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Waterboy
Navigator

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USA
204 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/22/2006 : 00:52:20

... but no pics just yet. But I couldn't wait to relate what a great time we had. I will try to post pics and editorial on a separately hosted webpage soon. But, bottom line, if any of you are wavering about whether it's worth dragging your trailer-sailer down there, I would vote yes in a heartbeat.

Granted, this was our most ambitious 'coastal cruise' to date, so if I sound braggish chalk it up to exuberance. We saw whales, dolphins, manta rays, seals etc. up close and personal. We saw deserted beaches and crowded marinas, impossibly poor fishing villages and billion dollar luxury resorts. We close hauled upwind well balanced under a reefed main, and bounced like a cork down in a confused following sea with 5kts at our stern. We made mistakes, none terribly large. We learned a great deal. The big decision we mader correctly, however, was to GO.

BTW, amidst the terrestrial journey, we put in at Puerto Escondido, sailed up to Loreto, out and back down to P.EsD., then down the coast to La Paz.

More later, I just got done (again) towing Sabrosa some distance and I must sleep. Trubble is, I miss the sway of the boat at anchor.

I would like to extend a HUGE THANK-YOU to this forum and all who have corresponded with me, and would also point you to the Baja Nomad forum for Baja info, and to the Ford Truck Enthusiast's forum if you plan to drag your boat down there with a Ford ... it's quite a drive, maybe we'll do San Carlos next year.

Greg

Edited by - on

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 03/22/2006 : 05:21:38

Ok, you have us drooling, never mind the down time, get those pics and editorial online.

Sounds awesome, glad you had a great trip and that enthusiasm is still up there.

Paul

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weluvlife
Navigator

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166 Posts

Response Posted - 03/22/2006 : 07:09:58

Like the others, I'm very interested in hearing more of your trip and possibly viewing some photos.

Did you choose to do much to your Ford to tow your boat that distance?

Take care,

Edited by - on

tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 03/22/2006 : 11:28:55

Sounds terrific Greg, by contrast those of us in the N'east are still on the hard for who knows how long. The only hopeful sign that I've noticed is that the local paper now has ONE ad for a sailboat. That coming on the heels of six months of nothing.

I'm holding my breath till you post your pictures, and promise to reciprocate when I have something to share.

Val on the hard DAGNABIT # 3936 Patchogue, N.Y.

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djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 03/22/2006 : 12:27:07

OK, please don't laugh....I am from the Great Lakes, but is that in Mexico? If so, did you have any problems crossing the border with a boat in tow? Sounds like a great time and I look forward to seeing the pics. Cheers.

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 03/22/2006 : 16:30:04

I would love to retire down there.

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 03/22/2006 : 20:47:29

Awesome is the word! You just completed my C25 dream cruise!
Looking forward to a full report and photos!

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Waterboy
Navigator

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USA
204 Posts

Response Posted - 04/01/2006 : 20:28:39

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by britinusa
 ... get those pics and editorial online ... glad you had a great trip and that enthusiasm is still up there.

Paul
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Thanks Paul. Editorial coming, sort of. Pics are online, see if you can see them on the Baja Pics post. As for enthusiasm ... my sleeping dreams are of sailing. We're trying to figure a way to cruise for a couple months a year. Anyone wanna buy a 16 year old Porsche?

Edited by - Waterboy on 04/01/2006 21:22:29

Waterboy
Navigator

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USA
204 Posts

Response Posted - 04/01/2006 : 20:37:49

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by weluvlife
 Did you choose to do much to your Ford to tow your boat that distance?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

The big things I did to the truck were a new heavy duty transmission, a limited slip differential in the rear, a cd player and of course the popup camper. Like a lot of trailer-sailors, I do not have unlimited funds. I spent $5K on the truck (didn't know the tranny was going at 85K miles) and $4K on the camper. Compare with one of the new sexy turbo diesels. For what I have in the rig I can go to Tierra del Fuego and back while Joe down the street is working to pay for his $50,000 pickup. And scratches don't bother me.

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Waterboy
Navigator

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USA
204 Posts

Response Posted - 04/01/2006 : 20:56:07

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by djn
 OK, please don't laugh....I am from the Great Lakes, but is that in Mexico? If so, did you have any problems crossing the border with a boat in tow? Sounds like a great time and I look forward to seeing the pics. Cheers.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Dennis, dude ... I am in no position to laugh at anyone. Yes baja is in Mexico. Baja (or bajo in the masculine form) means 'below', so to our southern neighbors, Baja California is Lower California. Mexico has states similar to the US or Canadian provinces. The peninsula is separated into two states, Baja California (from the US border to about halfway down), and Baja California Sur, or 'south lower California.

Crossing the border was easy ... too easy in fact. I've travelled in Mexico fairly extensively and speak a sort of pidgin spanish, well enough to communicate. Usually there is a kiosk (or three) where one gets various forms signed and stamped and hands over pesos or dollars. Not this day. The soldier asked to see the boat registration and waved me on. I asked "Neccisitas tarjetas turistas?" (Need we toursit cards?) and he said no, not in Baja, mainland yes but not Baja. WRONG! You don't need a tourist cards if you stay a certain distance from the borderbut we planned to go all the way down. I attribute the mistake to my poor spanish rather than some deliberate deception. About a week later we had to drive up to Ensenada and forked over about $50 for two tourist cards (after confirming with other gringos that yes indeed we did need tourist cards). We were never asked for the cards, or any other documentation the entire trip. But they can ask, they can search, and if your papers are not in order best case is delays and $$.

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