Boipeba
Beach Day and Rally
28/09/08 23:10
Looks like my house batteries are fading after less than one year. The green charge indicator is not showing even after two hours of charge.
A routine check revealed that the bilge was unusually full with the stern gland being the culprit. An occasional drip had become a stream of drips. All was well after tightening.
Yesterday a Brazilian yacht "Tao" from Salvador came in across the bar. We had a drink with the crew before they sailed at high water. It was interesting chatting about how they dealt with the security problems of living in Salvador.
After another afternoon on the beach boats began to arrive for another political rally. We went into town. This was a big rally and the town centre was packed. Supporters are shipped in by boat and overland for some political speeches lasting less than an hour after which there is general merriment until everybody goes home. Tonight departures were delayed due to a very low spring tide.
A routine check revealed that the bilge was unusually full with the stern gland being the culprit. An occasional drip had become a stream of drips. All was well after tightening.
Yesterday a Brazilian yacht "Tao" from Salvador came in across the bar. We had a drink with the crew before they sailed at high water. It was interesting chatting about how they dealt with the security problems of living in Salvador.
After another afternoon on the beach boats began to arrive for another political rally. We went into town. This was a big rally and the town centre was packed. Supporters are shipped in by boat and overland for some political speeches lasting less than an hour after which there is general merriment until everybody goes home. Tonight departures were delayed due to a very low spring tide.
|
Rio do Inferno - Survey
27/09/08 21:24
Ron wanted to survey a shortcut for the return trip to Galeão. We set off in my dinghy. About halfway along the Rio there is a large island and the shortcut lies to the south of it.
View astern in Boipeba pool looking west towards a large drying sandbank.
The theory is that if there is water at low tide then both boats will be able to get through on a 2m tide. However this presumes that the survey is actually at low water and that the tide is actually 2m. By going through on a rising tide, Ron with a 1.0m draught and me with around 1.4m, should not have any problems, however I am minded to favour the slightly deeper regular route.
Mangroves in the Rio Do Inferno at at low water on a spring tide.
A sandbank in the Rio do Inferno which must be crossed at high water.
For some reason my little Suzuki 2.2 outboard becomes problematic when used on a long run such as this. It does not seem to like running hot and when stopped takes a long time to restart.
Afterwards we surveyed the bar to seawards and recorded a GPS track.
The beach was very busy today with lots of day tripper boats. We had lunch in town with Giles from "Menkar" and when we returned he sailed south for Ilheus crossing the bar at high water without incident.
"Menkar" dried out at anchor.
Spent another relaxing afternoon on the beach highlighted by a rather foolish tourist who decided to try to swim across to the spit at Pontal on a full ebb tide flowing at a rate of more than two knots. The distance was only about 200m but he had no chance and was swept out through the entrance to be rescued by some incoming fisherman who put their boat at some risk in order to pick him up.
The toilet pump was reassembled and is working just fine complete with a large buildup of expoxy reinforcing around the cracked inlet tube.
View astern in Boipeba pool looking west towards a large drying sandbank.
The theory is that if there is water at low tide then both boats will be able to get through on a 2m tide. However this presumes that the survey is actually at low water and that the tide is actually 2m. By going through on a rising tide, Ron with a 1.0m draught and me with around 1.4m, should not have any problems, however I am minded to favour the slightly deeper regular route.
Mangroves in the Rio Do Inferno at at low water on a spring tide.
A sandbank in the Rio do Inferno which must be crossed at high water.
For some reason my little Suzuki 2.2 outboard becomes problematic when used on a long run such as this. It does not seem to like running hot and when stopped takes a long time to restart.
Afterwards we surveyed the bar to seawards and recorded a GPS track.
The beach was very busy today with lots of day tripper boats. We had lunch in town with Giles from "Menkar" and when we returned he sailed south for Ilheus crossing the bar at high water without incident.
"Menkar" dried out at anchor.
Spent another relaxing afternoon on the beach highlighted by a rather foolish tourist who decided to try to swim across to the spit at Pontal on a full ebb tide flowing at a rate of more than two knots. The distance was only about 200m but he had no chance and was swept out through the entrance to be rescued by some incoming fisherman who put their boat at some risk in order to pick him up.
The toilet pump was reassembled and is working just fine complete with a large buildup of expoxy reinforcing around the cracked inlet tube.
Pump Failure
26/09/08 22:58
Water started spraying from the toilet inlet water connection. Tightening the clips made no difference and closer inspection revealed that the moulded inlet connection had cracked. Uh oh! This might be a serious problem.
This pump is readily available in North America and Europe but not here. In the event I ground a groove around the crack and roughened adjacent surfaces before building up an epoxy collar around the crack. Hopefully this will work.
Another lovely sunset this evening.
This pump is readily available in North America and Europe but not here. In the event I ground a groove around the crack and roughened adjacent surfaces before building up an epoxy collar around the crack. Hopefully this will work.
Another lovely sunset this evening.
Rainy day
25/09/08 22:39
Beach Picnic
24/09/08 22:06
Today we decided to walk around the NE coast of Boipeba island to Moreré stopping en route for a picnic.
Marilza sporting a different bikini.
The walk took us mostly along the beach with a few deviations across country. This is a lovely part of the island.
Picture postcard Brazil.
Picnic time.
When we got back the pitfalls of navigating without first surveying the route were demonstrated by Giles on the french yacht "Menkar" which was high and dry on the sandback separating Rio do Inferno from Boipeba pool.
The girls went for a swim.
We sat and chatted to Giles who told us "Menkar" is a shoal draft yacht designed to take the ground which he does frequently.
A new water tank passing by.
Later we all went ashore for dinner in town. Self. Ron and Giles at the restaurant.
Marli and Marilza looking gorgeous.
Our route.
Marilza sporting a different bikini.
The walk took us mostly along the beach with a few deviations across country. This is a lovely part of the island.
Picture postcard Brazil.
Picnic time.
When we got back the pitfalls of navigating without first surveying the route were demonstrated by Giles on the french yacht "Menkar" which was high and dry on the sandback separating Rio do Inferno from Boipeba pool.
The girls went for a swim.
We sat and chatted to Giles who told us "Menkar" is a shoal draft yacht designed to take the ground which he does frequently.
A new water tank passing by.
Later we all went ashore for dinner in town. Self. Ron and Giles at the restaurant.
Marli and Marilza looking gorgeous.
Our route.
Beach Walk
21/09/08 23:44
This morning I threw copious amounts of water onto the deck to see if my recent repairs to the deckhead finally stopped the leaks. It looked good. No sign of any leaks.
I reassembled the wardrobe and refitted all headlining. Whoever drilled all those holes in the deckhead should be made to sleep under a dripping tap.
Afterwards I went for a walk along the beach. The seaward entrance to Boipeba and the Rio do Inferno is very narrow and lined with concealed rocks to the south and a high sand spit to the north. Because of the bar to seaward and narrow entrance Boipeba pool anchorage is completely protected from the sea. However the tide does rip through at up to 2.5 knots and there is only room for 3 or 4 visiting yachts.
At high tide the seaward entrance is passable but a keel yacht would need a very accurate track to follow as at high tide it would be very easy to end up on the rocks or sand spit if one strayed from the narrow channel.
Entrance showing disturbed water over the rocks and sand spit to the north.
"Pirata" surveys Boipeba pool from a sheet on Kiriwina.
I reassembled the wardrobe and refitted all headlining. Whoever drilled all those holes in the deckhead should be made to sleep under a dripping tap.
Afterwards I went for a walk along the beach. The seaward entrance to Boipeba and the Rio do Inferno is very narrow and lined with concealed rocks to the south and a high sand spit to the north. Because of the bar to seaward and narrow entrance Boipeba pool anchorage is completely protected from the sea. However the tide does rip through at up to 2.5 knots and there is only room for 3 or 4 visiting yachts.
At high tide the seaward entrance is passable but a keel yacht would need a very accurate track to follow as at high tide it would be very easy to end up on the rocks or sand spit if one strayed from the narrow channel.
Entrance showing disturbed water over the rocks and sand spit to the north.
"Pirata" surveys Boipeba pool from a sheet on Kiriwina.
Shift Ship
20/09/08 23:59
Spring tides are approaching and Kiriwina is getting close to grounding at low water. Around noon I moved her further to seaward into deeper water.
I completed sealing all holes in the port deckhead above the galley and wardrobe. Mayoral candidate and incumbent Hildecio is holding a big rally in town tonight. Boats started arriving mid afternoon.
After it finished many boats returned along the Rio do Inferno. No mean achievment considering it was on an ebb tide in the dark with no navigational aids or lights.
Later in the evening Ron and I went ashore for a drink. Here he is in full swing.
Later we went to a disco on the outskirts of Boipeba village. This had the usual feature of very load music but also a feature I hadn't seen before. It was absolutely dark, pitch black save for a tiny light near the bar tills. Very odd, one couldn't see anything or any body.
I ended up walking back to town alone at around one in the morning. You wouldn't do that in Salvador.
I completed sealing all holes in the port deckhead above the galley and wardrobe. Mayoral candidate and incumbent Hildecio is holding a big rally in town tonight. Boats started arriving mid afternoon.
After it finished many boats returned along the Rio do Inferno. No mean achievment considering it was on an ebb tide in the dark with no navigational aids or lights.
Later in the evening Ron and I went ashore for a drink. Here he is in full swing.
Later we went to a disco on the outskirts of Boipeba village. This had the usual feature of very load music but also a feature I hadn't seen before. It was absolutely dark, pitch black save for a tiny light near the bar tills. Very odd, one couldn't see anything or any body.
I ended up walking back to town alone at around one in the morning. You wouldn't do that in Salvador.
Boipeba Pool
18/09/08 21:47
Again at low water we took the dinghy and surveyed the route from our anchorage into Boipeba pool.
It is necessary to follow a curved sandbank around to port, head towards the seaward entrance then go 110 degrees to starboard into Boipeba pool.
This earlier aerial photo shows the two sandbanks on the approaches to Boipeba pool. These banks have shifted and are now larger than those in the photo.
High sand spit on the northern side of Rio do Inferno near the entrance.
Beach bars adjacent to Boipeba pool.
Ron's boat aground at low water on a sandy bottom.
Praia do Pontal - Boipeba Pool approaches
Seaward entrance to Boipeba. From the river one must go around the end of the sandbank before turning to starboard into Boipeba pool.
At 13:00 I weighed anchor and anchored in Boipeba pool 30 minutes later.
Sunset over Kiriwina in Boipeba pool.
It is necessary to follow a curved sandbank around to port, head towards the seaward entrance then go 110 degrees to starboard into Boipeba pool.
This earlier aerial photo shows the two sandbanks on the approaches to Boipeba pool. These banks have shifted and are now larger than those in the photo.
High sand spit on the northern side of Rio do Inferno near the entrance.
Beach bars adjacent to Boipeba pool.
Ron's boat aground at low water on a sandy bottom.
Praia do Pontal - Boipeba Pool approaches
Seaward entrance to Boipeba. From the river one must go around the end of the sandbank before turning to starboard into Boipeba pool.
At 13:00 I weighed anchor and anchored in Boipeba pool 30 minutes later.
Sunset over Kiriwina in Boipeba pool.