was the short-term solution until we figured out why the regulator wasn't working.</div>
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So, I motored out of the marina for the first time in more than a year without sails or even lifelines attached but excited to be back out the water nonetheless. The engine throttled up without any vibration and easily powered through the afternoon chop. It was such a glorious day I decided to try my luck at fishing and quickly hooked more than I bargained for. It took thirty minutes to land what the locals call "toro" or "bull" and it was easy to see how this fish got it's name. I released it after the long fight and put the rod away for the day. Time to relax and enjoy my new toy. I motored until the sun sank low in the afternoon sky and turned the bow toward Punta Mita where I dropped the hook amid a handful of boats. Ten hours on the new motor and all was well.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KLJY5bQd9_M/Vf8HyBYENdI/AAAAAAAACKQ/MnmeVEwxNEg/s1600/DSCN1268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KLJY5bQd9_M/Vf8HyBYENdI/AAAAAAAACKQ/MnmeVEwxNEg/s320/DSCN1268.JPG" width="240" /></a>After breakfast the next day I was at it again, motoring out in to the bay to work the engine. Shortly after noon I approached the entrance to Paradise Village Marina, where I started the day before, and began turning the boat back toward Punta Mita. Just at that moment I looked below and noticed the light for the bilge pump had come on indicating that it was in the process of pumping water overboard. You don't have to be a sailor to understand the importance of keeping water on the outside of the boat. I quickly jumped down below and opened the doors at the front of the engine to find water spraying out the bottom of the seawater pump. At this point I had 15 hours on the new engine...and the pump failed. Needless to say I was a little disappointed.</div>
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Fortunately, I was less than two miles from my slip at the marina. So, I turned the boat toward the entrance and motored steadily, keeping an eye on the temperature gauge and letting the bilge pump work until I could shut down the engine. I managed to dock the boat without further incident, and immediately contacted Beta Marine. </div>
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After some back and forth discussion, we determined that a spiral clip that holds the water seal in place had come loose. By the time we discovered the simple problem, however, I had already dismantled the pump and, without a rebuild kit, could not reuse it. Beta agreed to send a new pump and a rebuild kit out as soon as possible. I decided not to wait for it to arrive. Instead, I turned to Andre for help and flew back to Oregon.</div>
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The new pump arrived in PV a week later. Soon after, Andre worked out the charging issue by modifying the brush-box (apparently the one they sent had a problem). With both issues resolved, he took the boat back out on the bay and finished the break-in, this time without any of the drama. Although, I'm convinced that if I'd been there <i>something </i>would have happened.</div>
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In the months that followed, I left Andre to handle the final touches like rebuilding the floor cover, fabricating a step over the exhaust, and refinishing the wood. With all that done, I flew down last week to check it out and get the boat ready to sail once again. Jean Marie is back and ready to go. We'll fly down to Mexico as a family in February and spend three months sailing her up through the Sea of Cortez to San Carlos where we plan to put her away next year and, perhaps, the following year.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-25ZIZRillp8/Vf8Ihc0weQI/AAAAAAAACKw/Q5idlUY1ZqE/s1600/031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-25ZIZRillp8/Vf8Ihc0weQI/AAAAAAAACKw/Q5idlUY1ZqE/s320/031.JPG" width="320" /></a>Four years of diesel mechanics and idly waiting on parts. Four years of changing itineraries and altered plans. Four years of anxiety and frustration. That chapter has finally come to a close. No, we didn't cross the Pacific -- not yet, anyway -- and we now spend our time exploring central Oregon instead of the New Zealand countryside. With the arrival of our newest family member and a pressing need to return to the work force, that original cruising goal is on hold for the moment. That's life I guess -- dynamic, ever-changing, wonderfully elusive and often challenging. It's important not to take it too seriously or impose constraints on it. And, I suppose, it's the little setbacks in life that help us appreciate the truly important things.</div>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Please add your comments below.</div>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08920525884868201444noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1557696587909409152.post-90390115421980479852015-01-28T14:37:00.000-08:002015-01-28T17:30:37.854-08:00Introducing Gavin Randall Wilson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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At 1:07 PM yesterday we officially welcomed our second son in to the world at St. Charles Medical Center here in Bend, Oregon. We decided on the name Gavin Randall -- the first name because, apparently, Millie really likes the former mayor of San Francisco, and the middle name for my Dad, who's given so much to his family over the years he deserves to have all his grandsons named after him. Although, to be honest, I wanted to name him Madison Bumgarner Wilson and dress him in orange and black but was immediately overruled by my wife. Anyone who watched the World Series would understand my choice.<br />
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Little Gavin weighed in at 6 lbs, 10 oz. and measured 19.25 inches long. He's a bit smaller than Colin was at birth and will have to grow quickly to catch up with big brother, who's very excited to have a new partner to fight the bad guys with. Mom is tired but doing well considering what she went through yesterday and the previous nine months. Dad is happy to finally see the little guy and find all his tiny body parts in the right place and in working order. They are.<br />
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We're all very excited to welcome Gavin in to our lives and look forward to the years ahead watching him grow and develop in to a young man, exploring the world with his big brother under the watchful eyes of two proud smiling parents. Our little family is now complete.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Please add your comments below.</div>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08920525884868201444noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1557696587909409152.post-63525087895187445492014-12-28T11:19:00.001-08:002015-01-02T13:42:35.825-08:00Happy Holidays!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We hope all our friends and loved ones had a very Merry Christmas. We spent our holiday in Bend this year which provided a welcomed white Christmas -- something very new to all of us. We're still adjusting to our first winter in central Oregon. A few weeks ago, we bought our first snow shovel. Very exciting, I know.<br />
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Our tenants' lease expired at the end of November and we finally moved back in to our house. Since then, we've been busy settling in and preparing for the cold weather. Millie got an all-wheel-drive Volvo with studded tires, I got a ski pass for Mt. Bachelor, and Colin got a new winter wardrobe complete with flashing Spiderman snow boots. Santa was good to us this year.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WJfwUX2Y15M/VKBUz4_ORdI/AAAAAAAACEE/Dl_poaL2C3c/s1600/090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WJfwUX2Y15M/VKBUz4_ORdI/AAAAAAAACEE/Dl_poaL2C3c/s1600/090.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a>I wish I could say the same for Jean Marie. She's still sitting in a slip in PV waiting on a transmission. It will be a short season in Mexico this year. I'm hoping to get the new transmission next month and then we can finally finish the engine installation and begin putting the boat back in order. My plan is to fly back down after the baby is born in February and spend a month sailing through the Sea of Cortez to San Carlos, where I'll put the boat away for the summer. Millie will stay here in Bend with Colin and his new baby brother. Her parents are planning to stay with her during that time so I can focus on Jean Marie. It will be a quick visit but I'm hoping to spend a little time with our cruising friends while I'm there.<br />
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Until then, we'll be busy up here in our little winter wonderland. I'm working full-time for <a href="http://www.fivetalent.com/" target="_blank">Five Talent</a>, Colin is back in pre-school, and Millie is growing bigger by the day. It's hard to believe we'll have another baby in just six short weeks. Sleepless nights and poopy diapers -- seems like we just potty-trained Colin and now we get to start all over again. Oh, the joys of parenthood. The truth is, we can't wait to see the little guy.<br />
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Here's wishing all of you a very Happy New Year.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Please add your comments below.</div>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08920525884868201444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1557696587909409152.post-58113688726268121892014-09-22T20:50:00.000-07:002014-09-23T12:20:47.652-07:00A Song About Ninja Turtles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">If you're having trouble viewing this video in Internet Explorer try using Chrome instead.</span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Please add your comments below.</div>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08920525884868201444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1557696587909409152.post-39103911551485386062014-09-14T12:53:00.000-07:002014-09-14T12:53:32.610-07:00A Growing Family<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If you looked closely at the picture in the previous post then this news should come as no surprise: We're having another baby! Some time in early February Colin will have a little brother to play with and Jean Marie will have a new crew member. We're all very excited. <br />
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We've been considering having another one since Colin was about a year old, not because of any burning desire to procreate or a narcissistic need to surround ourselves with little versions of ourselves. No, this decision was based simply on providing a sibling for Colin -- someone to grow up with, someone to share life's big moments with, someone to confide in and trust in and depend on when his aging parents are no longer there. Let's face it, I'm not a young man anymore. It's comforting to know he'll still have immediate family when Dad is gone. A depressing thought, I know, but no less relevant.<br />
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Obviously, this presents some additional challenges to our cruising plans. We enjoyed having Colin with us as we sailed down the Mexican coast but it wasn't always easy. Having a small child aboard certainly increases the stress levels associated with safe passage-making. And, now, we're about to multiply it by two.<br />
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We won't, however, be crossing any oceans next year. Our plan to sail through the South Pacific is on hold for the immediate future. Instead, we'll stay here in Bend, work for a while, raise our little family, and take time off when we can to explore the Sea of Cortez on Jean Marie. I haven't given up on a Pacific crossing yet...we just have to wait for the next window of opportunity.<br />
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Needless to say, this isn't the way I envisioned it playing out when we left Alameda a few years ago. In my version, our family has relocated to New Zealand, a tired Jean Marie is tucked away in a marina, and Dad is working for a software company somewhere in the Auckland area. Our newborn son is born with dual-citizenship and we're all spending the weekends exploring the kiwi countryside in a used camper van. Funny how destiny gets in the way of well-made plans. It's good to have a backup.<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Please add your comments below.</div>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08920525884868201444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1557696587909409152.post-53807854171332830302014-09-06T14:17:00.001-07:002014-09-09T09:40:55.243-07:00Pic of the Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Please add your comments below.</div>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08920525884868201444noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1557696587909409152.post-31724113412066634682014-08-23T20:13:00.000-07:002014-08-24T10:10:43.191-07:00So Close<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I just returned from a planned two-week trip to Puerto Vallarta. Fun and sun in a tropical paradise, right? Not so much. Anyone who has spent the summer in Mexico will know what I'm talking about. This was no vacation.<br />
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After months of planning and measuring and measuring and planning my shiny new Beta 43 finally shipped air freight from England bound for Guadalajara. I flew down on August 3rd to get there before it arrived. It was a sweltering 95 when I stepped off the plane -- like walking in to a sauna with no exit. The inside of the boat topped out over 100. This was going to be a long two weeks.<br />
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Before we left Mexico back in April I hired Juan "the paper man" Arias to handle the import documentation and logistics, and Jack Tinsley of PV Marine Group to help me with the installation. Both were expecting me and ready to assist. Jack showed up the next day with a large fan in hand. That would prove to be the most important tool for this job, and my sanity. We had the old engine out in two days. <br />
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My proud blue Perkins, removed and rebuilt twice in two years, a dependable old friend that saw us through many long days and nights at sea, the engine I was so reluctant to depart with after countless hours of maintenance and repairs, that freshly-painted diesel lay stripped down and in pieces on the dock. Seemed like such a sad end for a once important and reliable component of Jean Marie. It was depressing to look at it -- a painful reminder of lost time and wasted money. Still, I was sorry to see it go.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ujp9YEra-uU/U_lOudfz7cI/AAAAAAAAB_A/1MyR1OH84zI/s1600/IMG_6064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ujp9YEra-uU/U_lOudfz7cI/AAAAAAAAB_A/1MyR1OH84zI/s1600/IMG_6064.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a>The next day I received confirmation from Beta that the engine had arrived in Guadalajara and made arrangements with Juan to drive there and get it. Juan has a big red Ford pickup that he uses for jobs like this. He picked me up early the next morning for the long drive. It was a 5 to 6-hour trip one-way, but if all went well we could drive to Guadalajara, get it through Customs, and drive back in one day. Considering the reputation of government agencies in Mexico, we packed an overnight bag. That, as it turned out, was a wise choice.<br />
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The engine was sitting in the Customs warehouse at the airport. Security policies prevented Juan from dealing with them directly so we had to hire a Customs agent to act as our middle man. I paid this guy a significant amount of cash in advance for the privilege of sitting around and waiting for him to do his job, which entailed driving a mile down the road to the airport and pushing some papers through to Customs officials. Juan had spent many days in advance getting all our documentation in order to avoid any hassles. And, as hard as they tried, they could find nothing wrong with our papers. Yet, for two long days, which included a hotel stay for us, they managed to delay the process. After a number of calls to the agent in PV, who then made a few motivational calls to the agent in Guadalajara, they finally ran out of excuses to hold my engine and loaded the crate in to the back of Juan's truck fifteen minutes before closing. It was after 7 by the time we got out of there and didn't get back to PV until 2 AM. I swore never to ship anything through Guadalajara again.<br />
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The next day Juan showed up with the engine still in his truck. We unpacked it and dropped in on the dock using a big crane in the parking lot. It took two more hours to roll it down the dock on Jack's homemade dolly as we blew out three wheels trying to push it to the boat in the 100-degree heat. We made a plan to drop it in early the next day before the afternoon temps made it too difficult to work.<br />
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The sight of the old Perkins, the unbearable heat, and the long to-do list combined to temper my excitement over the new engine. I suppose most people would show some enthusiasm over the purchase of a new diesel, but I was more concerned with getting it installed and running with minimal resistance. This was not going to be an easy repower. I'd done my homework and had Jack double-check my measurements, but the engine sits in a very tight space with little room for error. I knew we'd have a few issues to work out, but thought we could get it working without any show-stoppers. Of course, I was wrong. Considering my experience with engines to date, I should have known better.<br />
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I ordered the Beta 43 with a ZF25 drop-down transmission. Beta Marine fabricated custom feet to fit the engine space according to the measurements I gave them as part of the ordering process. I spent a lot of time checking and double-checking the numbers to make sure we'd get it right the first time. So, you can imagine my disappointment when I realized we needed 3-inch blocks under the front mounts to get the shaft aligned. OK, no big deal. The engine will just sit a little higher than I expected. We can work around it, right? Wrong. The engine sits in a cabinet with limited space above. With the front mounts on blocks we were already at the top of the available space and still needed to move forward 3 inches. To make it work required installing it further aft and rebuilding the cabinet and floor in the back cabin -- not an ideal solution. This was a show-stopper.<br />
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What followed was a lot of cursing and finger-pointing, with a good deal of self-loathing. I wasn't happy. Jack consoled me by pointing out the obvious: I was attempting to replace a 30-year-old engine inside a small cabinet that was built around it by cramming a new engine in the same space while communicating the process through email to the manufacturer 5,000 miles away. These things happen. Setbacks should be expected. I still wasn't happy.<br />
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The next few days were filled with number-checking, picture-taking, and lots of back-and-forth emails with Beta engineers. They defended their ordering process and I defended my measurements. They also asked for a few new measurements, which I provided, but we still couldn't determine the source of the error. The only thing I knew with any degree of certainty was that the current configuration would not fit. However, if I replaced the transmission with an angled version and moved the feet back and down it would slide in to place. I knew what I had to do: send the transmission back and go home.<br />
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So, that's what I did. The transmission is now sitting in a crate at Jack's house waiting for Juan to pick it up and deliver it to DHL for a return flight to the UK, and I'm sitting in our house in Bend enjoying the moderate climate of central Oregon. I'm still working with Beta Marine to determine what went wrong before placing a new order for an angled transmission and redesigned custom feet. I'll have to fly back to PV to finish the job when we get all that worked out. Hopefully, in cooler weather. More time, more money. But, eventually, Jean Marie will have a shiny new working engine. I've come too far to give up now.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Please add your comments below.</div>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08920525884868201444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1557696587909409152.post-81111476866261527422014-04-19T11:18:00.000-07:002014-04-19T21:56:45.173-07:00Three Years Old<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
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We celebrated Colin's third birthday Tuesday on the beach in PV after a special breakfast of French toast, fruit, and chocolate cake. Colin devoured it by the gooey handful. Dad had to look away.<br />
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It's hard to believe three years have passed since those first days in Alameda. And, although we haven't travelled very far on the world map, it's been a long journey. The bouncing little boy we sailed south with is now outrunning dad and talking in full sentences. It goes by fast -- cliché but true.<br />
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Our friends on <a href="http://vivavelella.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Velella Velella</a> joined us for the beach party. Rob and Kai are putting their boat away for the summer on the same dock and took a few hours off to celebrate with us. Sun, sand, balloons, presents, and cold beer on a busy tourist beach in 90-degree tropical heat -- a great way to end the season.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZ6cVEuq3Po/U1K7TzB593I/AAAAAAAAB8E/opEt-m6iZVw/s1600/063-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZ6cVEuq3Po/U1K7TzB593I/AAAAAAAAB8E/opEt-m6iZVw/s1600/063-2.JPG" height="172" width="320" /></a>Happy Birthday, son. I hope all your years are filled with the joy and laughter you've brought your proud parents in these first three. It's been an unbelievable journey for us as a family so far -- in a lot of different ways. I'm looking forward to celebrating the many adventures and many birthdays to come.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Please add your comments below.</div>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08920525884868201444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1557696587909409152.post-68867414792229087912014-04-08T20:59:00.000-07:002014-08-15T06:17:10.072-07:00Rebel Heart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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By now I'm sure the entire population has heard about the <a href="http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/SD-Calif-National-Guard-to-Rescue-San-Diego-Family-With-Sick-Girl-1-253892281.html" target="_blank">rescue of the sailboat Rebel Heart</a> nine-hundred miles west of Mexico. It seems every news feed in the U.S. has latched on to this story and, in the process, stirred up a vocal and opinionated response from a mostly uninformed public. There seem to be many out there who feel that caring for a sick child on a sailboat, enduring a rescue at sea, and then watching your boat (and home) sink is not enough punishment for such irresponsible parents. They must also face the backlash of an angry non-sailing community demanding answers and reimbursement of precious tax dollars (because, as we know, the US Coast Guard would otherwise be sitting in port NOT doing anything requiring public funds). As a sailor and a father I find it absurd. For the crew of Rebel Heart it must be completely surreal.<br />
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We met <a href="http://www.therebelheart.com/" target="_blank">Rebel Heart</a> last season in La Cruz. Colin and little Cora were close to the same age and fast friends. We enjoyed hanging out with Eric and Charlotte and really liked having a playmate for Colin. So, we made an effort to spend time together before sailing to Mazatlan.<br />
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This year we were eager to get back to La Cruz and begin prepping for our Pacific crossing with our friends on Rebel Heart and <a href="http://www.sailblogs.com/member/bangorang/" target="_blank">Bangorang</a>. Our plan was to sail with them as we all hopped through the South Pacific islands to New Zealand. We were hoping to leave Mexico around the same time. Instead, we said goodbye to both boats as they sailed out of La Cruz, and we resigned ourselves to another season in Mexico.<br />
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In spite of what <a href="http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/The-Whole-Thing-is-Nuts-Family-Chastises-Boat-Trip-That-Sickened-Baby-253984811.html" target="_blank">Charlotte's clueless brother said to the press</a>, nobody saw this coming. The news of their rescue came as a shock to all of us who know them. Eric single-handed Rebel Heart down from San Diego and spent the past year (or more) preparing the boat for their departure. As a family they spent the summer in Mexico and sailed the boat across the Sea of Cortez to La Cruz, where they began the final prep. Hans-Christians are proven blue-water boats and Eric seemed a competent and seasoned sailor. I never doubted their success.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d5c0XbKkAJM/U0TAHAptNAI/AAAAAAAAB7E/QVy_or9t5f4/s1600/023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d5c0XbKkAJM/U0TAHAptNAI/AAAAAAAAB7E/QVy_or9t5f4/s1600/023.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>But, as most sailors know, when things go wrong on a boat it can get out of hand quickly. Keeping the boat in working order on a crossing can be a full-time job. Add two small children to the mix and it can be overwhelming. When one of those children becomes seriously ill everything else will have to wait. With Lyra's health in question, they made the right decision to call for help.<br />
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After working our way down the California coast and spending three seasons in Mexico as a cruising family, I would venture to say we understand more than most the challenges involved in sailing with children. Colin was just five-months-old when we left Alameda and turns 3 next week. I know many considered our journey foolish and thought we were irresponsible for taking an infant to sea. <br />
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Yes, if we get in to trouble, we will probably ask the US Coast Guard to come to our aid. But, we also spend a lot of time and money preparing ourselves and our vessel in an effort to avoid such a scenario. Sometimes accidents happen and we, as a civilized society, pay taxes to fund services with the sole purpose of aiding those people unfortunate enough to suffer an accident. If someone ventures out to a remote area of the planet and becomes ill or injured should we shame them for it? Should we bill them for the rescue attempt? What if it was someone you know, someone you care about?<br />
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And, what's the alternative? Should we only raise our kids within a sheltered community of like-minded individuals? Is that really the best we can offer our offspring? As anyone who's met a cruising family can attest, children raised on sailboats are, in general, a mature and well-adjusted group. And, why wouldn't they be? They spend their days exploring the wonders of our planet, meeting kids from other countries, learning different cultures and languages along the way. Isn't that preferable to cell phones, video games, and American pop culture?<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s0B5QeRr8rs/U0TAJZnGNfI/AAAAAAAAB7M/m120YYfHUr4/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s0B5QeRr8rs/U0TAJZnGNfI/AAAAAAAAB7M/m120YYfHUr4/s1600/017.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>I guess none of that matters now. A sailboat had to be rescued...and there were children on board. That's all the information required for the average intellect with a computer and something to say. What most people fail to realize is that many families have crossed oceans without incident, and to the enrichment of their children. The media only reports on those in distress and, unfortunately, it happened to our friends on Rebel Heart. So now, all those who lack the courage and passion to fulfill their own dreams have a well-publicized excuse to justify their failures.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Please add your comments below.</div>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08920525884868201444noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1557696587909409152.post-428692346335184152014-04-03T01:33:00.000-07:002014-08-16T07:13:10.428-07:00Moving On<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've intentionally been avoiding this blog. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the chance to document our little family adventures and share the experience with anyone who has the interest and free time to actually follow along. But, for a long time now, this website has been nothing more than a venting space for my long-winded complaints about Mexican diesel repair. I'm sure the two people still reading this blog have heard enough of my whining about our ongoing engine trouble, and, truthfully, I'm a little tired of telling the story. So, after this post -- one last long-winded rant about the difficulty of getting an engine rebuilt -- I will officially put the subject to rest. It's time to move on.<br />
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No, we're not currently sailing across the Pacific -- in case anyone was wondering. Yes, that was the plan. And, up to about three weeks ago, we were prepping for a crossing. But, as I've said before, even the best laid plans...blah, blah, blah...engines suck. We're now tucked away in Puerto Vallarta at the Paradise Village Marina (not a bad place to be, I know) putting the boat away for another summer in Mexico and getting ready to fly back to the States.<br />
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At this point you're probably wondering what the hell happened. Well, let me fill you in on the sequence of events that brought us to our current slip in Paradise...<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pN-BTc7JZh4/Uz0X5AVWLZI/AAAAAAAAB5E/-K4zpe_1zhI/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pN-BTc7JZh4/Uz0X5AVWLZI/AAAAAAAAB5E/-K4zpe_1zhI/s1600/004.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a>After our glorious sail down through the Sea of Cortez, we spent a week in La Paz where I explained to a local mechanic that our twice-rebuilt engine was burning a quart of oil every 30 hours and puffing smoke under load. His advice: change the oil to a non-detergent type and put more load on it to try and break it in. So, after three days of hunting for non-detergent oil in and around La Paz (which, apparently, does not exist -- at least not south of the border) I finally gave up and we sailed for Mazatlan.<br />
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If you happen to be paying attention, you know that Mazatlan is where we last rebuilt the engine. The work was performed a year ago by Total Yacht Works, a well-respected business owned by Canadian Bob Buchanan. After our initial debacle<a href="http://www.svjeanmarie.com/p/lessons-learned.html" target="_blank"> trying to get it rebuilt by Jonco in Barra</a>, I was told by just about everyone to take it to Bob. And, that's what we did. It took many months, but our engine was finally rebuilt again and running well when we departed Mazatlan last May. By the time we put the boat away in Guaymas I had 100 hours on it and it was still burning oil. I emailed my concerns to Bob at the time and he assured me he would make it all right when we came back to Mazatlan this season. That was the last conversation we had.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FxkN4QW13a8/U0F1SVi0mII/AAAAAAAAB6s/2NvkmQyUtaE/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FxkN4QW13a8/U0F1SVi0mII/AAAAAAAAB6s/2NvkmQyUtaE/s1600/012.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>You can imagine my surprise when I learned that Bob, who had been in business for twelve years, suddenly cleaned out his office and disappeared in the night. Apparently, he got in to a dispute with his business partner (the mechanic that rebuilt our engine) who got a lawyer involved who then got the Mexican IRS involved. And, just like that, Total Yacht Works and our guaranteed fix was no more. Unbelievable.<br />
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I knew all this when we sailed back to Mazatlan in February, but I wanted to talk to Rafa (the former mechanic and business partner of Total Yacht Works) about the oil burning issue. His response was the same as the mechanic in La Paz -- change the oil and put more hours on it. To his credit he offered to tear it apart and fix it at his cost. But, the idea of spending another season in Mexico rebuilding the engine again was beyond comprehension.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xTcJcn9LpX4/Uz0YDsf-dkI/AAAAAAAAB5U/qvNS80-qOLI/s1600/038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xTcJcn9LpX4/Uz0YDsf-dkI/AAAAAAAAB5U/qvNS80-qOLI/s1600/038.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a>So, I put six gallons of oil on the boat and we sailed to La Cruz to prep for a crossing. The engine was running well, I just had to feed it oil every other day or so. We figured it would probably continue to run in this state for many more hours before it became a problem. By then we hoped to be in New Zealand where I could find a competent shop to work with. Denial? Perhaps.<br />
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After a week in La Cruz that little voice of reason deep down in my skull began to get louder, until it finally convinced me to pull the head off and take a look (the engine, not me). If we didn't find any major issues then all we'd have lost is a head gasket and a couple days of work. But, that little voice knew better. With the head removed, I could see the top of each cylinder was polished smooth. I hired another mechanic to come over and take a look. The fact that all four cylinders showed the same pattern indicated a problem with installation of the cylinder sleeves. It certainly wasn't going to get better in time. The only fix was another rebuild (groan). Reluctantly, we scrapped our Pacific Puddle Jump.<br />
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As my wife knows, I can be very stubborn and determined when I get my head wrapped around an idea -- like rebuilding an old Perkins in Mexico. In this case that determination cost us many months and many thousands before I finally threw in the towel. We won't be rebuilding again. <br />
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There are a couple valuable lessons to be learned of course: (1) stubbornness can be very expensive, and (2) regardless of what people say, Mexico is not equipped to rebuild engines. You can find help with minor problems, but if you send parts to a machine shop for precision work to specific tolerances and expect to see the same results you'd get in the U.S. you're probably going to be disappointed. I wish someone had told me that back in San Diego. I guess some of us have to learn the hard way.<br />
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The good news is that we'll have a shiny new engine next season. I'm just about ready to pull the trigger on a <a href="http://www.betamarinenw.com/Engines/betamarine-beta4.html" target="_blank">Beta 43</a>. They're good engines, are reasonably priced, and will ship directly to Puerto Vallarta. I've been buried in specs over the past two weeks trying to work out the best engine/transmission combination to provide the power we need and fit the space we have. I think we've got a winner. Now I just have to pay the bill, get it through customs, deliver it to the dock, remove the old engine, drop in the new engine, line it up with the prop shaft, rework the exhaust system, hook up all the other systems, install the instrument panel, bleed the fuel lines, and fire it up. No problemo. Fortunately, I'll have some help.<br />
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Every problem can be solved with a little time and money. Sometimes, it takes a lot of time and money.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Please add your comments below.</div>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08920525884868201444noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1557696587909409152.post-64552284979119086832014-02-07T19:54:00.000-08:002014-02-08T18:31:21.450-08:00Exploring the Sea<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XkPxo-hW0SY/UvWidwhPBWI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/-p4MJ4QwWi0/s1600/049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XkPxo-hW0SY/UvWidwhPBWI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/-p4MJ4QwWi0/s1600/049.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a>It's been nearly two-and-a-half years since we left Alameda and sailed south for Mexico. Our plan from the start was to spend the Spring exploring the quiet, remote anchorages in the Sea of Cortez -- diving the reefs, fishing the passes, and relaxing with a cold beer in the shade of the cockpit. If there's one thing I learned over the past couple years is that nothing ever works out as planned...not on a boat, anyway.<br />
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Patience is all that is required. I don't think I realized the true meaning of those words when I first read "Around Alone" and Slocum's famous quote. It took two incredibly frustrating seasons to really come to terms with the idea. And, sitting here in La Paz after two glorious weeks working our way down through the Sea, I think our perseverance finally paid off. It's not springtime, the northers are blowing, and the water is a little chilly, but it was still the highlight of our Mexican cruising experience to date.<br />
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I hung around San Carlos long enough to watch the 49er's lose the NFC championship game in typical gut-wrenching, nail-biting fashion. I tried to put it out of my mind as we set sail the next day. We left with Theo and Marion on Marionetto, bound for the anchorage of San Juanico, and spent a very fast and bumpy night following Marionetto's stern light. We sailed the entire way making speeds of 6 to 7 1/2 knots on a beam reach and had to slow down as dawn approached to wait for the light. It took a little time to get used to life on a moving surface again. Colin was seasick at first but quickly recovered and by the time we set the anchor the following day we were all feeling pretty good and eager to have a look around.<br />
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We tucked in behind a big rock at San Juanico and rowed the dinghy to the beach for a hike with Theo, Marion, and Jim on Murray Grey. We made our way up and over the hill to another stunning beach for a picnic in the sand. The turquoise water was a little cold but crystal clear.<br />
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The next day we set sail for Isla Coronados with Marionetto and Murray Grey in very calm conditions. I'm still breaking in the engine following our rebuild in Mazatlan, so I didn't mind motoring the whole way. We dropped anchor on the southeast side of the island next to a long white-sand beach popular with tourist boats from nearby Loreto. We were the only ones there. I quickly squeezed in to my 3mm shorty and jumped over the side for a swim to check the anchor. It was a good excuse to finally get in the clear water.<br />
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From Escondido we motor-sailed down to the popular Agua Verde. But, after checking out the anchorage, decided instead to continue around the point to the quiet and overlooked San Marte. We tucked up inside the rocky reef with Marionetto and set the hook off another beautiful beach. In the morning, we took a long dinghy ride to explore a sea cave in calm overcast conditions. We picked up the anchor the following day and I tossed a lure over the side as we motored south. Almost immediately, I had my first dorado on deck -- a nice 8-pounder that I quickly filleted.<br />
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At Los Gatos, our next stop, we explored the spectacular red rock formations above the beach and feasted on fish tacos with Marionetto and Murray Grey.<br />
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From there we sailed south to the tiny village of San Evaristo and, again, I hooked a dorado -- this time a 10-pounder -- which Marion cooked for us on their boat. We landed the dinghy on the beach and raided the small tienda in search of a few much-needed provisions. We managed to procure a few vegetables, tortillas, eggs, some canned goods, and lots of cookies.<br />
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We left San Evaristo in southerly winds and chose to anchor on the north end of Isla San Francisco, off a shoal beach that looked like a postcard from the Bahamas. I donned the shorty again and jumped in to snorkel the rocky reef. The wind shifted back to the north around 3 AM and began to build beyond our comfort level, quickly turning our quiet beach in to a lee shore. <br />
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A few hours later we sailed in to Caleta Partida, a spectacular and well-protected cove at the south end of Isla Partida. We spent a couple days relaxing on the hook and playing in the water in what may have been our favorite anchorage.<br />
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Our last stop was Caleta Lobos, on the peninsula north of La Paz, where we tucked in behind a little rock island to get shelter from the westerly winds. I was soon in the water again, exploring the coral reef along the rocky shore. In the evening we joined Marion, Theo, and Jim for a pasta feed on Marionetto -- our last night of bliss before sailing to the bustling La Paz.<br />
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In the morning we motored down the long channel and dropped the hook in the Magote, surrounded by a hundred other boats in the wind and chop of La Paz harbor, thus closing the chapter on our long-anticipated sail through the Sea of Cortez -- a journey well worth the wait.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Please add your comments below.</div>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08920525884868201444noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1557696587909409152.post-91468280621157251482014-01-06T21:33:00.002-08:002014-01-06T21:44:17.019-08:00A New Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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The boat was in great shape considering the long, hot summer months on the hard. We did find a couple cracks on the keel and rudder that required some fiberglass repair, but all systems seemed to be in working order and the engine fired right up.</div>
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We spent Christmas with our friends Theo and Marion at their house in San Carlos. They were kind enough to invite us to stay the night and we appreciated the chance to get out of the boat yard and enjoy a real Christmas dinner with friends. Colin spent the entire time running around in circles on the tile floors.</div>
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We had such a good time we went back for New Year's eve, celebrating over dinner at the Captain's Club. We had to drag Colin off the dance floor when the band took a break and we called it a year a couple hours early. 2014 got started with a little coffee and Marion's homemade doughnuts followed by a walk to the beach on a perfect sunny day -- a great start to an exciting new year.<br />
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Happy New Year to all our family and friends. We wish you all good health and good fortune.</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Please add your comments below.</div>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08920525884868201444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1557696587909409152.post-22142189165886817302013-12-17T00:05:00.000-08:002013-12-17T09:06:06.270-08:00Southern Migration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We rolled in to Guaymas yesterday after an overnight bus ride from Tucson. I was a little nervous about crossing the border with eight bags of gear plus a stroller and carry-on items but, surprisingly, we cruised right through customs without a hitch. We're now sitting comfortably in a hotel room, where we plan to stay until the boat is ready to go back in the water. I'll be working hard this week to get a few necessary projects done before Christmas.<br />
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We spent our last few days in Bend with Denny and Dawn. The temperature dropped to zero on the morning we left Oregon, which only seemed to reinforce our decision to move south. By the time we reached mom and dad's house in Magalia snow flurries were beginning to fall. We woke the next morning to a winter wonderland with six inches of snow covering everything. Colin got to ride a sled and build a snowman for the first time. He also got to throw snowballs at dad for the first time, which made him giggle uncontrollably.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tFGYw6MYJgE/UrCDa3s4OKI/AAAAAAAAB0c/1C9-xzeQgEw/s1600/photo+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tFGYw6MYJgE/UrCDa3s4OKI/AAAAAAAAB0c/1C9-xzeQgEw/s320/photo+(2).JPG" width="320" /></a>From there we drove to the Bay Area for a quick visit with old friends. Todd and Antoinette were gracious enough to offer us a room at their place in San Ramon, and we got the crew back together for one more night out in Oakland. Thanks Mike, Colleen, Julie, David, Maria, Lee Ann, and Miguelito for taking time to see us off.<br />
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We picked up our rental car last Monday and drove two SUV's to Ron and Colleen's house in Elk Grove, where I helped him work out a little drama involving a nosey neighbor and a tow-truck. Mom and dad met us in the morning to take our car back to Magalia, and we said goodbye once again before continuing south to Templeton where we moved in with Ricky and Maria for a couple days. Thanks Paul for organizing an impromptu barbeque. And, thanks Cassy, Uncle, Tina, and Ron for coming over on short notice.<br />
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Before leaving the next day we walked across the street to visit with my grandmother. She's a very special lady and loved dearly by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She shared her lunch with Colin and we all shared a relaxing afternoon together.<br />
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Later that day we drove to Santa Barbara to spend a night with Monica, who I don't get to see nearly enough. We had just enough time for a couple of meals, a bottle of wine, and a lot of laughs. Thanks, Mon.<br />
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We got a late start from SB and had the agonizing misfortune of driving through LA on a Friday evening. Bad idea. I've spent enough time in Bay Area traffic to know better. So, our three-hour drive to Hemet turned in to a torturous five-hours. Fortunately, we won't need to do that again...ever.<br />
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We did, however, have a great time visiting my uncle Bill and aunt Keckie. It was our first time down that way and we're glad we made the stop. Thanks for letting us invade your home for the night.<br />
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And, then, after a long drive through the desert, we made our way to Tucson, dropped off the rental car and caught the late bus to Guaymas. One journey ends and another begins. <br />
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We want to thank everyone who took the time to visit and gave us a place to rest. It meant a lot to us, and we enjoyed every day and every stop along the way. It was particularly special since, at this point, we're not quite sure when we'll be back in the US. Traveling always feels a little bittersweet -- excited to be on the move but missing loved ones already. We'll definitely be in touch.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Please add your comments below.</div>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08920525884868201444noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1557696587909409152.post-13074408675422446712013-12-03T19:49:00.000-08:002013-12-04T18:30:50.200-08:00Season Three<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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To be honest, when we left Guaymas in June I wasn't sure when we'd be back in Mexico. To say our first two seasons did not go as planned would be an enormous understatement. The long months in Barra and then Mazatlan dealing with engine problems took it's toll on captain and crew. I promised Millie when we left Alameda way back in October 2011 that if she wasn't enjoying the cruising life after two years, we'd give it up and try something else. Living, stationary, on a boat for months on end in the sweltering heat of a Mexican marina is not much fun. And, so, when we put the boat away in that hot dusty yard back in June I was, therefore, a little uncertain of our return.<br />
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Spending the winter here in central Oregon, I have to admit, is appealing. I haven't been skiing in three years now and Mt. Bachelor is only a half-hour drive away. We both found jobs near our house that we enjoyed and were discovering new restaurants every week. Colin was getting excited about going to school (the morning sob-sessions had finally ceased). And, all the work on the house was done. We played in the leaves as the big maple turned with the season. We watched movies by the fireplace as the first snow fell over the yard. Our house was beginning to feel like our home. Did I really want to hand the keys over to renters again?<br />
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But, for me anyway, Mexico was unfinished business. I felt we had started down the road less traveled and needed to see where it took us. The work was done, the money was spent, the time was lost, there's nothing we can do about that now. We have a great boat with a strong, if yet untested, engine. We have to see this through. I wasn't deterred just yet.<br />
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And, fortunately, neither was my wife. Millie agreed give it all up again for one more season in Mexico and, if all goes well, a Pacific crossing in March. Months of emailing white-sand postcard photos of French Polynesian anchorages had finally paid off. Perhaps I'm a better salesman than I thought I was. The truth is (and I know this) Millie has a gypsy soul and an adventurers heart, which is one of the reasons I fell in love with her. Even though the idea of spending three-weeks at sea to get there is terrifying, the allure of the islands and the people and the culture is powerful.<br />
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So, once again, it's time to say goodbye to our beloved Bend. The past six months went by in a blur, and we depart with mixed emotions as we were both beginning to feel very much at home here. Tomorrow we'll spend the day packing the car and saying our goodbyes, and Thursday morning we'll begin the long journey south. The plan is to drive down to the Bay Area, rent an SUV, drive it to Tucson, and then catch the Executivo bus for a five-hour ride to Guaymas. This seemed like the least painful way to get us and our many duffel bags to the boat. We'll be visiting a lot of our friends and family along the way, but I'm hoping to be in Mexico two weeks from now.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LhM7AlPYj5w/Up6e7aw6CpI/AAAAAAAABy0/6TCE2JO8ng8/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LhM7AlPYj5w/Up6e7aw6CpI/AAAAAAAABy0/6TCE2JO8ng8/s320/018.JPG" width="320" /></a>And, at some point in the unforeseeable future we'll be back here in Bend. We've moved out of the house and have a new renter moving in this week. I hired a property management company to handle all the messy details this time. We considered that a prudent decision. There's nothing else to do now...except go.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Please add your comments below.</div>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08920525884868201444noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1557696587909409152.post-86617547795108402013-11-28T13:56:00.000-08:002013-11-29T12:27:25.895-08:00Giving Thanks<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8MIiRvSX4js/Upe4C4SvKCI/AAAAAAAAByg/4MKxDBNvu8o/s1600/Pirate+Day.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8MIiRvSX4js/Upe4C4SvKCI/AAAAAAAAByg/4MKxDBNvu8o/s320/Pirate+Day.JPG" width="320" /></a>This Thanksgiving is a special one, which may seem like an odd revelation considering I'm sitting home alone while my family enjoys a turkey dinner without me some three-thousand miles away. No, it's not a celebration in the traditional sense, but I still feel thankful none the less.<br />
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How many of us are lucky enough to marry someone with the courage and selfless enthusiasm to quit their job and give up everything they own to sail a 40-foot boat across an ocean to unknown destinations with an infant child and an aging lap dog? Crazy, I know. But, traveling the world by sailboat has been a dream of mine for a very long time, and I spent many years before marriage preparing for such a journey.<br />
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But, it was always just that -- <em>my</em> dream. Before she met me, Millie knew nothing of sailing. She didn't stay up late with her nose buried in sea stories, visualizing perfect sail trim in trade-wind conditions. It wasn't her ambition to cross an ocean under sail and drop anchor between coral heads in the white sand of some South Pacific island. She didn't hunger for the challenge and personal sacrifice required to live and travel on a small boat. <br />
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No, those were my aspirations, my goals. But, she embraced all of these things when she agreed to marry me, and, although reluctant at times, she set aside her own dreams to live mine for a while. And, for that, I will always be thankful.<br />
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Happy Thanksgiving and a very happy birthday to my loving wife.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Please add your comments below.</div>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08920525884868201444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1557696587909409152.post-24597784759230176202013-09-12T20:59:00.000-07:002013-09-12T20:59:23.041-07:00Pic of the Day<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Please add your comments below.</div>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08920525884868201444noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1557696587909409152.post-69893028475243805782013-08-27T21:53:00.000-07:002013-09-22T15:32:30.297-07:00Summertime!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwCMozQt_ErpejiHKvc8PfljjS2sd9OGjG7GXQpq2aFohtTwNuI4-gJ84mDRKwbHu2BbXkI8nQ-l5c6_cE6Fg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Joshua Radin at the Bend Athletic Club</span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Please add your comments below.</div>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08920525884868201444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1557696587909409152.post-52496700579626069002013-08-14T22:34:00.000-07:002013-08-15T08:16:55.326-07:00Millie (Half) Marathoner<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W30WmL5rG7I/UgxfrAk6e4I/AAAAAAAABuU/aLYyo4uzz84/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W30WmL5rG7I/UgxfrAk6e4I/AAAAAAAABuU/aLYyo4uzz84/s320/007.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a>Way back in May, while on the boat in Mazatlan, Millie started getting up early to run. Colin and I would sleep in, make banana pancakes, and watch The Lion King as Millie was out jogging. She found a website online for the annual <a href="http://www.haulinaspen.com/" target="_blank">Haulin’ Aspen Trail Marathon and Half Marathon</a> in Bend and, in a moment of spontaneity, signed up to run the half marathon.<br />
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Over the next three months, as we slowly made our way north to central Oregon, Millie continued to train for the race. When we were putting the boat away in the heat of Guaymas, she would run. When we spent a week visiting family in California, she would run. And, when we finally made our way to Bend, she picked up the pace, getting up early to put in eight miles before breakfast. Colin and I slept in, made blueberry waffles, and watched Dora the Explorer.<br />
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Of course, we encouraged her. I offered my congratulations as she made steady improvement in both distance and time. I handed out upbeat praise and gratuitous high-fives as she came in from her runs. I made her waffles. And, I had confidence in her. As the big day of the race approached I knew she was ready.<br />
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That big day came on Sunday. We all got up early to get Mom to the starting line by 8 o'clock. Colin and I cheered as the horn sounded and she strode out of view with a few hundred other runners. The course started out on a paved bike path that led to a dirt trail through the beautiful wooded Shevlin park before climbing up a steep hill and looping back to the start -- a nice 13 1/2 mile stroll on a gorgeous sunny day.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_J8wOeRG7GQ/UgxfsDevtUI/AAAAAAAABug/yo5EMsQpwEk/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_J8wOeRG7GQ/UgxfsDevtUI/AAAAAAAABug/yo5EMsQpwEk/s320/018.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>Two-and-a-half hours later and we waited at the finish line as Millie's bright pink tank-top came in to view. She crossed the line holding the same steady pace she started with, and her proud family showered her with hugs and kisses. Then we all made our way to the concession stands where Mom drank her weight in water and Dad enjoyed the free beer and burritos. We should do this more often.<br />
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Good job, Mom!<div class="blogger-post-footer">Please add your comments below.</div>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08920525884868201444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1557696587909409152.post-38981639964978293162013-08-09T21:08:00.000-07:002013-08-10T16:41:52.504-07:00School Daze<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Change has been the constant since leaving Alameda, and that reality hasn't changed with our location. Even though we're now settled in to our house in Bend we still find ourselves adapting to new challenges and opportunities. <br />
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This week was a big one for the Wilson family. Yesterday Millie started her new job as an oncology nurse at an outpatient clinic just a short drive from our house. It's a perfect fit for her skills in a position almost identical to the one she last held in the Bay Area. She's excited and eager to go back to work. I'm excited for her. Colin's just excited.<br />
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Both of us working full-time jobs, however, presented a new challenge -- finding daycare for Colin. Millie started researching local preschools weeks ago, and set up appointments to check out a few of them. After careful deliberation we chose a well-established school near Millie's work with a fun, structured program and a great staff.<br />
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So, on Thursday, before dropping Millie off at her new job, we dropped Colin off at his new school. We'd been dreading this day for months. I had images of a sobbing, inconsolable toddler in the corner weeping all day and wondering why mommy and daddy abandoned him. Colin was just a few months old when we sailed south, and we've been together as a family unit since. He's never been apart from Millie for more than an hour or so. Preschool represented a big step for all of us.<br />
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On the other hand, two years in Mexico have allowed us the opportunity to develop lasting friendships with many wonderful and interesting people. Traveling at such a young age has exposed him to a different culture, language, and values, and that has helped shape his young mind in a very positive way. He seems to be a very intelligent, well-adjusted little boy -- with us, anyway. How will he behave without mom and dad in the room?<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pBpyXc0nngk/UgW6mbEPUzI/AAAAAAAABtg/ijZ_D_oWt-8/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pBpyXc0nngk/UgW6mbEPUzI/AAAAAAAABtg/ijZ_D_oWt-8/s320/008.JPG" width="320" /></a>Well, after two full days of school, I'm happy to report Colin has received high marks in class. They all love him there, and he seems to love going there. He cried a little in the morning, but was soon distracted by all the children, the games, and the toys. At the end of the first day we walked in to the room expecting hugs and tears but he didn't even notice us at first. I considered that a good sign. By the time he finished his dinner and bath the little guy could barely stay awake. "Colin, did you have fun today?", I asked. "Yeth", he replied. "Do you want to go back tomorrow?". "Yeth!". I think we're going to be OK.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Please add your comments below.</div>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08920525884868201444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1557696587909409152.post-69533749559650154692013-07-23T21:33:00.000-07:002013-07-23T21:50:28.504-07:00Joining the Workforce<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've always considered unemployment to be terribly underrated. There's a lot to be said for the slacker lifestyle, and I encourage everyone to give it a try at least once in your life. Spending our entire adult lives in an endless 9-to-5 pursuit of disposable income and two-week vacations seems an absurd waste of precious time. I say that after spending a good chunk of <em>my</em> adult life doing just that. It took many years and two brushes with cancer to finally cut the lines and cast off. And, even though the past two years included more than a few setbacks, I never thought to myself "I'd rather be working".</div>
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But, the vacation can't last forever. We're not retired and we didn't win the lottery. Sooner or later, we have to go back to work. So, back in April, while waiting around for our engine repairs in Mazatlan, I started checking Craigslist and sending out resumes. Knowing that the software industry in central Oregon is somewhat limited and my two-year-old-high-tech resume is somewhat stale, I didn't have high hopes for finding employment in Bend. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UzBLdtOts0g/UewM2-9Iw1I/AAAAAAAABq8/KV6KG0DDdL0/s1600/IMG_4198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UzBLdtOts0g/UewM2-9Iw1I/AAAAAAAABq8/KV6KG0DDdL0/s320/IMG_4198.JPG" width="320" /></a>Apparently our luck isn't all bad, though. After a few long-distance phone interviews, I managed to land a job with a small software company a few miles from our home and am now gainfully employed once again. And, I'm actually enjoying it -- building websites, both small and large, for many different organizations around the country. It's been a real challenge coming up to speed on all the technology changes over the past two years and dusting off the mental cobwebs from my programming past. But, a two-year vacation is a great way to re-energize a complacent work life. I highly recommend it.</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Please add your comments below.</div>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08920525884868201444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1557696587909409152.post-83828549344470355842013-07-04T13:56:00.000-07:002013-07-06T00:32:33.876-07:00Renting to Junkies<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SSpzwkYGeEg/UdXfDFSGdDI/AAAAAAAABo4/myKFAUPagsk/s425/drugs-heroin_~22P0063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SSpzwkYGeEg/UdXfDFSGdDI/AAAAAAAABo4/myKFAUPagsk/s320/drugs-heroin_~22P0063.jpg" width="320" /></a>It's funny how a single bad decision can set in motion a domino-like chain of distressing events, leaving an irreversible wake of destruction in it's path. OK, that statement may be a little melodramatic but it certainly describes how we felt on returning to our house in Bend.<br />
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We left our home in October of last year after spending the summer working down a long list of repair and renovation projects. The idea was to give the old house a makeover in an effort to generate maximum rental income while we were cruising Mexico. With new paint inside and out, a 6-ft cedar fence, and a landscaped yard the property never looked better. Then the tenants moved in.<br />
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My brother, Denny, agreed to manage the property for us while we were out of the country. He has two rentals of his own and understands the process. I put an add in Craigslist and quickly received a few responses. We met with one particular young woman who was very interested. She worked as a waitress and was looking for a place to rent with her boyfriend and his cousin, a manager at the Starbucks in downtown Bend. We liked the woman and the cousin -- they came across as sincere individuals with steady income. I did a background check on all three using an online tenant screening service which came back clean. Their combined income was right at the minimum required for a year lease, so they agreed to sign a 6-month lease instead that would be renewed if all rents were paid on time.<br />
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Our only hesitation was with the boyfriend. And, in retrospect, the biggest lesson learned here is to always trust your instinct. He talked fast and seemed to answer each question by simply saying what we wanted to hear. My initial reaction was the same as Denny's -- that dude's a tweeker. We should have tossed out the application right there.<br />
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Instead, flawed reasoning overcame better judgment. It was getting late in the season. We would be back in Mexico soon and I wanted to have a rental agreement in place before we left. They had the money to move in and two out of the three seemed like good tenants. So, we took a chance and gave them the keys. And, they paid the rent on time...for three months.<br />
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By mid-January we were in Mazatlan on Jean Marie dealing with our never-ending engine problem. I called Denny to find out why there was no deposit for the month's rent. That's when the drama began to unfold. Apparently, the boyfriend went off on a drug-induced rage and beat up the girl. At some point, the cousin attempted to intervene and was slashed across the arm with a large knife. The wound was so severe it almost severed his arm. It turns out, the boyfriend already had a felony record for attempted murder -- an important little nugget of information that I expected to see on the tenant screening report.<br />
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So, the boyfriend goes to jail, the girl moves to Arizona to live with her mother, and the cousin remains in the house with a surgically-repaired arm, living on disability checks. Needless to say, the lease is terminated.<br />
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The cousin would like to stay in the house, though, and offers to pay his share for the month and find new roommates to cover the rest. Our ongoing engine problems require us to spend another season in Mexico and another summer in Oregon. So, Denny agrees to allow subletting the house for the next three months until we arrive. Another ad is placed in Craigslist and two guys, who seem normal, pay for the first month and move in.<br />
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These two "normal" guys turn out to be heroin users. The little drama has now become a mini-series. Over the next three months our house is turned in to a heroin den. My new tenants refuse to pay rent and refuse to leave. Denny serves eviction papers and the cousin spends most of his time locked in his room. A dealer/friend of the two tenants is spending a lot of time at the house which gets the attention of the local Bend police, who are following this guy.<br />
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One day in early April Denny goes over to check the property, looks in a bedroom window, and sees a guy with a needle in his arm. He calls the police and is asked to come to the station, where he soon learns that the cops have been surveilling the house for some time and are planning a raid. They ask Denny to be patient. His response is, understandably, less than patient. By this time, the eviction date has passed and the sheriff's office is scheduled to remove the tenants within a couple days. So, the drug force, not wanting to miss out on a bust, issue an immediate arrest warrant (apparently by waking a judge in the middle of the night). Denny gives them the key to the front door and asks that they not damage the property. What he doesn't know is the tenants have changed the locks. No, I am not making this up.<br />
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So, the next day <a href="http://www.ktvz.com/news/Two-arrested-drugs-seized-in-NE-Bend-raid/-/413192/19630846/-/l0kng0/-/index.html" target="_blank">the Bend police raid our home</a>. After unsuccessfully trying to use the key, they smash the front door in with a battering ram, handcuff the occupants, and haul them off the jail, confiscating a stash of heroin and an undisclosed amount of cash in the process. The cousin, fearing for his safety, had already moved out. End scene! We finally get our house back, although, not quite in the same condition.<br />
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My brother then spent April and May cleaning up the mess. Walls were repaired and painted, carpets steam cleaned, and the whole house disinfected. Three interior doors, as well as the front door, were destroyed and the beautiful cedar fence in the back yard was damaged. Fortunately, our homeowners insurance stepped up and by the time we arrived most of the repairs were done and we were spared the ugly details. Thanks, bro!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JoYfZRlj7tc/UdXXynS7RCI/AAAAAAAABoo/vp2wvwtQ88Y/s900/045(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JoYfZRlj7tc/UdXXynS7RCI/AAAAAAAABoo/vp2wvwtQ88Y/s320/045(1).JPG" width="320" /></a>We finally made it to Bend two weeks ago, after enduring an 18-hour bus ride from Guaymas to LA and then hitching a ride with my uncle to Templeton, where we picked up our car. We then spent the next two weeks visiting our family and friends as we drove north through California and Oregon. I'm now, once again, working down a list of home repair projects as we settle in for the summer. I should have the place back in pristine condition by the end of the month, and ready for new tenants again. This time we may go with a management company.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Please add your comments below.</div>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08920525884868201444noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1557696587909409152.post-89112647674965097472013-06-08T16:40:00.000-07:002013-06-09T08:29:41.380-07:00Guaymas<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9aa5p2i4d9A/UbO_NC27CNI/AAAAAAAABmc/UbRJSTPpafQ/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9aa5p2i4d9A/UbO_NC27CNI/AAAAAAAABmc/UbRJSTPpafQ/s320/004.JPG" width="320" yya="true" /></a>We are now enjoying an air-conditioned hotel room in the working port city of Guaymas. After a week and a half living in a hot and dusty boat yard this place seems like a resort. Mostly we're just happy to have access to a working shower and mosquito-free bathroom. It's getting hotter every day now. But, as sweltering as it seems, we realize it's just beginning to heat up here. The next few months will be intolerable, at least to gringos like us, which is why we've been working hard to get the boat put away and get back to the U.S. and more moderate temps. I'm hoping Jean Marie survives with little or no ill-effects.</div>
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"Why would anyone leave their boat in a sun-baked desert in northern Mexico?", would be a reasonable question to ask. For us, however, there are a few compelling reasons to do this. The first being hurricane danger, the second being cost, and the third being access to the Sea of Cortez.</div>
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San Carlos and Guaymas are the primary locations for cruisers who want to leave their boats in Mexico and avoid the hurricane zone further south. Most boats travel up through the Sea of Cortez in the spring to put their boats in dry storage for the summer. A few courageous sailors brave the heat and spend the summer on the boat, but most take a bus north to Tucson or Phoenix and fly home to wait for the fall before returning.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PFhy2Q7YEbw/UbO_fJDFexI/AAAAAAAABnE/fVVV7JnU7_I/s1600/054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PFhy2Q7YEbw/UbO_fJDFexI/AAAAAAAABnE/fVVV7JnU7_I/s320/054.JPG" width="320" yya="true" /></a>And, the cost of dry storage here is significantly less than leaving the boat in a marina in Mazatlan or Puerto Vallarta or even Barra, where Jean Marie spent last summer. We can park the boat here in a dry and dusty yard for about a quarter of the cost of a marina slip.</div>
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But, the best part is that we can sail down through the Sea of Cortez in the fall and finally spend some time checking out the anchorages we've been trying to get to for the past two years now, which is the main justification for enduring life in a dirty boat yard and June temps.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f7TTWFIa0o4/UbO_esFnMnI/AAAAAAAABm8/QfA1x4S_m6c/s1600/055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f7TTWFIa0o4/UbO_esFnMnI/AAAAAAAABm8/QfA1x4S_m6c/s320/055.JPG" width="320" yya="true" /></a>At this point the boat is all buttoned up and covered in tarps. We spent nearly two weeks getting her cleaned up and put away for the summer and then moved in to our current digs in town. Tomorrow we'll embark on a long bus ride to LA where we'll hitch a ride with my uncle for the rest of our journey to central California. From there we'll be driving up through California and Oregon to our house in Bend, where I plan to catch up on a lot of sleep.</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Please add your comments below.</div>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08920525884868201444noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1557696587909409152.post-44845244294180630492013-05-18T21:30:00.001-07:002013-05-18T21:30:34.239-07:00San Carlos<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f-pyLtudgzQ/UZhQj3emzJI/AAAAAAAABls/nhY8wvwhb7I/s1600/067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" pua="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f-pyLtudgzQ/UZhQj3emzJI/AAAAAAAABls/nhY8wvwhb7I/s320/067.JPG" width="320" /></a>Yes, the rumors are true. We are no longer working on our engine in Mazatlan. We are now working on our engine in San Carlos. At least the scenery has changed.</div>
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To be fair to Total Yacht Works, our engine is running great and we motored most of the 400-plus miles up the coast to San Carlos without any mechanical-related issues. The problem we're facing now is with the charging system. After five months of inactivity our regulator and/or battery combiner has decided to pack it in. Or, it could be a wire running through the engine compartment was pulled the wrong way or simply shorted out after 30 years of service. Whatever the cause, it needs attention if we want to preserve our batteries. So, that's what I'll be working on over the next few days.</div>
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But, a little charging problem can't overshadow the fact that we have our engine back and are on the move again. We said goodbye to our friends on Katie G and Bangorang on Sunday as we pulled away from the dock in Mazatlan for the last time. We felt an overdue sense of liberation as we motored out the channel and set the sails for the first time in months. A steady westerly breeze filled in and we managed to sail the entire afternoon in company with our friends on Cricket. The wind faded with the light so we fired up the diesel and motor-sailed under a brilliant clear night sky.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cFmHHAb6jWI/UZhRe35McgI/AAAAAAAABmE/bM8Ik5ctAyA/s1600/043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" pua="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cFmHHAb6jWI/UZhRe35McgI/AAAAAAAABmE/bM8Ik5ctAyA/s320/043.JPG" width="240" /></a>By Tuesday we were weaving our way through the long winding channel to the little working town of Topolobampo where we planned to fill the fuel tank and hit the mercado. The channel runs through a breaking reef, across a large shallow bay, to the edge of town where a couple new marinas are now operating. We only managed to run aground once on the way in. Luckily for us we hit soft mud and not any hard pointy things. Colin found this to be a hilarious event and burst out in uncontrollable laughter when the boat came to an abrupt halt. The captain was somewhat less amused.</div>
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A couple days in Topolobampo was enough for us so we motored back out the channel on Thursday with our friends on Dream Catcher just ahead and turned north again for another two-day sail to San Carlos under glorious sunny skies. We discovered along the way that we needed to spend this time learning to sail again. The rust had set in on our sailing skills after so many months of sitting in a marina and it took a few days to knock it loose. After some time, though, we began to find a rhythm and adjust to the motion of a passage. I even managed to catch a Dorado, my first one since sailing down last year. Fish tacos for dinner.<br />
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This morning we sailed in to the anchorage in San Carlos where we plan to spend a few days before moving to Guaymas where we'll haul the boat out and store it for the summer. It's tempting to linger here a little longer to check out the inviting anchorages along the coast. But, home is calling and we're looking forward to seeing family and friends in the States again. The Sea of Cortez will have to wait for the fall. It seems the season has come to an end for us just as it was getting started.</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Please add your comments below.</div>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08920525884868201444noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1557696587909409152.post-46215236486127717862013-05-09T16:24:00.000-07:002013-05-09T16:28:51.964-07:00Hakuna Matata<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rpGkK6LQsco/UYwrzbJZSBI/AAAAAAAABjo/wqA9q8bsTsk/s1600/the-lion-king-the-lion-king-24619212-1024-768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" mwa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rpGkK6LQsco/UYwrzbJZSBI/AAAAAAAABjo/wqA9q8bsTsk/s320/the-lion-king-the-lion-king-24619212-1024-768.jpg" width="320" /></a>Colin's favorite movie is The Lion King. We've probably watched it fifty times now. I can practically recite the dialog in my sleep. The line that sticks in my head the most is when Poomba the pig says "You gotta put your behind in your past", or, as corrected by his friend Timone the ferret (I'm guessing), "You gotta put your past behind you". Pretty good advice coming from an animated Disney character. We try to live by that "problem-free philosophy" these days while waiting -- as patiently as humanly possible -- for our engine.</div>
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The good news is that we actually have a working engine again. Our Perkins went back in the boat last week with only a few snags in the process. Two sheaves (pulleys) at the mast-head broke when hoisting the engine on halyards, which required multiple trips up the mast for me. Fortunately, we had newly-fabricated replacements in just a couple days. We ran the engine at the dock for two days to locate and fix a few leaks, and then motored out the channel to drive it under load as part of the break-in process. After three days of motoring straight offshore, turning around after a few hours and motoring back, anchoring for the night, and then waking up and doing it all over again, we limped in to port with an overheating transmission and a pool of oil under the engine. That was Sunday -- not a good day for me.</div>
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I can honestly say that today, however, is looking much better. I was in the office at Total Yacht Works bright and early on Monday with a list of problems and a strong feeling of deja-vu. I had already started making plans to leave the boat here in Mazatlan and fly back home. But, Bob assured me they would take care of it and, to his credit, that's exactly what happened. The guys were on the boat by 9 AM that morning and by the end of the next day had removed the transmission, replaced the rear seal, changed out a few gaskets, and installed a separate sea-water oil cooler for the transmission. I ran the engine at the dock all day yesterday without issue. Could it be? Do we actually have a working engine? I knew this day would come eventually but the skeptic in me is still struggling with the idea. I'm definitely feeling more optimistic today -- that's a new sensation for me.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aD8xQChqte0/UYwsRzUKsvI/AAAAAAAABkA/4A9CJARQOs0/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" mwa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aD8xQChqte0/UYwsRzUKsvI/AAAAAAAABkA/4A9CJARQOs0/s320/017.JPG" width="320" /></a>Unfortunately, it's a little late in the season to explore the Sea of Cortez. We still want to put the boat away up north at the end of the month before going back home for the summer. Leaving the boat in San Carlos/Guaymas will allow us the opportunity to sail down through the Sea in the fall. That's our last chance to spend some time in Baja. Next year we're determined to set sail for the South Pacific and New Zealand. Assuming, of course, we have confidence in our engine at that time. That may be asking a lot, given our history with all things mechanical on this boat. But, like I said, I'm feeling a new sense of optimism. Next season I'm hoping to finally put our behind in our past.</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Please add your comments below.</div>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08920525884868201444noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1557696587909409152.post-9655387423188563322013-04-19T11:17:00.001-07:002013-04-19T11:17:17.522-07:00Pic of the Day
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fKQeoD_CLkw/UXGJlbtJcmI/AAAAAAAABiE/iLx3JgunLAM/s1600/023+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dua="true" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fKQeoD_CLkw/UXGJlbtJcmI/AAAAAAAABiE/iLx3JgunLAM/s400/023+(2).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Who needs an engine? Colin has a new play room.</span></td></tr>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Please add your comments below.</div>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08920525884868201444noreply@blogger.com2