Back in Cruiser Mode

Our plan is to leave this anchorage and head for another island tomorrow am. This new island, Isla Montuosa, is remote, and not on the main cruiser route through these northern Panamanian islands. We heard about it on the cruiser's net on the SSB radio the other day, after I asked if anyone could recommend any place special. This island and another one sounded especially nice. Interestingly, we have less specific information about anchoring here than we ever have had in the past.

You see, cruisers (a lot of us anyway, especially in the beginning) rely heavily on cruiser's guides, books that list anchorages, marinas, and generally act as a guidebook for sailboats. And some areas of the world have more detailed guides than others. Mexico has several very detailed guides, and when you combine both of the most popular ones, it is as though someone is holding your hand the entire way. The guides for this area are less specific, and the island we are going to next has no specific information at all. So it will be a little more challenging to anchor there. We are looking forward to it. Isla Montuosa is about 40 miles from here, and it could take a couple of days if there is no wind.

Our watermaker is broken down again - this time it is something new, of course. Luckily we had the tanks full before it crapped out, but it still sucks. Mike thinks he know what is wrong and believes it can be repaired in Panama City. If not, he thinks he can replace the broken part without too much trouble. It is always something, isn't it? I would be a lot more upset about this if it wasn't for the fact that our saga of boat drama is no different from anyone else we know out here, whether the boat is brand new or an old heap. It will always be something, and once you fix and/or replace everything, the first thing you fixed will start to break down. It is nature of the harsh marine environment.

Tonight we are having out second lobster dinner since we have been here. The guys showed up the next day as promised, and wanted some soda in return. We had none, but they were happy with some powdered gatorade. Today they came by, and gave us five little lobsters and two large conches in exchange for a gallon of gas and three cans of beer. We ended up throwing the conches back, because the preparation is daunting, and we just didn't feel ready to wrestle with them. SO lobster again tonight!

I spent most of yesterday and a good portion of this morning repairing our big genoa sail. When I went to fix the parts we knew about, we found more areas that were rips and tears waiting to happen, so I shored all that up as best as I could. The sail itself is fine, but the canvas covering was coming off. I used an awl and big thread and a big needle and got it all done. It was really satisfying to be able to do something for the boat besides cook and clean. I think this will last until we either professionally repair or replace the sail.

We have been fishing, but no fish. I don't really care, I just like being on the water. Plus, the more I learn about fish and spend time watching them, the less I feel like catching them. I mean, I love dorado, but I feel kind of bad about catching a fish that mates for life. However, the ocean is still full of tuna, and there are few things better than fresh sushi quality yellowfin. I won't stop eating fish, but we do plan to become strictly subsistence fisherman, never taking more than we are going to eat, and no sportfishing. Of course, I say all this, and the next thing you know I will be posting a picture of some monster fish we caught. Right now I just want one for the pan.

So anyway, that is it for today. TOmorrow we sail again.

"The things you think are the disasters in your life are not the disasters really. ALmost everything can be turned around: out of every ditch, a path, if you can only see it." (Hilary Mantel)

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