More of the glamour side of sailing

Maintenance day at Dewey, Culebra

Our shakedown trip to Culebra revealed a few more tasks that needed doing, so once again we put on our worst clothes and got stuck in.

I went up the mast to retrieve the genoa halyard which had released itself up there, sending the sail back to the deck. (not my favourite activity but the view was great).

All well despite mozzie torment (Sarah) jellyfish stings (Kristin) and a few scrapes and bruises.

Back in Fajardo for final shopping of all the things we forgot before, then off to Cuba on Tuesday or Wednesday!

Sarah and Ryan - engine oil change

Rupe fixing the toilet in the forward head. 

Shakedown trip to Culebra

The last day at Puerto del Rey saw new anchor chain, Jorge up the mast fixing the main halyard, and we eventually put to sea to give the engine a 4-hour run to Culebra. Once in Dewey, Culebra, Ryan and Rupe got busy attaching a new main headboard (top) car and then we got the main on. Rumpus has all her flags up, dinghy inflated and we are set to explore.

Ensenada Honda, Dewey, Culebra

77 metres of chain ready for marking in 10 m lengths and stowing  in the forepeak

Jorge end-for-ending the main halyard and attaching the lazy jacks

Ryan and Sarah

The Dinghy dock bar

Omg provisioning

Today was MAD SHOPPING day. We hit the wholesale supermarket "sam's club" for bulk quantities of food food food and drink. Then 'Ralph's' for everything else. Huge effort from Sarah. We also managed to get kumara, honey, coconut sugar and green peppers from the lovely guy by the side of the road. We would like to note that this all occurred during a major tropical downpour that meant that everything packed in cardboard turned to mush. The boys got the hardware from west marine so we are all set for our Good Friday excursión to nearby Culebra. 

She floats!!!!

Today Rumpus ended her 21 month hibernation and we are in the water!

We scrubbed, we sanded, we polished, we painted, we shopped, we sweated.

The super crew at Puerto del Rey  took great care with our baby.

A few glitches: no instruments, no chart plotter and at first no engine.

However....once we had ignition, we were on the move and we are snug in our marina berth. Our Easter plan? a shakedown cruise to the Spanish virgin Islands (Culebra and Vieques)

Stay safe in Aotearoa with Cyclone Cook ! we are thinking of you!

The guy on the left is driving the hoist with his little remote control

Sarah and Ryan watching Rumpus on the move

Last minute antifouling on the keel

And finally in the water!!!! 

Crew on their way!

 

Starting with a clean bottom

Puerto del Rey, Puerto Rico.

The plan: rent a car in San Juan, drive to Fajardo, find the air bnb, start setting up the boat.

The reality: rental car #1 had a bulge in the tyre; back to base. Rental car # 2's front bumper fell off on the motorway. So we are on rental car #3: satisfactory so far.

Driving on the right side of the road!!! eeeeeep some exciting moments!

Rumpus is sitting on props in a field at the marina. She's been beautifully looked after by Sam & Leah Moorefield of SC Boat tending. We took them out to dinner to thank them. We now know a lot more about the Jehovah's Witness faith and the best burritos in Fajardo at Lolita's.

Two days of antifouling with occasional visits from the local horses, cows, dogs and birds. In the water on Wednesday insha'Allah.

Sarah and Ryan arrive tomorrow from New York and the crew will be assembled.

the interior of Rumpus living up to her name

Stirring the antifouling

Kombi-patterned curtains in this wee classic

After two days' painting with a little bit still to go

OUR TRACKER!!!! and email address

Once we are out there and sailing, you can track us!
We leave NZ today....next stop Houston, then San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Here is the link to the tracker:

http://forecast.predictwind.com/tracking/display/Rumpus

And to contact us, it's best to use email: rumpus@myiridium.net
Please send simple emails, no photos as we are relying on a satellite phone. Also please send a fresh email rather than replying (which re-sends the text of the previous email)