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Living on board full time and going South (Part 7)

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zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1314 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/03/2007 : 15:48:07

Living on board full time and going South (Part 7)

Oh... and you thought we had given up?... You're probably thinking “We didn't hear from you guys for quite some time and you must've changed your plan or so”... well not quite! Here's what has happened in the meantime...

At the moment we're sitting snug in the boat's cabin starting this report on February 2nd, '07 with bright sunshine and a nippy cold wind outside in the middle of the wide Texas landscape after a long sand-sail-drive. This RV park is located in the town of Van Horn along Hwy 10, 100 miles East of El Paso with 2500 inhabitants.

Our unusual rv/boat combination, continues to draw lots of attention since our site is next the entrance and washrooms. “What a great idea... did you take a wrong turn somewhere... boy, you are ready for a real BIG tsunami”, are some of the comments. Others advise us the shortest route to water. Rather fun to see people stop and hear them comment... you can almost read their thoughts. Nice way to meet lots of people.

But... let me back up about 12,000 miles to just before we left our sail buddies in San Diego January 4th '07. As the picture illustrates we met our neighbors from home, Henk and Ginny Vander Horst and their family at Seaworld on December 31st, '06, all 14 of them, (if you think we are exaggerating look again and find the two small boys). We were thrilled to finally meet people we knew from our other life... and oh ya... as Jim Baumgart reported earlier that we had an absolute blast racing in San Diego Bay on New-Years day... didn't do too bad either overall, eh Gary?!!

After having stored the trailer/boat/truck safely on the property of the Gary and Susan Norgan in Hemet, California (thank you guys) we drove in a rented car to Los Angeles to begin our 10 day Regal Princess “living on board full time and going further South” cruise adventure leaving our own equipment stored. The trip's itinerary would take us from Acapulco, to our final destination of Puerto Rico via Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama Canal and Aruba. For both of us our first cruise ever!!

First impressions always are the most vivid and most lasting. After flying to and landing in Acapulco we were advised before leaving the plane that the airport was “full” and it would take time before we could deplane. As it was, the plane was already close to one hour late in arrival, leaving time between landing and boarding the ship of no more than 3 hours. Normally this is enough to collect the bags, clear customs and take the 1 hour bus ride to the pier. However, horror of horrors, the airport was jam-packed with other arrivals from one end to the other leaving us, now deplaned passengers inside an enclosed courtyard, just outside the building in the heat/humidity of the day.

We were told that the customs officers were on a slow-down in protest of something or other. To make matters worse, the electrical power went down, causing a stand by generator to start up, billowing black diesel fumes directly into the faces of the several hundred passengers waiting in the enclosed area. One hour passed and then another hour of shuffling dead slow forward in the heat and humidity while we increasingly had visions of the boat leaving without us....!!

It is safe to speculate that someone with authority on the ship and aware of the customs “slow-down”, and potentially a departure delay, must have placed an urgent call to custom officials threatening to pull the Regal Princess from the port forever unless the arrivals were processed pronto!!! Suddenly gates opened and the line began to surge forward. Customs now blindly stamped paperwork never mind examining anything at all. We were hustled onto the bus and driven at record speed to the ship, processed, and we saw the ramp pulled up behind us. Wonderful start to 10 days of relaxation, let me assure you. Blood pressures were on overload!!

Things from there on could only get better... leaving our very modest Catalina 250 sailboat 25ft in length with an 8.6 ft beam and less than 5 ft headroom vessel, on top of a trailer, behind to step on board a mega ship of 800feet long, 100 ft, or so, beam with 14 decks created a whole set of new challenges. Oh well.... 10 days... lots of time...! Once processed by ship's officials we were told that we were now in a cash-less zone (until the bill needs to be settled at the end of the cruise). We finally located our stateroom on the starboard forward side. It appeared to be a mansion with full head room, its own fully equipped bathroom and mega bed with room service to boot! We were elated!!

A wonderful ship life-style sets in fairly early during the voyage and there are very few things not to like... however apart from the brief shore excursions in the ports of call, life during the 10 days on board tended to make me a little restless. Johanna loved it...! Soon, the routine settles around the abundant and extravagant food service available 24 hours a day. Experience shows that food at sea is important but unless you've taken a cruise it's hard to imagine to what extent.

Interesting... the cruise that is!! Would we do another?... perhaps maybe in time... but for now we're back on the boat as we travel East on our own modest 25 ft Catalina WB and continue to enjoy each aspect of the trip.

After disembarking the ship we spent a few days in San Juan, Puerto Rico exploring the old town and its history, buildings and forts. Swimming in the ocean was a highlight. Instead of returning to the boat stored in California we had booked an 11.5 hour flight from Puerto Rico to Seattle, WA, in order to deal with our US Visa waivers, soon to expire. With a one way rental car, (to be returned to the Ontario, California airport), we drove to British Columbia and of course visited our kids in Langley and Chilliwack for a few days. Seeing that life goes on very well without us, we left again and took 4 days to drive the just under 2000 miles back to California to pick up the boat and truck. Together including flying, cruising and car travel this wonderful round trip covered approximately 12,000 miles in 18 days.

January 25th, we left Hemet, California and headed East on Hwy 10 to our first stop, right on the Arizona border along the Colorado River, the only bit water we came across East of San Diego. Going further East we spent several days in Benson, AZ. In the nearby historic western town of Tombstone we watched the re-enactment of the gunfight at the OK Corrall during the days of Wyatt Earp.

Our friends, Werner and Folau Kraus, who keep their 37 ft Union sailboat at Point Roberts, WA on E dock opposite our slip invited us to stay with them and explore the open desert spaces surrounding Green Valley, just South of Tucson. Gladly accepting their their invitation we parked the boat/truck in their drive way, much to the amusement of the retirement community they live in. Werner and Folau had to deal with many raised eyebrows as to the sanity of their visitors. No wonder... their lovely home borders the main street and the boat was highly visible for miles. After several enjoyable days we said goodbye and continued roughly the 450 miles East on Hwy 10 to Van Horn, Texas. While here we plan to visit the Carlsbad Caverns.

The boat/trailer equipment is holding up well but lost yet another part from the mast. We tightened the bungy cord snaked through tarp grommets covering the dingy, which has a tendency to pull loose in the slipstream of passing trucks. Traveling the long distances pulling the boat still leaves us with a low level of anxiety just like with raising/lowering the mast, launching, retrieving the boat and other chores. Perhaps it is good thing to keep one on alert. Problem is that only in retrospect some time later do you realize that it went well and was enjoyable...

Comfortable towing speed especially in States where the maximum speed limit is respectively 70, 75 or higher, is about 65 to 70 mph. The trailer tracks well with just a touch of sway when traveling at higher speeds and passing/overtaking trucks. If play on the trailer hitch and ball insert could be eliminated, perhaps by inserting wedges this probably would disappear as well. The trailer axles/tires remain hand warm when checked at every stop with one wheel weeping grease around the buddy bearing probably from overfilling. The grease spins onto the wheel housing and needs to be cleaned at every stop. Since the climate is dry both sails are stored again in the aft berth.

During the very brief visit to BC our son-in-law Terry, provided us with a nice compact slightly used 2 cycle Honda 350 volt generator. Small but effective. Thanks Terry! It provides our on-board electrical needs except for the heater which draws 600/900/1500 watts. We basically use 3 halogen lights, a mac computer, TV, and some small stuff like reloading cell phone, VHF , battery loader and other equipment. People have suggested to us to install solar panels in addition and Charlie of C Angel, on dock L in Marina Village kindly offered to provide, (has-to-be simple, Charlie!) blueprints/wire size schedule to connect stuff together including the extra battery.

As we continue to enjoy every day and mile of the way towards Florida as our next “water destination” we look forward to meeting other forum sailer's in their home turf/slips and happy to receive any suggestions/ideas and points of interest.

See you shortly.

Henk & Johanna
"Floating", a few off your "barnacles".
"Someday Lady" '95 C250WB #151 ('03 - 2016)
"Sea ya" 30ft Bayliner (04-2018 - 09-2018)
"Mariah" '96 C250WB #191 (05-2019 - 15-05-2023)
"Lady J" '00 C250WK #499 (05-2021 - 09-2022)

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 02/03/2007 : 19:42:39

Awesome write up Henk, glad to hear you are back enroute and looking forward to your updates.

Do you know where you're be launching in FLA?

paul

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sweetcraft
Admiral

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USA
816 Posts

Response Posted - 02/03/2007 : 20:34:40

Great chapter with all the places and miles. Looking for your next update. You Florida Forum guys give Henk and Johanna all the best. See you guys in BC.

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frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 02/03/2007 : 22:11:53

Henk, if you have a FLorida schedule please let us know so we can show you some real Southern Hospitality.
Really enjoying your chronicles. Keep them coming.

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zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1314 Posts

Response Posted - 02/04/2007 : 16:29:25

Jerry: Thank you so much for the invitation... we look forward taking you up on the invite to visit and spend some time in your area however... we don't seem to have developed much of a schedule as we travel East because of all the things of interest we see along the way but... would estimate arrival in Florida sometime later this month

In anticipation could you perhaps recommend a marina with week/month slip and trailer/truck parking availability on the Gulf side. Thank you in advance

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frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 02/04/2007 : 20:49:24

Henk, I don't know much about the West coast, but with my limited knowledge here goes. My first stop would be in the Pensacola area. You and sail the entire panhandle from there. My next stop would be somewhere around Tampa then on to Punta Gorda. From Punta Gorda you can visit a great many places by boat and there are great anchorages all the way to the Keys. From the Keys you can explore the Dry Tortuga's and then return to Punta Gorda. Then to the East coast Homestead where you can sail the upper Keys and Biscayne Bay area. Paul can give you a great deal more info on this area. From there to Merritt Island/ Cape Canaveral. You might want to take a side trip to Orlando from there and vist the attractions like Sea World etc. It's just 45 minutes up 528. Next stop St. Augustine and the old city then on to Jacksonville, my stomping grounds.
I am sure some sailors from the Panhandle and West coast can add a lot more detail.
Just keep us informed of your location and I am sure someone will show up. Maybe more than you want!!!!

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Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 02/05/2007 : 19:54:15

Henk,
If your looking for some information for sailing in the Pensacola area, you can follow the link to "planning BEER 07" on my web site it will take you the BEER cruise site and there is plenty of info on the Pensacola area.

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Don B
Captain

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USA
317 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2007 : 09:47:15

Henk, you will find good information on sailing the Florida west coast at this link,

http://www.cruisersnet.net/wc-florida.html

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djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2007 : 10:37:14

Hi Henk, two things: 1. as you know your first 6 installments are the feature article in the Mainsheet magazine and I look forward to seeing it all in print. As soon as it is out, I will contact Jim Holder and find out how to get the 12 copies you want. 2. if you are planning on sailing the great lakes, you are always welcome here. I know that is some time off, but the invitation is open. Cheers.

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zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1314 Posts

Response Posted - 02/07/2007 : 15:29:19

Thanks for the encouraging comments, your Florida information and web site... Love to meet all of you Floridians and learn about your favorite places... feel free to let us know more information and especially where we possibly can find places to safely park/store truck/trailer while on the water!!

Thank you Dennis for your work in having our story published, we are exited see to it in print as well. It'll be sometime end of this spring before we are in your area... thank you for the invitation and looking forward to meeting you...

We are staying right now in an RV Park in quaint Schulenburg on Hwy 10 and Hwy 77 South halfway between San Antonio and Houston and loving it. As we approach the Gulf during the next little while are there any places, harbors, marina's and/or places to sail between Corpus Christy and Florida that anyone would/could recommend...??

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