I yanked this 30 something year old Mexican panga out of the dirt a week or so ago.
Now the fun begins (or not)
This is a genuine Mexican built panga. Made in La Paz Baja California by the ARCA company, which is now no more.
It is 22' long by 72" across the beam.
This is not your typical "gringoized" panga made in Florida.
It was a mess when I yanked it out of the dirt (literally)....full of old clothes, beer cans and trash.
It sat on a trailer that was pure junk..missing one wheel, and bunk boards swinging in the breeze and rusted beyond repair (or so I thought)
Structurally sound, save for the floor...which was very soft in spots.
Lots of dings and bruises, down to bare wood on the stern corners and lots of bolt/screw holes all over.
After I got it cleaned up, old rusty bolts pulled out, all metal fittings removed and sanded a bit, I got ahold of a MX fiberglass man and cut a deal with him to replace the flooring and a bunch of other stuff I did not want to get into.
(I can speak Spanish pretty good)
He suggested using 5/8" Mahogany plywood for the flooring. (totally encapsulated)
I did not want to pay that price but as it turned out, Mahogany ply is not that much more than plain pine here. And there is no such thing as "marine" grade ply here either.
Right now the boat is at his shop and I check the progress everyday.
I am going to San Diego soon to pick up a new, in the crate, F75 Yamaha and a new Pacific galvanized trailer, Interlux paint and non skid deck paint.
The panga needs everything..from steering to deck cleats.
My other "offshore" boat will have to take a back seat now I am afraid.
I can launch and retreive this panga by myself, whereas the Davis Cortez is a two man operation. (I might even sell it)
Stay tuned for progress photos
Now the fun begins (or not)
This is a genuine Mexican built panga. Made in La Paz Baja California by the ARCA company, which is now no more.
It is 22' long by 72" across the beam.
This is not your typical "gringoized" panga made in Florida.
It was a mess when I yanked it out of the dirt (literally)....full of old clothes, beer cans and trash.
It sat on a trailer that was pure junk..missing one wheel, and bunk boards swinging in the breeze and rusted beyond repair (or so I thought)
Structurally sound, save for the floor...which was very soft in spots.
Lots of dings and bruises, down to bare wood on the stern corners and lots of bolt/screw holes all over.
After I got it cleaned up, old rusty bolts pulled out, all metal fittings removed and sanded a bit, I got ahold of a MX fiberglass man and cut a deal with him to replace the flooring and a bunch of other stuff I did not want to get into.
(I can speak Spanish pretty good)
He suggested using 5/8" Mahogany plywood for the flooring. (totally encapsulated)
I did not want to pay that price but as it turned out, Mahogany ply is not that much more than plain pine here. And there is no such thing as "marine" grade ply here either.
Right now the boat is at his shop and I check the progress everyday.
I am going to San Diego soon to pick up a new, in the crate, F75 Yamaha and a new Pacific galvanized trailer, Interlux paint and non skid deck paint.
The panga needs everything..from steering to deck cleats.
My other "offshore" boat will have to take a back seat now I am afraid.
I can launch and retreive this panga by myself, whereas the Davis Cortez is a two man operation. (I might even sell it)
Stay tuned for progress photos
