Cruising down from San Diego to mainland mexico

[jimellifritt]

I use the garmin fish fi der as a back up depth finder. There are many minialmist down here. I would definitely have chain rode at least 100 feet. There are many anchorages. There is a good group called Southbound cruisers on FB, there is a lessons learned post there that could benefit you

[ron17571]

Find a mast and sail and sail down there. The Panga sounds like more trouble than its worth. Sell the Panga and buying a mast and sail would be much cheaper than the fuel to motor there. The droning sound of an outboard for that far wouldn't be my choice either.

[Cynara]

Also read latitude38. Com and subscribe to the latitude38 magazine. There is a lot of information

[thataway41]

Although I have been up and down this coast a number of times, it was in the 1960's to 1990's eras, and there are many changes shoreside since then. The weather, and topography remains pretty much the same.

Although the usual winds are North Westerly down the outer coast of Baja, there are on occasion southerly light winds and significant southerly storms.

For the most part there are few safe harbors along the Pacific Baja coast, and several can be tricky entering.

The outboard hung on the transom is not appropriate for this type of voyage--the prop can easily come out of the water, unless there is an extra long shaft.

The Panga is dangerous to tow--as noted by several others. Do not try and either tow it or put it on the deck of the cat. Sell it.

Get an appropriate size mast, with decent sails. Be sure the rigging is adequate, including chain plates and other fittings. You can find used sails which will work and save some $ there. There are many masts available in boat "junk yards". Be sure that the mast section is appropriate for your use.

Before you head South, get some experience sailing the boat in S. Calif. When we got a new to us sailboat, we always headed up to Point Conception/San Miguel Island for a few days of heavy weather and seas. This allows us to stress the boat under relatively controlled circumstances. If there were weak points they tend to show up under these circumstances.

My understanding is that Acapulco is often bypassed by cruising boats these days because of the crime issues. Be sure and check this out before you leave. The Acapulco Yacht Club used to be a safe place, but escorts were suggested if leaving the club compound. Even in the late 1990's there was significant thievery of boats at anchor in Acapulco harbor. Marina Santa Lucia is also a fairly safe place on the grounds.

I have anchored several times in Puerto Marques. It is open to the Westly swell, and even close to the marina in the South East Corner there can be significant swell. I would want to know what the security situation was there now-- It is not a place where I would want to live aboard at any type of anchor for a prolonged period.

When you have all of the issues resolved and the boat sailing comfortably, have a great voyage.

[Jim Cate]

^^^

Good summary post, good advice, so pay attention!

Jim

[Sand crab]

If motoring you might want to try these outboard brackets. But I would recommend twin motors. They make long shaft 20 HP and larger.

https://panthermarineproducts.com/ou...otor-brackets/
https://yamahaoutboards.com/en-us/ho...5-2-5-hp/25-15

[LittleWing77]

Originally Posted by TrentePieds

Sailor said: "I plan to use two or maybe even three helical screw anchors along with really strong anchor chain and lines."

Helical screw anchors??? Oh dear! Now we are getting REALLY worried! Have you ever been taught how to anchor a vessel safely? Do you know the physics of how a marine anchor works? We are not just tethering a goat, which is what screw anchors are for!

As for Puerto Marques Bay, the bottom there consists of a rather loose sand, does it not? How are you going to get a screw anchor to hold in that? And how would you even set such an anchor? You'd surely have to scuba dive to do it. And you won't have scuba gear aboard will you?

The wind and the swell from the Pacific are bound to be coming straight into the mouth of the bay. And the bay is a lee shore, is it not? Are you familiar with the term "lee shore"?

With a useless anchor such as a screw anchor and an inadequate engine installation, how are you going to stay safe? More particularly, given that you will be the skipper and therefore legally responsible for the safety of your crew, how are you going to keep your CREW safe?

As I said before: You need to do some more thinking!

TP

+1

I started worrying when he said he didn't want to take any chain. Lately I've seen a couple of such expressions on CF to the effect of 'is chain necessary'. People don't seem to understand that it's your chain (a goodly amount - more than 10 feet, would be my suggestion) which keeps your anchor on the bottom and dug in.

If you don't properly lay out your chain in a trailing line away from where your anchor is set, you're a sure candidate for dragging. Dragging onto a lee shore on your first trip out would end your long-term plans pretty abruptly and all in one go.

Woe betide the sailor who ignores the dangers of a lee shore!

LittleWing77

[waterman46]

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

Don't forget your TIP before you leave.


If you don't know what this is, you really shouldn't go.

The TIP is easy to get at first check-in at Ensenada. But before you go you should get the annual fishing license online, if you will be carrying any fishing gear.

[waterman46]

Originally Posted by sailor4life7777

Someone gave me a large 20' fiberglass panga. It would be too heavy for me to carry it on the catamaran but I could tow it behind me. I could leave the Honda 50 hp on the panga and get two Yamaha 9.9hp outboards for the catamaran. Or I could get a smaller dinghy. What do you guys think?

This has to be one of the strangest threads,but very entertaining. He has money to buy two 9.9hp outboards but not enough to find a used rig and save probably $1000 in fuel costs by sailing, to say nothing of the increased safety of being able to sail if the engine dies. And I am trying to picture a 50 hp outboard on a 33 ft catamaran.

[carstenb]

I'm wondering if the OP is related (however distantly) with the fellow who built and (tried) to sail the Flying Hawaiian.