Howdy from Raptor Dance in Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit, Mexico

[RaptorDance]

Hi all, we've been lurking on the board for a while and started posting a few pithy messages and responses.... and thought it was time to say Howdy!

We're Bill Finkelstein & Mary Mack. We've been cruising on our Valiant 50, Raptor Dance since Sept. 2004, when I retired and we left SF Bay and turned left.

Since then we've been down to Mexico, up to Canada (as far as 51° N, when we got too cold and decided to return to Mexico) and then back down the coast (through a Gale off Crescent City) and back to Mexico.

We're currently cruising from Manzanillo to the Sea of Cortez and call home slip D-24 in Paradise Village Marina, Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit - which is just a bit North of Puerto Vallarta here in Banderas Bay.

You can see where we are and what we're up to (e.g. we just won the local Chili Cook Off at the Vallarta Yacht Club) on our website at:
http://raptordance.com

Fair winds,
Bill

[David M]

Cool...the dayglow asymetrical. Uncool...the duct tape bow numbers. (Just messin' with ya).

Glad your out having fun! Wish I was there!

[RaptorDance]

Originally Posted by David M

Cool...the dayglow asymetrical. Uncool...the duct tape bow numbers. (Just messin' with ya).

Glad your out having fun! Wish I was there!

Thanks! We love the Spinnaker....

Actually, the bow numbers are black electrical tape (see below, My co-captain, Mary and crew member June applying the numbers).

That was in last March's (2007) Banderas Bay Regatta and they wanted bow numbers of a non standard size (and they didn't provide them!).

Good old 3M electrical tape was the easiest solution - And they pealed off real easy after the regatta (unlike Duct Tape!).

Cheers,
Bill

[MarkJ]

I thought the photo caption was: "See? Going half nekkid attracts the ladies!"

Welcome

[senormechanico]

Bill and Mary,
Welcome aboard.

In 2000 I crewed on Capricorn Cat with the former owners and friends.

I still occasionally wear my Banderas Bay Regatta T shirts.


We took 3 bullets in the races, even beating Profligate on corrected time.

Steve B.

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha Bill and Mary,
Welcome aboard!! Good to have you here. Had some friends get caught in a gale at Crescent City too. They were on "Pacific Voyager" a Fuji 45.
Sounds like you really are doing the West Coast.
Kind Regards,
JohnL

[RaptorDance]

Thanks Guys!

By the way "senormechanico" Capricorn Cat just arrived back here in Banderas Bay with her new owners.

We're leaving to go out to La Cruz and Punta Mita for a 3 day cruise (not a 3 hour tour!) - with the Banderas Bay Blast (org. by Latitude 38 and the Vallarta Yacht Club)

Capricorn Cat is also participating, I'll see if we can get some pictures.

Cheers,
Bill

[TX Sailor]

My wife and I worked for Cedar Mills for a couple of years. She worked in canvas and I was in service. As you know service builds the rigging and commissions the boats. I think the last 50 we worked on was 114. We weren't there when your boat was buillt.

They were hit hard by a flood back in July but are recovering. The Valiant building and ships store were the only buildings not flooded. We will be going over there tomorrow to check on our boat and hang out.

I have seen your website and it is sure worth a visit. Looks like you are using the V-50 for what she was made for.