Getting to La Paz

We left Puerto Escondido after a few days and we had a short window that we decided to make the 21hour passage in one shot. The passage started off well, sails up, sun out and we settled into our course. The winds started to build and the sea started to stack-the wind was directly behind us at 20-25k and the seas were on our aft beam. This left the main flogging and a bumpy ride. As the sunset and winds began to build, we decided to reef the main. Unfortunately, we did this a little late as the winds were whipping and as we headed into the wind to lower the sail, we forgot the forward hatch was open just as we buried the bow in the water. I screamed to close it and Journey jumped into action to close the hatch. Disaster was averted and no water went below. As John tended to the sail with his lifejacket and harness in place, he reefed the sail. As the seas bounced us around, John fell into the dodger on his way back to the cockpit breaking the zipper between the dodger and the bimini. We sailed into La Paz at 4 am and drifted outside the channel until first light where we then made our way to Marina de La Paz.
Once we docked, we realized that we had broken the aft end of the boom on the track. We think from the stacked seas and flogging sail, the aluminum failed and the car that holds the end of the sail pulled out of the track.
So we spent the first month in La Paz getting reacquainted with old friends, cleaning the boat, repairing the dodger zipper, and taking the boom off for repair.

                                                          Heading across the Sea

                                            Beautiful sunrises and sunsets do not disappoint!

                                        Dolphins are always welcome to ride our bow wake!

Broken Boom-boo hoo.

Sophmore Year

     November 2015

After a few weeks of putting the boat back together, celebrating my 50th with a grand surprise party of my cruising family arranged by Journey and John, we finally were ready to leave San Carlos. We tucked “Matt” away at Totonaka RV Park where Joseph (the owner) and Jose (manager) have been so accommodating. 

We left around 0945 with some help managing the dock lines and motored out into the Sea. Although there was very little wind, we put on the iron genny for our crossing to Puerto Escondido on the Baja about 130nm. We would have preferred to stop at a few anchorages prior to PE, but a very windy weather front is coming in and we wanted to be tucked in for that. We will hit some of the places we are passing in the Spring when we come back north. 

So last year when we would do passages or crossings, Journey usually would make herself scarce. Typically she would barricade herself in her room, watch movies, read, and nibble on snacks. She was not fond of the passages and often she would be edgy and nervous.

This passage I see a more seasoned and mature young lady. She took over the helm while John and I were on deck shaking out some mainsail issues. She did this without hesitation or trepidation. She stayed up in the cockpit the entire day and on deck. She watched the beautiful sunset where I watched her take a bunch of selfies (it is quite funny to watch a teen take selfies) and we all screamed and leaned over the bow to watch the dolphins play in our bow wake as they welcomed us back into the Sea. We saw lazy sea lions waving their flippers at us (or flipping us off), we saw sea turtles float by us, and John saw a shark fin.

Since this is a 24 hour passage, non stop, we look for things to do. We played Boggle which my family hates to play with me and so I know they were desperately bored to suggest such a game. I am a bit of a word hound and win every time.  John and Journey played checkers and then we watched several episodes of 30 Rock and Grey’s Anatomy.

We ate well which is also unusual for us as we tend to eat very little on passages but this time we all had good appetites. 

The day was overcast which was nice since it kept the heat of the sun from blazing on us and night time came early-around 6ish with a moonless sky. The starts are robust without city lights and I love gazing out the cockpit to feel the breeze and look up at the stars.

We are buddy boating with sv Windsong. We find comfort when we do passages to have other boats to travel with-we do check ins on the VHF every 3 hours to say hi, check equipment, and to hear a friendly voice.

It is 1232 on November 10, 2015. Our speed in 6.7k, motor sailing with the main up, 10.6k of apparent wind and our arrival time is around 0800 to Puerto Escondido.

The highlight of this passage for me is having Journey be an integral part of our crew. She had a difficult year last year as she was separated by everything she is comfortable with; her home, friends, traditions, security and exchanged it for flexibility, uncertainty, and adventure. I am looking forward to our sophomore year cruising.