Category Archives: Locations

Places around the world

Boat Projects

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There is a never ending list of boat projects that need to get done.  And just as you finish one project, two more will appear.  Just like owning a house.  Matt tackled several projects while we hung out and waited in Majuro.

Anchor Shank

Our stainless steel anchor shank decided to wrap itself around some coral.  This could have happened a number of ways including strong winds, dragging, or raising the anchor.  Most likely the anchor was stuck and the swivel twisted causing too much pressure on the shank.  As you can see….it is really thick 316 Stainless Steel.  But the shank is hallow.

We have 4 shanks onboard for 2 anchors.  This shank is beyond repair and will be donated or trashed.  Comparison of good shaft to bent shaft.

We ordered an X140 from Sea Tech & Fun based out of Tunisia!  The shank comes with one hole drilled for the connecting point to the swivel as that is a universal size.  However, we had to drill the hole for the connecting point to the blade.  The shank itself is hallow. Matt drills through the top 1/4″ and then down to the bottom 1/4″ and hopes it lines up!  This requires a new, large drill bit!

Security Camera

We have had a security camera on the boat for a few years.  It’s been great and has captured some intruders who boarded our boat while we were on shore once.  But the paint on the outside has flaked off and it looks horrible.  It still works perfectly, but we need to give it some love at some point.

In the mean time, Matt purchased a higher end security camera.  This new camera illuminates the entire cockpit when it senses movement and then starts recording.  This camera captures intruders coming onboard from both port and starboard.  It also captures the entire cockpit.  The only thing missing is an audio portion with a barking dog or a menacing voice saying “intruder alert.”

Security Bars – escape Hatch

The boat has the best escape hatches!  They let in a tremendous amount of air that circulates throughout the cabin.  They are always open when we are on the boat.  Our concern was that these can pose a security risk.  It would be very easy for an adult to climb through the window.  So, Matt devised this super strong security bar made of carbon fiber.  It took some ingenuity to install it while still giving us access to open and close the hatch.  I would prefer to put a secondary bar perpendicular to the ocean but that would really obscure our view.

Bilge Pump – Float Switch

We have bilges which collect water to protect the boat.  The bilge will fill up first before it becomes a problem.  Inside each bilge is a bilge pump that is has a float switch.  When the bilge fills with water the switch activates the alarm and the pump to pump out the water.  Matt noticed that one of our float switches was broken.  He lifted it and it no longer activated the alarm or the pump.  That is not good!  Especially considering we are leaving the boat unattended for 2 weeks.  Luckily, Matt was able to repair it.  But we will get 4 new float switches back in the states as these are original to the boat (24 years young!)

Bow Speakers

Our amazing WetSounds Rev9 bow speakers take a beating while we are under passage.  They often get soaked with salt water.  Yet, they continue to produce great sounds.  Lately however we noticed the starboard bow speaker was not producing good sounds.  Matt took it apart and found them corroded and covered in salt (me being sheepish now).  So, we replaced some of the innards and now they sound just like new! Here are the old and new side by side.

VHF Replacement

Our B&G V90 (handset H50) had been giving us problems and was not transmitting properly.  In addition, the handset cable starting falling part (see arrows).  We finally replaced it with an ICOM 510BB (handset HM195 GB).  It took Matt several hours to pull out the old gear and install the new gear.  Now we seem to be transmitting well (both near and far).

Cover Photo:  Not really related to boat projects, but a great image of two locals using a canoe to transport (2) 50-gallong drums!

Our blog posts run 4-6 weeks behind actual live events.  Matt worked on these boat projects during the months of February and March while we were in Majuro.

In our last blog post we spend a day at the Alele Museum – check it out!

Delusions of Fresh Produce

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Fresh produce has always been a bit elusive in the remote islands of the Pacific.  Most islands are hundreds if not thousands of miles away from the “main town.”   And even the main towns have to have the produce either flown in or shipped in.  Both modes of transportation are long, hard journeys often leaving the produce bruised, damaged, and spoiled.

We were very excited to arrive in Majuro because we heard you could get American products which we craved.  The Marshall Islands often get their food supplies from the U.S. and Hawaii in particular.  So, we had hoped we would have access to some tasty fresh vegetables and fruit.  Delusions of grandeur.

There are several stores that sell produce, but only 2 have a “decent” selection.  The best day to shop for produce is the day after the plane arrives which are Tuesdays and Saturdays.  This photo was taken at one of the better stores.  The worker was literally just stocking the shelves.  Most of this will be gone in 1-2 days.

 

What Did we Find?

We mostly found staples like potatoes, cabbage, onions, small eggplant (aubergine).  On a good day, we could find monster carrots, apples, bananas, celery, grapes.  It is a treasure hunt to find unblemished produce.

If there was produce on the shelves it typically was in some form of decay or spoiled.  Yet, it was still exceedingly expensive.  We find it really hard to believe anyone would buy the produce in the ruined state at such high costs.  So you would assume there is a lot of waste.

Just a little rough….and yet so very expensive!

The pre-packaged fruit is bug free but as you can tell they are poor condition (these were just put on the shelves)

In addition, there often are lots of bugs and critters on or around the produce. 

Exorbitant Prices

Prices for the fresh produce tend to be extremely high.  Understandable considering they are coming from another country by plane or ship.  But, they tend to be a lot higher than expected.  For example

  • Grapes $11.85/lb (so one bag will be over $23)
  • Carrots $3.45/lb
  • Apples $3.39/lb
  • Eggplant  $6.49/lb
  • Avocados $8/99/lb
  • Broccoli $6.45/lb

Not sure how the locals can afford these prohibitive prices considering the average Marshallese only makes $4.00 per hour. 

These were discounted because on Tuesdays they give “elderly” a discount.  Yep, I am elderly after 55!

Some more crazy prices.

Growing Produce in the Islands

Many locals in French Polynesia, Fiji, and Vanuatu had thriving gardens.  Almost every island had banana, mango, breadfruit, and pandanus trees.  However, we have not been so lucky in the RMI.

Most, if not all, of islands in RMI are rock and coral.  Making the “soil” unfavorable for gardening. 

Effects of No Produce

It is so very sad to report, but 75% of Marshallese over 50 have Type II diabetes.  Maybe because they don’t have access to good produce. Maybe because there is too much of an American influence. Or maybe they were never taught healthy habits and there simply aren’t many options.

Our blog posts run 4-6 weeks behind live events.  This blog took place in early March. Check out how we amused ourselves while at the remote island of Enemonit.

Enemonit Amusement

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We had a month to amuse ourselves before heading back to the States for a visit.  We would have preferred to be in the outer atolls during this time.  However, the weather dictated a hasty retreat to the main atoll.  We spent most of our “waiting time” at Enemonit Island which is far prettier than the Majuro anchorage.

In between boat projects we find different ways to amuse ourselves.  Matt practices his “winging.”  It is an ordeal for him.  It takes about 45 minutes to get all of the gear out and set up.  He has to have 12-15kts of wind with no swell and little boat traffic.  He is just figuring it all out and adverse conditions make it difficult.

I keep an eye on him as he needs a ride once he gets too far downwind.  He has not mastered winging upwind yet.  So, Matt preps the dinghy for me to be able to jump in, start our 25hp outboard, and zoom to him.

He does better than he did before, which is always good.  He is goofy footed so it is easier to go one direction than the other.  Right now he is just trying to balance on the board while using the wing for forward motion.  However, the wind kicks up and occasionally forces him up on the foil.

Snorkeling and Free Diving

We do lots of snorkeling on the multiple wrecks (DC3, 2-Huey Helicopters, and a double decker ferry).  Matt sits in the DC3 pilot seat which was ejected before the boat was scuttled.

Matt free dives, I snorkel, the many bommies and coral patches around Enemonit and Eneko.

Dinner with Sweet Ruca

Matt and I caught (2) Yellow Fin tuna while we were sailing in the outer atolls.  We invited Curtis and Kate from sv Sweet Ruca to come over for some tasty tuna sliders!

We had some stellar sunsets, sunrises and rainbows.  Enemonit is truly a beautiful spot in a not so beautiful atoll.

Our blog posts run 5-6 weeks behind actual live events.  Activities at Enemonit took place in late February.  Did you explore the Alele Museum with us in our last blog post?