Snorkeling continues to be the main activity around here, and we’re slowly finding a few more signs of life. Finally got to swim around with a Spotted Eagle Ray, which has long been my favorite and was fun to show the kids. Usually when I see these they are in groups, but this one was alone. Fortunately, he was pretty chill and let us just swim down alongside him for a while.
I spent a little time on the internet figuring out how to rig the Opti properly, and while it might not have been race ready, it was a vast improvement. With a stiff breeze the kids were really flying up and down the beach.
After a few weeks of decidedly non-Mexican food we were happy to see signs around town for a Cinco de Mayo party at a brewery up in the hills. While Cinco de Mayo isn’t really a holiday celebrated in Mexico (unless you happen to be in Puebla which is where the Mexicans defeated the French in the battle that is celebrated by the holiday), it is a good enough reason for some halfway decent tacos to be served up in Honduras. The brewpub is way out in the middle of nowhere, which is kind of surprising based on how nice the place was. I mean, who dumps a ton of dough into a brewery in the middle of nowhere, on an island? Beer was so-so.
Bilge pump started going off the other day and when I went to investigate I found our generator’s raw water pump was spitting out a ton of water. With no rebuild kit or spare, we were left with no way to make water or use the stove (the two things on this boat that run off the generator). We moved over to French Cay to try and get things sorted. As far as marinas go, this has probably got to be the best view from a dock we’ve ever had. Straight out in front of us is open ocean slamming into the reef that stops it dead in its tracks—a reef that an unfortunate boat sailed right up onto just weeks ago.
Not every day that you get to scramble around a wreck so fresh that barnacles haven’t even started growing on it yet. The charts of this area are pretty terrible, but it’s still hard to imagine how this crew managed to hit this reef where it did. Though not a big surprise, I suppose, that it happened at night.
Pump is off, but there in’t a thing for me to do without new bearings and seals to put in it.
We visited the nearby monkey and sloth sanctuary—a family run place that started out taking in one injured monkey and pretty soon had animals being dropped off on their doorstep regularly. The place was spotless, all the animals looked very well taken care of, and each group goes with a guide. Generally speaking we’re not big fans of animals in cages, or guides, but I have to admit that this place was well run, and there were lots of smiles from everyone.
Not a bad place to sit while we figure out how to deal with the broken pump—especially at about $12/day for the marina, including free reign of the resort. Unfortunately, when we first arrived, the resort was off limits to everyone because a nudist group had rented out the entire island for the week. There were of course, many questions, and many jokes, coming out of the kids’ mouths.
10 Comments on “Shipwrecked”
Hi Pat,
Here is the link to the video of my rebuild of that exact pump on ours…it on YouTube on my youtube waltsailing2009
https://youtu.be/Gcx1rHRXAkI
You can source the parts from Hanson marine in Massachusetts or DePaul Diesel in Portsmouth RI, either one, they can send what you need pretty quick I suspect. They sell a rebuild kit for it.
Good luck,
Walt
Sorry about that generator problem…is that brewery you went to called Roatan Island Brewing Company ? (because believe it or not there is actually another brewery on the island!). If so and if Mark Flanagan is still one of the operators, you might ask him for assistance with your generator:
https://www.facebook.com/roatanbrewery/
He’s lived on the island for years and no doubt has many helpful contacts, plus he’s just a great guy to know! 🙂
Good luck!
Yes, Roatan Island Brewery, cute place. Thanks for the thought, Gail, we were able to get the part we needed from another cruiser.
Pat, try Depco Pump in FL. Way cheaper than Hansen. And perhaps the consolidator EZone to ship it to you.
I think there is a trip to Roatan in my future. Any direct flight from Miami that you know of? Just kidding . . . I hope not, it would be ruined.
I had to smile when I saw the pump; recently picked up a 1 hp “shop fan” from the ’40’s or 50’s. It is stout, well built, and totally repairable. With single slot screws…
Hallo,
Nice to see that you have the Opti’s rig sorted. Get the little ones to move forward a bit. (Right up against the bulkhead) The boat will sail even better.
The skills they are acquiring sailing that little boat will stand them in good stead n the future.
Have fun!
Thanks, Frans. They are heading out in it today, will have them try it.
Ahhh…Ali and the sloth!! My favorite picture!!
The monkey, sloth, and scarlet macaw photos are priceless! The looks on everyone’s faces!