Ecuador... Came for three months...

[El Pinguino]

Came for three months, boat stayed for 6 weeks short of three years.
Such was the pandemic.
Cleared out this afternoon bound south.
Anchored for the night off Salinas YC.

I can think of far worse places to have left my boat.

Port and voyage reports to follow.

[Jim Cate]

really good news, Frank! We look forward to your reports and progress. (And hope to be back on the Comedy Net in a few weeks!)

Jim

[El Pinguino]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

really good news, Frank! We look forward to your reports and progress. (And hope to be back on the Comedy Net in a few weeks!)

Jim

G'day Jim,
I think we will be pretty easy to spot on Marinetraffic.

Plan is to stay inside 200 miles off the Peruvian coast to avoid the masses of Chinese fishing boats but further than 200 miles off the Peruvian coast to avoid the Peruvians

If things go OK first port Antofagasta then coastwise to Valdivia.

[Munoz]

Currently in Panama and trying to decide whether to head for Ecuador or go straight to FP, so would be super interesting to read your write-up!

[carlosproa]

I can… Nicaragua to get you started [emoji23]

[carlosproa]

Originally Posted by Munoz

Currently in Panama and trying to decide whether to head for Ecuador or go straight to FP, so would be super interesting to read your write-up!

Look out for the fisherman and their unlit nets on coast of Colombia. Maybe it has changed but I doubt it. Ecuador has a lot to offer with the right attitude. Not too bad, basic but doable Bahia Caracas is a good stop, take advantage and see the countryside - is a small country but very diverse. Salinas will be much more expensive but a good point to go to Galapagos if you get your permits in time.

[Wotname]

Great news.

[El Pinguino]

Originally Posted by Munoz

Currently in Panama and trying to decide whether to head for Ecuador or go straight to FP, so would be super interesting to read your write-up!

Hello Munoz, just a quick one.

I know very little about the northern ports , Manta and Bahia C. , apart from there being a lot of damage to infrastructure after an earthquake a few years ago.

Puerto Lucia Marina, La Libertad is excellent. Either afloat or ashore. Seems to get quite a bit of passing traffic and boats that were heading for FP coming in for repairs. Bit of a surge which can be hard on fenders and if I was staying more than a few weeks I would haul out. Contact Galo Ortiz at marina@puertolucia.com.ec
Swing moorings may be available at the Salinas YC. No idea on cost.
As stated in a previous post a good spot to leave the boat when exploring inland. Also easy to get to other countries in SA for a looksee.
Three years ago after parking the boat here we travelled by bus down to Puerto Montt stopping overnight in assorted towns and cities along the way ( akin to going by bus from Singapore to Hobart).
Cheers,
Ping.

[El Pinguino]

Where to start?
'Back in town after a 900 mile shake down'? I think that sounds positive enough to be going on with.
Light south westerlies over the half knot Humbolt for the first day or so - saw the scariest thing on the planet on the first morning. Then the wind went south - still under ten knots and so no favoured tack here where the coast runs N/S. A few days later course to destination was SE and the wind was 25k from the SE.
So far so good?
Not really, all was fine for the first two days but when we started sailing we discovered tha a/ the towed generator was not outputting any power - normally gives a steady 5 amps. b/ the 3 year and 3 month old batteries were not even remotely holding a charge. OK through the day but as soon as the sun went down? Had to start the main engine at midnight and run till dawn and that was with the fridge shut down and minimal power use.
That worked ok in the lighter conditions but not a good idea when hard on the wind in 25 knots. Also factor in finite diesel resources and a destination 1200 miles straight up wind.
Considered Callao but too many horror stories about that place.

So offshore from Salaverri we put a FI sticker on it, turned tail and had a sparkling run back to Puerto Lucia.

Major point of note. Twice now I have had a daylight arrival here from the south. I won't do that again. From about 20 miles south of Punta Santa Elena onwards it is wall to wall crazies. The 30 foot open skiffs are bad enough but the real treats are the tuna boats. When they show lights they show everything except navigation lights of any sort. Today's winner at about 0400 was a sudden blaze of lights about 4 points on the starboard bow about 100 metres way. Her AIS was turned on at the same time - CPA zero. Fun times.

So here we are. I think I will apply for residency.

[mako]

Originally Posted by El Pinguino

Plan is to stay inside 200 miles off the Peruvian coast to avoid the masses of Chinese fishing boats but further than 200 miles off the Peruvian coast to avoid the Peruvians

If things go OK first port Antofagasta then coastwise to Valdivia.

So it's true to stay away from Peru as a cruising boat, fees too expensive? Just bypass and head straight down to Chile

[Jim Cate]

Well DANG, Frank! Once again the adage of men and ships rotting in port rears its ugly head. Hope you can get it sorted soon... and avoid the crazies.

Good luck, mate!

Jim

[El Pinguino]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

Well DANG, Frank! Once again the adage of men and ships rotting in port rears its ugly head. Hope you can get it sorted soon... and avoid the crazies.

Good luck, mate!

Jim

I was surprised by the batteries ( sealed ACDelcos). Never deep discharged in their few months of cruising life pre covid and spent layup on solar via a Victron MPPT. Ho hum.

[El Pinguino]

Port report as promised


As stated before I know nothing of Manta and Bahia de C so this is all about La Libertad and especially Puerto Lucia Marina.

Intial contact is Galo Ortiz at marina@puertolucia.com.ec

On arrival either pick up the buoy in the entrance or anchor nearby.
The marina will send a boat out to advise you of the plan. Typically go ashore to the office and present your papers to Diana Jose. Then at around midday she will come to your boat with immigration and aduana. That is entry covered. She charges $US 100 for this service.
Then your yacht will be placed in its berth. Mediterranean moors with two headlines to buoys. They will put a couple of marineros on board to assist and may take your headline from you so that they can secure it to a buoy and bring it back to you to simplify and speed up the process .

Power and water available. Both metered . It may take a little while to rig up an adapter to suit your plug.

Fumigation costing $150 may be required.

Key for the banos is available from hotel reception with a $5 deposit.

Diesel available either at the fuel dock or brought by the marina workboat to your yacht.

Two local supermarkets close handy. El Paseo is in walking distance or a $US2 taxi ride, Supermaxi is a $2.50 ride away.
Both have everything you need to store ship for the long haul south or a transpacific.
My only concern would be a slightly less than optimum range of vacuum packed meat.

Time in country for you and your boat.
You will get 90 cumulative days per annum on a visitor visa that can be extended to 180 days but only once every 5 years. Years are not calender years but are counted from the date of your first arrival in the country.

Your boat can stay for 12 months but you will only be offered 3 months on arrival and will have to negotiate with the Aduana via Diana for extra. Typical squeeze is $100 a month

Rates are $US860 a month for a 39 foot yacht with substantial discounts for longer stays.
Travelift (50 tons) is $ 662 in/out
Catamarans can be lifted out with a crane that you would have to hire in. Cost unknown.

Stewart Yates and Servicios are no longer in business. Contact Arnaud at Ecuador Sailing to organise this and that.
Andre looks after a local Beneteau - he can arrange propane
Viktor can help out with rides to Guayaquil and assorted visa issues
Erick Gonzales and his family are good people to speak to if you have engine or electrical problems

What to do around town.

La Libertad itself is a bit of a dump but plenty of good restaurants in Salinas.
Bus terminal at Santa Elena is a $US4 taxi ride away.

Ayangue - see pic - is a nice day out, said to be a budget Galapagos with scuba and snorkeling charters. It a $1.30 bus fare plus $2 taxi at destination. Also worth a visit by sea is Isla de la Plata a bit further north.

Thats it.