Banos and Cuenca, Saiananda and Bahia

Our Trip to Ecuador, Complete with Tow

The 7 and one half day crossing from Western Panama started out great--we sailed and motorsailed in the company of Sarana and Leonidas, our good friends. In the first 2.5 days we covered over 250 miles, but when we encountered the current that would set us on our way to the Galapagos, we needed to motorsail to head in the direction of Bahia Caraquez, our destination. Upon turning the engine back on, we determined we had no forward propulsion and began to fall behind our group. That was when we realized we had a problem with our prop. Later we determined that the end of the shaft had broken off. So Leonidas suggested that they begin towing us so that we could continue on our journey and get to Bahia in a timely manner. Thus began the 4+day tow (300+ miles) using a 32' Dreadnought (Leonidas), with a 10 hp Saab diesel engine and a 31' Mariah (Sarana), with a 28 hp Yanmar diesel engine. The following are pictures of the trip from the view of Batwing some while under tow: First we have Batwing sailing, then being towed by Sarana, then we have Leonidas making some adjustments, Sarana in the sunset, Leonidas sailing nearby to be close throughout the night, Sarana dropping off a jug of fuel for Leonidas to pick up in the water while towing us, and Sarana towing us at dusk.

Needless to say, we are extremely grateful to have friends like these. They are our heroes!
Kudos to Tom and Ann, Leonidas, and Eric and Sherrell, Sarana!!!!!