Fun Times and Boat Jobs

Teak Deck Update

Many of the remaining boat projects are coming together and we have even found time to have some fun!

Rain had stopped play recently regarding the laying of the new teak deck, which is very frustrating as this is supposed to be the Dry Season. The last of the deck fittings have been removed and the holes plugged. The deck was treated to two coats of white gel coat. Jose had been busy in his workshop cutting up the teak planks and steaming to shape to the templates he already took. The old deck was more worn in places than we imagined and only 2 to 3mm thick. Jose thinks it would have started life at 8mm, but we cant say for sure. The new teak planks are 11mm thick.

We have also asked Jose to refurbish the teak toerails. All of the screws will come out and be replaced and then sealed in place. We noticed a couple of rust stains down the side of the hull and traced it back to rusty stainless screws in the toerail. Looking from inside the boat, the original sealer had shrunk and allowed a small amount of water ingress. Best to take care of this now, before the ingress gets worse and causes damage. Hoping also that Jose will have time to make up a new teak outboard bracket, as the existing plastic one seems a bit flimsy.

We had hoped to provide more pictures and be much further on, but we are confident by the time we are ready to do the next update we will have much more to show.

Windlass

In the meantime, the anchor windlass is all back together now and working well. Or at least working well with no load, as we have sent the anchor chain off to Guatemala City to be re-galvanised. Not exactly sure how the cost of that will turn out, but we reckon it will be more than we paid for the chain new when we purchased it from Maggi in Italy. We have 80 metres of G4 chain. It’s still way cheaper than buying new chain out here though. We are a little disappointed that the chain went rusty so quickly, but then again, we hardly ever use marinas and anchor an awful lot. Other cruisers who have had chain and anchors re-galvanised have been pleased with the results. 

Basically what had happened with our windlass, was the oil seal at the top had perished and dirt, grit, flakes of rust etc, had ground down the other components on the drive shaft and worn them away. In turn, water with rust had leeched into the gearbox and contaminated the oil. Had we not been able to rebuild it, it would have resulted in a very expensive replacement, so in future we will keep a closer eye on the top seal and if it looks compromised in the future, we will replace it as soon as possible. For the most part the windlass just needs a good wash, preferably with fresh water.

Below is a schematic taken from the manufacturers website to show the exploded view of the components of the windlass.

All back together as new.

Rig Check and Painting

In the meantime we cleaned and painted the inside of the anchor locker to smarten it up, and Steve did a rig check. The top of the mast is a long way up!

We have an excellent Avon rib made with hypalon, which is a really durable synthetic rubber with great UV protection. Even so, we wanted to ensure it lasts a good long time and took advantage of the value for money contractors that make up 'Chaps'. Chaps is the name given to a fabric cover, normally made from Sunbrella, to cover the tubes. We also got a new outboard engine cover made, and a smart one for the petrol tank. We had toyed with getting chaps made before in other parts of the Caribbean, but had been quoted over US $1000. Our new ones cost just over US $300, so great value for money and we are happy with the colour we chose. Next year when we are back in the UK we will pick up some dinghy wheels for the transom. The rib when the engine is on, is far too heavy for us to drag up a beach without wheels.

New Dinghy Cover

Apart from the deck and remarking the anchor chain when it comes back, the last remaining tasks include servicing the engine and generator, and a good clean and polish to the hull and topsides once the deck is finished.

Dreamcatchers Restaurant

In between boat jobs, we also managed to fit in a lunchtime meal at the recently opened Dreamcatchers Eco Lodge and Restaurant. The setting is sublime and a great place to relax... the food's not bad either.

We also attended our first Thanksgiving, courtesy of a kind invitation from Kitty and Jim at Monkey Bay Marina. Guests were invited to make and bring a dish to accompany the roast turkeys. Lynne made a yummy Cambodian mushroom curry side which went very well as long as you like chillies!

Thanksgiving Celebrations

Special thanks to Nina and Bob of Moondance for the use of the three pictures above.

Fun Run

We have both been keeping fit by walking and swimming, so decided to enter a local 5K Fun Run for The Casa Guatemala Children's Charity. This is a cause we already support twice a week as we buy groceries from the Casa boat when it delivers fruit, vegetables, meats and cheeses to the marinas. A percentage of the prices of the goods purchased goes to the on-site school to help the children. Don't be too impressed though, as we joined a group of other cruisers who walked the route (well it's just too hot here to run!), but it was indeed fun to take part.

Christmas Parade

At the end of November, Santa Claus and Mrs Claus visited the Rio. They were in a parade that came over the bridge and through the town, before ending up at the Christmas tree under the bridge to switch on the Christmas lights. Santa and Mrs Claus were played by Jim and Kitty from yacht Dreamaway. Jim did not need a wig or false beard as he has naturally white hair.

Artists at Work

Not many places we have visited would encourage painting on public property, but here in Fronteras the local office of Tourism invited local artists to paint murals on the low level concrete wall by the bridge. Below is a selection of them.

Ram Marina Fundraiser

We attended the Ram Marina Fundraiser which was raising funds for a Community Tuition Grant Program for rural students of the village of Caya Quemado. The event attracted a great many fellow cruisers, and Lynne won a prize in the raffle! All proceeds from the raffle and silent auction will go towards the students' education.

Wildlife

We love being in our jungle setting, as we never know what wildlife we will see from day to day. Just recently, we saw a small iguana that looked like a dragon sitting in a hanging basket, and a lovely red migrating bird called a Summer Tanager.

Seasons Greetings

This will be the last update for 2017. We would like to wish all our readers Seasons Greetings and Best Wishes for a happy, healthy and safe 2018.