The dolphins were at it again in the bay this morning. The moon was full over La Paz this evening. In between, I 303’d the dinghy, cleaned some of Sampaguita’s bottom, had pork chops for lunch, grocery shopping at Chedraui’s, met Paola and talked bottom cleaning cost, had a beer with 81 year-old Richard from S/V Firewater on the Club Cruceros patio, congratulated Zach for his incredible dinghy score, hamberguesas for dinner, and hot lime water for dessert.

Richard, I’ve seen around but had never chatted with him. In actuality, he did most of the talking, but he is good at it, with lots of sailing stories. He apparently built his boat, Firewater, forty years ago. It’s an old salty looking ketch. I first saw it in Los Frailes, and it did catch my eye and stick in my memory so it must be cool. In contrast, I never remember a Beneteau, Jeanneau, Hunter, or a Bayliner. A petite man, with a lot of spring in his step and beer in his belly, with a propensity for reminiscing, but I think he’s the real deal. Good anecdotal information.

Zach, I just met today, but apparently, he’s been around a lot. I avoid the crowds so there’s no surprise I’m slow on the take. Kind of a young guy living in Mexico for seven years. I’m not sure if he’s a citizen or what. Not a native Mexican. He was given a Cal 27 recently but had been borrowing a 14-foot aluminum skiff for a dinghy and using a kayak paddle to propel it, which is super un-ideal. This is how I met him:

I was working on the computer on Los Cruceros patio after grocery shopping, not paying much attention to anyone. Then this young guy starts asking everyone on the patio if they knew the boat, Wanderer. He explains he just found this packet on the bulletin board that says Free Dinghy from Wanderer. In the packet is a picture, a key, a receipt for the motor and its manual, and a note saying it is on the 24-hour dock. This guy really needs a dinghy, but it all seems too good to be true. He sincerely doesn’t want to steal it and is looking for confirmation that he can really have it. After quite a bit of due diligence and agreement from various others than it sure seems real, he goes and claims it. A great score for him. The dinghy is aged, but it seems to be holding air. The motor is an 8-horse 2-cycle Mercury, bought new on 12/29/2023 for 31,000 pesos, a little over $1800US! I saw the receipt. Starts up fine. Fuel in the tank and everything. We are all in disbelief, really. Every morning on the Net there are people trying to sell and buy dinghies. Heck, I paid $600 for a motorless dinghy. In actuality, I don’t need to be envious, it is a hard bottom dinghy and the motor is more than Sampaguita can accommodate. My dinghy is right-sized for Sampaguita which is rare, but absolutely necessary. But I had to think that through. I was sitting right there. If I had looked at the bulletin board before I got on the computer, I would have seen it first. But no worries. He needed it and obviously could never buy it. I would have only been able to sell it. A 2-cycle is a good motor to have as an outboard outside the US, but it’s not a long shaft, so no good for Sampaguita anyway. That’s a once in a lifetime score. Never mind that this kid can’t put it on the deck of a Cal 27, or inside either. He isn’t going cruising anyway.

Now, Paola. Paola is this young woman you see about the anchorage and Marina De La Paz. Apparently, she lives on a boat in the anchorage. You will often see her going back and forth in her dinghy, which is actually a sailing dinghy with no mast, fitted with an outboard. It’s big enough to haul her dive gear and dog. She seems very industrious. Her gig is cleaning boat bottoms and everyone seems to have her doing it. I once saw her taking the dinghy across the channel, reach over, wet her hand and stroke her hair through. Then repeat. Salty by definition.

As I prep for leaving, Sampaguita needs a good bottom cleaning. Growth has really begun over the last two months. It’s important to me to understand all things Sampaguita, so I have done the lion’s share of it, but there are some challenges to getting the light barnacle growth that has begun. I would have to rig a line around the boat and free dive with a scraper. I’ve imagined how I would do this, but also recognize the challenges. It’s tough to do in La Paz because of the current and wind. And as far as swimming, the bay wouldn’t be your first choice. I don’t have shower access, and while I could do this, I know it would be difficult. (I think I will have to haul the boat in French Polynesia and put some fresh bottom paint on.) So, I asked Paola what she would charge. She has a formula based on waterline, so, (small boat bonus) she quoted me 650 pesos. About $40 US. Scheduling is current and wind dependent, but that’s for her to decide. She’s got the gear and can do a good, practiced job of it, so I’ve decided to let her finish the job. I’m particular about who I have work on Sampaguita and I think an industrious young woman making a good go of it in a tough Mexican economy, with a resourceful approach to a dinghy, fits the bill.

Now, I have set a departure date for March 9^th, weather and formalities willing. I have scheduled Paola already and have the 650 pesos budgeted out. This is happening regardless. I have made a new page on the blog called Sampaguita’s Donor Page. Here I have listed the initials (for privacy) of the donors and what their funds have been attributed to. If someone wants to participate in Sampaguita’s voyage and also to a young Mexican woman’s entrepreneurial endeavors, the next $40 donation will be credited to this. How’s that sound?

PayPal or Zelle: wheelersf@hotmail.com