2009: The Preparations

Tales of the Itinerant Sailor

Cruising 2009

Political Peril and the Itinerant Sailor

Each season’s cruise begins with a set of goals and expectations. This season is no different. I plan to return to some places where I had been before, visit people that I have not seen for a while. Then, after the hurricane danger, move on to new ports of call. As usual, I want to see and experience new places and people—ideas and life styles that are not from my own culture and background. This I will share with you who log on to this web site.

Most importantly, I approach this season resolved not to experience another Landlubber’s Tale, as 2008 turned out to be: I want to travel by sea and not land.

I plan to get an early start so as to reach a protected haven before hurricanes become a real threat. As you will see, I am able to accomplish this in about two months, sailing some 1331 nautical miles as the crow flies; closer to 2000nm including the tacks and the evasive maneuvers. What I do in two months is about what most casual boaters do in the lifetime that they own their boat. But for me, what interesting and intriguing experiences along the way, including a first time ever problem with Cuban authorities.

Cruising 2009 Itinerary (Click to enlarge)

The Preparations

The New Sole

To back up a little. The Sirius II is in Guatemala, in Frontera at the Marina La Joya del Rio, on the Rio Dulce (the lower left portion of the map) ,where I had left her last fall to have a new sole (floor) installed. A beautiful job. The wood used is a rose colored mahogany. Local wood, of course. But the artisan/installer, Dennis Compton, is not a housekeeper. Even though Julia Bartlett had arranged for a cleaning lady to, well, clean up, there was rose colored sawdust in all the nooks and crannies of the boat. Including the engine room. Part of the next 10 days I spend cleaning up, inside and out.

At the same time, I keep looking for my equipment. Dennis had to remove and relocate a lot of my stuff so that he could do his job of laying a new floor.

But what seemed obvious temporary storage to him was not to me. Additionally, there is the basic maintenance on the Sirius II that needs attention.

The First Mate