trip from Panama, Boca Del Toro to Guatamala, Rio Dulce

[Otisguy]

How do I go about trying to get some crew to help bring Hatteras LRC 48 from Panama to Guatemala? *Approx 5 day trip in the first two weeks of January? *I have seen some professional advertisments for crewing big boats but I need two people capable of being out for 5 days solid.

Otis Guy?

If you can point me in the right direction or have some advice I would be grateful.

 

[Tomas]

May be able to find experienced crew on the Rio Doulce, try posting at http://www.riodulcechisme.com/. Other option, check in Porta Bella, should be able to find backpackers willing to make the trip, may even find some who are experienced.

 

[Larry M]

Calll Red Frog Marina in Boca Del Toro and talk to the manager (he's a gringo).* If he can't help you, ask for the contact info for Dave on Kailani.*

I wouldn't use*backpackers.* A boat has already been lost on a reef this fall using backer packers as crew.* I did a transit in October*on a*52 footer with 2 backpackers.* I asked one*to close the*aft port holes and he*closed the center forward hatch.*** Both were real nice guys but*you get what you pay for.

Since you will probably won't get someone for free,*why not ask on this site.* For the cost of a RT airline ticket (s) you would get*solid, experienced crew for the ticket and food.* Look at*Copa and Spirit Airlines.*

With the right crew it will be a great trip.

 

[Otisguy]

Great advice and I have talked to the manager or a manager at Red Frog he was trying to get me to move my boat over there, but mechanic lives on Boca Marina site and easier for him to do maintence to get boat ready for trip. *

If anyone from this *site is willing to make *trek over there that is a great idea, I would much rather have some experienced crew to stand watch & help out that is for sure. *I would be more than willing to cover air fare and all expenses maybe some cash as well to help move boat to Guatemala. *

Anyone interested please contact me to discuss maybe take it off line? Not sure of protocol but email your info and I can call you or email off line.

 

[Anode]

Otis I sent you a PM with my email address.

 

[Otisguy]

ok I am checking now, thanks

 

[Ocean Breeze NL]

Hey Otis, I just finished reading the saga on you purchasing your Hatteras. You my friend have great determination and you stayed the course despite the suggestion you were throwing good money after bad. I believe you have many years ahead looking back at your decision with contentment and pride.

Congrats on your purchase and great voyages in the future.*

Elwin*

 

[Otisguy]

Thanks Elwin and yes I am excited about her "Island Spirit" and so far everything has worked out great. *The boat was in far better shape than I would of imagined (I had very low expectations before I actually saw her). *I basically bought her sight unseen and after standing on her last June/July and spend 7 days aboard her in the marina in 89-93 degree temps with No Air Conditoning I still bought her. *Both motors are running great and just had new impellars/injectors done/oil & filter changes and a few other things but hopefully after a few shake down cruises before we depart we will be good to go. *I brough 48 racor 1000 filters just in case along with 24 racor 500 filters for genny. *Put on a new armature for little 8kw westerbeke and hell she even has a 3 year old village marine 800 gpd water maker (that is pickeled and may need a new membrane. *I will take her to Guatemala for total rebuilds on motors/gears and paint the engine room up nice & white and touch up the exterior hull (few minor scratches) and I have a few window leaks with wood rot on interior about the size of your hand but that could open a can of worms. *We will rebed some windows and get new carpet/flooring & cosmetic things done over a two year period and she should be good to go. *Electronics are good with newer Raymarine 120 color radar/plotter/bottom along with older autopilot. *Had updated hynotic/controls I believe and good maintence along the way it seems. *Previous owner was an engineer and military background and has many logs & notes on what was done & when. *However, boat sat for 2-3 years when he got sick and eventually passed away and boat sat so basically new fuel & Head/valve job got both the 453's up and running so now I just have to get her to Guatemala for the next phase of my adventure.....

Thanks for everyones help & guidence on this forum.

 

[Ocean Breeze NL]

Cool, pictures are a part of this forum so take lots, have fun and keep us all up-to-date on progress..

Happy Steaming

Elwin*

 

[Anode]

I'm on my way to Boca right after Christmas. Hooodah!!!!!

 

[Ocean Breeze NL]

Lucky you Chip, nice Christmas present..it should be a great trip.. Keep us informed with LOTS of pictures.. and most importanly have fun!!!:clap:

Congrats

Elwin*

 

[Anode]

Here's my SPOT link if anyone is interested.

http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0hKYzmXfTqEl2RWvsQJHSsu5uZJkiJ5qN

Dave and I are headed down on the 28th to catch up with Perry*in Bocas.

I ran a test SPOT today at the house and will begin regular posts on the 29th when we leave Panama City and head to Bocas.

Maybe one of moderators will move this over to the 'On the go' section.

chip

 

[FF]

Folks willing to take pier head jumpers should be aware of maritime law.

Should you pick up a person ( A native of country Z) in country A and take him anywhere , say to country B , you are responsible for returning him to country Z , not just back to where he jumped aboard.

 

[Anode]

Arrived in Panama with the 453 injectors. headed to Bocas!

 

[Anode]

Both engines running sweet. Hoping for sea trial tomorrow. Loving Panama! SPOT link has us pegged at the marina in Bocas!!
Perry is great guy and ready to go!

 

[Ocean Breeze NL]

Sounds like you guys are making a great TEAM.. Have fun!!

Elwin*

 

[FlyWright]

Have a great trip, guys. Post some pics and a play-by-play when you get the chance. Sounds like an adventure of a lifetime!

 

[chc]

What a fantastic way to get 2012 started! Have a safe trip

 

[belizebill]

Chip, looks like Ill be here in the Rio after all, Holidays have slowed down the work on the Irish Miss. And Ive deceided to paint the whole hull now that she is out of the water. Redoing all her rub rails,removing the old transponders. Trying to get a dinghy davit made and buying a new deflatable and outboard. The Admiral is abandoning ship on the 2nd and flying back to Belize, so it will just be me and the dog with the boat yard blues. BB

 

[Anode]

Thanks everyone. We're having a blast....at least I am. Sea trial went well*today and now finishing up with oil and filter changes, boat provisioning etc. Plans are to head out tomorrow if Customs makes their appointment. Hoping to catch up with you BB in Rio Dulce.


-- Edited by Anode on Saturday 31st of December 2011 03:32:20 PM

 

[belizebill]

Chip, how long do you expect the trip up here to take and what speed dose that boat make? How many miles? BB

 

[belizebill]

Oh Yea, RAIN

 

[Anode]

Bill - We're figuring 800 miles. Boat seems to cruise comfortably at 7 knots (1800 rpm). We put on 1100 gallons (+ the fresh fuel Perry already had on board) of fuel yesterday. Should have a range of 1400 miles. We'll run around the clock with no stops. Crew of three (no backpackers). Weather looks decent for the next couple of days with a front moving in from the north later in the north. We'll monitor the weather and the comfort level on board and have some jump off points if necessary. Boat has stabilizers that seem to work well. If we get out tonight (now looks like early morning) we should be there by next weekend. We're hooked up in Livingston to get into Guatemala. The old fuel tanks in rough seas will be an issues. Dual 1000 Racors on each engine that we can switch on the fly. 48 new Racor filters on board and the ability to switch between four fuel tanks and transfer fuel.
Happy New Year.

 

[Steve]

Please keep us informed. we'll be looking for your Spot messages.
Buen Viaje!
Steve W

 

[Otisguy]

Things are finally looking better, we had some delays due to some issues with detroit and the generator and a variety of other things. *Chip and Capt Dave are steadily knocking things out and most systems are working except our Refridgeration. *Today we got oil/filter changes on mains & genny & impellers and everything thing seems a go. *Trying to throw out all the previous owners stuff and rearrange everything and stowing everything has been a huge task but tons of room on this boat that is for sure. *Chip is awesome and we have been having a great time so far. *I have 30 plus years of coastal experience of fishing/diving in Gulf of Mexico on Florida's west coast & keys but this will be my first Blue Water experience or true offshore voyage so I am bit anxious especially since boat has only had one test ride of about 1 hour. *Both Chip & Capt Dave feel she is ready so I am ready to go. *They gave me the easy watch shift of 8-12, I just hope the generator holds out so we have Air Conditioning (I am a bit spoiled

 

[Ocean Breeze NL]

As I sit watching the snow come down and think about heading to the country tomorrow on the UTV, it is stories like yours Perry that makes viewing this forum great reading, not to take anything away from some of the other info shared but yours puts a unique real-life cast on things. Happy New Year and the best to your Team.

Elwin*

 

[HeyJude]

Was a bit worried, spot 6 & 7, 18 hrs apart are in the same location. By zooming in I see they're at rest on Isla de San Andres.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Andrés_(island)

Sorry, can't figure out why*link isn't hot.* Copy & paste necessary unless someone can tell me how to correct.





-- Edited by HeyJude on Wednesday 4th of January 2012 06:07:37 PM


-- Edited by HeyJude on Wednesday 4th of January 2012 06:09:56 PM

 

[rochepoint]

HeyJude wrote:
Was a bit worried, spot 6 & 7, 18 hrs apart are in the same location. By zooming in I see they're at rest on Isla de San Andres.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Andr%C3%A9s_(island)

Sorry, can't figure out why*link isn't hot.* Copy & paste necessary unless someone can tell me how to correct.





-- Edited by HeyJude on Wednesday 4th of January 2012 06:07:37 PM



-- Edited by HeyJude on Wednesday 4th of January 2012 06:09:56 PM

*It's hot now. Good read and fun to follow them.

 

[HeyJude]

It's hot now. Good read and fun to follow them.

Thx Mike, what did you do so I can do it next time?

 

[rochepoint]

Just quoted your post, highlighted the address, clicked on the link (chain) at the top of the advanced editor screen and added the url address in the pop up box.
Your welcome.