We Enjoy sharing the journey through my blogs. We wonder what you really think about them, so don’t hold back and share your thoughts with us in the Comments!
-
We just crossed the line, morphing from Polywogs to Shellbacks!
What is the connection between the equator and shellbacks? Traditional mariner lore (see great Naval History and Heritage Command blog here), is that a sailor is considered a Polywog until she crosses the line, eg the Equator. At that point, having undergone the “Solemn Mysteries of the Ancient Order of the Deep” ceremony, she matures into a lovely Shellback turtle. So, when you see all those salty sailor “Homeward Bound” tattoos (see tattoos decoded article here for a great image of tatoo placement), often they each document a particular accomplishment. So, for example, Don and I chose not to get…
-
Dead engine, running 8 hours off course, and 20% of the way there
Engine troubles They say, a catamaran always has a full set of engine spares. Why? By default, we have a second engine, while most monohulls don’t. Often trawlers have a “get-home” engine, but not typically monohull sailboats. So, when we were traveling South to catch the trade winds, in extremely hot tropical sun and No Wind, our STB engine sounded an alarm, and shut down. What was the alarm? Overheating; it was over 212 F versus a typical 180 F. Don, Josh and I got down to troubleshooting after it cooled enough to touch. The cause? A broken alternator belt,…
-
Comms / Safety Equipment are a Chang’ing
How to modernize your boat’s communications and safety equipment
-
Panama Canal Again – Tomorrow on Enjoy
Yes, we are leaving to go through the Panama Canal tomorrow! This time should be the charm; Don says if we return it’s a sign that we’re destined for the Mediterranean. It will be hard to say good by to the SBM staff and community, they have really been there for us over the years. We will miss you! Who this time? Once again, transiting from the Caribbean side to the Pacific side of Panama via the Panama Canal. This time, our good friends, Christine McAdam (SV Domicile) and Charles Bodain (Panama Yacht Broker) will be our line handlers, along…
-
Ready for South Pacific Run Tomorrow?
Yes we are, or as well as we can be. What do we think you need to do when you get ready for a non-stop 3,000 mile passage? Passage planning While we intend to leave Panama from La Playita Marina, on the Pacific side of Panama City and head straight to the Marqueses Islands. It’s good to check weather, current patterns and route a way with maximum sailing, and shortest cut through the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) which the famous Doldrums lie waiting for a boat like us to give in and turn on our motors. We use a range…
-
