After loading my asymmetrical spinnaker onto the top-down furler and taking on fuel, I will be leaving my home for the past three years, San Carlos, Mexico. This was my view from the stern on my boat this morning.


Alajuela 38
After loading my asymmetrical spinnaker onto the top-down furler and taking on fuel, I will be leaving my home for the past three years, San Carlos, Mexico. This was my view from the stern on my boat this morning.

I have spent the better part of the past two days in the office of the Capitania de Puerto Regional de Guaymas trying to sort out the paperwork to leave Mexico. It turns out, that even though Guaymas is considered to be a “seaport” (the only other one in the Sea of Cortez being at La Paz), the authorities there are unaccustomed to preparing a Zarpe (or Despacho as it is called in Mexico) for anything but large container ships. Furthermore, those ships use local agents, so the authorities are unaccustomed to dealing with individuals. It seems that cruisers simply never use Guaymas as their last port. Most cruisers sail to Mazalan or Puerto Vallarta before leaving Mexico. And, I suspect most cruisers don’t properly check out of Mexico. That is probably not a problem if you’re a US-flagged boat returning to the US, but it is a problem for someone who plans to sail to another county, where the Zarpe is likely to be required.
The first stop is at the building for the Capitain de Puerta (labeled “1” on this map):

I was met by the Capitain, who spoke little English, but I explained … Necisito un Zarpe para mi barco.” He understood my poor Spanish and put me in touch with his understudy, who spoke enough English that between us we got the job done. My documentation was examined and I was told I would need additional documentation (the letters, etc.), so I returned to the marina to try to get what I needed. The staff were completely unfa\miliar with the process, but eventually the lawyers got involved, and they communicated directly with the port authorities to get them what they needed.
I was under pressure to complete the process by Friday, March 8, because the following Sunday I was to return my car to the US, and without a car, it would have been difficult to travel back and forth to Guaymas (about 30 minutes away). Furthermore, I had arranged for a ride to return that Tuesday, the same day I was expected to remove the boat from nthe slip I was renting.
The marina provided the the letters at 11:30 AM on Friday. The office of the Capitain de Puertan is only open 8:30 AM – 2:00 PM M-F. I arrived at the office at noon and waited for about half an hour before I could be seen. After I quick examination of my documentation, I was taken to the Secretaria de Marina (labeled “2” on the map):

The following documents were required:
With the exception of the two letters, they wanted copies (not originals) of these documents. Since only the owner of the marina and her lawyer have permission to sign anything on behalf of the marina, the marina lawyers drafted the letters, which took an extra day. After they collected the documents, I was provided a receipt:
I had to fill out two forms, which were then entered into the computer by the staff. This took nearly an hour. I was now 1:30. I was give a form to take to the bank about two blocks away, where I paid 401 pesos. I returned by 2:00. The Secretaria de Marina was only open until 2:30 PM, and I was told I would have to return the following week for the Zarpe. I explained my situation, and they told me to wait. About 3:30 PM, the staff produced the document, and just like that, I was official.

I do not have room to carry a lot of cleaning supplies on the boat. I use baking soda and vinegar to clean the head. I was looking for something I could make for general cleaning. My criteria is the cleaning solution had to environmentally safe and it had to be made from ingredients I already have on the boat (and use for other purposes). After some reading and experimentation, I developed the following formula
I use fragrance-free castile soap to clean myself and I keep plenty of white vinegar aboard. The only new ingredient is the essential oil. I chose sweet orange because a product I use as a wood treatment has a similar smell. This cleaner is effective at cutting grease, and is therefore good in the galley. I fill a spray bottle with the solution,
I remember the day in 2014 I became addicted to chai tea. I had just finished the Larapinta Trail, a 139 mile-long walking track in the Northern Territory of Australia. (from east to west, with the eastern end at Alice Springs and the western end at Mount Sonder, one of the territory’s highest mountains. It follows the West MacDonnell Ranges, sometimes along the ridge line, other times on the plain below, in the West MacDonnell National Park. I had returned to Alice Springs and treated myself to a cafe where I sat pondering the menu and nursing my blisters. On a whim, I ordered chai tea, something I had never had before. It arrived as a steaming kettle of water and a sachet of fresh herbs and spices. It was ambrosia. When I returned to the US, I tried to source “good” chai tea and was disappointed with everything I tried. Being the scientist I am, I decided to experiment with recipes. I kept a notebook and with each batch, I fiddled with the formula.

What follow is the final product (the hot links are to Amazon), a concoction I drink almost every day. I even have a milk frother on the boat!
150 g chopped candied ginger
50 g star anise (broken into pieces by hand)
10 g dried bay leaf (crushed by hand)
50 g cinnamon chip
15 g whole allspice
50 g whole green cardamon
10 g whole black peppercorn
20 g whole cloves
I measure the ingredients with a small kitchen scale and usually make a double batch at a time.
Mix the spices and store in a ziplock bag (do not store with tea leaves).
Add to 4c water several tablespoons (to taste) of the spice mix and a couple of teaspoons of Assam tea leaves (to taste). Bring to boil, then reduce to simmer 5-10 minutes. In the meantime, steam unflavored and unsweetened Silk soy milk (I use a Breville Milk Café Frother). Remove tea from the heat. Add honey (I use Nates raw unfiltered honey to taste) and a teaspoon of vanilla extract (I use Watkins baking vanilla). Filter the spice/tea/honey/vanilla mixture. Note: throw away the precipitate at the bottom as it will make your tea bitter. I store the tea in a thermos. Add 2-3 times more tea than steamed soy milk (to taste) and mix. Spoon a little foam on the top.
Note the image quality is relatively poor. This is because the Iridium DataHub automatically reduces the image resolution to facilitate data transmission over the Iridium network. This is necessary because unlike the Starlink network, which has low orbit satellites and therefore relatively fast transmission speeds and short latency, the Iridium network has high orbit satellites and much less bandwidth.
One last point … when offshore, I do not have the bandwidth to load this website, so I am actually posting blind. There will no-doubt be mistakes that will have to be corrected when I am back in coastal waters and have access to the Internet.
Just got my Max-Prop back from PYI where. it was rebuilt ($2000). She looks fine and now works like new.
Here’s a list of 50 recipes using the ingredients from the pantry of non-perishable goods on-board. These meals are designed to be both practical for long-term storage and diverse in flavor, giving many options. These recipes cover a variety of flavors and meal types, from hearty stews to lighter salads and comforting casseroles.
1. Coconut Lentil Curry
Ingredients: Lentils, coconut milk, diced tomatoes, curry powder, cumin, garlic powder, rice.
2. Chickpea & Couscous Salad
Ingredients: Couscous, canned chickpeas, olives, artichoke hearts, olive oil, lemon (or vinegar), cumin, parsley.
3. Tomato & Black Bean Chili
Ingredients: Black beans, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, corn, chili powder, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder.
4. Sweet Potato & Polenta Stew
Ingredients: Sweet potatoes, polenta, coconut milk, diced tomatoes, cumin, turmeric, garlic powder, basil.
5. Peanut Butter & Banana Oatmeal
Ingredients: Oats, peanut butter, honey or sugar, powdered milk, dried banana chips, cinnamon.
6. Quinoa & Veggie Stir-Fry
Ingredients: Quinoa, canned mixed vegetables, canned mushrooms, soy sauce, garlic powder, chili flakes.
7. Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce & Black Beans
Ingredients: Pasta, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, black beans, garlic powder, basil, oregano, chili flakes.
8. Bean & Rice Burritos
Ingredients: Pinto beans, rice, corn, cumin, chili powder, onion powder, tortillas.
9. Coconut Chickpea Soup
Ingredients: Chickpeas, coconut milk, diced tomatoes, garlic powder, cumin, turmeric, rice.
10. Polenta with Tomato & Bean Sauce
Ingredients: Polenta, black beans, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, garlic powder, basil, chili powder.
11. Instant Ramen Stir-Fry
Ingredients: Ramen noodles, soy sauce, canned vegetables, garlic powder, onion powder, chili flakes.
12. Veggie & Rice Stuffed Tortillas
Ingredients: Rice, canned vegetables, soy sauce, garlic powder, cumin, tortillas.
13. Sweet Potato & Quinoa Salad
Ingredients: Sweet potatoes, quinoa, canned olives, olive oil, vinegar, garlic powder, cumin, dried basil.
14. Black Bean & Corn Soup
Ingredients: Black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder.
15. Canned Tuna Salad
Ingredients: Canned tuna, canned corn, olive oil, vinegar, garlic powder, dried parsley, crackers.
16. Chickpea & Rice Stew
Ingredients: Chickpeas, rice, canned tomatoes, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin.
17. Spicy Tomato & Bean Soup
Ingredients: Diced tomatoes, black beans, kidney beans, chili powder, garlic powder, soy sauce.
18. Lentil & Rice Pilaf
Ingredients: Lentils, rice, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, soy sauce.
19. Quinoa Tabbouleh
Ingredients: Quinoa, dried parsley, garlic powder, lemon juice (or vinegar), olive oil, salt, pepper.
20. Instant Mashed Potatoes with Beans
Ingredients: Instant mashed potatoes, canned beans, garlic powder, cumin, chili powder, olive oil.
21. Tomato & Cucumber Couscous
Ingredients: Couscous, canned tomatoes, olive oil, vinegar, garlic powder, salt, pepper.
22. Dried Fruit & Nut Mix
Ingredients: Dried apricots, raisins, almonds, cashews, walnuts, sunflower seeds.
23. Lentil & Tomato Stew
Ingredients: Lentils, diced tomatoes, garlic powder, onion powder, basil, cumin, turmeric.
24. Vegetable Stir-Fry with Rice
Ingredients: Rice, canned mixed vegetables, soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, chili flakes.
25. Canned Bean Tacos
Ingredients: Canned beans, tortillas, taco seasoning, canned tomatoes, rice.
26. Chickpea Stew with Quinoa
Ingredients: Chickpeas, quinoa, coconut milk, diced tomatoes, garlic powder, cumin.
27. Bean & Corn Salad
Ingredients: Black beans, corn, canned tomatoes, olive oil, vinegar, chili powder, cumin.
28. Tomato Rice Soup
Ingredients: Rice, diced tomatoes, garlic powder, onion powder, basil, cumin.
29. Curried Polenta with Beans
Ingredients: Polenta, black beans, coconut milk, curry powder, garlic powder, cumin.
30. Vegan Chili with Quinoa
Ingredients: Quinoa, canned beans, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder.
31. Pasta with Olive & Tomato Sauce
Ingredients: Pasta, diced tomatoes, olives, garlic powder, basil, olive oil.
32. Coconut Rice with Chickpeas
Ingredients: Rice, coconut milk, chickpeas, garlic powder, cumin, turmeric.
33. Quinoa & Canned Veggie Soup
Ingredients: Quinoa, canned vegetables, canned tomatoes, garlic powder, cumin.
34. Oats with Dried Fruits
Ingredients: Oats, dried cranberries, raisins, dried apricots, honey or sugar.
35. Rice & Sweet Potato Patties
Ingredients: Rice, sweet potatoes, garlic powder, cumin, chili powder.
36. Spaghetti with Chickpea Tomato Sauce
Ingredients: Pasta, chickpeas, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, garlic powder, oregano, basil.
37. Instant Mashed Potatoes with Mushroom Sauce
Ingredients: Instant mashed potatoes, canned mushrooms, soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder.
38. Bean & Quinoa Casserole
Ingredients: Quinoa, canned beans, diced tomatoes, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder.
39. Rice Pudding
Ingredients: Rice, powdered milk, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla (optional).
40. Polenta & Bean Bake
Ingredients: Polenta, canned beans, tomato paste, garlic powder, oregano.
41. Veggie Tacos
Ingredients: Canned vegetables, tortillas, taco seasoning, black beans, rice.
42. Coconut Lentil Stew
Ingredients: Lentils, coconut milk, diced tomatoes, garlic powder, turmeric, cumin.
43. Sweet Potato & Bean Chili
Ingredients: Sweet potatoes, black beans, diced tomatoes, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin.
44. Canned Tomato & Rice Casserole
Ingredients: Rice, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, garlic powder, onion powder, basil.
45. Coconut Quinoa Bowl
Ingredients: Quinoa, coconut milk, dried fruit, honey, cinnamon.
46. Bean & Rice Casserole
Ingredients: Rice, black beans, kidney beans, diced tomatoes, cumin, chili powder.
47. Polenta with Mushroom Sauce
Ingredients: Polenta, canned mushrooms, soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder.
48. Savory Oats
Ingredients: Oats, soy sauce, garlic powder, chili flakes, olive oil, dried mushrooms (optional).
49. Canned Veggie Stir-Fry with Rice
Ingredients: Rice, canned mixed vegetables, soy sauce, garlic powder, chili flakes.
50. Chickpea & Polenta Bake
Ingredients: Polenta, canned chickpeas, tomato paste, garlic powder, chili powder, cumin.
For a long voyage where fresh food storage isn’t an option beyond a week or so, I am focusing on shelf-stable, long-lasting items that will not only preserve well over time but also offer the flexibility to create a wide variety of meals. The goal here is to ensure that all food items are non-perishable and can withstand the elements without refrigeration (because the refrigerator on board has very limited space and must be used for fresh fruits and vegetables and leftovers).
All paper (including the labels on cans, etc.) will be removed to avoid bugs. An effort will be made to reduce plastic (glass or metal containers) to avoid trash. When possible, larger quantities will be re-portioned and vacuum sealed.
While I am essentially vegetarian anyways, protein will be supplements with fish (either caught, bartered, or purchased). Also, like the fresh vegetables and fruits, fresh meat will be carried for the short-term when leaving a port where it is available. Frozen meat (e.g., frozen whole chicken) will be carried, because it can last for several weeks in the cooler (where it can remain frozen in the lower part of the cooler).
This is a living document that can be found under the “Provisions” tab on the website.
1. Grains, Starches & Pasta
2. Legumes & Beans (Dried and Canned)
3. Nuts, Seeds & Nut Butters
4. Canned & Jarred Goods (Expanded)
5. Dairy & Dairy Alternatives (Shelf-stable)
6. Baked Goods, Baking Ingredients & Snacks
7. Spices, Condiments & Sauces
8. Beverages & Hydration
9. Additional Essentials
10. Survival & Emergency Food
My whole life I have had creative outlets that have included cooking, writing, photography, sculpture, painting, and jewelry making. I have also written poetry. Some years ago, I used to have an exercise whereby I would wake in the morning, make myself a cup of chai tea, and write a poem or short story in an hour. The subject was always something random that I had experienced the previous day. I have been reflecting on what my creative outlet might be while sailing. One of those outlets might be poetry. Here is my first example, written using the method of Euphony.
Sovereignty
Beneath a vault of ashen gray,
I traverse seas where sorrows sway,
The waves, like murmured elegies,
Sing mournful hymns to hollow seas.
The ocean vast, though infinite,
Enfolds me in its cold remit,
Its cadence speaks in spectral tones,
An anthem wrought for hearts alone.
The mast intones its solemn plea,
A dirge to match the weeping sea,
While zephyrs wail through shrouded spars,
A choir bereft beneath the stars.
No kin to share the helm’s repose,
No mirth to temper twilight’s throes,
The constellations, distant, mute,
Seem auguries of dissolute.
I trace the arc of boundless brine,
A threshold veiled, a fading line,
Its whispers tease with faint allure,
Yet offer naught that feels secure.
Here, adrift in solitude’s keep,
Where shadows gather, silence weeps,
I find, though bound by sorrow’s plea,
A desolate kind of sovereignty.
I recently updated the route I would like to take beginning March next year. Details are now available on this website: PROPOSED CIRCUMNAVIGATION ROUTE. Particularly time consuming was researching the clearance formalities of each country and details concerning each port/anchorage, which are now available as hot links on the webpage. One advantage of archiving the information on my website it the information will be available offline when I do not have access to the Internet.
The timeframe is ambitious, basically if everything worked out perfectly and I hit all of the weather windows. More likely, I will need to season out at least once. There are a few details missing yet and I will continue to modify/update the webpage. Eventually, the information will be updated with the actual dates and routes taken.
March to July 2025 (8,240 NM, 55 NM/Day)
August 2025 (2,160 NM, 72 NM/Day)
September-November 2025 (5,156 NM, 57 NM/Day)
December 2025 – January 2026 (3,639 NM, 60 NM/Day)
February 2026 (1304 NM, 46 NM/Day)
March 2026 (? NM, ?NM/Day)
Fjords and channels of Chile: Puerto Williams – Canal Beagle – Brazo noroeste del Canal Beagle – Paso Timbales – Canal O’Brien – Canal Ballenero – Paso Norte – Paso Occidental – Canal Unión – Canal Ocasión – Canal Cockburn – Canal Magdalena – Western half of Estrecho de Magallanes (Strait of Magellan)
April to June 2026 (5,224 NM, 58 NM/Day)