Jul
7
2010
I found a great site for reviews on Vampire romance Novels.. El Vagabunda got me reading them and now I cant out them down! Good reading for cross atlantic crossing, local cruising and those days when you are just waiting for wind! CHECK THEM OUT VAMPIRE ROMANCE NOVELS Werewolf vs Vampire
Jun
29
2010
I was looking for a Popeye T-Shirt for a small theme party we are having on Daku Island and couldnt find anything I liked but sure enough I went to Popeye T shirt and they had a really nice retro shirt! Cant say Ill be wearing it again anytime soon but it was a fun night!
Jun
6
2010
Elvagabundo is still in the yard but we flew to the Philippines and have been sailing local boats here, El V wont go a lot of places here but its still good sailing. I stopped at an OFF GRID RESORT named Cocobumbo on Daku Island near Siargao. Really nice place.. Kool staff and great food!
The place is totally run on Solar and wind generators but really comfortable, They offer local made Nipa Huts with a decent bed and fan. If you want to watch TV or grab a beer you can go to the common area, they have fast internet there as well.
Plenty of books for reading and the beach is just steps away.
A must do when traveling in the Philippines
EL V
Oct
23
2009
Oct
23
2009
I got the boat out of the water today! …and took a look at the hull! The boat was nasty to say the least, but the hull looked fantastic.
I don’t know what all the hype is about when talking about a “properly” built ferrocement boat, but so far (knock on wood), I have no complaints. While cleaning the hull we found 2 clams and a small crab and some other thing that looked like a sea cucumber. No rust or exposed wire frame or any other horror stories associated with ferrocement sailboats.
I did, however, find that the shaft is moving a bit and the rudder needs to be removed and repaired a bit. Apparently, it’s fiberglass and needs to be fixed. All the anodes looked good and I was surprised that there were any left at all given the last owner’s non-boating skills. There was a place where there were supposed to be some anodes and someone took the cheap route and didn’t put anything! I’ll be putting those in, as well as a couple extra big ones.
There are also a couple of places that looked as if someone ran aground, which actually made me smile. Knowing that the boat didn’t crumble at the point of contact with something other than water made me feel comfortable in knowing that some of the BAD PRESS that ferrocement has gotten is just that…BAD PRESS.
It’s really comforting to see everyone that I have told this boat is cement have not turned their noses up or even flinched, for that matter. All I get is “Wow, that’s a strong boat” or “It will take care of you”. There was a Scottish couple on the yard today actually admiring the boat and even asked to go aboard and take a look. They were amazed at how big it was and loved the roomy interior.
I saw the speed paddle and depth sounder transducers and hope to replace both this coming week. I have also asked them to give me a quote for repairing some of the paint work above the water line.
As far as I can tell, this boat has all the same problems that fiberglass, wood or steel boats would have and nothing more! Sure, we have a lot of work to do, but so does everyone else with a sailboat!
EL V
Oct
10
2009
I replaced the manual pump on the toilet and also added a new filter in line with the new bilge pump, so the head is looking and SMELLING better. But then… We took showers and the tank didn’t fully drain. I tested the pump in another bilge and it works fine but I’m thinking the tank is so full of crap and hair that the pump just isn’t strong enough to pull the water out.
I’m going to install a pump closer to the tank and see if that works. If not… It’s time to get dirty and remove the old tank!!!
HUGE JOB!
El Vagabundo
Oct
8
2009
I wanted my first job on El Vagabundo to be an easy one. The shower would not drain and there was water in the engine room and the forward bilge area. I checked the bilge pump and it just wasn’t doing a good enough job in the engine room and no water at all was draining from the shower.
So I set out to get the job done. I was hoping to have the help of a local mechanic, but he was busy, so I had to man up and do it myself. Mind you, I am not a mechanic and, although I know my way around a tool box, I’m far from a DIY Guru dude. The idea was to install a new pump and run new hoses. Well, it’s a bigger job now. Four pumps and a new system is in order! So far, I have replaced the main pump and the water is out of both bilge areas and the shower is draining.
Now that a new hose has been run, all I have to do is install the new pumps!
Oct
2
2009
Oct
2
2009
I started my sailing lessons yesterday! The first day sucked though, because there was no wind to speak of, which is weird here in Barcelona. The guy has a 21-foot racing-type sailboat that doesn’t tip over when I move around, so I was happy about that.
We took off at 4 p.m. and he showed me a few “dinghy maneuvers”. We also tacked a few times and tried sailing to windward, but there just wasn’t enough breeze. I’m heading back out today and hopefully I will have more to report.
I want to talk about El Vagabundo for a minute. Man, there is so much work to do, I don’t know where to start! One thing is for sure, I’m starting with that damn head! There is stagnant water in the shower because the pump needs to be replaced, so I am setting out to replace the hoses and pumps this weekend after “La Vagabunda” gets settled in.
Sep
28
2009
It’s been a while since we last posted because…WE GOT HIM! El Vagabundo is official and already registered!
Over the past few days I have moved my things off Pussy Galore and said my goodbyes to her. I really am going to miss her. It seems as if I was just getting to know the boat and now I’m moving on…… It was a sad day when I finally moved all my things.
I have been sleeping on board for the last week and getting to know El V. The first couple of nights were rough as I didn’t have my own bedding. Sleeping is a chore for me as it is and not having proper sheets and blankets just wasn’t going to cut it! My back was hurting on the second day so I went over to Pussy Galore and grabbed the extra padding we bought and my bedding and have been getting better sleep. I am slowly warming up to the boat, and sleep has been patchy at best, but it’s getting better.
I have had a couple of visitors since I’ve been aboard and haven’t had much time to do anything. I have cleaned, but I’m sure when “La Vagabunda” gets here in a few days, she will do a full “spring” cleaning and hopefully she and I can knock out a few projects during her 10-day visit.
When I first came aboard the motor wouldn’t start, so Carlos (our new best friend and local mechanic) and I stayed up one night til 2 am rebuilding and reinstalling the starter. Once installed, it only took one crank and El V started right up! I was very impressed with the motor. It’s a Perkins 4.236 85 HP. I’m going to replace all the hoses and belts and throw on a new alternator and it should be fine.
I have since worked on the water pressure pump and I’m now getting ready to tackle the bilge and shower pump. My plan is to install a foot pump in the galley and head and bring in sea water to wash dishes while underway. I plan to to clean the bottom and do antifouling in the next 2 weeks.