So the past few weeks have been eventful. Mostly in ways that I’d rather them not be, but oh well. The boat’s coming together, except for a few significant issues. Seems that the mainsail’s furling system decided to implode while I was gone for the summer. Luigi, an italian sailmaker who spends half his time in Guatemala that I made friends with last time I was here, came over to take the main down so he can work on it. I noticed that the main only had a sunshade on one side of it, so I wanted him to put it on the other side as well. Taking the main down usually is no big deal, but this time it proved to be a heck of a challenge. It didn’t want to come down past a certain point on the mast. So unfortunately, I had to go up the mast (with poor Luigi winching me up), and manually disconnect the the head of the main so it would come down. While I was up there, I noticed that the furling hardware inside the mast was completely apart where it shouldn’t be. That’s bad.
So, a couple of days ago, I went through the task of taking apart the whole furling system down from the mast. It was a pain, but not as much as I thought it would be. The only real challenge was trying to fish out a section of the furling hardware that went all the way down INSIDE the mast. With the help of Daniel from “Yankee”, we fished it out. I also had to go up again to the top of the mast to bring down the top part of the furling system that was still stuck up there. But this time, we used the electric windlass (normally used to pull the anchor up) so it was pretty painless for Dan to get me up there. I feel really bad now, because I didn’t think to suggest the windlass the last time when Luigi killed his back getting me up there. So when I tell him now for the next time, I fear he may have me whacked.
So the furling project is going along, I’ll be at Luigi’s loft most of the day tomorrow trying to get it all banged back into shape. Barring the need for some special aviation-grade rivets, I don’t see any real challenges in getting things back together, though it may be too early to render judgement.
The other big challenge is the diesel. Though it started ok when I first got back after some tinkering (and turning the fuel back on), it hasn’t wanted to start since. The starter struggles and gets real hot, so it was either a problem with the starter or the engine ground. Turned out to be the starter. So I pulled it out today, and hopefully can get it rebuilt over in Puerto Barrios within the week.
Once I have these two issues sussed out, Andiamo is pretty much back in business. Here’s hoping.
Over the past few weeks, I have managed to have a bit of fun while here in Rio Dulce. Hanging out with Inga from La Lancha has been a cool diversion. Also been playing a little poker at both Mario’s and La Lancha, though I’m not a big fan of their poker game choices (I’m a Texas Hold’em guy). Also managed to get to know Julian and Babette, a dutch couple who run a charter trimaran here in Rio Dulce. A few cool people here in the marina have also been quite friendly and fun to hang with. Some familiar faces are getting back here ready to take the boats out for another season, and there are many new faces as well. So all in all, it’s been quite interesting.
In other news, my crew for the next trip to Utila will be none other than Lisa the crazy lawyer (now, EX-lawyer) from Ohio. She’s the one I met in Belize on the way back to Cay Caulker after flying back from LA to see my dad for the last time. She’s flying down to Guatemala City on the 25th. I’ll be there already doing some final shopping for the boat. We’ll meet up and head back to Rio Dulce the next day. Provided I get everything else into place by that time, we’ll do a shakedown in the lake for a night or so, and then head out of Rio Dulce around the 30th, give or take a day. So by the 1st of December, we should be in Utila or at the very least on our way. It’ll be nice to be back there again.
And the cats are all good. Lucy is starting to loosen up, very slowly.
Comment from: mietsie [Visitor]
You won’t get bored, that’s for sure,
just think ‘furlingfurlingfurling’ …
and you’ll be fine, 🙂
mietsie
Comment from: Michael Greaney [Visitor]
Hello Tony,
Glad to see that all is well. With that over with, we are still waiting for the outboard motor story.
Happy Thanksgiving! Even though we haven’t seen you in while, you are still in our thoughts for what we are thankful for, good friends!
Now, where is that outboard motor story!