June 29, 2021-Socked In
At least the rain from hurricane Enrique has filled our water tanks.
That and being able to spend some time with our friends Kirk and Heidi from Due West are about the best things we can say about being socked in by a hurricane. At least we had fun with Kirk and Heidi (and their two super cool boat cats).
Otherwise it’s been a bit of a drag. We were planning on being out in one of the anchorages around here soaking up the sunshine and enjoying the clear waters of Mexico’s Gold Coast. Instead when we saw Enrique coming we scurried into the marina where we knew we’d be safe from it. Maybe we could get back out in a day or two, but no it’s been four days now and no let up from the solid rain. The winds are gone but who wants to get underway in solid rain?
This year’s cruise has been filled with interruptions.
When we were up north we had to return to La Cruz three times when we thought we’d be out kicking back. Those times were caused by things like doctor’s appointments, car appointments (yes, even while cruising our car, sitting under a cover back at our marina there, made demands on us) and boat repairs.
The boat repairs were shocking in themselves. For nearly a month we had breakdowns and failures every day, many times more than one. So even when we were not interrupting our cruise to go back to port we were working on the boat. Well, that’s boats I guess and finally it’s all sorted out, for now, thankfully (but stay tuned, there WILL be more! we’re sure of it). Most of our problems we were able to solve ourselves, and with spare parts we already had on board.
And, we’ve been subject to some shocking weather. Besides hurricane Enrique, we’ve had nighttime squalls which got us up and out of bed, usually at 3:30 AM. It’s like this, you’re sound asleep when all of a sudden a powerful wind hits your boat followed by pouring rain. And of course that wind is from a direction which you’re not prepared for. Like you’re in a bay with good protection from southerly winds and the squall comes from the North! So you get up, throw on some clothes (after turning on the instruments and the navigation computer) and hurry on deck to monitor the anchor. That’s because if the wind came in from the opposite direction than you expected now you have to worry that it will drive you ashore. If you are lucky the anchor holds and the squall blows over in an hour and you go back to bed.
The next day you decide to move to the other side of the island so you’ll be protected from northern squalls, AND THEN THEY BLOW FROM THE SOUTH!
But, weather, boat problems, etc, that’s cruising. We’ve been doing it for 35 years. I guess by now we should know what to expect when we leave the dock.
Still, we’re out here and even with all these challenges we’re relaxed and enjoying life, and still cruising after all these years.
Click here for more photos
Fred & Judy, SV Wings, Mexico
That and being able to spend some time with our friends Kirk and Heidi from Due West are about the best things we can say about being socked in by a hurricane. At least we had fun with Kirk and Heidi (and their two super cool boat cats).
Otherwise it’s been a bit of a drag. We were planning on being out in one of the anchorages around here soaking up the sunshine and enjoying the clear waters of Mexico’s Gold Coast. Instead when we saw Enrique coming we scurried into the marina where we knew we’d be safe from it. Maybe we could get back out in a day or two, but no it’s been four days now and no let up from the solid rain. The winds are gone but who wants to get underway in solid rain?
This year’s cruise has been filled with interruptions.
When we were up north we had to return to La Cruz three times when we thought we’d be out kicking back. Those times were caused by things like doctor’s appointments, car appointments (yes, even while cruising our car, sitting under a cover back at our marina there, made demands on us) and boat repairs.
The boat repairs were shocking in themselves. For nearly a month we had breakdowns and failures every day, many times more than one. So even when we were not interrupting our cruise to go back to port we were working on the boat. Well, that’s boats I guess and finally it’s all sorted out, for now, thankfully (but stay tuned, there WILL be more! we’re sure of it). Most of our problems we were able to solve ourselves, and with spare parts we already had on board.
And, we’ve been subject to some shocking weather. Besides hurricane Enrique, we’ve had nighttime squalls which got us up and out of bed, usually at 3:30 AM. It’s like this, you’re sound asleep when all of a sudden a powerful wind hits your boat followed by pouring rain. And of course that wind is from a direction which you’re not prepared for. Like you’re in a bay with good protection from southerly winds and the squall comes from the North! So you get up, throw on some clothes (after turning on the instruments and the navigation computer) and hurry on deck to monitor the anchor. That’s because if the wind came in from the opposite direction than you expected now you have to worry that it will drive you ashore. If you are lucky the anchor holds and the squall blows over in an hour and you go back to bed.
The next day you decide to move to the other side of the island so you’ll be protected from northern squalls, AND THEN THEY BLOW FROM THE SOUTH!
But, weather, boat problems, etc, that’s cruising. We’ve been doing it for 35 years. I guess by now we should know what to expect when we leave the dock.
Still, we’re out here and even with all these challenges we’re relaxed and enjoying life, and still cruising after all these years.
Click here for more photos
Fred & Judy, SV Wings, Mexico
Labels: Barra de Navidad, Due West, hurricane, Mexico
posted by wingssail at 2:24 PM
1 comments
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