After almost a month of travel we finally made it to our second marina at Puerto Los Cabo after we had left Ensenada. We did some islands hopping along Baja California Sur.
Saturday 4/11/2017
09.30 a.m. Leaving Baja Naval Marina and fill fuel at Coral Hotel Marina. Heading out to the Pacific Ocean set course to Bahia De Tortugas. Set main sail and head sail. In the evening wind get stronger put down main sail. Wind and gust combined waves high up to 15 feet. Steer until dawn. Full moon. A Long…long way I thought.
p.s. Urine very often and to walk to use the head while boat is rocking a whole time will get more sea sick. so I prepared private bucket to use. Steering all night.
Sunday 5/11/2017
All day sailing and night. The moon is still bright with stars to help navigate night time.
1 a.m. fan belt rip off from the engine. We had been hit with some freak wind gusts of 35 to 45 knots that arrived from 180 degree angles in a matter of less than a 60 seconds. This jammed the mainsail halyard and caused the head sail to wrap and jam at about one third its normal size. Nightmare again with no engine to help in rough sea condition. Stephen vomit while trying to fix it. I was tired and feared. Cross in my mind whenever I step on land I will buy a ticket and go back to Thailand . What I am doing here! I hope that I will survive after tonight. We also did not have food for 2 days only water and small biscuits. Steering all night.
Full moon that help for night navigation.
Monday 6/11/2017
In the morning we can see small head land. The distance from Ensenada to turtle bay compared as from San Francisco to L.A. Which takes time sailing about 2.5 days. by 9 am we find another problem. Our Garmin Electronic charts are very inaccurate often 2 to 3 miles out. the We circle back and forward the boat around the island looking for sign of turtle bay. Wasn’t fun for 4 long hours after two days and night. Steve went and found a fan belt that was too small but managed to get it attached. This was great as we needed to anchor so that we could get the storm damage fixed.
02.30 p.m. Anchored at Islas San Benito Max speed 11.2 kts Total 272.3 NM Avg. speed 5.2 kts Anchored at Islas San Benito water level 50 ft
Islas San Benito is very impressive with water so blue and crystal clear that you can see white sand in bottom and our Mantus anchor buried deep. When look down and stare sometimes you can see lobster moving on the ground, The area we decided to anchorage the fisherman put lobster trap around areas. This is not the place for anchored but thought we were too tired to go anywhere else. We feel very excited to see one American sailboat here name ‘Magic” after a few days not meet any other boats.
Islas San Benito
Clear water where Beautiful Swimmer anchored.Landscapeevening view from cockpit.A good nights sleep while anchoring on the Pacific Coast of Baja needs a good Anchor. Our Mantus has been great never moved an inch even in high winds and big swells. Now if I could only convince the Admiral that I do not have to check every hour at night.LOL /Steph
Like almost all anchorages down the Pacific coast of Baja great, they are open to the Ocean swell. Having a great anchor means that you can sleep well even when close to a reef like this one. It blew up to 20 knots that night and I checked our position regularly and we did not move an inch.
Flying fish came aboard night of the storm. Luksana’s dinner next day.
Well 2 fan belts later a replaced stripped bolt and a cerain amount off puking the night before came to a successful conclusion.
From Islas San Benito to Isla Cedros (estimates 40 NM) Tuesday 7/11/2017
10.45 a.m. Leaving Islas San Benito, sailing with light wind
02.00 p.m. Anchored at Bahia del Sur, Isla Cedros
From Isla Cedros to Bahia de Tortugas (Turtle Bay)(Estimated 40 NM) Wednesday 8/11/2017
07.30 a.m. Leaving Isla Cedros, after 2 hours wind died we motoring all the way to turtle bay. Keep our eyes on lobster trap.
03.30 p.m. Anchored in Turtle Bay (Bahia De Tortugas)
At Turtle Bay , The front restaurant and the gas pier dock are well known about over the price that spoiled by the American Baja Haha and American wealthy with big motor yacht. Some restaurant provides wifi that most sailors need.
Anyway mexican people who live in town are willing to help (Just like the book said) such police station, auto parts shop.
A blast from the Past. No dock at turtle bay. This is how they transfer material from the shore to boats with an old amphibian, semi boat and car drive from beach into water. I suppose in the rich world we would have built a multi million dollar breakwater and loading facility, while health and safety government officials would have closed this operation down. Having said that I would have worn 2 life jackets for a trip around the bay LOL.The thief at Turtle Bay. Strong Words, but they fit the marine fuel supply dock. EVery scam known to mankind. The prie can fluctuate a dollar a litre in a matter of moments. One boat gets one rate the next boat a different rate. Also this man is a genious. He can fit 89 litres of fuel into 3 20litre jerry jugs. The only alternative is to pack your fuel from the Pemex Station a bout a mile away and when the surf is up a beach landing is near impossible. If you are in a boat you are a “RIch American” and can afford to pay what ever rate he deems fit. Leaves a bad taste in your mouth. Also be aware that the fuel is not off the best quality. My new filters turned black very quickly after refueling here. The alternative is to go 50 miles south to Asencion. Great village, very friendly people and the Pemex can be reached easily by tender or by a short walk down the road. Next time ah!from left: Bela, Ernst, Yolanda, Stephen, EstebanThe surf hitting the beach gives an idea to the problem of trying to get up the ladder. It is a matter of seconds to make your attempt. The day before a boater received serious lacerations when he mistimed his leap and was cut on the many rusting obstructions that jut out from the decrepit dock. On the other side of the dock is a wooden stairwell. However the last 4 or 5 stairs have gone missing! Wonder if this is another ploy so that people will not be able to load fuel easily from the Pemex Station? plus the “Professional Water Taxi” which charges $5 for 200 metres would have some competition.
Our next post⇒ Bahia De Tortugas to Cabo San Lucas
Like almost all anchorages down the Pacific coast of Baja great, they are open to the Ocean swell. Having a great anchor means that you can sleep well even when close to a reef like this one. It blew up to 20 knots that night and I checked our position regularly and we did not move an inch.
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