Moho Cay: Maya Landings Marina

Saturday, December 14, 2002

017-31.800 N
088-12.000 W

Ahoy from the Maya Landings Marina, which is on yet another Moho Cay. This one is right off of Belize City. We got in here on Wednesday afternoon after having to motor, yet again, from the Turneffe islands. I had been told that getting into the marina would increase my pucker factor significantly, and they were right. BlueJacket draws about 5'6" and we saw well less than that coming through the channel. The very narrow channel is marked with 2 stakes on one side, one of which is almost falling over, and a drying reef on the other side. The instructions are to drive as close to the stakes as possible and then cut to the center as soon as you clear the 2nd stake. The tidal range here is only about 6" and even at close to high tide we bumped and ground through the channel. The major problem is that BlueJacket has a wing keel (shaped like a whales tail) and that provides a LOT of surface to get stuck on. But, we made it through the channel OK.

Once in the marina they tried to put us into a slip that, when I later measured it, only had 4.5' of water. I was trying to back in and just kept getting stuck. Then they had us try another slip where the pilings were less than our 14.5' beam...that didn't work too well. Finally they put us into the only slip that had enough water and was wide enough. I did have to pull the boat forward to keep the rudder out of the mud. It's a good thing that we got in here when we did as several other boats pulled in right after us, most wanting this slip.

This marina has certainly seen better days. The docks, as an old sailing buddy of mine would say, are all kaddy wompus (or however you'd spell that). There are boards missing, rotting out, tilted to one side or another or both, and are in terrible repair. They're on par with those in Colon, Panama...which is not a good thing. However, the power is good and it's well protected. I was told that new lumber for the docks should arrive on Tuesday and they're planning on redoing most of the docks. Oh, there are some huge Iguannas who live here. Some are 6+ feet long! You see them sunning themselves on the docks regularly.

There's a whole contingent of US boats in here that get together on almost a nightly basis to go into town for dinner. David, from Expectations, is clearly the cheerleader. He's spent a lot of time in the area and knows it well. We've been out for some good Chinese, OK pizza, and today it's BBQ.

My tribulations with my Fischer Panda generator continue. I pulled the valve cover off and discovered a broken spring and the push rods were bent. A mechanic didn't show up in the morning as promised, or in the PM as later promised. I arranged for another one, but just as he arrived someone hurt their hand and he drove them to the hospital. I spoke with him and he's Canadian and seems to have a good work ethic, so I'm hoping that he'll show up today. He did lay out some pretty bad scenarios for the engine. I'll just keep my fingers crossed. On a positive note, it appears that Fischer Panda may be interested in settling my law suit against them, and a new generator may be arriving in January!

Almost everything else on the boat is ready for our departure to Boston. We'll be flying out tomorrow and will return in mid-January. I hope that things are well with you and that you're ready for the holidays! Goodness knows we're not!

-- Geoff & Sue BlueJacket,Fischer Panda
Log ID: 321