May 28, 2016
It has been a chaotic process to purchase the lithium batteries from Thunder Sky (Winston). I decided to go with the Winston batteries based on the great success other cruisers have had with their (Winston) batteries and the high charge/discharge cycle life. Until a few years ago this was a simple process of placing an order with Balqon (out of…
May 24, 2016
Another chance to sample many wines from Valle de Guadalupe and to help out a local children’s hospital? Sounds like a smart way to spend a Saturday. Throw in a couple celebrity chefs and it is a slam dunk. Winery Vinicola Bibayoff hosted the event with around 50 wineries and a number of food vendors. Low clouds and light rain…
May 9, 2016
I have been planning for awhile to make some significant upgrades to the power systems onboard. The batteries are original, after 8 years they are tired and past their expiration. Fellow Seawind 1160 owner Dave Straton (SV Nimrod) did an upgrade to Lithium batteries about four years ago and wrote a great write up on the conversion process. After exchanging…
April 28, 2016
With only getting time aboard about once per month, upon arrival there is a routine I have to “exerciser” the systems. The pumps (fresh water and HVAC), the thru-hulls, the engine fluids, and the critical head test and purge. Guess what failed… The starboard head bowl filled nicely with seawater. The evacuation, not so much. Great, one more project to…
April 16, 2016
Ensenada is a working port, and as such it is dusty and dirty. While boat washing is less critical, here it is a requirement. As is cleaning dock lines, sail stack, blocks, anything that moves. When I moved Strikhedonia down to CruisePort in Ensenada July of 2014 I got lined up a guy to wash her every two weeks. His…
April 8, 2016
While Papa’s and Beer is sadly what first pops into many American’s mind when thinking about food and drinks in Ensenada, those people are sadly missing a major shift that is taking place. There is a feeling in town that a critical mass has been reached, which has brought gastronomical and cultural events much like are found in their neighbors…
February 19, 2016
My understanding is that this was the first year of Carnival in Ensenada. The current mayor is making a big push for more civic events. Whether that is because it gives him a chance to party on the community’s dime or an excuse to be with his “alleged” boyfriend, I don’t know but I’m glad to have fun events like…
January 28, 2016
Large swell. Blue sky. Light wind. Warm temperatures. A beautiful day to be on the water. A number of boats had been holed up in Ensenada waiting for a weather window to start the journey to Cabo. My plans weren’t so exciting, but then again I didn’t have all the preparation either, so it should be no surprise that after…
January 14, 2016
With the promise of an evening/night hike in the hills outside of Ensenada I was hooked. Only issues; it was quite a distance from the marina and to get there you had to drive through one of the roughest neighborhoods in Ensenada. Oh yeah, and the other little thing – roads damaged by the recent rains… Google maps claims it…
December 17, 2015
I love visiting Napa but damn the area has gotten so big and commercialized that gone are the days of walking up to a winery without a reservation. Ensenada’s Guadalupe Valley is still a gem and a return to times past. Plus the wine is getting quite good. Couple that with great food and beautiful scenery and I’m sold. Finca…
November 12, 2015
It is was with low expectations that I decided to attend the dia de los muertos festivities in Ensenada. Since celebrations are typically held in southern Mexico I was surprised to see a parade and altars were planned. The parade would head down first street and wind its way to Parque Revolución where the altars, street food, and music could…
September 21, 2015
Strikhedonia needed a little break from marina life so off went the dock lines and south we headed. With hurricane Linda off the coast, the swell was from the Southwest with light winds leaving us motoring the entire way. I had hoped that we would see a bit of on shore breeze once we cleared Cabo Banda. Maybe it was…