Day 3 - Aboard All by My Lonesome

I have been busy cleaning, scrubbing, sweeping, vacuuming... it's taking me longer than I thought.  It's a lot easier with everyone off the boat. The dust is giving me a severe headache, though. But I am far better off than some.

George and Kate on SpinDrift came in the day before Thanksgiving. They were demasted on their way from San Carlos. They also suffered engine problems. Thankfully, they didn't lose the mast. They accepted an invitation to Thanksgiving dinner at Brian's and Dodie's. We found out then that it was their honeymoon. What a trial! The northers began really kicking up that afternoon and so they left Thanksgiving dinner early so they could keep an eye on their boat, which was anchored in the harbor. They were clearly very tired, but had a good attitude.

This morning, the weather was bright and light breezy. The northers had finally tamed themselves after two days of severe whitecaps. George and Kate set off to anchor the boat in Concepcion. That afternoon, they made a call on the VHF. Engine problems. Luckily for them, they were only 5 miles out. The Mexican Navy towed them back. They tried to anchor in the harbor and then I guess they thought better of it.

Guillermo, our 70-something-year-old single hander buddy, towed them into a slip on his row boat. Yes, he rowed! A reminder to all of us that if you don't use it, you lose it! And it is also a true reminder that if your boat needs to have the rigging replaced, you should do so. It doesn't take much wind to pull a chainplate apart or knock the shrouds or backstays down. Spindrift was lucky... twice. Luckily too, they weren't at sea during those strong northers... with no sails and no engine!

But I suppose the most important thing is that if these two can make it through their honeymoon without breaking up after this fiasco that it's a sure sign that their marriage will be strong. Stronger than their rigging, anyway!