Yup, it was bound to happen sooner or later. Considering that a boat gets broken into in Utila harbor about once a month, I knew my turn was inevitable. It happened Friday night. While I was ashore hanging out with Rob, Lisa and some other people, some local crackheads decided to break into Andiamo and ransack it to all hell looking for cash. There was no cash, but there were two laptops, both of which they stole, along with a video camera.
The worst part though was the damage they did to the companionway hatch to get in. Conveniently for them, I assume, I left a hammer in the cockpit that day after diving under the boat to put in a new zinc on the propeller shaft. They used the hammer to smash their way into the locked companionway hatch, shattering the overhead hatch and one of the leeboards in the process. Considering the anchorage was pretty crowded, that was quite brazen. Still, none of the neighboring boats heard anything.
So, I’ve spent most of the day yesterday repairing the hatch, by overlaying some teak on the shattered portion of the hatch. Looks ok, just have to finish it. I also have to make a new leeboard, which I should be able to do today.
Luckily, I’m insured, it will take awhile, a long while to get paid for the loss, but they ultimately will pay. The local cops here are a joke, and I’m still trying to get a police report made because I know the insurance company is going to want it.
So I try to take a very “zen” view on all this. Yes, it sucks having my boat, my home violated, and my stuff taken. But it also could have been far worse. And it reminds me of the fact that it’s just stuff, and you can’t get too wound up over losing it.
It’s all part of the deal, I guess.