Broken stuff. Always the way when we return.

No matter how long we own Pandora, it seems that every time we return from time away, there is a litany of issues that come up and need attention, broken stuff. With Pandora on her own since last August surely provided enough time to have the gremlins at work causing havoc on systems.

When Brenda and I re-installed the jib a few days ago we discovered that the roller furler had reached the end of it’s life and we will have to have another entire unit installed this coming week. And, of course, we discovered that on Wednesday afternoon after everyone was closed for the rest of the week to observe Easter. While the rigger came out yesterday to access the situation, he can’t move forward until Monday when things open up again.

The jib furler has been an issue for a number of years now but we have always been able to work out something to keep things moving. No more… It is a major system and it has to work as the sail it controls is the one that we use most of the time.

Another sail “issue” is that I ordered a new code zero, the larger headsail for use in light air, in the US based on measurements taken for me by the person who was watching the boat. Unfortunately, after waiting for months to get him to take the measurements, it appears that he took the ones off of the shorter jib stay so the new forward code zero is several feet too short. That is supremely annoying as the sail is for very light wind and it needs to be as big as possible. Sadly, there is no way that I can get it fixed without tearing it up completely, which is not worth the effort. In retrospect, I should have hired a rigger to take the measurements. Now that I have the rigger working on the furler, he would have been the perfect guy to take measurements. Lesson learned, as painful as that is.

The new code zero is about 2.5′ short on the luff which means that the sail area isn’t as large as it should be and this will certainly affect our speed in light winds, which, of course, is what the sail is for. I made the decision to have measurements done here and the sail made in the US to save money. That didn’t turn out to be a good decision, it seems. Oh well…

Additionally, the same guy, while he did a nice job of keeping the boat clean, he did not follow up properly on a number of fronts, including sourcing a new high-output alternator and getting the house inverter checked out. By the time I was able to get his attention, it was too late to do anything about any of the local techs who are very busy with other customers. I gave him the failed alternator last summer to use to source the new one and after telling me that he could get one months ago and even gave me a ballpark price, now he is telling me that the specific size isn’t available here. Had I known before I left home, I could have brought one with me. The good news is that I owe him money for the work he did, right or wrong, but I do need the failed alternator back and owing money will at least give me some leverage to get the unit back. “No ticky, no shirty”. Dead or not, having the unit will make it easier to source a new one, wherever that turns out to be.

The good news is that the one in place now is working fine but I really wanted to have a spare to ensure that if something happens. I like to have spares for everything possible aboard.

All and all, I do recommend Marina Almerimar as a great spot to leave a boat for the winter after entering the Med. It’s only 150 miles east of Gibraltar and has a good base of services and reasonable prices. The only downside is that it is about an hour drive from the closest Airport, Almeria about a $100 cab ride or you can rent a car. However, no local drop is possible for cars so, one way or the other, you’re going back to the airport. The bus ride is pleasant but does require two transfers. As confusing as that proved to be, the locals were very helpful as I stumbled around looking for the right bus. And, it’s very inexpensive, I think less than $10.

This brings me to the question of when we will be departing Almerimar. The need to have the new furler installed has complicated things a lot but we hope to be on our way, likely to Cartagena by next weekend. Fortunately, the long term forecast suggests that while it is unlikely that we will be able to sail the entire way, at least there should be a few days without headwinds. This time of year, winds in this area tend to be from the east followed by a day or two of dead calm. Not great for sailing.

The forecast that far out isn’t very trustworthy but the two weather models that I use are in pretty good agreement that conditions will be benign at least some of the time. Let’s hope that everything goes well and we can depart next weekend.

So, with another week to spend here in Almerimar, we are enjoying sampling many of the restaurants as well as the terrific food from the very nice market that is close by.

Unlike many of the cities and towns we have visited, this is not historic but more of a resort with long beaches, loads of condos, hotels and golf courses. It is very well kept, with lots of palms lining all the roads.

The marina is huge, with over 1,000 slips and lots of businesses to support whatever you might need.

Pandora in her slip and right across the street are many places to eat out.

The yard where Pandora was hauled for the winter has room for about 150 boats. I expect that some of them have not moved for many years. for that matter, the same applies to those in the water. Some of the boats in the water are so derelict looking it makes me wonder if they are even paying rent anymore.

The yard two large travel lifts but oddly, they only launch a few boats in the morning and that seems to be it for the day. I expect that it is because they don’t have enough staff and there are mechanical jobs that have to happen too. The equipment is clearly well maintained and when it came time to launch, five guys showed up. When we arrived at our spot to tie up, most of the gang showed up to take our lines.

There are a number of “project boats” that look like they have not been wet for year like this large cruising boat. Notice the entry bulb, something that you see on large motor yachts but not cruising boats. And a foldable bow sprit.

Another unusual feature on this boat are retractable stands, amid ship on port and starboard, to balance the boat when it is in an area with very high tides amnd ends up dried out at low tide. These “feet” retract into the hull when the boat is floating again. Being able to “dry out” would be handy as a way to keep the hull clean. However, that won’t be happening in the Med as the tides are less than a foot. So small that it is barely perceptible.

Along with the boats in storage and more than 1,000 in the marina itself, there are thousands of apartments running all around the marina. It is a hugely popular place for those that are looking for inexpensive summer homes. The first of these were built in the 1960s and building is still going on.

Some of the apartment buildings are in gated communities like this one where we spent a week until Pandora was launched.

The restaurants surrounding every inch of the marina are very nice and inexpensive. In some places, when you order a drink you get a free appetizer. We’ve had a few… And the decor is very Mediterranean with whitewashed walls and flower pots. Beer seems to be a beverage of choice.

There are some characters like this woman with her pet Macaw parrot. It was clear that hers was a happy parrot. And, surprisingly, no poop down the back of her sweater. Note the two packs of cigarettes, three beers and what you can’t see is the three dogs under the table. The cigarettes along suggest that the parrot will likely outlive her.

For the record, we don’t always eat out and the local market has many easy to prepare meals available at very reasonable prices. We’ve had a number…

And speaking of wine, we found this wonderful gourmet shop that sells wine directly from casks. We purchased a liter of rose as well as one of sweet vermouth. Both are wonderful and super cheap, about $7 a liter.

Now and again we see boats with pets and as complicated as it is to bring pets from country to country, our slip mate had a beautiful Bengal cat “teenager” aboard. We were completely smitten. This breed is known as very intelligent and super active. I’d love to have one someday but expect that their “activity” might clash with our “eclectic” and, shall I say “generously” decorated home meaning that there are a LOT of knickknacks that would likely fall prey to a rambunctious kitty. What a cutie as she rode around in her owner’s bike basket. They were inseparable.

When not biking, she lounged on the bowsprit. I understand that these cats love to swim but I doubt that the 5′ drop to the water would have been particularly appealing.

Well, here we sit until Monday before we will know when the work on the furler will be completed as ordering the unit isn’t possible until after the 4 day Easter holiday. Those Spaniards just love their holidays.

Perhaps we will just have to go out for beer and tapas again. Oh well, it’s not a half bad place to be stuck for another week, at least.

Broken stuff aboard Pandora? As they say, “everything aboard your boat is broken, you just don’t know it yet”. No kidding!