We are we Now?

We are still in Cartagena Colombia.

Monday we found ourselves in a situation that was bound to happen some day.

At 0400hr we were awaken to some people talking loudly. The wind had shifted and increased. A single hull sailboat had become unanchored and drifted down and ended up on the bow of a catamaran. The single handler of the catamaran was trying to dislodge the sailboat from its bridal. Unfortunately the 2 sailboats were both drifting towards us. The first sailboat had dislodged the cats anchor and now they were both drifting; because the cat was single handling he could not put the engine on to steer until he could get free of the sailboat.
Quickly Ken and I threw down fenders on the side of our boat that it would hit. We had extra fenders in hand to put where needed. Of course it is raining very hard, lots of wind and lots of adrenaline.
The cat owner managed to get the sailboat off of his just in time. The sailboat however, engine stalled and began the magnetic pull, back to the cat. The sailboats dinghy and motor were tossed wildly between the bow of the cat and the sailboat. Things looked bad but they seem to be behind us now and we should be okay. The sailboat kept drifting back missing other boats when finally it was able to start its engine.
It was about at this time the wind started to shift again bringing the cat closer and closer until we touched. Luckily there was no damage and we were able to get more fenders down until the sun could come up. The problem was that the anchor of the cat was now probably too close to us. Andy (the owner of the cat) would get some friends onto his boat and gingerly lift his anchor. When all was said and done there was no damage to anyone.
Meanwhile in the anchorage the same scene was playing out for up to ten boats. When the sun came up with all the movement it appeared that we had many new neighbours from around the world.

Tuesday we sat for an hour on the upper bridge watching navy maneuvers. It involved 2 Frigates, 2 fast Navy boats, a Navy helicopter and a bad ass drug smuggling fast boat. Two persons complete with pretend drug packages acted out a water pick up. The 2 Navy boats hid in the weeds watching the score. Then just like in Miami Vice the chase began. The Navy called in the helicopter and the Navy trapped the drug boat between the two boats. The Marines then went on to the boat an arrested the bad guys. They practise this for at least an hour. At first I thought it was for real until it happened over and over again. Not to mention they let the drug boat go home.

Now for the Boat"They Said Couldn't But Did"!

I have yet to talk about Genesis. She is a CHB Universal Trawler. She is 49.9 feet overall. Before beginning our journey we joined a group of like minded adventurers. They however didn't believe Genesis was the type of vessel to take us on our adventure. Little did they know that she is a sea worthy girl. She tracks true without touching the wheel. She takes heavy seas in stride. Following seas are like riding a magic carpet. Beam well ........... no one likes that!

She runs on two diesels and uses just 2 gallons an hour, helping us keep some money in the bank.

She is a tri-cabin. She has a forward stateroom with head/shower, galley with pull out couch and an aft a living room area and another head with shower. Up above she has two levels of outdoor living. Total space would be like an 1200 sq foot condo.

To operate daily we have a 25 gal/hr watermaker; making us clean drinking water and more than enough water to take continual showers to cool down.

We have both AC&DC electricity. The inverter takes our battery current and switches it into 120 volt. We have a genset to run 120V, plus shore power should we be at shore.

Genesis has been working hard for the last 2 years. Like a child that has tantrums, Genesis has alternator fits. (Similar to hissy fits) If Ken had hair to pull out he would be bald, so its a good thing he has none. He's in the same place without the pain.

We are traveling in an area known for its steep seas and high winds; however like everywhere there is a proper time to transit with the least effects. Here it is the end of April and May or September through November.

Ken and I have decided to give Genesis a much deserved rest, and much like the spa treatment. We are going to put her on the hard. Try to keep her dry for the rainy/lightning season and re-fit her with new decks, where the teak currently are. She will have new larger alternators put in and a total check up.

If we continued as planned to Trinidad/Tobago we would only have 1 month to see the ABC Islands, Venezuela and all things in between and that is weather permitting. We have also talked to other boaters and they say the weather here is less rainy and Cartagena has better security. Work is also much cheaper here.

So after almost 2 years on the water we are going home for 4 months. Prove we are Canadian, hug a tree (pine) update our health care and make some more dineros to pay for the trip.

I will continue to write and post blogs on subjects not yet mentioned, get after the photos and catch up. Now!

This Is Your Chance!

There are up to 180 people a week reading this blog. I want you to send me an email with questions you would like answered etc. Send the emails through the comments on this blog or calmh2o.genesis@gmail.com

Questions can be of any nature but please nothing vulgar.

Until next week we will be busy getting Genesis ready for her vacation.