Damage Report from Laurence

Position: 06/27/09 1551Z 21 34.554N 107 48.302W

To say that Zac saved the best for last with his latest stopover would be an understatement. Though I had a busy week planned here in California, all had to be put on hold while I flew out to take care of Zac's latest business. I was concerned that the latest situation would be catastrophic and that the repair would be lengthy. I was also concerned that the problem could have damaged the mast as the the chain plates that support the rigging on the port side of the vessel were attached to the damaged bulkhead.

Personal life was a bit hectic at the time. We had just moved back into the house after spending the past week and a half at a nearby hotel having been displaced by a water leak in the attic. My car had broken down and my dear step mother and niece had just arrived for a visit from the UK. It really made for quite a colorful time. We took the challenges in our stride with much prayer. However, I was not ready for the news of Intrepid's cracked bulkhead, as this also coincided with a rather nasty tropical depression that would later be upgraded to a Catagory One Hurricane. Both of these things had Zac heading for Paradise village for a safe harbor and repairs.

Laura, my step mother, who has always had a passion for boating, joined me as she would be back in the UK by the time Zac returned to the USA. I had tried to envisage how I would go about the repair rather hoping for a simple solution that wouldn't delay Zac any longer than necessary. Any way that I looked at it, I knew it would be complicated and demand a great deal of time and concentration. This was not going to be an easy task. On top of this, ABC news were going to be filming Zac and conducting interviews along with Pete and Al from the LA times, and of course our faithful Jen. If there was a time that I didn't need any media distractions, this would have been it. However, all were respectful of my space and what I needed to focus on and we all worked well together.

Zac arrived on a turbulent ocean with reefed sails. He navigated the small entrance to the harbor with his usual diligence. A wave picked Intrepid up like a toy as she surfed into the safety of Paradise Village with a rather proud father looking on.

Zac was tired and in need of some serious R & R. Our timing was perfect. We had just arrived from the airport, parked the car, walked out to the breakwater and there was Intrepid on the horizon. We spent the rest of that evening securing accommodations, evaluating the damage, figuring out where to get supplies to undertake the task at hand, and meeting the good folks of the Paradise Yacht Club who kindly treated us to a much appreciated meal.

The following day we launched into repairs. It didn't take long to realize that I would need to remove the complete bulkhead. I set about removing the headliner, cabinets, and cutting into interior molded glass. As soon as the marine stores were open, I left to pick up supplies. This is always a more colorful task than it might seem. It involved going to 4 different stores, having some very confusing conversations in my Spanglish and yes, I will confess, I was pulled over by the @#^&*(^%~ PV police department for some of my not so famous driving maneuvers. This all took 4 hours of valuable time.

Back at the marina, there was quite a hive of activity. With Hurricane Andre pending, extra lines were in order and preparations were made in anticipation of the storm's possible arrival that afternoon. I was in the thick of it with the rain above decks; white overalls on to minimize fiber glass exposure and intense heat. I was wet through with sweat the whole time whilst working on Intrepid which combined with fiberglass dust was not a good combination. The discomfort level was off the scale.

I worked through to about 11:00 pm and was back at it the following morning at 7:00 am. Tools I couldn't bring on the plane I borrowed from neighboring yachts. Zac had his list of work that he conducted and also handled his interviews with ABC and the LA Times with great patience and courtesy. Pete and Al, from the LA Times, have followed Zac since his departure last June and are both great folks. We enjoyed their company.

The hurricane was due to hit us around 11:00 pm on Tuesday. I was working late that night and was glad to learn that instead it skirted Carbo Corrientes, 20 miles away. It headed west out to sea then hit cool water and dissipated to a tropical storm. As work continued on Intrepid, I was growing more confident that we could get Zac back out on the ocean soon and minimize his delay. I made a template for the new bulkhead and after cutting and fitting the wood I fiberglassed it in with the help of Rick, who I knew from the US. His help was much appreciated. The repair was strong and I was relieved to have completed one of the more challenging tasks on Intrepid to date.

Mike from PV Sailing helped us with other tasks at hand which included a tear in the Genoa, the track pulling away from the mast, and tuning the rig. Zac undertook the oil change, replacing the water pump, and belts. Once the hurricane had headed west the weather was very nice though still hoooooot and huuuummmiiid. What an added bonus it was that we had been to this beautiful place in 2000 and remembered the dock master and his wife who were so helpful then. Mike from PV Sailing had also repaired our sail back in 2000. It was good to see some old friends.

The repairs were completed and the weather abated. The conditions were right for Zac to head out to sea. As he headed out of the marina, he was followed by us in the panga and the ABC crew in a rather spectacular tender from Gladiator, a 130 ft Bennetti. Sam, the engineer gave a healthy hoot from Gladiator's horn which was very appropriate.

Zac left Pardise Village and headed to La Cruz to pick up the genoa from Mike and have the rig tuned. We said our good byes. Mike gave Zac some of the latest weather info and then he was off. We stayed with Mike and his family a while and shared in some refreshing ales. Then we headed to Punta de Mita , a beautiful spot, where we had spent six weeks in 2000 waiting for a part for our yacht before heading further south. It was interesting to be back here after such a long time. We had a meal at one of the palapas that overlook the ocean. Laura, Jen, Pete, Al and I watched the tiny sail in the distance as Zac made his way out of the huge bay between the the Tres Mariettas and out into the Sea Of Cortez. The sun was setting and all looked well. We toasted to Zac as he continues his journey home
Cheers,
Laurence