Really enjoyed the video. The discussion of the whisker pole was interesting - I learned something and I appreciate that. Take care and keep these great videos coming.
Another great video Russ. Life boat, I think you said something like "I should have one, I know that", so enough on that subject :). Also, seems like not moving the seawater valve further from the hull is safer and still more out of the way. Sucks to climb up there and do the work, but for a guy on his couch it looks like a good move. Good luck with it all.
Hi Russ. I have finally got caught back up with your videos. I don't know what happened with my You Tube algorithms but all my sailing channels disappeared. Finally got everything restored. Glad to see you are doing well and in a great location. All is well here in South Georgia.
Hey there, Roy. Today is a work day, of course. Meeting with boatyard manager in 20 minutes. (they do business a little differently) Glad to hear from you, sir!
Well, if you've done that kind of work, then you know it was literally only 5 minutes or less to grind....and almost 2 hours to clean up. Plus, I knew that I was going to be able to jump in the river as soon as I was done...
Good to see you you're doing well and it soundl like you'll have plenty to do in the next few months. Please don't go swimming again if there are crocodiles nearby 😱
I went back and forth on the life raft topic for awhile before I bought one. Nobody is going to say that buying one is a poor decision. If nothing else, it's a good sleep aid.
You're probably right, and I better get it ordered soon...because we need to add about 6-7 weeks for deliveries. I'll just get a little 2-man raft. What kind did you get and, do you like it?
@@skipjacksailing8986 when we ordered ours the price difference between four and six man was very small. But we had two people and a dog to accommodate. I think they allow two square feet per person.
I cant wait for the passage planning videos. If leaving Guatemala and also staying in the carribean isn't everywhere othe than the san Blas and panama pretty much dead upwind?
The ONE huge knock against this coast between here and Cancun is that you're kinda' pinned down against the trade winds. The basic idea is to use the cold fronts in the winter months, because they'll sometimes bring northerlies that last for 2-4 days. I can make about 100-120 nautical miles per day. ....and I have about 400-500 nm to work to the east. It's a math and weather problem. I look forward to making that video because it puts my mind to work on this problem. (other choice is to run _north_ all the way past Florida, over to the east coast, through the northern Bahamas, and then east (again, using the northerlies) until you get far enough east. Then come south through the Eastern Caribbean.
I have only a liability policy with Progressive. I don't think I'd pay for a comprehensive plan (because my boat is not that expensive), but due to the age of the boat (1979) I was unable to get a policy anyway. I don't think they asked when I checked in. And, judging from some of the boats I see here, I am sure that few have insurance. Consider the Facebook group "Rio Dulce Cruisers". A LOT of good information there.
The money you can spend on safety equipment is limited, and sometimes you have to make choices. It is frustrating when people say "oh you can't go cruising without..." and then list $10,000 worth of safety equipment that you need, not including modifying your boat! We bought a six-man life raft with a hard shell case, hydrostatic release valve, and a stainless steel cradle directly from China through Alibaba. I know, I know, The criticism is how do you know it's any good? How do you know it's going to work? The alternative was no life raft! We paid about $1,200 total including shipping to our door. Since it can cost over $1,000 just to get it recertified here in the US , I guess in another 2 years what it needs to be, we'll just launch it and see what happens! If it inflates and looks good, I'll buy another one from Alibaba! You know that all those life rafts that West Marine sells comes from a factory in Ningbo, China. When we thought we might be going up the St. Lawrence, We also bought two used immersion suits from India. They undoubtedly came off ships in the Indian ship breaking yards. This is also a decent source for good Japanse sextants. We were able to adequately test the immersion suits in our swimming pool in December.
Exactly true. If I bought everything that "I need to have" then I'd never be able to leave the dock. Does it make sense to spend 10,000 on safety gear for a boat that cost 20,000? Wouldn't it be "safer" to buy a new engine instead? I do like to remember those heroes like Bernard Moitissier (sp) or Robin Knox Johnson....and wish I knew exactly what "kit" they kept aboard.
@@skipjacksailing8986 I think there is a generational difference as well. The younger you are the more you expect perfect safety, and criticize risk-taking. I mean, like I would never storm the beaches at Normandy, but I would go hiking without a personal locator beacon.
Really enjoyed the video. The discussion of the whisker pole was interesting - I learned something and I appreciate that. Take care and keep these great videos coming.
Another great video Russ. Life boat, I think you said something like "I should have one, I know that", so enough on that subject :). Also, seems like not moving the seawater valve further from the hull is safer and still more out of the way. Sucks to climb up there and do the work, but for a guy on his couch it looks like a good move. Good luck with it all.
Thanks, Lee. Will start the work in a few few weeks…
Hi Russ. I have finally got caught back up with your videos. I don't know what happened with my You Tube algorithms but all my sailing channels disappeared. Finally got everything restored. Glad to see you are doing well and in a great location. All is well here in South Georgia.
Hey there, Roy.
Today is a work day, of course.
Meeting with boatyard manager in 20 minutes.
(they do business a little differently)
Glad to hear from you, sir!
Hey Russ glad to see your still moving slow but sure, bit warmer than Inverness I guess. Scotland missed summer this year!!Fair winds.
I still fondly miss Scotland!
Is it still raining?
Maybe just enough rain to prevent all work, but not enough to be useful?
Nice video Russ. I am impressed how you can sand fiberglass without suit up😮. I hate that job!
Well, if you've done that kind of work, then you know it was literally only 5 minutes or less to grind....and almost 2 hours to clean up. Plus, I knew that I was going to be able to jump in the river as soon as I was done...
Good to see you you're doing well and it soundl like you'll have plenty to do in the next few months. Please don't go swimming again if there are crocodiles nearby 😱
I went back and forth on the life raft topic for awhile before I bought one. Nobody is going to say that buying one is a poor decision. If nothing else, it's a good sleep aid.
You're probably right, and I better get it ordered soon...because we need to add about 6-7 weeks for deliveries.
I'll just get a little 2-man raft.
What kind did you get and, do you like it?
@@skipjacksailing8986 when we ordered ours the price difference between four and six man was very small. But we had two people and a dog to accommodate. I think they allow two square feet per person.
I cant wait for the passage planning videos. If leaving Guatemala and also staying in the carribean isn't everywhere othe than the san Blas and panama pretty much dead upwind?
The ONE huge knock against this coast between here and Cancun is that you're kinda' pinned down against the trade winds.
The basic idea is to use the cold fronts in the winter months, because they'll sometimes bring northerlies that last for 2-4 days.
I can make about 100-120 nautical miles per day. ....and I have about 400-500 nm to work to the east.
It's a math and weather problem.
I look forward to making that video because it puts my mind to work on this problem.
(other choice is to run _north_ all the way past Florida, over to the east coast, through the northern Bahamas, and then east (again, using the northerlies) until you get far enough east. Then come south through the Eastern Caribbean.
I am thinking of sailing to Rio Dulce. Did you get insurance prior to going?
I have only a liability policy with Progressive.
I don't think I'd pay for a comprehensive plan (because my boat is not that expensive), but due to the age of the boat (1979) I was unable to get a policy anyway.
I don't think they asked when I checked in.
And, judging from some of the boats I see here, I am sure that few have insurance.
Consider the Facebook group "Rio Dulce Cruisers". A LOT of good information there.
The money you can spend on safety equipment is limited, and sometimes you have to make choices. It is frustrating when people say "oh you can't go cruising without..." and then list $10,000 worth of safety equipment that you need, not including modifying your boat! We bought a six-man life raft with a hard shell case, hydrostatic release valve, and a stainless steel cradle directly from China through Alibaba. I know, I know, The criticism is how do you know it's any good? How do you know it's going to work? The alternative was no life raft! We paid about $1,200 total including shipping to our door. Since it can cost over $1,000 just to get it recertified here in the US , I guess in another 2 years what it needs to be, we'll just launch it and see what happens! If it inflates and looks good, I'll buy another one from Alibaba! You know that all those life rafts that West Marine sells comes from a factory in Ningbo, China. When we thought we might be going up the St. Lawrence, We also bought two used immersion suits from India. They undoubtedly came off ships in the Indian ship breaking yards. This is also a decent source for good Japanse sextants. We were able to adequately test the immersion suits in our swimming pool in December.
Exactly true. If I bought everything that "I need to have" then I'd never be able to leave the dock.
Does it make sense to spend 10,000 on safety gear for a boat that cost 20,000?
Wouldn't it be "safer" to buy a new engine instead?
I do like to remember those heroes like Bernard Moitissier (sp) or Robin Knox Johnson....and wish I knew exactly what "kit" they kept aboard.
@@skipjacksailing8986 I think there is a generational difference as well. The younger you are the more you expect perfect safety, and criticize risk-taking. I mean, like I would never storm the beaches at Normandy, but I would go hiking without a personal locator beacon.