Sunday, March 18, 2012

Still For Sale


Back at Shelter Bay Marina, and here's a few photos, but the majority will be posted in our Picasa Web Albums, in the sidebar on the lefthand side of the page.  Audrey Paige is a wonderful boat, solid and sails great.  We've owned her for 11 years, sailed away 10 years ago, and lived aboard full-time for 8 years.  Explored many islands and anchorages, with many memorable moments, but can't afford to go home to visit the kids and grandkids, sail, and travel to the places we can't get to by boat.  We bought a condo back in Michigan this past summer to be close to the kids and grandkids.  We're both looking forward to being land based again.  The boat will be in Panama until the beginning to mid-April, and then we'll sail back to the States and leave her on the hard in Green Cove Springs to dry out for awhile.


Chart table

AUDREY PAIGE FOR SALE  - $95,000 US
36' Bayfield Cutter   -   Built in 1987
LOA 41' 3" LWL 30' 6" BEAM 12' DRAFT 5' 6" DISPLACEMENT 18,500 lbs
100 gallon water tank 54 gallon diesel tank 40 gallon holding tank Macerator with diverter
44 HP Yanmar Balmar 100 amp alternator/Smart regulator
New sheets, main halyard, topping lift and lazy jacks 2010
New dodger, bimini and side curtains, November, 2011

Port setee
Cockpit
Awlgrip 2007 - Hood furling systems on jib and staysail - New Doyle jib 2006 - New Doyle full batten main 2009

New stainless steel lifelines 2007

5 step stainless steel folding boarding ladder
44 lb. Bruce anchor with 150' 3/8" BBB chain - 22 lb. high tensil Danforth anchor - 15 lb. Guardian aluminum anchor
60' 3/8" chain - 150' 1/2" line - 50' 5/8" bridle line - 6 30' 5/8" docklines
Lofrans manual windlass
4 water jerry cans - 2 diesel jerry cans - 2 gasoline jerry cans

4' x 4' rain catcher - splash cloths - sun curtains and full cockpit enclosure
New Air X Wind Generator, 2011

3 Solar panels - 150 watt, 120 watt, 65 watt
Kato stainless steel davits with floodlight

Stainless steel outboard lifting crane

2 stainless steel fishing pole holders

Avon 9' 6" rib dinghy, 2002

15 hp. Yamaha, 2009, with 6 gallon gas tank

Magma bbq grill with 6 lb. propane tank

450 amp house battery bank and separate starting battery
Cockpit  --

New cushions - 2" closed cell foam covered with waterproof material

Folding table
VHF radio

Depth and Speedometer
Raymarine autopilot with 24,000 lb. core pack
Edson outboard motor bracket

Cabin Equipment and Accessories
New Jabsco head
New stainless steel faucets with soap dispenser in head and galley

Whale galley salt water foot pump

Nova Kool refrigerator and Engel 35 qt freezer

Origo 2 burner non-pressurized alcohol stove/oven
Origo 5,000 BTU cabin heater

Nav station VHF radio

ICOM 700 PRO SSB with auto tuner - 2009
Garmin 230 GPS

Garmin 430 chartplotter with chips for the Eastern and Western Caribbean
Jensen AM/FM stereo/CD player with 6 speakers

Teak dish rack, spice rack and all galley dishes, etc.

5 cabin Hella fans

Globalstar phone
Tools and fishing gear

Safety Equipment
2 Sospenders life jackets - 2 offshore lifejackets - 2 dinghy lifejackets

Lifesling Rescue Pack

406 EPRIB - new battery in 2010

25 millimetre flaregun with flares, etc.

Emergency Ditch Bag


Any inquiries, email us at sailingdream@aol.com



                                                          ~~~_/)~~~


Thursday, March 15, 2012

Gail's Visit

Wow, this is so way past my bedtime! Roger picked me up around 9 p.m. and off we went to the airport. Stood around, checking the flights, and it looked like the Delta one was going to be a little late. I had told Gail, when she came out of Customs, to turn right and I'd see her. So, of course, all my attention was focused to the right. She turned left and then walked right, but I was too busy watching people exiting to notice her walking by. Luckily, she stopped, looked around ... she looked back as I looked her way! I think she was a little worried:) Kind of hard to appreciate Panama City in the dark, but I think she was as surprised as we were the first time we saw it. You don't think of Panama City and skyscrapers, but that's it! Roger dropped us off, Gail checked in and we headed up to our room to say hi to Deb (who had just returned from her card games!) and pick up wine and snacks. Kept Deb up till after 1 a.m., and then Gail and I headed off to her room. Up talking till after 3:30 ... tomorrow is going to be a l-o-n-g day!


Met up with the group down in the restaurant around 8:30 and had another wonderful breakfast. It's kind of nice not having to prepare food, clean up and do dishes. Gary and Adam are off at noon in the jeep, and Mark will pick them up from the dock in Carti. Deb said she wanted to hang around to make sure they got off okay, so Gail and I headed off to Albrook Mall. I am really getting my walking in and I love it. These women in South and Central America love their shoes, and shoe shops outnumber clothes shops easily. Found one amazing store that sold shoes made out of Columbian leather. We Hudson girls have a shoe thing, so Gail had a great time. Turned out they didn't have her size in what she wanted, but ... this mall is SO huge they actually have two stores ... so off we went to the other one. On the way to the next shoe store we found her a sundress, a couple of souvenirs, and then the perfect CFM shoes. Oooooh, red leather, ankle strap sandals and a 3 inch heel. Then they looked at me, in my beautiful peach colored Keens, and wondered if I'd want anything. Well, I did get a great deal on a pair of Tommy Hilfiger flipflops at another store. I can say this because Dennis never reads the blog and one pair of flipflops looks the same as another to him. Works for me:)


Back to the room, a couple of snacks, and then the three of us walked to the Miraflores Lock. Unfortunately, the third and fourth floors of the museum were closed for renovations, and that's where the best exhibits are. Took a taxi to the Rey Supermarket and picked up the meat and everything else we needed, since our jeep ride will pick us up at 5 a.m. Had dinner and we were off to bed early. We were all in the same room, and set our alarms for 5 minutes apart. Gail's actually had us up and going. Can you believe that 3 women can get showered and dressed in less than 45 minutes? We did. Gave Gail a Stugeron and put her in the front seat, since she's had motion sickness forever. Wasn't quite the wild jeep ride that we had on the way, but we were all glad to get out at the river before Carti. We're going to arrange a flight back from Nargana for Gail, which actually works out better all the way around, so that we can make a circle instead of doubling back.


Dennis, Gary, Gail, Deb and Adam at the East Lemmons

Gail at the Helm
With a Starfish
Found a panga to drop us off at Sea Cycle, since Eulogio was nowhere to be found. Deb was thrilled because Gail's first ever sail was on Sea Cycle. We've decided we'll make her an honorary sister :) Mark took us all down to the East Lemmons, with a lot of tacking and some motoring. Of course, the wind was on the nose! Got Gail settled on the boat, went for a swim, cracked open some wine and sat back and caught up. Tuesday morning we went to shore and looked at molas. Gail, Gary and Adam all picked up some beautiful molas and other good stuff. Gail is only on the boat for 4 days :( so we picked up anchor and headed down to the Swimming Pool in the Hollandes. Had Gail behind the helm and she did a great job. After we anchored, Victor came out to collect the customary anchoring fee, but it worked out to our advantage for a change. We told him we'd be in the next day to look at molas (they certainly weren't as nice as the East Lemmons), and while Gail bought one, Victor gave us avocados and mangos ... and they were all really, really good. The wind has really been high, but the sun is out, so we splashed our way around the little islands, and actually got some snorkelling in. Gail was a little panicky the first time, but by the time we went down to Green Island, she wanted to try it again and was much calmer. Dennis, as usual, put bait out in the Pool, and we ended up catching a fish. He told Gail it was all hers to bring in. I wish I had the "Dennis Coon, get your ass up here and help me" on video! It was an edible fish, a yellowfin jack, but we'd all had a little too much to drink to bring it in and filet it, so it gets to swim on!
The Hudson girls snorkel
After breakfast and the local nets on Thursday we headed off to Green Island to visit Katrina, who makes beautiful jewelry out of the tagua nut. The seas were unbeliveably high in the channel, so Gail was quite proud of herself that she was handling 8-10 ft seas -- kind of. We let her take the helm again, which helps, until we got into the lee of the West Coco Banderos, and then the seas settled down.
Watching Dennis clean lobster


Anchored in 'our spot' and went over to see Katrina. They were having lunch when we pulled up to the boat, so we went into Green Island and walked around. Didn't tell Gail about the croc that hangs out there sometimes, but I sure was looking around. Picked up a couple of sea beans and urchins for her to take back home. Back to Katrina and her beautiful jewelry. Gail bought some and so did I! Had lunch, and then sailed down to Nargana for her to catch the plane Friday morning.


Buying molas
 Our only complaint about her visit was that it wasn't long enough. We had a lot of laughs (she really has to stop laughing at Dennis' jokes and stories, because it just encourages him!), and a few tears. I've missed my sister and it was so amazing and wonderful to have her visit us here, see our lifestyle, and get to know Dennis.


Of course, the plane was late, but off she went. See you soon, Gail. We both love you and miss you.


                                                                             ~~~_/)~~~

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Carti Run and Panama City

We've been busy making arrangements for our run into Panama City. Booked into the Holiday Inn because that's where Gail had already booked. Mark and Deb's guests, their friend, Gary, and nephew, Adam, also booked in there as well. They arrive Friday afternoon and Gail arrives late Saturday night.


Had hoped to get a panga ride from the East Lemmons into Carti to get the jeep, but you just can't depend on the Kunas to follow through and be there when they're supposed to. The original plan was for Dennis and Mark to stay in the East Lemmons, but Mark said since his guests were arriving first, he'd pick me up and we'd go over to Nonomulu and have the panga pick us up from there. A 10 minute ride versus 45 minutes.


A fun night aboard Sea Cycle, and Eulogio was only 45 minutes late. Not bad! While we waited to find out which jeep we were taking, I was looking around. One guy underneath the hood, working on something. Of course, that's the one we were in. I said to Deb that I thought this was the guy we had on the way back last time when we had two flat tires. Sure enough, asked him his name (since I took the front seat), and it was Alfonso. Great! Still drives like crazy, busy answering two phones when there was service, and the rest of the time overtaking everyone. Got into the City and we had made pretty good time. Our concern was that Deb had a dental appointment at 2:30, but it was looking like we'd have time for lunch and relaxing. Well, spoke too soon on that one!!! Alfonso had just hung up the phone, got himself comfortable, stepped on the gas ..... and, OMG! There was an accident ahead and he was driving too fast and too close. He slammed on the brakes (I closed my eyes, but Deb watched the whole thing). In order to avoid the car ahead, he tried to fit in between the car and the bus. We bounced off the bus and skidded to the side. I guess that was the good thing, because the dump truck that was right behind us missed us and came in between us and the bus. Two cars behind us also collided. What a mess! I've never seen so many officials out taking photos and statements. Amazingly, no one asked any of us in the jeep what had happened or were we all right. Two young German guys had gone out to Carti with Alfonso the week before, where he rear ended another jeep on the mountain road. He's a cute, personable young man, but when we arranged for the trip back I told Eulogio we would not go back with Alfonso.
Hmmm, second photo of Deb beside a broken
down vehicle on the Carti run
Got the flat tire fixed, dropped the other people off and he took Deb and I to the Holiday Inn. We left the bags in the room and headed off to the dentist, with no lunch and no time to relax. Good news for Deb, the dentist did 2 fillings on the tooth and she can get a crown when she gets back to Canada. Took a taxi to the Rey Supermarket, picked up some goodies for the room, and got back to the Holiday Inn at about the same time that Gary and Adam pulled in with Roger. Everyone headed up to the room to collapse before dinner, and luckily Gary and Adam are just down the hall from us. Deb and I were feeling a little stiff and sore, so some Aleve, a hot shower and red wine were looking good to us.


Went down the hall, picked up Gary and Adam, and headed down to the lounge for our courtesy drink. Sat out by the pool enjoying our drinks until the restaurant opened, where Gary treated us to dinner and drinks on Friday night, and the wine on Saturday night. Thanks Gary:) Unnecessary, but really, really appreciated!
None of us realized that this was Carnival weekend in Panama, so things are pretty crazy. Gary and Adam weren't able to get a jeep ride out Saturday morning, as planned, so they hung around the pool, with Gary giving Adam snorkelling lessons. I can see how Gary must be a fantastic father and grandfather since he was so amazing with Adam. Deb and I decided we'd head to Albrook Mall to check off things on our shopping list and pick up some of the groceries we needed to take back with us. There's a small fridge in our room, so that's going to work out great. Wish I'd had my pedometer on, since we spent almost 5 hours walking around Albrook, and then across the street to Novey. We're tired!! Came back to the room, relaxed, showered and off to dinner. Feeling kind of bad that the guys have to fend for themselves, especially Mark, stuck in Nonomulu.


Staying up late Saturday night -- Roger is picking me up at 9 p.m. to go and get Gail at the airport and Deb is off to play cards with Gary and Adam.


Eleven years of catching up to do !

                                                                                    ~~~_/)~~~

Tuesday, March 06, 2012

High Winds

Some days are just frustrating and I get tired of doing boat chores or baking to keep busy. Although, I do get a lot of reading in and love my Kindle! With high winds also come high seas, so we're not able to snorkel. Great for our friends that kite. But, when that sun comes out, off we go to explore.


Edie and Connie


Met up with Panda, Better Days and Blue Sky just off Waisaladup, and celebrated Deb on Blue Sky's birthday on Panda. Pizza, with carrot cake for dessert:)




Sea Cycle made it to the San Blas (stuck in the marina and Portobelo with high winds), and we finally met up with Mark and Deb in Esnasdup. Spent a happy hour on Nirvana Now with Randy and Dawn from Sault Ste. Marie. They've been back in Canada doing that nasty work thing, so it was good to catch up with them again. Met John and Jen from Elisa, a young Canadian couple, who have the best of both worlds. They used to be Coast Guard, now work on ships with 3 months on, 3 months off.
Crew of Elisa
Dawn and Randy from Nirvana Now










Getting ready to take the boat back to the States, and selling all the extra little goodies that won't make a difference in the sale, but make a difference in our pocketbook! Sold the 5 hp outboard, the sewing machine, spear gun, Hawaiian sling, yogurt maker, blender and all kinds of fishing gear. This boat is getting empty!

My last load of onboard laundry

Great news from home -- my sister, Gail, is coming to visit!! Deb and I will head into Panama City for a girls weekend, since her friend and nephew arrive that weekend as well.

                                                                            ~~~_/)~~~