Fenix in Panama

[fenixrises]

Hi all,

I am making my last report on this thread. When I get going again next year I will start anew.

Whangarei is a fine small town. Most of the commercial part is within about six blocks of the Town Basin where I am currently tied up. The weather has been very cool, sometimes quite windy, often cloudy but not much rain. The sunshine days seem to be on the increase and hopefully the thermometer will follow. When I first got to New Zealand there were reports of icebergs off the south island!

There are many businesses here that cater to boaters. Everything from designers, builders, haulout facilities, all manner of repair and fabrication specialists and marinas. And many of them are now very busy. The southern summer coincides with the influx of hundreds of incoming cruisers, many needing or wanting the use of avaiable expertise.

I went to a large canvas and cushion shop about a week ago and I was told they might be able to have some look at my stuff before Christmas. And most likely it would be well into January before anything could be made.

I am currently side tied along the dock. It is a great convienence to be able to just step off the boat onto land. Alas this will not last long term because it is too expensive. I am looking for a pole-mooring to move to when my dock time expires.

To the best of my knowledge Fenix is the third smallest boat to make the Pacific crossing this year. I have not seen the other two boats or captains. I have only heard of them second hand.

One sailor is a woman out of eastern europe in folkboat derivative, possibly a Contessa 26. The other is a man from one of the "Stan" countries in central asia. He is sailing a very small boat of something like 16'. He speaks only russian and has had a difficult time finding anyone to talk to. As I said this information is second hand and from memory so I don not know more than what I have written.

I will continue to check out the board on a regular basis and be happy to answer any questions I can.

Hope you all have a good holiday season.

Take care,
Fred

[Didereaux]

As John Vigor mentioned earlier the reaon you do not fry computers or stuff on airplanes is because the plane itself (if all metal) becomes a faraday box. C'mon son catch up you can do it!!!! <grin> just kidding!

[Cathy Monaghan]

Fred,

If you make it to Australia, and if you're lucky, I suppose you could run into Mike Hunter who's sailing his Cape Dory 25D, Breezy, around as well.

Here's the last message posted by Mike on this board:
http://www.capedory.org/board/viewtopic.php?t=19348

Hope you have a great holiday and look forward to reading your next post next year. Happy New Year too!

Cathy
CD32 Realization, #3
Rahway, NJ
Raritan Bay

[Bob L]

As John Vigor mentioned earlier the reaon you do not fry computers or stuff on airplanes is because the plane itself (if all metal) becomes a faraday box. C'mon son catch up you can do it!!!! <grin> just kidding!

I didn't find John's post about airplanes and faraday cages. But I used to fly on a research Lear Jet and once we got struck by lightening while at 45,000'. We lost some amplifiers because of it. When we landed we saw the evidence of the strike on the wing, near the fuselage (bare aluminum, no paint).

[barfwinkle]

FYI

I emailed Mike H this fall (September I think) and asked for an update on his progress/plan.

He was heading for Australia soon and then departing to continue his trip. I have not heard from him since.

Happy Holidays.

[Tony Batchelor]

As a fellow CD owner I should be happy to provide accommodation if you are visiting Wellington during your stay in NZ.
I have left my contact numbers at the marina office.
yours truly,
Tony Batchelor.

[Bob L]

Tony,

Was Wisp formerly owned by Murray Glue (name was Dayspring) there in Wellington? I've been aboard his boat in 2002 when I had sails made for my CD by Bud Nalder there in Wellington.

Bob