Monday 31 December 2007

December 21st to 24th, 2007 PARTIDA COVE (ISLA ESPIRITU SANTO)






A pre Xmas sail for our son James to get a taste of the cruising life. Great sail for 1/2 the distance then motor sail to Partida Cove, about 20 nautical miles north of La Paz.

Adult beverages, with neighbours in the anchorage, aboard Passat before the wind came up.

Spent next two days "boat bound" due to high winds (25 knts, gusting to over 35 knts) whistling through the anchorage. Lost a gas "Jerry Can" and the dinghy flipped over with the motor attached. Result is motor that needed major drying out and maintenance (still not working properly!). Only one of the eight yachts in the cove dragged anchor and he left after the first day. We were secure with our 40lb Manson (CQR type) plow anchor, 5 to 1 scope, all 3/8 chain rode AND a 20lb kellet! The main worry was chafe and fire hose on the gold braid spring lines worked fairly well for us.

James and I went for a snorkel at nearby reef to try out new waterproof camera cover. Not bad pictures given that the water was murky due to the wave action. Sandra stayed in dinghy to make sure it did not blow away. It took all my strength and energy, plus James in the water pushing with his fins on to get us back to Passat (see note above about dinghy motor).

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