BRAS:
load up on new bras, they don’t have them everywhere, especially if you are size C or bigger.
CANVAS:
Sunshade is a must. Get your self some good sun shade covers made, (stay with light colors), including fore deck and make side curtains to keep the morning or afternoon sun out. It will keep you much cooler and more comfortable. We sunshade over the dodger and bimini which cools the cockpit down even more by 10 to 15 extra degrees. Also, have a cover made for the dingy (not a storage cover, but one that cover the tubes). A must in high heat, it we’ll not just save your dingy, but we’ll keep your fanny from burning up. Ladies, make some covers for the cockpit cushions, it’ll be more comfortable and not so sticky, besides it’ll change the cockpit atmosphere.
to avoid having to clean and re-treat Sunbrella, hose it off monthly. The fabric itself will not support the growth of mildew, but if dirt is allowed to remain on the fabric for any length of time, it will support mildew growth.
Clean the fabric with a mild soap. Mer-maids manufactures a cleaner that is approved for use on Sunbrella. If heavy stains remain, the manufacturer recommends using a mixture of 4 ounces of chlorine bleach and 2 ounces of natural soap in 1 gallon of water.
Sunbrella fabric is treated with a fluorocarbon finish, which enhances water repellency. This treatment is designed to last for several years if the fabric is cared for properly, but after several cleanings, the finish will lose some of its repellency. Boost water repellency with a topical waterproof treatment, but use a product that still will allow the fabric to breathe. (mermaid@mermaid.com)
CHARTS AND GUIDES:
For Mexico definitely get Charlie’s Charts, but it will not give you all the infos. William’s and Cunningham are more detailed. Also get Sea of Cortez Fishing Charts ($ 5.95), which give underwater depth contours for easy “Structure” identification. Navigation aids incl. Buoys, lights, longitude and latitude lines, plus rocks and reefs. Fish locations, specie types and blow up details of certain areas. Very helpful!
FANS:
bring plenty of 12 V Fans, you’ll need them and you can't find them easily. And maybe one electric fan, for times you’ll spend in a marina slip. Sid mounted two of these 12 V fans onto brackets, now we can hook them up in the cockpit for those very hot and not a breeze days, the best thing since sliced bread!
FUEL AND TANK:
we had some problems with fuel intake. The filter needed to be changed frequently, do too much algae growth in the tank. We had the tank cleaned, but still experienced the same problem. In Cabo, Sid emptied the tank, cleaned it as good as he could. Still problems, the filter showed bad just after a short time running. Then made three inspection plates and cleaned out the whole tank again. It was full of growth and some even pitted the tank, eventually we would have had a leaking tank. Its a good idea having access to the tank with the inspection plates. Also get yourself a Baja Filter!
MEDICAL KIT:
Seaside Marine Pharmacy, 599 W. 7th Street, San Pedro, CA 90731, PH:310-832-4363/ FX:310-548-5527, will set you up with an on board medical kit. “The Ship’s Medicine Chest and Medical Aid at Sea” Book is rather on the expensive side but way worth buying. When talking to a doctor out at sea in a medical crisis, just refer to the orange medical book and they know what kind of medication you have. The medication by the way are numbered, to make it easier to find and the doctor will tell you by number what to use. The Pharmacy will need your boat documentation papers, give them also your prescription drug info and no matter where you are they will send it to you in emergencies. They are on line 24 hours a day.
If you have a friend visiting, the pharmacy will hand them your prescription drugs, if so arranged.
REFRIGERATION:
Since our refrigeration system is along the hull, we made a cover for over the side to protect it from direct sunlight. We made the cover out of garden fencing shade around a space blanket and for the weight, we sewed a broom stick into the seam. It works well and gives us 4 to 6 hours extra time before the unit comes on again. (In the mean time we have changed it to a double layer of Texaline and instead of the broom stick I made pockets filled with sand.
NO ROOM IN REFRIGERATOR:
Whenever I cook a stew or bean dish or soup, and there is no room in the refrigerator. Leave the pot on the stove top. After everyone is finished eating for the day, cover pot, bring to a full boil for two minutes, then shut the fire off and don’t open the pot until you need it the next day. As long as there are no tomatoes in your soup, stew, or beans they will keep for over a week if brought to a full boil each day. This is handy when you want to make up a big soup or stew for the first few days at sea.
PILLOWS:
Washable Dacron-filled pillows with cotton ticking are now available. They are a wise choice for sailing. Foam rubber attracts moisture and can contribute to aches such as arthritis or rheumatism. It will also start to pick up odors quickly. Down pillows tent to start leaking after a year of use on board and can’t be washed or cleaned easily. In the mean time we switched to the memory foam pillows, had them for several years now and are still like new, best pillow ever.
PROVISIONING:
Everybody told us to load up on canned goods as it is not available in Mexico. When we got to Mexico and anywhere else we found pretty much everything plus. So there is no need to over provision on canned goods. If I could do it over again I would have left 2/3 of the canned goods home and loaded up on wine instead. Today the bilge is a wine and rum cellar.
SALT WATER PUMP:
install one in the galley, it will save you a lot of precious fresh water. Although, pump it at least once a day to avoid that nasty rotten egg smell from algae growth in the line. To do the dishes, I heat some saltwater up in the used and dirty pot, briefly clean it, fill it up again wit salt water and I do the dishes right out of the pan and rinse it with fresh water.
SHOWER:
we don’t take showers in the boat, it causes mildew easily. Instead we take sun showers in the cockpit. To wash my long hair, I use the saltwater wash down pump first and then rinse it with fresh water, that saves most of the precious water.
SOLAR PANELS:
mount them on brackets so you can turn them according to the sun. For storage, Sid mounted some brackets on the main salon’s ceiling to stored them, they’re not just out of the way but also well protected. Now we have dinghy davits and the solar panels are mounted above on an arch.
SWIMMING, SNORKELING:
get yourself a Lycra suit for swimming and snorkeling, you’ll need it in the Sea of Cortez, to many jelly fish, and everywhere else too, we find them no matter where we go. It’s a life safer! Not just that you can stay in the water for as long as you like and don't get sun burned.
WATERMAKER:
while in Partida for racing week, we attended a water maker seminar. We learned not to toss the filters after changing. Instead to hang them over the side of the boat for a few days, or tow it while under way. You’ll be surprise how clean they get and how many more times you can use them, but the best part, it will save you a lot of money. We call it flying the tampon.
COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS WE ANSWERED:
I’d like to find out how you like cruising?
We both absolutely LOVE cruising, it is a wonderful life style.
Was it difficult in the beginning?
No, not at all, we just fit right in. It probably was much easier for us than for other cruisers as we had lived on the boat for as long Sid owned the boat. Our advice for future cruisers is to move on the boat at least two years before you head out. This will give you plenty of time to figure out what your needs are on the boat and also the best way to store everything. I went to the Marina del Rey Marine Library and went through all the boating books I could find and found answers to questions I had. When you take off, at first it is just like going on a weekend trip, then the real fun starts.
What things did you NOT like?
I have been able to adapt well to everything and there hasn't been anything yet I dislike, except for those nasty biting mosquitoes and especially no-seeums! We also do not like to stay longer in marinas then a week the most and I guess sometimes you can't help it. Marinas are to work on the boat or to stay out of the hurricane belt. You just make the best out of it.
How did you end up dealing with the problems?
This is a hard one to answer, problems are specific to each person and personality. What could be a problem for me, could not be a problem for you and vice versa, but any problem can be overcome.
What are the things that you still don’t like?
Mosquitoes, and no-seeums are my biggest problem!
What are the best things about cruising?
Solitude. Freedom. People we meet. Surrounded by nature. New cultures. The things you discover about your self. Each day is it's own adventure.
What is an average day like?
the average day begins with waking up with a smile on your face and of course Sid's coffee. Looking around at the world, knowing that this is the first day of the next adventure. Each day brings an adventure different from the last, which makes no typical cruising day. After coffee, it's off to swimming, hiking, boating , fishing, snorkeling, relaxing, visiting, cocktailing, reading, shopping (if in town), boat chores, gourmet cooking of self obtained seafood (lobster, scallops, clams, escargots, fish, limpets, clams, crabs etc. etc.),at least until sunset. As the sun sinks in the west, we sit down with a cocktail, think about the things we did that day and anxiously await for the stars to come out and fill your head with thoughts of other lives on other planets and what tomorrow’s adventure could be.
What do you do?
boat repairs, modifications, clean bottom at least every two weeks, write letters, answer email, and all the above.
Are you bored?
Boredom could be a problem, if you had time to get bored, but it's most unlikely! Do you get bored when you sail to Catalina Island?
How is shopping in the dinghy?
I haven’t found a bargain yet in a dingy, but the stores carry most everything you need. But remember, if it's is something special you must have it with you for living is very simple. Also if you see something in a store that you might need, but not just now, get it anyway, because next time it will not be on the shelf and may never show up again.
How do you cope with the heat?
By good, strong 12 Volt fans for inside and out in the cockpit. Plenty of shade. Make sure you get a cover that will shade the whole boat after the mast. For marina uses a bow shade also. Jump in the water and cool off or wet a light towel and cover yourself with it and have a fan blow on it it'll cool you down in no time.
Do you wish that you could cruise for a specific time, come home, and then cruise again later?
Cruising is all relative. If you need that shot of civilization from the United States, cruising time should be limited, so that you can get your fix. You will be surprised how fast time goes by and you won’t miss much. For us home is where we put our anchor.
How often do you change your spot?
Changing your location is the one thing you can like about cruising, because, if you don't like where you are and you want to see something different you just move. It’s that simple. Time has no relevance except, when bad weather approaches.
Do you do overnight cruising with watches? What do you feel is the best watch schedule?
Overnight cruises are not common for coastal cruising. So, watches are not a problem, when you have a long crossing of which could be over night, just use a three hour shift after 9 P.M. The longest crossing we've made so far was 6 days. The first two days can be a little tough but then your body gets used to the new schedule and you rest plenty.The problem with watch schedules is that for the first two days of a long crossing, it is difficult for the body to adjust to the hours kept. After the next two days, the body falls into a rhythm and then it's day after day until you get to were you are. Most people use a four hour during the day and three during the night. We do three at night and day we just take a nap as needed. But you need to test yourself with different schedules.
What kind of things are difficult to find/buy?
Shopping is fun and your basics are all easy to obtain. Specialty items like, spices, adult beverages (champagne, good wine, Couvoisier, Campary, Bayles, ect., are available but very expensive.(In Mexico Robert Mondavi red $ 45 a bottle!) If I could do my provisioning over, I would definitely stock up on some good California Wines instead of canned goods.
Have you had any problem with hurricanes?
No, not yet, but it's mother nature, and you must respect her. This question was asked after we had cruisers for one year. While at the East Coast we were within 11 months in three north eastern quadrants of three major hurricanes, Isabelle, Frances and Jean. With all three we were in a marina with floating docks, floating docks are the way to go. We did the necessary preparations and just waited nervously to face the threat. All three brought hurricane force winds but we managed to keep the boat tied safely to the dock and didn't suffer any damage other than rattled nerves and a few pounds less on our bones. (this was written many moons ago, in the mean time we have some experiences, we were within 11 months in 3 north eastern quadrants of a hurricane, but you can read about it in our Chesapeake Bay and Jacksonville report).
How do you wash clothes?
With soap and water! Just kidding. We have enough clothing to go several month without washing them. But if you need something you hand wash it, hang it on the line and let mother nature do the rest. When in town, you have the luxury of washing machines or better yet, someone can do it for you at a reasonable price. I have my own little washing machine which is a "Church Mouse Bait Bucket, a Plumbers Helper and Sid" !
Has cruising caused any stress in your marriage?
Yes, because we're now closer then we were when we left, because you work problems out as a team and not as an individual. If any thing, cruising has helped us know each other better.
Hope that we have shed some light on your thoughts of cruising. The most important thing you can do about cruising is, to go and do it. If you need to modify, your cruising schedules to make life happy, it's not a problem! Just go!!!
Feel free to ask any other questions.
