Playing with multi-hulls and a Visit to Costa Rica's "Alcatraz"

This weekend we met two of the most lovely Ticos in a land of remarkably warm and affable people, Adri Molina and Alex Sanchez. While enjoying a late supper with them at the Costa Rica Yacht Club next door (and being introduced to sopa negra), they suggested we all take a cruise over to Isla San Lucas for the day and explore the prison. Naturally, we jumped at the opportunity.

Alex, Adri, & Nicholas went out on the little trimaran while their captain Miguel accompanied Kelly, Phillip, and Alexander on their Hobie cat. We made it across to the island without a hitch and had an amazing couple of hours exploring the abandoned prison and its village. The guards were very helpful, but we were basically left to ourselves and allowed to explore wherever our fancies took us.

Sadly, the prison is in an extreme state of disrepair from neglect and vandalism. It is very interesting though to see how these prisoners were housed in large rooms with little to no ventilation. One can only begin to imagine what it must have been like during the rainy season. I shudder to think...

After we'd had our fill, Miguel came and picked us up from the little beach. We ate out lunches aboard the Hobie in the afternoon sun. There was even a little breeze to keep us from feeling the heat too much.

For our return trip, we switched craft. Alex and Adri took charge of the boys on the Hobie with Miguel while Phil and I decided to try our hand at the little Wind Rider. The trimaran is underpowered, so the division of people made more sense. Besides, with the afternoon chop on the gulf, it was going to be a wet ride!

We were doing great sailing out of the mouth of the little bay at San Lucas when all of a sudden we heard a loud POP! The port side rudder control cable had snapped. Phil tried his hand a reaching back with his left hand to direct the boat, but it was quickly clear that it would not be a solution for crossing the gulf. Luckily, we had a wealth of shock cords in the boat for keeping things stowed. Without too much trouble, we were able to repurpose one in place of the broken cable. It wasn't a perfect solution, but having the shock cord apply a constant tension to port let Phil steer with the starboard control cable.

After we that, we had a blast. I went out on the trampoline to try to let us keep things balanced. In the end I got a little cold from the wind, so I retreated inside the little cockpit. We managed to sail all the way up the estuary until just before docking. Not a bad day out sailing!