S/V Mandolin: Boat Yard: La Paz, Mexico

Boat Yard: La Paz, Mexico

Day 10:

Todd: Tried to obtain new thruhull fittings this morning and was able to
find one of the three that we would like to replace. We have decided that
the existing ones we have are better than any we can get in La Paz, so we
are going to keep two of the originals and put in the new one. Ellen did
the huge job of laundry this afternoon while I cleaned the boat some more.
We can now see the whole table, which hasn't happened since we returned to
the boat. Lalo finished grinding out the blisters and now is working on
removing some of the gel coat above the waterline that they didn't get to
while we were gone during the summer.

We are still struggling with the decision to take off some of the mat that
isn't completely saturated with resin. Interlux says we are OK to just
coat it with 1000 epoxy.

Day 11:

Todd: This morning we are still struggling over the correct decision
about how much of the mat, if any, should be removed off the outside of
the hull. Interlux says we don't need to remove anything, but others who
we talk to say to remove all the white strands. Ellen and I sanded the
inside of our bilge, where Ellen epoxied some 2 oz. cloth over the roving
to keep water from entering the encapsulated keel area. This will be a
great help in keeping our hull dry in the future. I accidentally dropped
some epoxy in Ellen's hair when she had her head down in the bilge
pressing the fiberglass into the hull.

Ellen: As I finished glassing the bilge, I kept reminding myself that it
was the slow hardener in my hair and I might have a chance to get it out.
I was also wondering if I would soon have a new, short haircut.

Todd: She still likes me, mostly because she was able to wash it out with
vinegar before it set. I ground out the holes for our larger thruhull
fittings, now we just need to get some sealant and install them.

Lalo spent most of the day grinding on the gel coat near the waterline.
At the end of the day we had him grind a little bit on the white part of
the mat below the waterline. He didn't have to grind far to get to fully
saturated mat. This was good news since we were thinking that the whole
first layer of mat might have to come off. So, now we have decided to
have this white layer ground off just to be safe even though it will be
more work.

Day 12:

Ellen: Well, it has started. The white fibers have begun to be ground
off today. And it looks good. Hurray, and a big sigh of relief.

The boat yard we are hauled out at is a 40-minute walk from town and there
is no bus service. Luckily, the adjoining marina has a shuttle service
into town every two hours in the morning and once in the evening. I took
the 8a.m. shuttle in to buy more grinders for the yard workers, more
fiberglass for us and some groceries.

I had two hours before the return shuttle, and wouldn't you know, I just
happened to find a nice latte shop where I could enjoy a book that somehow
got into my pack. Go figure.

Todd, meanwhile, was cleaning out the holes in our hull for the thruhulls.
Ha, say that three times fast. When I returned, Todd was busy supervising
grinding of fiberglass. Don't want any workers grinding too deep. It's
kinda scary grinding into the hull, but the white mat needs to go away.
Lalo finished grinding the gel coat up to the waterline today.

I got into Suzy Homemaker mode in the afternoon and cooked up a pretty
decent spaghetti sauce and did another organization job. We can now sit
anywhere we want in the dinette! Quite an improvement from two tiny
places with stuff threatening to fall on us at any moment.

Day 13:

Ellen: Organization and work day. We had Adventures Making Tea (don't
put the milk in the cup before you steep the tea...) and then it was Time
To Work. Todd went to supervise the workers while I holed up "down
below", which is really "up top" when you're in the boat yard, to try to
ignore the grinders. I had to do something to earn my keep. So, time to
organize some more. In putting away the towels, I realized we have more
than we need and so designated some to donate. Hmm, what else can I go
through and find stuff to give away? Aha! The utensil drawer. Over the
years we've collected a several nifty utensils we couldn't live without.
By emptying the drawer, we found several treasures someone else will
really appreciate and more than just a bit of dust/dirt. Yech. Then we
organized another cabinet and I finally, finally allowed my clothes iron
to be deemed A Silly Item For a Cruising Boat.

The workers work a half day on Saturday; so when they were done, we got to
work on our rudder. Todd sanded and pulled the rudder out of Mandolin a
week ago. It needs a little filling, fairing and a coat of fiberglass.
The afternoon was spent coating one side with a few coats of epoxy. When
they were almost hard, Todd wore himself out hand sanding that side of the
rudder. Oof. While showering, Todd found some epoxy in his hair. He
wondered if perhaps I had "gotten him back" for accidentally putting epoxy
in my hair the other day. Jeez, wish I had thought of it... :) Then he
remembered he had put his face mask on while wearing gloves with epoxy on
them.

A shower, a short nap, and then dinner put us in a social mood. All those
treasures we found earlier were the perfect ticket to share an evening
with our new friends on Nimbus, Mike and Kim. They are involved with a
men's, women's and children's shelter here in La Paz, which is always
happy to take donations. A few extra towels, flatware, and utensils are
much appreciated. We are very happy to give items we no longer need to a
place that will use and appreciate them. And we've made some new friends
we enjoy sharing an evening with.

Todd and Ellen Mandeville
S/V Mandolin - Cal 34
www.aljian.com/mandolin

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