S/V INTREPID II - Cape Dory Intrepid 40

My photo
Intrepid II is a Cape Dory Intrepid 40 sailboat, hull #2, designed by Chuck Paine and discovered by the Captain in Blue Hill Maine in 2006. The crew are Kelly (Captain) and Carol (Admiral and Blogger). In 2009 INTREPID II embarked on her West Coast journey from Victoria to San Francisco, the Baja Sur Peninsula and into the Sea of Cortez. In 2010/2011, we sailed from Guaymas, south to Bahia Banderas and back. In 2011/2012 we left Guaymas, headed south to La Paz, spent three weeks at anchor on our northward journey and rested on the hard in San Carlos. Her 4th, 5th and 6th seasons were Boat Projects related. Season 7 - an incredible amount of boat work - but no cruising. Season 8 - Tropical Storm Sergio toppled Intrepid II in San Carlos dry storage. A disappointing season of serious and costly repairs. Season 9 - continuing those repairs and still hopeful for cruising.

January 15, 2023

2022 in Summary - January to April

(Somehow this 'cruising blog' turned into a more 'land based blog' and in 2022 time quickly sped by, even with the continuing covid-19 restrictions in place, then easing.  As much for ourselves as for any faithful readers, here is a shortish overview of 2022.) 

January - snow on the ground and frequently replenished, so much shoveling, de-icing, digging out vehicles and plants and bushes.  A chance to delve back into family history research, research and buy new smart phones, puzzle over the lack of realistic plans for people who want to use their phone to make calls to and from North America.  AT&T got a return customer! 

February - Kelly was making tentative plans to drive to San Carlos, Mx to spend time on the outstanding projects for INTREPID II.  That included the loading the mandatory ArriveCan app to have available for returning home and placing orders for needed parts.  The month ended with heavy rains and wind, chopping more wood and cozy fires.

March - travel plans full speed ahead, with ensuring travel and vehicle insurance updated, updated GPS, and scoping out realistic driving routes and stops through the USA.  Packing and repacking the truck to ensure everything was secure and accessible.  March 11 - the Captain boarded the Coho Ferry to Port Angeles and drove on to Portland, OR, for a family visit.  Next day 12th, was via Klamath Falls, to Susanville, CA, with a few GPS issues and less than ideal overnight.  March 13th - Susanville to Henderson, NV, another 8.5 hours of driving. March 14th - Henderson NV on to Green Valley, AZ and time to prepare for crossing into Mexico and to call Marina San Carlos Seca to move INTREPID II into the works yard! March 15 - All well at Km 21 and by 2 pm he was checking into Totonaka RV park in San Carlos, followed by a  visit to JJ's for much needed relaxation and cerveza.

The last two weeks of March went by quickly, focused on a thorough cleaning outside and in, including removing a small nest carefully constructed on the outboard.  Old heavy 8D gel cell batteries were wrestled out of the cabin into the cockpit and up and over with assistance from Francisco and son.  The new, lighter lithium iron batteries were much easier to manage and install. There was drilling, and trips to Home Depot in Guaymas for different drill bits.  Trying to get needed sleep when it was party time in San Carlos late into the night, noisy neighbours at times, all who were not on a working cruiser's schedule.  After a week's stay at Totonaka, Kelly was able to move into Condominios Dorados.  It has its own challenges but we feel fairly comfortable there and it has a great view.

INTREPID II moving from marina seca to works yard




Cozy nest under cover while in storage

Old 8D gel cell batteries coming out


Lithium iron batteries installation


Enjoyable view after a long day of boat projects

April - included sorting out the storeroom at Marina Seca, waiting for a parcel from Defender to meander its way to the office, and finally traveling to the Fed Ex office in Guaymas to intercept his parcel before it meandered its way all day before arriving after hours in San Carlos.  Even when you bring everything you can think of with you, there is always a part that needs to be ordered, then you wait.  Semana Santa (Holy Week/party week) was fast approaching and time to leave before crowds descended.  Monday, April 11th Intrepid II was moved back into dry storage, for some reason ahead of the designated time, into a very bad location; discussions ensued and a second move into a higher, drier spot. 

April 12 - while Kelly was packing and booking a condo spot for November and marina spot for December in San Carlos, it was snowing fat fluffy flakes in Victoria!  Perhaps second thoughts about heading home and what the driving conditions would be.  April 13 - adios San Carlos and heading for the border on on to Goodyear, AZ; border crossing was not as long a wait as some years.  April 14 - Goodyear AZ to Tonopah NV, via Hwy 95, another long drive.  April 15 - Good Friday - Tonopah via Hwy 95 past Reno NV, steadily climbing into the national forests, chilly temperatures, into California and finally arriving at Klamath Falls, OR for the night.  A spicy Thai dinner helped fend off the chill and thoughts of heavy snow ahead. April 16 - Saturday - early morning checking road cams and snow forecasts; Hwy 97 north to Bend appeared fairly clear, on the east side of the mountains. Reached The Dalles and the Columbia River by mid afternoon, with rain all the way west to Vancouver WA.  

April 17 - Easter Sunday on the road to Port Townsend, a basic room, but with a view of the harbour and no special dinner.  April 18 - up early to the Coho Ferry line up by 7 am and on the 8:20 ferry to Victoria.  What a welcome home by Canada Border Services - a major search of the truck because?? because the Captain had been in Mexico?  This had never occurred before and of course you stand aside and watch and wonder as they leave things askew. However, finally home to an anxious Admiral and time to wind down and later a lovely Easter dinner. The following days were busy - unpacking the truck, sorting bins, cutting the grass, welcome back to rain and wind and cozy fires.  

Gardening efforts had started with a mini-greenhouse indoors, and preparing the raised beds and general trimming and spring cleanup.  (Little did we anticipate the very late start to Spring and the very strange summer growing season.)

May onward to follow.


January 8, 2023

What have we been doing?? January to October 2021

Oops!  This dated post languished in draft form, unintentionally, so here is a 2021 posting and good intentions are to get a few more updates soon, in case anyone has had the patience to stop by from time to time.  Cheers!

Hello. We do hope any of you following us have remained patient, assuming that we are staying close to home and following the every changing health orders, while dreaming of being aboard INTREPID II.  

That indeed has been the situation, but how ten months sped by is still a surprise.  January through March really were stay at home, shop only when necessary, masks, sanitizers, ebooks, online ordering at times, stay warm with the woodstove keeping things cozy. We did have snow, rather than enjoying the Northers in San Carlos.

Snow instead of sails










In April we were finally eligible to register for our first covid -19 vaccinations, followed by concern that there would be a much longer gap than the recommended 8 weeks for the second opportunity.  It came near the end of June, thankfully, and we had fairly minimal side effects.

We so enjoy observing our hummingbird population who are thrilled when blooms appear on our flowering red current bush.

This Spring we became more serious gardeners, with Kelly putting together three 4 x 4 raised beds, adding soil and amendments in readiness for planting, along with the larger one he built last year.  The Admiral's attempts to sow seeds indoors, sheltered by a mini-greenhouse were less than stellar, but a useful experiment.  We planted a mix of seeds and seedlings and tended them with care and daily watering through our unexpected crushing heat bombs during the summer.  Very rewarding to have a selection of fresh veggies, greens and tomatoes to supplement our meals.


House projects beckoned and some were completed.  Two long planned for metal gates were designed and installed by the Captain, on either side of the house.  The deer were finally foiled from munching in the backyard.  A very stylish and practical awning now shelters our front porch from the rains which now are regular occurences.

We missed seeing friends; however we did manage a few visits in the past two months, once people were 2x vaccinated.  Travel plans did not fall into place for some family members, so we rely on phone calls and emails.  The Bluewater Cruising monthly meetings via Zoom were a welcome connection with cruising folks.

Now that the USA has opened the land borders to Canada and Mexico for November 8, we are contemplating and mulling and pondering.  INTREPID II does need TLC  after 18 months on the hard.  The Captain has been assessing his list of things to order, made some purchases and is researching what is available given that 'supply chain' challenge.  For now, we are wishing, hoping, and making some plans, but all is tentative.

Wishing you well.  Stay healthy and safe.  Happy Fall 2021.