Sailing Marina del Ray to San Diego
The voyage from Marina del Ray to San Diego was unplanned. We were initially bound for Ensenada Mexico, but what I discovered was I was missing an important document. If your boat in not in your name personally and is perhaps owned by a business then you will need a notarized document giving you permission to sail the boat into Mexico. This would be in addition to your temporary import paperwork, but more on that next week.
This week I had the pleasure of sailing with my good friend Joy. Joy sewed all of the canvas on the boat and has been a huge help with the resurrection of Houdini. I was also joined by Doug who lives on the Oregon coast and sails a 32 Gulf which is also made by the same designer as Houdini, William Garden. Darryl Hodgkins the owner of Precision Sails also joined, making up an offshore dream team.
Houdini is still in the “teething process” as I ma trying to work out he kinks on all of the new systems. I have to say that one of THE most frustrating systems and companies I have worked with has been Renogy. I switched my house bank from AGM batteries to Lithium which should have been a huge upgrade, but so far has just been problem after problem.
THE CREW
Thankfully my friend Doug is a “Jack of all trades” and brought his farm knowledge onto the water. Between he three four of us we were able to at least prevent a fire form happening, where the inverter lives.. Not kidding…
The original plan when I talked everyone into joining was to sail to Cabo “10 days offshore”. We are 3 days in and we have made it just a little more than 100 NM.
Both Doug and Darryl work for themselves and have a little extra time, but Joy has a few big projects in the works and has to make it back to Washington in the allotted time.
Joy used to work for a rigging company and is an absolute wealth of knowledge on passage making and rigging. She had do just about anything, but as modest as they come. The main sail on Houdini has not yet been flown because the reefing lines aren’t installed. Running rigging isn’t my forte, so I was thrilled to have a few extra heads and hands to get the job done.
The reefing system came together quite nicely and having the ability to fly the main added several knots to our speed and everyone was absolutely thrilled. The next project will be setting up the traveler for the mizzen.
Poodle & Eek!
I know you all know “Poodle” my poodle that we rescued from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Eek is a new addition. I have wanted a hairless cat for YEARS and everyone gave me such a hard time about it, saying they are “weird’ and “ugly”. That may be true to some, but Eek is the coolest cat I have ever had the pleasure of hanging out with! He is supper out going and silly.
Hairless cats are a bit high maintenance, as they need weekly baths and ear cleaning. I also discovered they get sunburn quite easily but Joy made him a rainbow striped rash guard.
They have been doing well on the voyage so far. Poodle gets nervous in big weather and likes to sit on Eek for comfort. They are truly a funny pair. Eek enjoys chasing Poodle’s tail poof.
I enjoy endless laughs with these two.
1977 Formosa 51 ~ SV Houdini
Next stop San Diego, where I hope I will be able to get all of the paperwork figured out and point the bow towards Mexico!
This weeks video I edited myself. I have been working with an editor trying to get back on track with my post but I have had so much trouble finding the right fit for the channel.
In truth I really love editing. I am looking for someone to split the workload with me so that I have time to write (I love writing), take picture and make films. There are SO many facets to creating and I absolutely love it! Thank you guys for popping in.
I will see you next week. If you would like more updates sign up for my News letter or send me a message below. I’d LOVE to hear from you! :)
