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Reader Comments
2-29-08
+++ In my last update, I responded to a question about feathering props saying that I didn’t think they were possible (as a main prop) on a boat such as mine. I’ve been thinking of techniques for extending the range of my boat, and one technique is to run my twin engine boat as though it were single engine. Whereas I have two identical main engines, most Nordhavns have a main engine, and a smaller engine, known as a wing engine, that has a feathering prop. The wing engine is used as a backup to the main engine, and has a feathering prop, that folds up when not in use. This avoids the prop shaft on the wing engine spinning all the time, potentially damaging the transmission. The email that follows is from Dan Streech, President of Nordhavn commenting on this discussion.
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Hi Ken,
Thanks for the great updates. I am sitting here at home on a rainy Sunday catching up on e-mail and paperwork that fell behind during the Miami show. I took time out to daydream a little while looking at the great photos from blog #14. I saw the quesiton from Sam M regarding a “feather-able” propeller. The answer to his quesiton is yes. We are useing the Hundested CP (controllable pitch) propeller as standard on our new 56’ motor sailor. http://www.hundestedpropeller.dk/?id=4172 We are using it for two reasons: (1) To adjust (increase) the pitch when running the engine at low RPM while being assisted by the sails in a ‘motor sailing” configuration. (2) To adjust the pitch to a “feathered” position when sailing without assist from the motor.
We also once installed a Hundested CP prop system on an N57 (single). CP prop systems could be installed on a twin engine N68. They are quite pricey. The system on our 56’ motorsailor costs us in the range of $65,000.
Thanks,
Dan Streech
+++ Thank you Dan! I had forgot about the Hundested props. I actually investigated these for my boat, but then figured we already had enough “pioneering” going on. Congratulations on the motor sailor. I predict it will be a huge hit. And, thank you for building our 68. We’re having a blast!
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Ken,
Controllable pitch propellers installed at time of construction would permit feathering. They could serve to eliminate transmissions as well.
You had asked about shaft brakes. I think that I may have a better solution. A freely rotating propeller offers less resistance than one that is static. The reason that many transmissions cannot tolerate this is due to their requirement for cooling and lubrication. What about a separate pump to circulate oil through the oil cooler and maintain pressure while the engine is off? The pump could even be driven hydraulically from a PTO on the running engine.
Ron
+++ Interesting. I’ll research an external oil cooler. I like the idea of letting the shaft spin, but protecting the transmission from overheating. This seems like it would be reasonably inexpensive, and effective.
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Hi Ken:
Everything you hear about Tehuantepec is true. Make certain you fold up or remove all exterior canvas, biminis, plastic curtains, and those you cannot remove wrap tightly with line. You might get by the short way, but it is a poor risk. Also Papagayo, the headland north of Tehuantepec will throw some really nasty swells. After the first hour of it you will learn to relax.
Marv
+++ Good point. We will be prepared for battle before leaving Huatulco. There are two approaches to the Gulf of Tehuantepec. One is to wait for a long weather window, and cut straight across, saving 50 miles. The other is to wait for a shorter weather window, and run the Bay “one foot on the beach” – meaning following the shore, for all 200 miles, in 30 to 50 feet of water. I’ve been told that even in 40-50 knot winds, the swell is acceptable close to shore.
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Hi Ken,
I agree with your decision to "run the beach" along Tehauntepec. Despite "better forcasting" I have seen forecasting to be wrong, especially when you are dealing with relatively slow boats, such as a trawler, and a fairly long run--and boats have been lost because they did not respect this area. A NOAA web site describes the meterology: http://daac.gsfc.nasa.gov/oceancolor/scifocus/oceanColor/papagayo..shtml for those who have not researched this potential hazard. We encountered the full strength of the Papagayo winds in on a South Bound trip because in the 80's it was prudent to stay at least 50 miles offshore of the upper Central American Coast, because of hostilities. On other trips we have run right along the Central American Coast with no problems.
The "pirate" radio signals, may have been due to Tropospheric ducting of VHF radio signals. This is fairly common in this area. We communicated clearly with a US Naval vessel over 400 miles away one night. On one trip North, we went directly from Puerto Rico to San Diego with only stops in Panama, Golfito and Acapulco for fuel--each stop less than 48 hours, and only my wife and I as crew on our 62 foot boat. This run was about 4000 miles and done in 30 days.
Have a good trip.
Bob A
+++ I had never realized that VHF broadcasts can go great distances in the right weather conditions. That could explain why I was hearing the broadcast reasonably clearly, but couldn’t find any boats on radar within 24 miles. As to 4,000 miles in 30 days: I am impressed!
+++ Speaking of the Tehuanepec, here’s a message board posting from Scott Bulger, who is on a Nordhavn 40 which just crossed the Gulf of Tehuantepec a few days ago. It generated a bit of controversy on the boating message boards…
“…Several people commented that they preferred the "foot on the beach"
approach to crossing the Gulf of Tehuantepec. With the aid of Bob Jones at
OMNI, Enrique (Harbormaster at Marina Chahue), and my dad in FL, we had
three sources that all said the GofT would be flat calm. They were exactly
right, with Bob Jones even correctly anticipating an early morning rain
shower to lightly rinse the salt off our boats! Most people I talk to are
taking the direct route, AFTER waiting for a window. I suspect this will
become the norm in the future as more people discard the practice of hugging
the beach. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing but respect for those of you
that will never do anything different based on your experience! I'm sure
it's born of real world experience where the Tpeckers beat the heck out of
you or a friend. I also think it's gotten much more predictable as the
weather systems that cause Tpeckers are better understood….”
+++ In a follow up posting Scott once again explained his decision to take the short cut across the gulf:
“…Today, sitting in the river estuary in El Salvador, there are 9 boats that
made the crossing in the last few days. All 9 went straight across, not a
single boat stayed on the beach. Things change, equipment evolves,
knowledge is shared. Having 3 weather sources tell you a window for 7 days
exists, and your only exposed for 48 hours seems like manageable risk to me.
Would I do this in a Meridian or SeaRay? No, I only did this because our
boat was a Nordhavn, and if the predictions hadn't held true I was willing
to either tough it out, run downwind or turn back. The purpose in sharing
this information was to aid those in transit who are reading the Rains book
and only considering the historical practice of following the beach. The
Harbormaster in Marina Chahue sealed the deal when he talked about the
fishermen in Salina Cruz. He said these guys manage the Tpeck every day of
their lives to make a living. They do it in pangas (22' open boats with
outboard motors) and run 10, 20, 60 miles out to sea. I'm sure there are
countless stories of Tpeck disasters and each skipper will have to make his
or her own decision. My point was there are more people choosing to wait
for a window then to go along the beach (which has it's own risks, such as
the 62' Nordhavn on the rocks near Turtle bay can attest to)….”
+++ Personally .. regardless of the weather window .. I’m a “one foot on the beach” kind of guy…
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Ken:
Don’t forget when running Tehuantapec southward: the current is very strong and moving against you the whole way. I think I had a knot to a knot and a half going with me on the way up. Figure that much against you going south.
Steve A
+++ I am totally stumped as to how to determine currents here in Central America. I am sure there is a way, and I will be embarrassed when I figure it out – but, for now I’m not certain. I just installed Visual Passage Planner, and it wasn’t much help.
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Hi Ken:
I have enjoyed reading your wonderful blog. My husband and I spent 3 seasons in Mexico covering the same ground, (water) in our Hunter Passage 450 and would do it again in a heartbeat. I had a stroke however one year ago, so we sold the sailboat and have been looking at power boats since then. I have several comments.
First about dogs, We had with us our two Portuguese Water Dogs. 55 lbs each. We often thought about the problems of puddle jumping westward but never heard encouraging words about dogs in French Polynesia. However we were once docked in Marina Mazatlan next to a very small McGregar who's occupants included several dogs. They had once been headed there until a hurricane turned them around, now they have plans to do the same. I was in awe that they would go in such a small boat and with dogs. I asked about the requirements and the young boy told me that his parents had done a lot of research and had found they could take the dogs. he said they had mounds of paperwork on the subject. but we left the next morning and I was unable to make further contact. They also did not have SSB. .. Best restaurant in Tenacatita at end of jungle river cruise is La Fiesta. Best restaurant in La Manzanita is Martin's at the far south end of town near where the main road crosses the little river just beyond the new small zocalo in the middle of the street. Best book on provisioning in Mexico: A Cruising Cook's Guide to Mexico by Heather Stockard
I hope you find a way as I know there are many of us who could not be without our "man's best friend" […].
BTW, don’t let Roberta feed Don Pedro, [+++ I assume she is referring to the crocodile who has been hanging out behind our boat…] he’s fat enough. One day as my husband was going from the dock through the dock gate a very well dressed gentleman from the building where the marina office is came down and said to be very careful with the dogs. He said the crocs are very cunning and will lie in wait just under the surface until opportunity is right. They have the ability to leap out of the water and onto the docks. He told us that at the gates where the rip rap is low to the water the gates and fencing form a trap. The crocs can run up and you and Shelby can’t get out. He said “I have observed this from my office window, Be very careful.” We were only 4 boats from the gate and we always made sure one of us went ahead and opened the gate while the other with the dogs ran up the dock and through the gate. We also had one swim under our boat while anchored out at La Ropa beach in Z’wa. He was being chased by the harbor master. I didn’t know they could swim like that. Apparently there is a river and lagoon behind the restaurants that line the La Ropa beach and the crocs hang out back there. I have seen them escape their fencing so be careful if you let Shelby run unleased on the beach. We almost always kept the dogs leashed everywhere in Mexico. You never know whats just over that high water line in the sand. Dead porcupine fish can be deadly to dogs at a certain point of their decay – it’s when they are all slimey
[…] Oh, I can’t wait for a stand up engine room.I could go on and on but I won’t make you read all day/night. Anyway love your Blogs. Roberta, stop feeding Don Pedro!
Leslie E.
+++ Grin – thank you for all the info! Don’t worry: I have been carrying Shelby whenever we are on the docks!
2-25-08
You mentioned a distress call. I wanted to drop a short email to let you know, my uncle lost a 104 Ft. in 1986 answering a distress call. Pirates. Jim
+++ I am 99% certain the call I heard (See Update #13) was someone up to no good. It sounded wrong in several ways. I’m glad we were a long distance from where it originated. This all raises the bigger question of what I would do if I overheard a ship sending out a distress signal. Under maritime law, as I understand it, ships are required to offer assistance to other ships in distress. Unfortunately, pirates have used this to lure in victims. Should I ever hear a distress call, while off the shore of some third world country, I’ll have to form an opinion on whether the call is legitimate or not. Worse yet, if I am ever in need of assistance, I don’t want some other boat ignoring my calls out of fear that I might be a pirate.
Ken,
Thank you for giving us the opportunity, through your blog, to address the questions and concerns of those who want to know why we have decided to sell our Nordhavn 64 "Samurai".
The most frequently asked question is, "Why are you selling the boat less than a year after taking delivery?" The long and short of it, is that we have been cruising and living onboard boats for eight years. First on our Cherubini schooner "Amazing Grace" and now onboard "Samurai" logging over 36,000 miles. From the time we signed the contract with Nordhavn to build one of the first spec 64's until our delivery date in May of 2007, it has been 2 years. So we are really in our third year of this adventure. In those 3 years, many things have changed. Mostly we realized that being away from family for so long was becoming more difficult for us and that we haven't had a house in the United States for nearly 11 years. We've been "living the dream" for a very long time and feel it's time to try to stop being global nomads for a while.
Other questions center around whether we're disillusioned with Nordhavn or the 64 and if that's the reason why we're selling. The answer to those questions is an emphatic "NO". Nordhavn has been completely professional and has gone above and beyond from day one until now while we're sitting in Mexico. Our commissioning and warranty issues have been dealt with the emphasis on getting it done right the first time and getting us on our way as quickly and as safely as possible. The 64 has performed extremely well for us and has been a joy to live aboard. If our land based lifestyle does not work out, we will definitely purchase another Nordhavn. We already contemplate great boat names for the 76 or 86.
Thanks again, Ken. If anyone has any other questions or concerns and would like to contact us directly, please email us at trawlertrash6404@aol.com
Rich and Ann Rinaldi
"Samurai" currently docked in Barra de Navidad Mexico
+++ Thank you Rich and Ann.
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Ken, great blog. I follow all updates.
You have talked about not having the right kind of boat to going ashore in Mexico. Is it that you want to light weight boat that can be maneuvered in the surf where a 1500lb boat is too heavy to move around on the beach? We have a 400lb boat with an outboard and I would think that it should work OK as we can get out and turn it around, etc. basically, what are the criteria for the shore boat?
Thanks again for your great insights. Keep up the work while cruising so we have something to read while we work.
Pete P
San Francisco
+++ I’m the wrong guy to ask this question, as I seem to be the only boat in Mexico without an appropriate tender for getting to the beach. I asked David Sidbury, the owner of the second Nordhavn 68 what he bought, and received this response: “… an AB 11 alumina that is a 239 pounds with 20 hp yamaha 4 stroke motor and big wheel barrow type pneumatic flip up wheels….” I don’t know if a solid-sided tender, or an inflatable is better – but, I definitely think you want something with wheels.
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Hi Ken-
Yeah, I did get 2 copies of the update – no big deal – enjoyable. Sorry you didn’t have that great a time in Manzanillo. We’ve found much in that area to be variable over time – particularly Las Hadas. We’ve probably been there 6-8 times – each different.
I also got 2 copies of the Oops note – just FYI.
Mike
+++ I will be sending this update in a few minutes, and sincerely hope that it only sends ONCE. My apologies…
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Ken,
You expressed concern that your updates were becoming boring. I wanted to take a moment to reassure you that my wife and I both very much enjoy reading about your adventures. And, from the looks of the correspondence you include with your updates, many others do as well.
If, however, you ever find yourself in need of topics, as a toy-loving boater myself (and thus very interested in your boat systems) I would thoroughly enjoy reading about your experiences learning how to use your sonar. I've read Steve Dashew's articles and, at least in theory, think that SONAR would be a fantastic tool in poorly charted areas. I've read your posts in the past where you stated that the learning curve is steep, but it would seem to me that the several shallow channels you've encountered lately would have a been a great opportunity to practice with the sonar.
On a side note - I saw that you referenced your night vision system in the last update. Are you now satisfied with it or do you continue to view it as disappointing?
+++ I researched the Dashew’s articles, and agree they are quite useful. For those who haven’t read them, here’s a link:
Using Sonar for Navigation - Part 1
by Steve Dashew (1M)
Using Sonar for Navigation - Part 2
by Steve Dashew (1M)
I also found this booklet by Furuno of Sonar Tips helpful:
http://www.furunousa.com/Furuno/Doc/0/QJINQHOCP6PK3876HA5V9MJQ5A/SonarTipsBook_4.pdf
As to night vision – I am still disappointed with the unit I purchased, but growing to appreciate it more. On the run south we dedicated a monitor to it and ran it non-stop. If a panga had been out fishing we are likely to have seen it, whereas with night vision binoculars, we almost certainly would not be looking through them at all times.
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Hi Ken,
Thanks again for the e-mail today. Your blog and the photos continue to entertain and are most informative.
I know you enjoy the sunshine and warm weather, soak up all you can. Your upcoming trip to Alaska will be not quite as warm. You can only hope for a repeat of the summer of 2004 when SE AK enjoyed a 3 week period of temps in the 80s and 90s. This was very unusual to say the least. One can only hope for a repeat.
Weather today in Greater Kirkland (including Mercer Island): 52 degrees, overcast, no wind. Not bad for February.
Greetings to your crew from one of your "little Sisters",
Chuck & Antje Conway
Arctic Tern N3505
+++ Thank you! It seems impossible that we’ll be in Alaska in just four months!
+++ [Note from Ken] In my last blog update (#13) I had a picture from my nav software showing a bunch of strange marks labeled “Base Station”. Here’s an email that explains what they are….
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Ken,
These are shore stations that are used for calibrations of the AIS system as well as your vessel. You can cross check one or more of the stations against a paper chart for accuracy of your AIS system.
Some of these "Base Stations" are part of the DSC rescue system. When you push the red button on your VHF the "May Day" signal would go to these stations as well as other vessels in the area. Some, mostly those with 000 as the last three digits, are probably IMARSAT satellite stations. You can bring the data stream up that will identify the Base Station as to Lat/Lon, name etc... As you know the first three digits of a vessel MMSI number relate to the country where number was issued. 338, 366, 367, 368 & 369 are USA numbers. A full list is available from The International Telecommunications Union.
We keep a list onboard so we can say, "Oh! 345, that's a Mexican vessel", by looking at the AIS MMSI number and looking up the first three digits in the list.
BTW, I like to have internet service too. Some people like semaphore and some don't like to communicate at all.
Hope this is of some help,
Bob
M/V Messin'Around
+++ Thank you! I’ve always wondered what these were….
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Hi Ken,
I am a retired financial consultant in Atlanta but I am still waiting on my wife to retire and my last kid to graduate high school and head off to college so we can cast off and join the Nordhavn party.
In the mean time I am making do on a 100' foot custom houseboat on Lake Lanier. The problem, of course, is I am stuck on a lake with nowhere to go.
If you ever need a hand on a passage let me know. I can cook and know a nautical term or two from my years of land locked boating.
Billy D
+++ Thank you! I hope you achieve your goal of owning a Nordhavn someday!
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Ken,
Please don't think I'm being nosey but when you described your main engine transmission heat issue, my mind went to work. I have many years of experience with hydraulic systems and thought of a few questions: Is your hydraulic pump PTO before the transmission, on the transmission itself, or after the transmission? If it's before, there may be another reason for the extra heat. One of which may have been the sea conditions, wind, current etc. Having two pumps is great in case of a pump failure but usually a failure like that would mean the possibilty of debris (metal shavings) in the system and the second pump would soon go the way of the first, if not simultaneously. Keeping the second pump offline as a backup would probably mean its demise as well when brought into servive due to the debris already in the system. But at least you'd have more time to make it to port safely before the failure of the second pump. Just a thought.
Smooth Sailing to You, My Friend,
Ray M
+++ I do have two hydraulic pumps, on two different engines. I am fairly certain, but not positive, that the pumps are AFTER the transmissions. If one pump failed, I might have to kill the engine that it is attached to, but in most failures, I should still be able to use the other pump (I hope!). You’ve raised a good point about the pumps, and how to take them offline. I should learn more about them… For now, the total of my knowledge is knowing which button to press to turn them on or off.
< http://www.panga.com/index.html >
They look to have the "rocker" of a real panga. Heavy fiberglass to beach on. But, the 14LX may be too heavy for your purposes.
Ron
+++ When I get ready to buy a new tender I will certainly evaluate these. Pangas are everywhere in Mexico, and seem virtually indestructible.
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Ken,
I've been reading your updates and blog for the last year and have enjoyed them both immensely.
I also found your description of the cruising nets to be eye opening!
I was reading through the document you put together on long range cruising in a twin engine boat and was surprised to find the windmill effect of the unused prop to be so difficult to mitigate. Now, I'm a sailor as well as a power boater (or is the PC term 'cruiser'?) so I may be completely off the deep end, but the thing that immediately occurred to me is: do they make feather-able props for such large boats? Such a prop, used exclusively for such lengthy passages, would seem to take care of the problem. It would, however, be a pain to put on/take off. I'm sure there is a very good reason why they aren't used, but can't really think of it.
Take care and enjoy for us as we slog through another Seattle winter,
Sam M
+++ I don’t know, but assume that feathering props in large sizes are not possible. In any event, I believe them to be less efficient than a fixed prop. As an emergency get home device they make sense, and the loss of efficiency is fine – but, as a normal prop, I don’t think feathering props are practical.
2-20-08
http://www.panga.com/index.html
They look to have the "rocker" of a real panga. Heavy fiberglass to beach on. But, the 14LX may be too heavy for your purposes.
Ron
+++ Thanks for the link Ron. These look interesting. Pangas are EVERYWHERE here and I’ve always wondered if they could be bought. I don’t know the pros and cons of them, but the next time in the market, they will be on the list to evaluate.
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Hi Ken,
Thanks for the continuing fascinating posts – Nordhavn should pay you a retainer for the business you generate for them.
I have particularly enjoyed your thoughts on the twin engine dilemma. It seems improbable that you are the pioneer of twin engine Pacific crossings.
I know I would prefer the redundancy of two engines rather than depending on a wing & a prayer to get me home.
As an Aussie, I feel I ought to apologise for our draconian quarantine rules. We are a nation of dog-owners & do tend to take them everywhere with us but make it very tough for any foreign animals to enter the country. It’s not just dogs – in November there is a famous horse race (the Melbourne Cup) which literally stops the nation while it is being run. Over recent years, several overseas breeders have started to bring out horses to try & win the thing (1st prize is over A$1,000,000) and each year they complain bitterly at the quarantine restrictions placed on their horses.
So it isn’t just your little mate. But it is a shame as I was looking forward to getting to see Sans Souci during your time “down under”.
While browsing the Nordhavn site this morning, I noticed that Samurai (the 2007 N64) is up for sale. I was very surprised.
Given that the owners (as described in the launch party article last June) are experienced boaters, I hope that this isn’t a case of a medical condition forcing a lifestyle rethink.
It is a tragedy that such a uniquely fitted out boat is up for sales less than a year after being commissioned.
Does this happen very often in your experience? I know there was a case recently where a new owner was forced to sell before he’d even commissioned his boat, but I was thinking more along the lines of people rethinking the commitment to cruising after a few months. As I remarked in an earlier email, I am wavering over the enormous step up from sail to power and the fate of Samurai sent shivers down my spine.
I hope the weather flattened out for the run to Ixtapa and that all is still well on Sansa Souci.
Best wishes
Dave
+++ Greetings Dave. I had dinner with the Samurai owners (the Rinaldis) last week, and the boat is beautiful. They seem to really be enjoying their time on the boat. I asked why they were selling, and they said they were “sort of” thinking about a larger Nordhavn, such as a 76 or a 86. It would be interesting to know someday which Nordhavn owner has owned the most Nordhavns (I’m on my second). Dan Streech (Nordhavn’s CEO) once mentioned to me that some owners enjoy the boat building process, and order a new boat soon after taking delivery of their current one. Whether or not the owners of Samurai fits into this category, I do not know. As to whether or not you would enjoy life if you swap from a sail boat to a power boat – I can’t imagine you wouldn’t, but this is probably a good question for you to ask Nordhavn. I’m sure they get it often.
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Hi Ken,
really interesting reading of your travels and exploits. Highly entertaining and also educational.
Here are a couple of Wx related web sites that you may already know about. http://www.passageweather.com/ and http://buoyweather.com/index.jsp
Credits to www.Panbo.com and http://yachtvalhalla.net for making them known to me.
Fair winds & Tight Lines !
Regards
Bill P
+++ Thank you. I use Buoyweather often, and have even subscribed. I had never tried Passageweather.com, but found it well organized and an excellent site!
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The bay in Zihua is huge and has a number of different anchorages. The little island outside of Ixtapa (Is Grande?) has a nice protected bay, sand bottom, and good swimming. It's not really reef diving, but there is some snorkeling. Most importantly, you will finally get to some nice water for swimming and playing with water toys. For the most part, the Pacific side isn't much for diving and snorkeling like the Carib.
I wouldn't expect a problem with the marina in Ixtapa. We have been there a lot and never have seen it full. It's nothing like the demand for slips in Barra. On the other hand, it is no where as luxurious as Barra. The main part of Ixtapa is a nice walk from the marina. There is also good biking around there.
Zihua has some very nice restaurants as well as some very good local places. It is also an interesting blend of real Mexico mixed with tourism. When in Barra, we used to say we weren't in Mexico, but you could see it from there. Zihua is definitely Mexico. Ixtapa is pure tourist, but you will find some good stuff.
Have you been listening to "Don" on the SSB nets? He has a unique focus on very specific conditions and areas all along the coast.
Have a great passage.
Eric
+++ We’ve only been here one day, but I think we are going to like this marina and location better than Barra – which amazes me. I didn’t think it was impossible to improve on Barra! We still haven’t seen Zihuatanejo, but that is on the agenda for today. As to Don – I keep missing his broadcasts! I’ll work harder tomorrow….
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Ken- Speaking of wide and easy to get into slips, when you talk to Enrique at Huatulco (I assume you are going there), ask him to put you on the side tie on the outside of the dock. The inside slips are plenty wide but there is not much room to turn in there.
Steve
+++ By the end of this trip I hope to have tight quarters maneuvering on this boat “figured out.”. Actually, with the twin engines, and the beefy bow/stern thrusters, it couldn’t be easier. I just want to build experience slowly…
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Ken,
I hope you have a fun slide down to Ixtapa. The marina is straight forward and easy to get in and out of. I'm glad to hear they are dredging, finally!
Enjoy what Ixtapa has to offer, although, it's quite touristy. Some of the big hotels offer a day pass to use their pools and facilities if you are looking to hang out around a pool. The Beach Club adjacent to the marina (pool, tennis courts, and beach) has been rather eratic and inconsistent on our trips down there, but they may also be open. Franks Pizza in the heart of Ixtapa has great wood oven pizza!
Be sure to spend time in Zihua. It is a short cab ride from the marina and Ixtapa, but the bus is the fun way to go. The cruiser community is mostly based in Zihua - listen to the net in the morning for what's going on. When you get tired of being in the marina, the little island just out of town makes for a nice anchorage with lots of fun beach bars to choose from and good swimming / snorkeling. As you approach in the dinghy, they will start hustling you to come to their bar. they will help you pull your heavy dinghy up or you can anchor it and wade/ swim ashore. A full day of 'buckets of beer' and fresh seafood will have you ready for a good night's sleep on the hook. the crazy daytime acitivities in the bay go completely quiet around 4 pm when all of the day tourists depart for the mainland.
The main harbor in Zihua also makes for a good diversion, although you won't want to swim (or make water) here.
Enjoy and see you up north this summer.
Eric B
+++ See you soon!
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Ken,
In a previous life I was a distributor for Kobelt Manufacturing. They make complete line of marine products like engine controls, steering systems, and shaft brakes. You may want to take a look at their smallest line of brakes for your application.
Here is a link to the brakes page on their web site... http://kobelt.com/brakes.html
By the way, I have really enjoyed your blog updates. Great way to vicariously cruise along with you.
Thanks,
Ken T
+++ Thank you. This is my first day with a “real” internet connection. I look forward to checking these out.
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Ken,
I am one of those people who enjoy reading and viewing your many boating adventures. I have been a full time student here in Arizona for seven years with not many adventures of my own and when I pull your emails up it is like a little mini vacation. Keep up the great stories just the way you have been they are very much appreciated by those of us not familiar with boating.
Thanks again,
Eileen
+++ Thank you. I’ve been a little bit worried that the updates are boring. I always see it as a bit of a competition between myself and the reader. When boating is good, there is nothing interesting to write about. In other words, the more fun I’m having the more boring my updates are. In the perfect update, we’d be kidnapped by pirates, after narrowly escaping a hurricane, sinking the boat and spending a week on the raft, finally having to eat Shelby to survive. Both I and Shelby sincerely hope that my updates are very boring going forward….
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Hi Ken,
I’ve really been enjoying the posts you’ve been sending out – many thanks. They’re well written, informative and the pictures are great. Being up in the cold north east right now (New Jersey), with the boat on the hard and snow on the ground, your posts have been a welcome respite from the winter.
Cheers,
Kevin R
+++ I just had a funny thought. As you are entering your summer, we’ll be working our way north to Alaska. I’ll need you writing to me, to remind me that there is sunshine someplace in the world!
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2-16-08
Hi Ken,
Glad you went into Tenacatita--one of our favorites. In 1992 we were with a group who took knives and forks to the restaurant up the river--since they had lost all of theirs in a hurricane the summer before. Plates (paper or ceramic) were cheap and easy for the owners to obtain locally, but not "silverware".
Enjoyed your piece on the twins/singles. We had a diesel bladder tank in the bilge--padded with ozite carpet to keep any abraision from the glass hull and secured with lines to beams under the floors. This kept the extra weight down and in the middle of the boat. Disadvantage was that we had to fill the tank in the boat. We could pump out with electric fuel pumps easily
What Sonar do you have?
Regards,
Bob A
+++ We have the Furuno CH250 Blackbox Searchlight Sonar. Each time that I use it I get a little better, but it certainly as simple to interpret as I thought it would be. In particular, I’m having troubles in shallow water (<20’) in looking for shallow spaces ahead. When I get to Seattle I’ll look for a class, or someone who is an expert to give me some training.
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I am sitting here in WI waiting for another 6-8 inches of white stuff, before it goes back below zero for the weekend. My brother and sister-in-law where on the Fubar rally with a Selene. I really enjoy your updates. Your discussion of twin engine running brings to mind something we did in the Navy many years ago with twin prop issues. We had on many ships (I was a sub sailor, and the old diesel boats all had twin screws) a coupler to disengage the screw from the engine and/or electric motor running it. On the newer nuke boats, we also had a "clutch" to disengage the screw from the main engine. Don't know if this is an option on your style boat or not, but that way you wouldn't get the drag from the stationary prop either. Calm seas to all (beats the North Atlantic in the Winter)
Bob Dobbe
+++ This is a wild coincidence. On the same day I received your email, Les and Rosemary dropped by the boat.
+++ I think I want a shaft lock rather than a clutch. I’d like to stop the prop that I’m not using from freewheeling. There are probably companies that sell shaft locks, and I just need to find one.
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I was looking at Okinawa's rules on boating, and if your dog is certified as clean in Hawaii, there's only a short quarantine there. And maybe with two "Clean Pet Zone" areas behind you, Polynesia would be more willing to let you in.
-Chris
+++ Maybe .. but, I don’t think so. Rules tend to be rules, and common sense doesn’t always apply. We also discovered a new problem we didn’t know we had. To qualify for Hawaii or Polynesia we need to be able to certify that Shelby has not been out of the US during the preceding six months. We live in Mexico much of the time, making this difficult, if not impossible, to do. Argh.
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Ken:
Just shuffle your feet along the bottom as you advance. The rays will move away. If you step on one their reflex is to drive a barb in their tail into the offender.
I have made the run from Panama to MDR and Alcapulco to MDR a number of times. Tenacatita is one of my favorite stops. I cannot blame you for sharing, but now everybody knows!
It sounds like you are a newbie at cruising. It does get easier. Don't put yourself on too tight a schedule...wind and weather still trump all plans. At least you are out there while most of us are stuck in our daily rituals, here.
Enjoyed your shaft log story. We low tech guys just touch them. If they are warm to the touch let them drip. That is what bilge pumps are for.
Flat seas and light winds.
Marv S
DRYC Member
Ex blue water skipper (in another life-time.)
As are others, I'm enjoying your blog.
+++ On your comment that I may be a “newbie at cruising”: this is only partially true. I have a 100 ton masters license, a license from International Yachtmasters (Europe) and 10,000+ miles of offshore experience. This said, I do feel like a newbie most of the time. I spent my career as a software developer, not on a boat, and am constantly gaining new respect for the professional captains. It is amazing how much there is to learn, and what a broad skill set is needed! You have to be a navigator, diesel mechanic, plumber, electrician, pilot, leader, weather forecaster and more.
+++ One additional comment on this topic: My blog started so that my family could track our travels. Over time, the list has grown, and many others have signed up. My blog is now read by many thousands of people, only a small percentage of which are serious cruisers. I am passionate about boats and the sea, and enjoy sharing my enthusiasm with others, in the hope they will learn from Roberta’s and my experiences (and mistakes), and someday head out safely to sea themselves. I still tend to write as I did when my blog first started, and the only recipient was my dad. If I used too much nautical slang, or terminology, he wouldn’t “get” what I was talking about, or would be bored. I still consciously write the blog in such a way as to (hopefully) keep it interesting for those who don’t spend half their life on a boat. Sometimes this means I refer to the “right” side of the boat, instead of the “starboard” side – but, oh well… it’s just a blog. Grin … Sorry to be defensive….
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Ken:
At certain times of the year in Florida, from which we hail, stingrays can be a problem. At an early age, we learned the "stingray shuffle." Basically, you shuffle your feet rather than picking them up and putting them down. Stingray "stings" occur when you step on one, at which time they whip up their tail and insert the barb on the tail's end into your leg. If you are shuffling, you will hit the "wing" of the stingray and he'll take off.
Go have fun!
Tim J
N64
+++ Thank you Tim. I had never heard this. As we were walking around the marina today I noticed many stingrays in the water.
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Hi Ken- I have been waiting, biting my nails, hoping that my information was correct at Tenacatita and the Jungle Cruise. I had this picture of you stranded on a bar with the stingrays surrounding you nipping at your heals. Glad you liked the trip. We really had a blast there, although we did not find the same wifi station that you did. You may have anchored closer to the hotel than we did.
Enjoy your trip.
Steven Argosy
+++ Greetings Steven! You are right – we anchored very close to the hotel, and even then it was a very weak signal. We could only get internet when the boat was at exactly the right angle. Whenever the Internet would “come on” everyone would make a scramble to get to the computers. Thank you for the recommendation on the jungle cruise! It was a blast. Had you not warned us to keep with it, we’d never have gone the distance. See you in Alaska!
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Hi Ken-- a good way to avoid getting stung by a stingray is to do the Stingray Shuffle... instead of walking in the water, you shuffle your feet along the bottom. This way you don't step on a stingray; your feet would actually go under the stingray.
Happy cruising!
John
+++ Thank you!
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We live with String Rays at our beach in Florida.
The solution to not getting STUNG is to do the sting ray shuffle. They do not bite! They have teeth that are flat (I have fed sting rays and have been bitten, but it does not hurt! Their teeth are like hard gums!)
Do the sting ray shuffle….
Do not pick up your feet, shuffle them along the bottom and you will touch the rays and they will move, they sting when STEPPED on!
Do not pick up your feet!
Scott
+++ OK…. I’m getting the message. I’ll be shuffling whenever I’m in the water from now on! Thank you.
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Ken,
I have been enjoying your emails from the NAR and now.
On my sail boat I put the transmission in reverse to stop the prop from free wheeling. Don't know if that will work with props your size but simple to try.
Len
+++ I think I’ll want to ask the transmission manufacturer before I try this – but, it’s worth a phone call. My guess is that it would be too tough on the transmission – but, I’m the wrong guy to ask.
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Dear Ken,
I have been following your journey for about a month or so and must say I read and enjoy each and every update thoroughly. I have no boat but hope to buy one say ten years down and dream like everyone of cruising around the world. I was wondering if you sight power catamarans on your journey (I know you had mentioned sighting one) and what your take on these boats are. Are they safe and capable of blue water cruising and transatlantic crossings? I have read reviews and reports that say power cats can handle rough seas and ocean crossings and more Do you recall any feedback or conversations with any power cat owner? Any info you have on the subject would be appreciated.
Anyways all the best and continue enjoying.
Kind Regards,
Vivek
Bangalore
India
+++ Roberta and I cruised last summer in the Bahamas on a power cat, and had the time of our lives. It was just a small 27’ Glacier Bay, but the 22” draft was perfect for the Bahamas. As to larger cats, and ocean crossings – I don’t know. I’ve seen plenty of advertisements for power cats claiming that they can cross oceans, but I’ve never spoken with a cat owner who has done it, or even read an article about one. Please of sailing cats have crossed oceans, so I suppose there is no reason why they couldn’t.
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The last time (about a year ago) I was in Barra they were building a new marina further into the lagoon. It will be located past the fuel dock. Has it been completed yet? Were you able to check it out? In season, the hotel marina is usually full and it will be nice to have an alternative. Thanks for the update.
Jeff
Nordhavn 55
+++ Greetings Jeff! Great to hear from you. Roberta and I circled the entire lagoon with the tender, and never saw any sign of a second marina under construction. Perhaps we missed it? A lot of people read my blog. Perhaps someone else knows something…. We did cruise the entire shore past the fuel dock (I thought…)
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Dear Ken,
I think the shaft lock idea is complicated by your having 3.5" shafts. You may recall that a shaft brake offered for sailboats is based upon disc brakes. The disc rides on the shaft and the rest of the assembly is standard automobile technology. Of course, you could get the proper-sized hole done by a machine shop. You would end up using a large disc break which might be well-suited to the forces involved. This arrangement lends itself to remote control via an electric solenoid or similar.
Another tack would be to have two semi-circular pads clamp the shaft. On my Tartan 27, I used a pair of vice grips with tape marking the position needed to hide the two-bladed prop behind the keel. Helped in racing. {;*))
As you may recall, a Grand Banks 42 alternated engines for protracted periods with the owner going over the side to remove one of the props! Not a solution for your boat. However, the concept worked for him. I imagine that your 4-bladed props offer a decent amount of resistance.
Lastly, didn't Nordhavn or some owner place a fuel bladder in the Portuguese bridge? On the T&T List, there was some criticism of this causing a high CG. Your huge foredeck might accommodate two large bladders to be drained first. They might need UV shielding. They could buy insurance for the haul from French Polynesia to NZ or Australia.
On Shelby and French Polynesia, I thought someone on one of our lists suggested it was almost hopeless. Of course, small dog, big boat - maybe Shelby doesn't need to go ashore on the principal islands. Australia and NZ could be as bad Great Britain?
My best,
Ron R
1985 Willard 40FBS
AIRBORNE
Lying Washington, NC
+++ I think I remember reading about the Grand Banks 42. Didn’t he go to Hawaii? As to fuel bladders: I am thinking that I would load on 500 to 1,000 gallons of extra fuel. I would burn this fuel first, and, put it low in the boat. My initial thinking is that I would put 500 gallons in the cockpit, and another 500 gallons in the chain locker. I also have a new and used oil tank that could be loaded with fuel. All extra fuel should be gone after the first five days of the trip.
+++ As to Shelby, and Australia and NZ: I spoke several times with Australia. The people were quite helpful and responsive. However, they were also quite firm. With Shelby onboard I can’t come into marinas, even if she doesn’t leave the boat. I’m also not allowed to be at a fuel dock. We’ll have to arrange an offshore delivery of fuel. Also: while I am anchored in Australian waters I’ll need to pay for daily visits by an inspector to verify she hasn’t left the boat. Poor little Shelby…. She doesn’t mean to be so much trouble.
2-12-08
Hi Ken. Love your blogs. I'm sitting here in my income tax office daydreaming reading your adventures. I had a friend, Ron, go on the FUBAR, that's how I got your info. Anyway, the reason I'm writing this is to warn you about running only one engine. You need to have a way to lock your prop on the engine not being used. I don't know if it's a problem for you, but on my boat when I do that, the not running engine spins from the force of the water, which turns the water pump, which can push water into your exhaust and back into your engine. Just something to check out. I didn't know it until too late.
Take care and have a safe trip.
Don H
+++ Thank you Don. I’ve been researching “Shaft Locks.” I want to swap daily between engines, so I’d like to find something which is as simple as possible. Messing with the shafts while out in the middle of the Pacific sounds tricky, and potentially dangerous. Whatever I buy needs to be simple and reliable.
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Ken,
You mention 2 kinds of boaters: Those that have gone aground and those that will go aground; well, there’s third kind of boater – Liar.. In the NW there are 3 kinds: Those that have hit a rock, those that will hit a rock, and LIARS…
Best to you, Roberta, Dean and Ingrid, rb
PS Where you find those two young chicks to hang on your flopper stoppers… ;)
+++ Thank you!
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Ken
I would like to say thanks you again. The pictures of the sea turtles lifted our spirits here in the frigid cold of Boston, our sail boat is named Honu: Hawaiian for Sea Turtle.
Thanks again
Mark T
+++ I wish I could have gotten better pictures of the sea turtles, but it was like a minefield, with hundreds of them around us. They couldn’t move fast, and I didn’t want to hit one, so I was wary about getting too close. We did see some local fisherman who seemed to be “harvesting” the turtles. I hope not :{
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Excerpts from an email from another twin engine Nordhavn owner…
“…Thanks for your work on twin engine fuel usage it is really helpful document. I have been contemplating the issue myself for some time and my thoughts are;
- I guess we will not really know the effects of twin versus single for different operating speeds and conditions until we have conducted a well designed program of trials.
- I suspect operating on the optimum single engine, depending on the wind/tide drift on the boat, could even reduce the amount of rudder the auto pilot needs to apply to keep the boat on course. Conversely operating on the wrong engine is likely to increase the rudder correction required.
- I am sure it is necessary to lock the shaft of the idol unit to avoid transmission damage and to reduce the resistance from the stationary prop.
- The working engine would be able to operate at near its optimum RPM
I have purchased a s/s collar of the same diameter as the shaft, attaching it is an easy operation; I now need to figure out the best way of attaching a removable restraining arm to the collar. The arm needs to be designed to sit against a suitable area of the bilge well, or better still, sits into a sacrificial harness plate(possibly in wood) that sits in the bilge well. The sacrificial plate is a safety precaution, in the event of anyone attempting to start the engine with the restraining device in place. Ideally the collar and harness would be permanently attached to shaft and well, with the arm being put into place when the shaft needed to be held. I have a concern as to how easy it may be to put the lock in place and suspect the boat would have to be virtually stationary.
I am no expert and I do not know if I have been able to convey my thoughts, but I guess step one is a trial to see if we get a result that makes a difference and makes the design of a shaft lock a worthwhile investment in time.
I will keep you informed of my progress and any data I can obtain during trials thanks again for your thoughts and your co-ordinating input.
Our good wishes for the remainder of your cruise
Hazel and John H
+++ Yes. Let me know what you find on shaft locks! And enjoy your new boat!
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Ken,
Thank you for keeping us in the loop!
Diane and I have just had our offer accepted on a N-62.
We have alot to learn. Your emails are of great value to us.
Thank you again,
Mark G.
+++ You are going to really enjoy your new boat. The Nordhavn 62 is an amazing boat. Spectacularly seaworthy, and beautiful. We get very nostalgic whenever we see an N62, and miss ours….
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Hi Ken-
Your write up on twin engine economy is very good. The discussions of overheated transmissions / locking shafts/ etc. is right on. On our boat we have CAT 3208TA’s (375 hp). CAT and TwinDisc were adamant on not running in single mode, unless idle shaft was locked. They felt a poor second choice was to run one engine at 1800-1900 rpm and switch engines every 6-8 hours (we’d have to run at 1900 to equal 2 x 1200). We found that running both engines at 1200 – 1300 rpm was very economical (1.2-1.5 mpg @ 8.5 – 9kn)), but we ran them up to 1500 – 1600 for 10 minutes every 4 hours, per CAT recommendations to heat them up. We found our alternators did not really start charging until 1100-1200+. Single engine running is also an issue if you have intelligent battery combiners to charge different battery banks off each engine (we have house + engine off 1 engine and inverter + electronic controls off the other). I don’t like having all batteries combined in case anything goes bad. Not running the genset equals about ¾ gph for us. If one were really focused on slow engine speeds, going for a larger engine pulley or smaller alternator pulley would be worthwhile. Check on the alternator rpm – output, measure your pulleys and do the math.
Glad you like Navidad!
Good luck, Mike
+++ My guess is that we’ll only do one extremely long passage (>2,000 miles) in the life of the boat. At the end of the Atlantic Rally I said to Roberta “That’s it for me. I’ve done the macho thing. From here-on out, we’re hiring delivery crew for any voyage of more than five days”. There are some people who really long passages, and I’m one, but only to an extent. This said, I would like to cross the Pacific, but don’t want to do it alone. We’re trying to find one or more other boats to travel with us. If we do find at least one other boat that wants to make the passage, “I’m in”.
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Ken,
I have followed your adventures for the past several years especially during the Atlantic Crossing. I really looked forward to your updates each morning.
I was reading your update about crossing to Hawaii and your concern about fuel economy and a thought came to me. One of the Columbia River Yacht Club member’s had a boat built in China then brought it across the Pacific on its bottom. They came the Northern route thru Japan, along Russia and cleared into US Customs at Dutch Harbor, AK. They ran on one engine for six hours then switched to the other engine for six hours, shutting the non-burdened engine off. He has hydraulic pumps on each engine which supplied the stabilizers. The gentlemen’s name is Ron Stephens and boat name is Silver Wings, I believe he is in Barra currently. You might talk to him about the experience.
Enjoy your cruise.
Weldon B
+++ Oops. I did have an email from a friend of Ron’s (Larry) who is traveling on Silver Wings, inviting us by for a tour. Somehow, I forgot. I’ll email to see which way they are headed, and see if we’ll get another chance.
2-1-08
Ken: We just want to send our thanks for allowing us to share in the "Ken & Roberta Excellent Sea Adventure" through your daily blogs.
We started our adventure with you beginning with the Fubar rally in San Diego and followed all the way to the finish in La Paz. To our enjoyment, we continue to share your adventure all the way down the coast to Costa Rica. I can't begin to tell you how much enjoyment and information we receive from your reports. The pictures and maps make it even more enjoyable. We spread the maps out to visually see where you are and, where you are going next, and the obstacles that might be encountered along the way.
We are real novices to motor cruising, having just been introduced to it by our son Jim, and his wife, Lori. We were fortunate to have the opportunity to fly to La Paz to meet the fubar and enjoy a week of wonderful sights and extraordinary people. Thanks again for sharing your extended adventure!
James W, Sr and Sandie
+++ Thank you!
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Hey Ken,
Just wanted to let you know how much I love following your adventure. The pictures are great, and you provide enough of the story to get the feeling of being there.
What is the water temperature at this time of year ?
Enjoy yourselves, be safe and thanks for sharing.
Jess R
+++ The water is 81 degrees! It isn’t as perfectly clear as I’d like (I’ve been spoiled by the Caribbean), but it’s not bad, and I’m sure not complaining!
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Ken:
Glad that you stopped at Tenacatita--and hope you get to explore the river. There is a restaurant on the first bite on the North when you first enter the bay--you can get there either from the beach or from the river. I suspect it still is there and has great fish tacos!
The portaboat is a bit difficult to put together. You have the room on deck to open it and press the thwart in place. It is quite durable and "OK" for a surf boat if the waves are not too big. Getting a Panga is probably safer considering the older folks aboard. You don't want to swamp the Portaboat with 4 people in it. I have personally liked a small light weight inflatable as the second boat.
Any of the ham radio frequencies, you have to have a ham license: Lower side band:1800- 2000 MHz, 3,500 -3,600 Mhz, 7,175- 7,300 Mhz, Upper side band: 14,225-14,350 MHz, 21,275 - 21,450 Mhz ranges.
No license necessary (assuming that you have the ship's license) for Marine SSB These are all upper side band: 2000- 2600 MHz, 4,000 - 4451 MHz, 6,200 - 6519MHz, 8,195 - 8,812 MHz, 12,230 - 13,179 MHz, 16,360- 17,380 MHz, 18,798-19,773 MHz, 22,000--22,831 Mhz, I have left a few out. Generally the simplex (one frequency for send and recieve stations are at 3 Mhz intervals in the Marine band to prevent interference to adjacent station. The duplex stations, you need the exact frequencies, and if you have a Reed's Almanac (required on my boats--it will have the specific countries communications channels with the authorities and phone numbers of port captains etc) or the Icom manual, it should show specific stations. This is all very generalized--and you have to "explore" the dial. But well worth it.
Take care!
Bob A
+++ Thank you. This helps! I’m disappointed to hear your thoughts on the Portabote. My current thinking is to see if I can buy a small inflatable, with wheels, to tow behind Sans Souci. I’d like to find something small enough and cheap enough that I can give it away or sell it at the end of this trip.
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Hi Ken,
As usual, I'm enjoying your daily reports. Sure beats the 2.5 hour snow drive I had to get to work this morning! Yikes!
I'm not sure if you've mentioned this or not and I've just missed it, but I was wondering....now that you've spent some time cruising in Sans Souci II (SS2), how do you find it compares to SS1 as far as ride and handling? I'm sure the added weight and length helps with stability, but the hull shape of the N62 is quite different than the N68 and there's a bit of a height difference as well. Does that have much of an impact on SS2's stability, or is the ballast sufficient to offset that?
Thanks again for your blogs.....a lot of fun to read and helps take my mind off of the crappy weather I'm dealing with!
- John S.
+++ Grin. I wish I could tell you more about how the new boat (an Nordhavn 68) compares to our older boat (the Nordhavn 62). The N68 is a much heavier boat, and has the twins, and much beefier bow and stern thrusters, for better maneuverability. I guess the ultimate question is “which boat would you rather be on if caught out in the middle of the Pacific during a heavy storm”. It would be fun to hear how Nordhavn would answer this question. The added weight of the 68, and its greater size, probably makes it the winner, but the 62 is much lower to the water, with less windage. Thus far both have been incredibly seaworthy. We’ve been through seas, on both boats, that I’d never tackle on any other make of motor yacht, and I’ve never felt unsafe for one minute on either our N62 or N68. Ultimately, I’m very nostalgic for the N62, and if my life depended on it – I’d probably want to be on the N62, but whether or not this is the right answer, I have no way of knowing. Both are incredible boats.
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Hi Ken. Regarding your at anchor roll stabilizers. How long are your poles, and what are the dimensions of the plates that go in the water? We are building a similar system ….
We are enjoying your emails.
Thanks
Don S
+++ This is the company that made mine: http://www.primefabrication.com/products/roll_stabilizers.html My guess is that they could help you figure out exactly the right size for your boat. I think mine are slightly undersized, and have thought about going to larger ones, but these do a “more than adequate job” and I like the size that they are. Anything bigger would be a pain to stow and heavier. My poles are 14.5’ long, and the plates (which fold in the middle) are 42 inches by 30 inches.
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Ken:
I really enjoy reading the emails you receive from others. Some I already know about, some is new, like the info about the changing the angle of the bow by moving the anchor chain to midship. I'd like to talk to Art and Judy more about this if you can connect us.
I had a porta-boat and did NOT like the way it handled in any weather other than calm.
Yachtpath do not own their boats, to the best of my knowledge.
I just shipped my Duck from Japan to Houston on Rickmers-Linie and am very pleased.
Tommy
+++ Thank you for the feedback. I believe Yachtpath acts as booking agents for several freighters, whereas my understanding is that Dockwise owns their own boats. I’m sending you Art and Judy’s email address seperately.
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Ken,
We have used our SSB extensively for the nets and weather. The frequencies you are authorized to use (without an amateur HAM ticket) are very specific. The simple way to figure it out is to listen to the net - if they are identifying themselves with their regular (VHF) call sign, you can join in . If they are identifying themselves with their HAM sign, you are listen only.
Obviously it is more complicated than this, but this will get you rolling. I listened for 4 years and finally got the urge to join the fun and got my amateur ticket this year.
Eric B
+++ Thank you – I’m still getting started, but enjoying it!
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Hello Ken,
I am really enjoying your blog emails, they are great!
I own a Nordhavn 40 in Sidney B.C.,Canada will be heading up Alaska way this summer too, so I very much look forward to meeting you in the PNW.
Now a question, I see you are having a tender size/weight dilemma and I too am in a similar situation, so I thought I would ask your opinion. I have a 10 foot caribe with a 15 hp Honda and Baja wheels on it as my tender, this boat has been to Mexico twice and sounds like it would be about perfect as a beach tender there, however it is getting worn out, I would like a bigger tender and could go 12 maybe 13 feet lengthways on my boat deck, with a larger ,I am thinking 40hp Yamaha on the boat. Is it too big? Would you have another shore tender with a console etc…?
Would love your opinion.
Continued safe Travels!
Curt R
+++ If you can ship your tender here, I’ll buy it! As to your question, I guess I’ll just say “I don’t know.” I’ve always thought that “bigger is better” until this trip. The trade off on motor size is weight. A larger motor weighs more, and will move you faster. If you have no need for speed, then you are adding weight and fuel consumption with no real payback. Personally, I like having the speed. It does come in handy at times. We tend to anchor away from the pack, and have long tender rides to shore. Unlike a sailboat we’re not raising and lowering the tender by hand. A larger tender is more comfortable, and being able to go 30-40 knots (as our AB Inflatables 15’ does) allows us to explore far from the boat when we want (we’ve often gone 5-15 miles away exploring). In a perfect world, I’d want both; a small tender that can easily be lugged up on the beach, and something more stable, with a large motor, for long distance cruising. Currently, I don’t have a small beachable tender, and it is being a real headache. The compromise you’ve suggested: a 12-13 foot inflatable, with a 40hp motor and wheels, probably works in all situations. It sounds good to me. But, I’m a computer programmer … so, no guarantees.
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