Latest update from the Captain

Actually, the update is on behalf of the Captain who is still in the lazarette!  [The following was inserted from the Captain Kelly's page.]

The Captain is usually 'doing' rather than 'blogging' and even more so as we are trying to prepare for our 3rd cruising season. So the Admiral is ghost-writing a few lines and adding pictures in the meantime. 

Not the roomiest lazarette - taking out the old hot water heater

As we've mentioned on the main blog page, we have been challenged by both our planned-for projects, such as re-installing the SSB radio which we took home for repairs, and installing the new hot water heater.  And by the unanticipated projects, like the water pressure pump acting up, finding our topping lift and attached Dutchman system missing, among other challenges.

Dealing with these day to day "problemos" entails online searches for parts; asking other cruisers if they have spare items or know where to find them; and most frequently, heading off to one or two favorite ferreterias (hardware stores) where staff have been extremely helpful in the past.  Yesterday, thanks to the staff at 'Distribudores 66' on Av. Lopez, the Captain has pieced together a variety of brass couplings, connectors and reducers which he hopes will allow him to successfully finish installing the new hot water heater to the engine.  Bronze fittings are the ideal.  We hope these fittings will be a reasonable 2nd choice.

Brass fittings - after a long search

A great ferreteria for many boat projects

Old water heater - installed in 1993

Removing the old water heater from its place in the lazarette required surgery.  It became apparent that the heater had been installed before the wooden frame around the lazarette and its cover were added.  It was not possible to remove the wooden frame in one piece, so one incision was made in the wood.  With some wrangling, the old heater came out.  However, the new one required a second incision as well as removing a piece of the fibreglass before it could be squeezed in.  So much for careful measuring.  Another trip to the ferreterria to find braces to attach the wood back in place, along with some dollops of silicon.

Results of surgery on wood frame and fibreglass

The staff at Expo Ferre are good enough to let the Captain have access to the inventory behind the counter when he can't find the exact words or phrasing to describe what he needs, or a reasonable alternative.

As a sidenote, we are both relieved that this project was on "the list", as there was a wiring issue which needed addressing.  We discovered that when the old water heater was put in place, the installer was short of the requisite size of wire, so added undersized wire with butt connectors.  There were clear signs of over-heating.  We are now wondering if that was part of the problem when the heater stopped functioning.  In any case, appropriate wire and connections are now in place.

Jib now in place

The jib is back on the roller furling; as we've decided to leave the spinnaker behind, the deck is less crowded.  The cockpit is another story!  Until all the work is finished in the lazarette, everything stored in this one locker is stowed outside in as organized a fashion as possible.

The new topping lift line and Dutchman flaking system have been ordered and should arrive at the Nogales UPS store shortly for pickup.  Of course, we will pay for yet another week at the dock. While it is tempting to save pesos ($20 Cnd. a day) by anchoring out, the convenience of being at the dock to run errands is worth it.  As we have yet to inflate our dinghy it would be a bit of a swim! 

Stay tuned...perhaps the Captain will finally have time for a few comments.