Fall 2019- Summer 2020 cruising season
Jess and I got back to Mexico in early November to get the boat ready.
It’s actually quite a lot of work.
Boat covers have to be removed
Sails reinstalled
Sheets and guys rerun
Door AC removed and stored
Canvas reinstalled
Cruising gear… all of it reinstalled
Rig tuned
Tanks and watermaker flushed
Stainless projects addressed
All systems checked and tested
Etc.etc… Anyway, you get it.
First off…. we had to “reset” our batteries. The manufacturer recommends twice, drawing them down to 10.5 volts and then charging them up to full capacity. Don’t try this with normal batteries! These are Firefly Carbon Foam batteries. Ocean Planet Energy
Resetting Firefly Carbon Foam batteries
Redesigned Dinghy Lift
New Dinghy Lift motor
Sailing Sunrise near Cabo Correntes
Zihuatanejo crewmember Heather
We’re starting this season with a bold goal. Sail from Puerto Vallarta to Panama, and return, this season.
Tuna off of Barra de Navidad
To make it work without too much pain… we’ll need to take advantage of the winds that blow Southeast down the Pacific coast of Mexico and central America Jan-Apr and then return back up in May-Jun when the winds reverse near the beginning of the Pacific hurricane season.
Summer Sailing in Mexico
Our membership with the Panama Posse’s cruisers rally ( Panama Posse )has been a big help as far as assistance and knowledge go.
How far South will this go this season? .. time will tell.
After leaving Mexico, we’ll stop in El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama.
We’re buddy boating with the crew of s/v Jean Anne. Steve and Chelsea are awesome. Once they get to Panama, they’ll prepare for a Pacific Ocean Crossing to the Galapagos and then the South Pacific.
Arrival in Zihuatanejo with Heather and sv Jean Anne
We really want to see Costa Rica so we’re planning to allocate most of our time there.
Thanks for reading! Make sure to check out the rest of our website and follow along with our travels at CruisingVolare.
Comments
We are in The Bahamas getting ready to head toward Panama, and from there north to Mexico in May…so maybe we will see you in an anchorage along the way!
Lavonne,
Great to hear from a fellow 440 owner!
Yes, hopefully we’ll cross paths someplace here on the west coast.
I’m sure we’ll both have a lot to talk about.
If you don’t know about the Panama Posse, look it up at The Panama Posse
It’s a cruising rally of boats heading south…and North with the counter-posse.
TONs of info online about places, clearing procedures and very importantly, discounts.
Discounts on everything from marina’s, fuel and even ships agents at the canal. Plus, the agent recommended by the posse is thoroughly vetted and very posse centric.
It’s definitely worth $75 usd.
This is our second year as a member and it’s been a real help. Plus, there’s a weekly line call where you can hear updates and ask questions.
Looking forward to meeting you guys!
BTW…what’s your hull number?
Adam
One question: how many guys were hanging around on the boat when you got back? We’re they hard to get off 🤪
Enjoyed your blog. Thanks!
Jeanette
Ha! Just our friend Heather. She crewed with us to Zihuatanejo and then got off there and flew home.
Thanks for reading!