Gato Loco on track to depart south Tomorrow Saturday
As you might expect we’re watching weather very closely. The first Baja weather photo above shows our morning departure with wind on our steer and as the day goes on dissipates and seas flatten (photo below). This is a much better scenario than last Wednesday. We won’t arrive in our Puerto Refugio anchorage until well after sunset but it’s a wide-open anchorage with a full moon and satellite charts to guide us in. We should be there overnight and back sailing south on Sunday to make up time lost due to the delay.
Meanwhile the layover has been very productive to address some issues we discovered in our heavy conditions Wednesday. To my Suprise when I slipped into my bunk Wednesday night everything was wet with sea water. The new starboard bow pulpit attachment bolts were leaking as waves crashed over the bow. That was priority one for attention. That started a rhythm of minor repairs. Here’s Chris’s list of things we addressed.
Better secure dinghy for heavy seas (new this year)
Clean/tighten port forward hatch to stop small leak
Tighten mast shrouds
Rewrap screecher and jib furlers to better secure sail (the screecher partially
unfurled on Wednesdays outing)
Remove starboard pulpit and clean, apply sealant, and secure so my bed stays dry
Dry bed Sheets and foam
Install swim step
Install rubber bumper for anchor chain hatch
Fuel up tanks (5.8 nm per gallon)
Tighten fresh water hose barbs to stop water pump loss of prime
Clean interior fuel hatch passages
Replace salon canvas latch
Recovered Marcia’s keys from the marina bottom keys
As I mentioned, very productive delay.
Wednesday and Thursday nights Ed and Marcia escaped home and Chris and I have stayed on Gato Loco. They both came over and had dinner with us last night. Today (Friday) was an exercise day and marina day helping boats in our marina move their boats to Cabrales boatyard for haul out. It’s always exciting during haul outs and everything went smoothly.
Watch my Instagram video for more details
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/frySFLJWfrGSLyU6/?mibextid=xCPwDs
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Sounds like it was good to have a shake down cruse and the opportunity to fix stuff! We are really looking forward to Gato Loco’s return to Puerto Escondido and cruising the islands with friends during the WCM Baja Rally! Safe travels.
We on a fast track south and will be there for the Rally. Fun times ahead. See you soon. And I have a Gato Loco tshirt for you.
You certainly did have a busy day! Was lovely to see you for a brief lunch, and meet Chris! I’m sure you are having a wonderful sail today!