Crossing the Sea of Cortez
Crossed the Sea of Cortez from Ensenada De Los Muertos to Mazatlan, some 190 nm. It took us 31 hrs leaving leaving Los Muertos at 5am on fri, and got into Marina Mazatlan at 11am on Saturday. We sailed most of the way, in 10-12 knots of breeze just aft of the beam which made for some great sailing. Stops was averaging between 6.5 and 7.5 knots the whole way with full main, genny and the windvane steering. On Sat morning the wind died and we motored the last couple of hours into the the marina entrance. The entrance to the channel is narrow especially with the dredger off to one side. We had a 2 knot ebb tide and 8 feet of water at the bar, which meant if we had come in two hours later with less than 1 feet above low water we wouldn't have been able to get in!
On the leg from La Paz to Ensenada De Los Muertos we caught another nice Dorado just as the sun was setting.. Our squid looking lure did the trick again..
Cyrille managed to make 3 amazing meals from that one fish.. Can't beat the taste of fresh fish!
Checked out the local nightlife in Mazatlan on Sat night. Joe's Oyster bar took most of our Dineros. Fiestaland with it's colorful lit castle was pretty amazing to see, but didn't end up checking out the clubs. Last night we checked out the old town, which was really pretty. Reminded me of Oaxaca.
Tomorrow heading to Banderas Bay via Isla Isabela and some nice anchorages..
Hi Chet – some great sailing your end 🙂 – came upon your blog when I was ‘thinking’ of buying a sail-boat here in the bay area and noticed yr J-24. Didn’t buy a boat 🙂 ( so far ) – but sail the bay lots ( I think we’d chatted a bit – I was heading out on a pal’s Hunter 45 out of Pier 39 sometime in July or so ). Enjoy the sunny cruising 🙂 – when you head back up the left coast – give me a yell perhaps and would be most glad to take you flying over the bay area highlights 🙂 ( pretty much grew up sailing and flying this end – which is where a good bit of time goes.. :)) Have fun out there and with all regards, Vikas 🙂