Manly pursuits....

When "manly" cruisers get together for a sundowners, engines often become a prime topic.  The main diesel on 'Persephone'  (Westerbeke brand) has a serpentine timing belt.  I mentioned to Mark (s/v Liahona) that the specs require replacing the belt every 1000 hours; and asked if this was critical.  Mark (a mechanic by trade) asked how many hours were on the engine....I replied nearly 1500.  Mark merely mentioned that if the belt fails, the valves and pistons would crash into each other ruining the engine (ie...why they call it a TIMING belt !).  The Choice:  replace a $125.00 belt, or risk a $20,000 engine.  OK, the belt needs replacement !!  BUT, the belt is inside the engine housing, and keeping the engine aligned and 'in time' while removing/replacing the belt is crucial.

'Liahona' was in need of new curtains in the forward cabin...'Persephone' was in need of a new timing belt.  Barter Time:  Mark would deal with the timing belt, and I would make curtains for 'Liahona'.  So, Mark gathered up big wrenches, screwdrivers, and of course a hammer.  I got out my sewing machine...Mark worked on tensioning the belt, I worked on tensioning the thread....

Work in progress

Timing belt can be seen winding around the gears of the engine

New curtains on 'Liahona'




 

    

Splashed !!

 

Persephone Hanging Out

 

 

'Persephone' is just finishing her third year of  full time cruising in the Caribbean.  So, it was time to get her "handsomed up".  So, for the past ten days, 'Persephone' has been out of the water and "on the hard" at Peakes Yacht Yard in Chaguaramas, Trinidad.  While on the hard, her sides were professionally washed, compounded and waxed restoring the luster of her gelcoat.  The shine is so bright, you need sunglasses to look at her.

 

In addition, her bottom was pressure washed (everyone likes a girl with a clean bottom !!) and recoated with Sea Hawk 44 bottom paint.  In the spring, I did the bottom while in the British Virgin Islands,  using Micron 66 bottom paint.  This product totally failed again in only 5 months. At over $300 US per gallon (4 gallons are used),   one would think it would repeal barnacles for longer than a couple of months...simply, it is worthless.  So, it was time for a change; and Trini is the cost effective place to do it.  Peakes did all the labor, while I sipped a mint iced tea and watched !  The results were awesome !!

 

 

                                                                   

 

Above, Bruce ('Wild Matilda') inspects the bottom job.  Right, Persephone is getting ready to launch....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                                                              

Tropical Storm Isaac

At the risk of sounding like an owl kissing, tree hugging, oatmeal cookie eating, granola crunching, Birkenstock wearing,  liberal environmentalist; the more I sail, the more I realize that olanet earth is a pretty small rock, and cyclonic storms are very large in comparison.   It is simply amazing the geographic impact named storms have on a region. 

This morning, Tropical Storm Isaac is nearly 300 miles north and west of Trinidad.  But, the impact is being felt here.  We are experiencing monsoonal rains, a swell entering the harbor which is rolling boats in their slips,  thunder storms, road floodings/closings, mud-slides, and business closing.  The cruising community is located on a pensula, all roads to the main part of Trini are flooded and closed.  It is amazing that a storm hundreds of miles away is having such a local impact.  Persephone was supposed to be waxed today and get 'handsomed up'....but the contractors can't get to the marina.  Good day to go back to bed.....

Trinidad.....

Good morning from Trinidad, mon !!  As most of you know, when this Blog is quite, I'm up to something !!  Summertime in Grenada is when major boat projects get accomplished on Persephone.  This year has been no exception.   I have been occupied installing a central air conditioning system.   I can hear the groans out there....whatcha doing ??  You are supposed to be a cruiser ??  Air Con...how decedent !  When are you going to use it ?

Well,  I thought of all the cons, listened to the na-sayers, and went ahead with the project anyway. The installation took a bit over two weeks to complete.   When it was completed, I flipped the switch and instant cold air.   Cold air in the tropics !!  What a concept !! Persephone has an onboard generator, so the AC can be used just about anywhere... whether anchored out, or in a marina.  I will be posting pictures of the installation adventure in the near future.

Well now that Persephone has a brand new AC system, the question is when and where  to use it.  I know, I know !!  Let's to head south to Trinidad.  Trinidad is a large, metropolitan country (main city has a population of 1.3 million) located at the very bottom of the eastern Caribbean. Trini is located only a dozen miles or so from Venezuela, South America; or six hundred miles from the equator.  So, it is HOT even by tropical standards.  

Trini is THE place for boat projects. Pieces and parts are easily available, and the labor force is experienced and reasonably (read: cheap).  The two projects on tap are to have the boat compounded and waxed while out of the water.  Although regularly waxed, a complete waxing, with an electric buffer, hasn't been done since Connecticut, three + years ago.  So, it's time....  Secondly, the Micon 66 bottom paint failed for the second time.  Micro 66 was used in January, 2011 and it was effective for only a couple of months.  I complained to the manufacture, and they replaced the paint free of charge.  I recoated the bottom in March of this year, and again it failed within 5 months.  This paint is $330.00 US per gallon, it should work !!!  I could have used Benny Moore house paint with the same result !!  Thank God, I didn't pay for the second four gallons of paint.  Anyway, I have done my research, and will be switching brands.  Persephone will be hauled next week to be 'handsomed up'.  Afterwards, the remainder of the hurricane season will be spent exploring Trinidad before returning to Grenada in mid-October.

Meanwhile, Persephone is sitting in Coral Cove Marina in the mid 90 degree jungle heat, plugged in with the new AC purring....  Think I have to adjust the thermostat...getting a bit chilly in here !!   

Mini-Hash......

 

L to R:  Ken, Lynn ('Silver Heels III') Kathy and John ('Oceania')

Nice ass, Lynn !!

A Hash is an agressive walk // run through the woods, rain forest, up and down 'hills' and through streams with lots of mud. Yesterday, a group of 'hashing cruisers' turned out for a charity event to support a local school. The trail followed along the beach, through a farm, and then up, up and up through the woods. The Hash started at the Cabier Lodge which has a petting zoo. Here is Lynn ('Silver Heels 3) scratching her ....

Lynn with 2 of the students.....

Water break....

Money raised, hard work out, cold beer....doesn't get better !! 

Scuba Diving

Diver Dave at 60 feet

Yesterday, Lynn ('Silverheels III'), Barbara, Charles ('Tusen Takk II') and I went scuba diving.  Most of my diving is boat bottom cleaning, maintaining the mooring, and finding items that I have dropped overboard.  Yesterday was just for fun. I just got an underwater case for my camera...so let's check it out.

Above, my dive buddy, Lynn ('SH III') with a 'double OK'.  Lynn just got certified as a Divemaster...
Quite an achievement...Congrats !!  Below, we swim through a school of Small Mouth Grunts.

Above, an eel gets ready to go for my throat.  He (she ?) wasn't happy with the camera flash. Note the color of the coral above Ernie the Eel.... Below, a ray dozes on the bottom bored with my attempts to photograph him.....

Note the blue around the ray's edges....

Finally, here is a lobster boldly exiting his hidy-hole, all the time laughting at me.  Clearly, he knows that the lobstering season is closed in Grenada....He may be laughing now, but I was singing: "See you in September...."

Great day blowing bubbles...Thank You Scuba Tech for making it perfect,  Diver Dave

Happy July 4th.....

July 4th, Mt. Hartman Bay, Grenada, West Indies




“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and success of liberty.”   JFK