Sari Timur is Getting a Facelift

Part of our plans for Mexico always included pulling Sari Timur out and getting rid of the blisters that have plagued her at least since we first got her.  We were planning on using a yard in the Sea of Cortez during the hurricane season.  However, since we are delayed here in Ensenada, which really has four yards, friends suggested we talk to the yards here.  We did and found a family run yard that others have bragged about, willing to take on our project.  We have booked our haul out for June 10th.  Besides blister repair, we will be getting the bottom of the keel repaired properly, something that we tried to do every time we hauled in Asia but never did correctly.  This was always attributed to not having a dry enough climate.  Well that shouldn’t be a problem in the Baja in the summer.  We will have new proper paint and varnish on her exterior so she should look as good as new afterwards.  She definitely deserves it.

Our New Wash Board

Just finished with our new wash board.   We took the storm window off of the port side and decided to cut a new wash board for the main companionway.  The plexiglass is only 3/8 inch thick and the slot is just under an inch so we needed to find some trim board to make up the space.  While we were in North Carolina, we scoured around to find a lumber man.  We found Mr Bill Jones, who not only had some nice cherry wood but he also planed it to our exact dimensions of 1/2 inch by 1 inch.   For those not in the know, when you buy a piece of lumber the size dimensions are pre planing, so a 2 x 4 is much smaller than 2”x 4”.  We finally finished the fitting out and varnishing.  This wash board replaces the top two boards and allows much more light into the boat.  It is also easier to go in and out than the three board system.  It is not perfect but we are very happy with it.  Of course now we have to sand and varnish the companionway!

Outside Looking In

Inside Looking Out

By Itself on the top step

On Our Way Home

We just spent a week in North Carolina, visiting Mark’s mom and dad, his sister Laura, brother in law Steve, nephew Jacob, Jacob’s wife Baylee and daughter Emersyn.  Great time catching up with everyone and staying on the farm.  The only regret was the trip was a little too short but it will be nice getting back to Sari Timur.

New Bimini Canvas

As we said in the last post, we were going to take some time and renew our Bimini top.  Well, we finished it enough today to put it up.  There is still about a day's work to finish off the accessories (the pieces that go between the dodger and Bimini and the piece that extends aft) but it is up and we are bragging.  Good job Pauline, on her first ever Bimini!

La Bufadora

We are still in Ensenada.  A rather long story is behind our decision to stay but the short side of it is that Pauline’s dad went into the hospital and we didn’t feel we could be away for the three weeks to a month it would take before we could get back to civilization and have access to an airport.  One of the biggest dramas of cruising remote locations with aging parents but we decided there were a couple of projects we could knock out while we were here.  The biggest one being a new Bimini cover.

Yesterday we had planned to try and make a major dent in our Bimini project.  All good plans can get sidetracked however.  In the morning our neighbor came over and asked if we wanted to go to Costco and Walmart.  Since it is quite a distance from the marina and he had a truck, we said yes.  Well, we did more than grocery shopping.  He took us sightseeing.  We drove across the bay to Estero Point and La Bufadora.  Estero Point is a large resort and community and La Bufadora is a large blowhole or maybe a blow wedge about 17 miles south of Ensenada.  As there were no cruise ships in it was a perfect time to go.

 

View of Estero Point

Our neighbor Scott and Mark at the restaurant 

Back in Ensenada

Well, Pauline arrived back on Thursday the 25th of January and Mark arrived back on the 31st.  Sari Timur survived without us.  Pauline’s mom has recovered pretty well and her parents are doing pretty well for their ages.   Pauline’s father turned 97 while she was there.  (Mom turns 97 in May). 

Mark’s trip was successful though a lot longer than predicted.  The weather was pretty favorable for this time of year.  They basically had one bad day each way which is phenomenal for this time of year.  Anyway, we are now back getting Sari Timur prepped for going further south.  We are waiting for a package to arrive Wednesday and then the next weather window we will head south to continue our trip down the west coast of the Baja. 

The distance to Cabo (the bottom end of the Baja) is just under 700 nautical miles but we will do a few stops in some rather large bays on the way down so we will have to go over 800 by then.

Small Update

 We were planning to leave and head further south just after the New Year (Mark wanted to watch the Rose Bowl).  Pauline’s mom had some health issues and was hospitalized twice in quick succession, so we felt an unplanned trip to Singapore would be good.  Then Mark got a job offer so we extended for another month.  The good news is Pauline’s mom is home and doing pretty well for her age.  And Mark in her absence was able to touch up the galley varnish and varnish the two forward deck hatches.  And of course Michigan won the Rose Bowl.  

Mark leaves today to head back to work and will be taking a tug from Seattle to Long Beach and back.  So that is twice running the gauntlet of the Pacific West Coast in winter.  

Pauline is staying for her Father’s 97th birthday and may stay for her sister in law’s birthday as well.  So Sari Timur will have to fend for herself for a week or so.  We hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and wish everyone all the best in 2024.