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Still floating ...

We are currently under a tornado watch with the warnings creeping closer and closer.  NOAA  The wind has been gusting all day.

Took the rental car back today, more ca-chings. After my experiences with Alamo I can now say I had a positive experience. When I made it from PC to WPB I needed to trade out the Pathfinder for a little grocery getter to lessen the daily cost for the next week. If you need to make that trip it was 100 dollars cheaper for a one day trip than Enterprise! When I went to trade they gave me a free upgrade due to stock available, when I walked outside the Pathfinder was still there they upgraded one more time to a full size sport ute. Sure made fetching that bimini a lot easier.

Installed the monster grill today, a Magma Monterey.  Enough room for a great cook out on Shell Island.  Especially since it has a quick disconnect and legs for the beach. Also started on the new bow roller for the 35 pound Manson Supreme anchor. If you are interested in more specs on the Manson go here.  This is only the first part of the anchoring system.  Also included is a 150 feet of 1/4 HT chain, 190 feet of 1/2 double braid.  I have a fortress with rode back up for Bahamian mooring and lunch and another fortress with rode for the dingy. The dingy is now named "Boo Boo Tin Tin". I didn't have time to pick up the letters before the return from Alamo.
Posted by Albin Vega 1812 at 7:22 PM No comments: 

In the water...

s/v Gemini Dreams went in the water today. All good so far. I need to unload and return the rental car tomorrow. Then it is off to sea the wizard!

This week has been an event. Too much time on the road but I saved some $. You never seem to have the right part and where you go doesn't have it, where they sent you after that doesn't have it and you end up improvising. A good example is that I have 3 stainless steel screw and bolt kits... the first job I needed bolts that were not in the kit, the second job I needed screws that were not in the kit, out of 2000 plus pieces that just sucks!

I also went today to get a remote control throttle for the engine. LOL The first place didn't have it, the second place said $650.00 plus! What I wanted was the little brackets like on a lawn mower. What I ran into is that this over engineered motor with all of its built in tilt etc. doesn't have the bolt holes and other needed items with out changing the carburetter! Damn engineers!

I now have a bimini/solar rack that I saved $300 on. Originally I looked into the solar stik and designed an alternative using the same principles. Due to time and the 130s I purchased I am putting the panels on top of a stainless tubed bimini. I also found a Montague bike for sale at Sailor Man in Ft Lauderdale and saved $300 on that too. If anyone is interested in one they have another one, offer $300. That is 1/2 price! Got to have transportation in ports. Also started changing out some of the running rigging this week. Just remember I'm having margaritas and sunsets and you are at work! Here are the pics from this week and the transfer from dry storage to the water...

Hello Tinman and Boo
Posted by Albin Vega 1812 at 9:46 PM 1 comment: 

Reaching Out to the Cuban People...still farther than you think!

Forty nine years ago the USA placed an embargo on Cuba as you know.  Since then we no longer "duck and cover" to protect us from the missiles.  Mariel sent 100,000 by boat to Miami.  Captain Casey Abbott became the President of The United States of America.  The USSR dissolved 20 years ago.  The machines have taken over the world (internet) and the Terminator has been a Governor for years. The USA is in financial debt to China.  There are no more pigs in the bay!  But the name Castro still reins supreme with the help of our embargo.  Why is it I can openly sail in the land of Chavez and Santos but not such a simple place only 90 miles from home? 
Reaching Out to the Cuban People

Today, President Obama has directed the Secretaries of State, Treasury, and Homeland Security to take a series of steps to continue efforts to reach out to the Cuban people in support of their desire to freely determine their country’s future.
The President has directed that changes be made to regulations and policies governing:  (1) purposeful travel; (2) non-family remittances; and (3) U.S. airports supporting licensed charter flights to and from Cuba.  These measures will increase people-to-people contact; support civil society in Cuba; enhance the free flow of information to, from, and among the Cuban people; and help promote their independence from Cuban authorities.
The President ... (continued here)

Still not enough! Still not soon enough!
Posted by Albin Vega 1812 at 7:43 PM 1 comment: 

More photo's of Emma Gail...here
Posted by Albin Vega 1812 at 11:15 AM No comments: 

más pesca

We went to the Bay County Pier today.  Fishing was a lot better.  Amy wimped out with the 44 degrees and an 10 knot north wind at lunch.  This must be the coldest winter in recent Florida history.  There are way too many days at or below freezing and we just entered January.  Ayrton made it until 5pm since the wind died at 2pm.  He brought home dinner. I made dinner out of the catch for the five of us and had some left over for another time.  Blackened black drum and crab stuffed whiting with black beans and rice. Wonderful day with my wonderful kids!

Posted by Albin Vega 1812 at 11:08 PM 3 comments: 


I have been fishing with the kids.  Great times with them but the wind on the pier was constant 20 knots.  Amy caught a couple of whitings. The bonitos were running the surf but we never hooked up . After fishing for two days in heavy winds the kids deserved some fun time at Pier Park.  Pizza and salad at Red Brick Pizza, hunting for posters like Narnia 3D and Tangled.  The great beach ball drop and of course shark hats made from balloons. Happy new year everyone.  s/v Gemini Dreams
Posted by Albin Vega 1812 at 3:07 PM No comments: