Rain Forests

Lines & Fenders Deployed

There is something about the emotional relief a captain gets when their vessel is secured in a marina slip.  I had been on anchor for the last 25 days.  It's nice to not worry about your anchor dragging  We got into Palmas Del Mar Marina at 9 AM before the trade winds started to pick up.  The investment in this marina is substantial, but the docks were only 25% full.

Jim in the Engine Room

Folks who have cruised with me have accused me of using too many lines to secure Top Shelf in her berth and they are probably right.  I prefer to use 4 stern lines, two spring lines and 2 bow lines.  This particular marina had about a 6 inch surge that caused the vessel to move in the slip.  This movement gives the lines a good workout.  I carry four 5 foot lengths of chain for this situation when the lines would be stretched over a concrete corner on the dock.  I used 3 of them for this particular slip.

Auto Road to El Yunque Rain Forest

Julianne went and explored Palmas Del Mar as I washed the boat that had not seen a scrub brush since Samana 5 weeks earlier.  Needless to say, this was a long and tedious job cleaning both dirt and salt from the entire boat.  Julianne found some good restaurants and some shopping that we would take advantage of over the next few days. 

El Yunque Rain Forest

The engines needed some TLC.  The main engines had run 317 hours since her last oil change in the US.  The generator had racked up 623 hours.  I asked around at the marina and found competent diesel mechanic.  Three things I worry about with marine diesel engines.  The first is the raw water systems, specifically the pump impellers that are used to cool the engines, the second is the cleanliness of the fuel which can result in clogging of fuel filters, and the last is engine oil.   Juan changed all fuel, coolant and oil filters as well as 3 raw water pump impellers.  The total job took 11 hours with me holding the flashlight for most of this.  Top Shelf is now ready for the return trip to the states.

Climb to Summit

With the engine work done, we had 3 days until the Fords arrived.  We had time to rent a car and explore the interior of Puerto Rico.  Our first mission was to re-supply the boat with food and some mechanical items, then is was off to the El Yunque Rain forest.

Cloudy at the Summit

We did most of the mountain climbing to the rain forest in the rented car, but the last 600 feet we had to do by foot.  Surprisingly we didn't get rained on, but we climbed right into the clouds just before the summit, so there was no view from the top.

Hiding in the Rain Forest

We had wanted to see the 1,000 foot radio-telescope at Aricebo, but the visitor's center closed at 3 pm and we wouldn't make it across the island in time.  However, we did make it back in time for a nice Italian dinner in Palmas del Mar.

Next:  65 West Longitude