The Voyages of SV Passat II: February 2014

February, 2014 - BEASTS ON BOARD

Followers of this blog will remember this is a regular feature of this blog. Past posts have featured a bat, birds, fish, squid and various bugs. Here is the latest addition.

It was a bright green colour, that the picture does not fully capture. If you know what it is please tell us in a comment.

February, 2014 - BOAT PREPARATION - COCKPIT CUSHIONS

I had acquired some good quality used cushion covers at a marine flea market in the Rio Dulce. They were not an exact fit, but would give us much more comfortable seating when at anchor or the dock then we have currently. It was time to get foam to make them usable.

Closed cell and non-absorbent foam is not available (at a reasonable price) here, so we went with the old fashion open cell foam. It means we have to keep them under cover or inside if rain threatens.

The upside is much more comfortable seating and the option to sleep outside. The downside is finding places to store them when not in use. The usual compromises we face each time we make a change.

February, 2014 - BOAT PREPARATION - FUEL CLEANING

After using so little fuel over the past two years (19 US gallons last season) it was time to clean what was in the tank. We were still getting 100 hours out of our Racor 500 2 micron filters, but they were getting dirtier each time. I had brought a number of 10 micron filters and a small pump to rig a system to clean the fuel, but decided to hire a local company as the cost was only $130 US, for the approx. 70 US gallons left in my 120 US Gallon tank. (Price will very based on ease of access to the tank(s), amount and type of contaminants and volume of fuel.)

Tests showed we did not have any water in the fuel, but there was sediment at the bottom of the tank.

The system was powered by a large electric motor that sucked the fuel out of the tank, through a screen and "gang" of 10 micron filters, then returned the fuel under pressure to dislodge any sediment at the bottom of the tank. When no further contaminants came through the clear return hose the system was left on for about 10 minutes to ensure that the fuel was completely cycled through the system.

The unit and company phone #.

The "gang" of 10 micron filters.


Owner/Operator Sergio.

Goop caught in the screen.

More goop from the screen.

The finer stuff caught in the filters.

February, 2014 - PUNTA MAROMA (AKA HUT POINT)

SVs "Passat I"I and "Sunday Morning Jazz" at anchor.

We have a great day sail to P. Maroma, our favorite anchorage on the East Coast of Mx.

Note the plastic recycled in the nest.

The nest's own stands guard on the observation tower.

View of the Mangrove Swamp from the top of the tower.

The reef off the point is one of the best we have found anywhere for snorkeling.

Friend Jorge on the hunt for our dinner.

Angel fish

Dinner.

January 2014 - ART ON THE MAEICON - COZUMEL

My series "Art on the Malecon" continues with this post on Cozumel.

Guardians of the Pink Bag.

January, 2014 - COZUMAL, MX

We motor sail to Isla Cosumal to visit with friend Jorge and his dogs Delilah and Dumbo on their boat Sunday Morning Jaz. Our first visit to this lovely Isla. The anchorage is very exposed to the "Northers" that come through at this time of year, so we choose our window carefully.

Passat II and SV "Sunday Morning Jaz" in the anchorage.

The main square.

Rain, rain go away.

George with a Mojito

Stick em up! (photo thx to Jorge)

January 2014 - CHETUMAL, MX

Early in the year we take a road trip to Chetumal to meet with friends Bob and Carol. They were vacationing in Belize and took the Jet boat from San Padro to spend the day with us. It was great to visit with them after not having seen then for a number of years.