It's taken a while since we first determined that our bowsprit was rotten, to actually get into the dock and begin the removal and replacement. It took pretty much a full day for David, Miguel and Donaldo to remove the windlass, the roller furler on the genoa and the stay sail, etc. Luckily they were able to remove it in one piece, but then while trying to remove the end cap for the rigging, they hit it will a hammer and it broke in half. It was infested with termites! Yikes!
The new wood was prepared with a several coats of a wood preservative first. I have to tell you that we were more than a little leary about Mike's workers being able to take a 6 x 8 piece of wood and carve it into a bowsprit. What Miguel and Donaldo accomplished in two days was unbelievable; since they did most of the carving by hand. Once they had the dimensions and drilled holes for the wiring, they prepped it with several coats of epoxy and then finally white paint.
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It was installed a couple of days ago and now David has been fine tuning the rigging. Since our camera is no longer working some kind friends took these pics and our friend Gus took a video. It was a community project, LOL! Just try to find a cruiser who doesn't have an opinion! I dare you! Anyway, I guess the real test will be when we take her out sailing again, albeit, scary too! We'll be sure to let you know how it goes!
Anyway, we sure can't complain about the price. It cost only $380. US for the labor and prep components. In the US, it probably would have cost somewhere in the range of $2000. US. Miguel and Donaldo certainly have made believers out of us. We have no more doubts of their expertise. A special thanks to Gus from Windswept for taking a video and some pics of the event!
Brooksy Point hosted another "cook-off". This time it was chili. My loving husband added my name to the list of contestants. I know he likes my chili, but I don't think on a national level it is award winning! There were eight contestants, two that were "mystery" chili's. The judges selected Wayne's (Big Fun) Texas Style Chili as the winner, Paul (Lady H) won 3rd place and second place went to one of the mystery pots, Wendy's! Wayne's was really good. He used pork, with molasses, beer, cayenne, etc. It was so hot, it momentarily took my voice away. (David said get that recipe!) LOL!
I tried my best, slaved all day, though I really didn't expect to win, but let me tell you, it was really tough being beat out by Wendy's! I actually got compliments from some of the cruisers that attended; which was nice to hear.
We had a "spaghetti" cook-off last week. It went well; I didn't compete. None of our previous winners made the grade! Fred on Makai won, and we were all surprised to learn that he used Newman's own with added garlic and onion! How sad is that! I think it's time to find some new judges!! Next up (tomorrow evening) is Beans. I imagine we may have rice/beans, or bean soup. I have a really special soup that I may enter. Can't mention the details, we have to keep these things a secret! LOL! There are at least 8 contenders, including Mike from Brooksy Point. He and his wife Leylo are from Venezuela. So they know beans!
I tried my best, slaved all day, though I really didn't expect to win, but let me tell you, it was really tough being beat out by Wendy's! I actually got compliments from some of the cruisers that attended; which was nice to hear.
We had a "spaghetti" cook-off last week. It went well; I didn't compete. None of our previous winners made the grade! Fred on Makai won, and we were all surprised to learn that he used Newman's own with added garlic and onion! How sad is that! I think it's time to find some new judges!! Next up (tomorrow evening) is Beans. I imagine we may have rice/beans, or bean soup. I have a really special soup that I may enter. Can't mention the details, we have to keep these things a secret! LOL! There are at least 8 contenders, including Mike from Brooksy Point. He and his wife Leylo are from Venezuela. So they know beans!
Reini (Motu) came aboard and tried to get our generator started the other day without success. He told David (what he already knew) that it just has to come out and be serviced by an experienced mechanic as the cylinder is probably cracked. Hopefully, we will be able to attend to that soon. (Reini flew back to Vienna, Austria the other day. We really enjoyed his and Petra's company. They have invited to come and visit them. They have a home above the Danube River. How cool is that??!)
Our new friends Debbie and Jeff on Sailor's Run, left this morning. They can really do some sailing, we were treated to a video of Jeff's voyage from Lima, Peru around Cape Horn and onto Buenas Aires 1600 miles, 45 days at sea. He's our new hero!!! Anyway, we are all sad to see them go. They were so much fun!
Debbie had been teaching Mike and Leylo's children (Maria,7, Jean Piere, 12 and Stephanie, 14, in addition to many sewing projects for Brooksy Point. The children are very well behaved and very nice. I am going to take over the teaching while we are here. The studies are through the Calvert School and it is a full curriculum. I have been working the last four days to help with the transition; the children have become quite attached to Debbie. She is fluent in Spanish as well as English. The children speak English, but Spanish is their language of choice. So it will be a new challenge for them to speak English exclusively, since my Spanish is "poco". Hopefully, I will learn a little more Spanish and it will be a pleasant experience for all of us. So far it's been a lot of fun!!! ''
Ok, new bowsprit, now it's on with the generator! Then hopefully, we'll be on our way to Guanaja! Yeh!
Stay tuned!
Our new friends Debbie and Jeff on Sailor's Run, left this morning. They can really do some sailing, we were treated to a video of Jeff's voyage from Lima, Peru around Cape Horn and onto Buenas Aires 1600 miles, 45 days at sea. He's our new hero!!! Anyway, we are all sad to see them go. They were so much fun!
Debbie had been teaching Mike and Leylo's children (Maria,7, Jean Piere, 12 and Stephanie, 14, in addition to many sewing projects for Brooksy Point. The children are very well behaved and very nice. I am going to take over the teaching while we are here. The studies are through the Calvert School and it is a full curriculum. I have been working the last four days to help with the transition; the children have become quite attached to Debbie. She is fluent in Spanish as well as English. The children speak English, but Spanish is their language of choice. So it will be a new challenge for them to speak English exclusively, since my Spanish is "poco". Hopefully, I will learn a little more Spanish and it will be a pleasant experience for all of us. So far it's been a lot of fun!!! ''
Ok, new bowsprit, now it's on with the generator! Then hopefully, we'll be on our way to Guanaja! Yeh!
Stay tuned!
