If anyone has been thinking about sailing their boat down the Baja, I will be trailering my Mac down to Puerto Escondido mid to late April, planning to attend the Loreto Fest May 4,5,6and 7, and then sailing down to LaPaz.
This should be around a month long adventure. I will bus back up to retrive the truck and trailer. This area is said to be some of the most beautiful of the Baja and May is the best month to do it.
If your interested let me know.
Scott
Sailing Baja btwn Puerto Escondido and LaPaz
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Herm. Beeck
- Deckhand
- Posts: 41
- Joined: Tue Jan 13, 2004 7:22 pm
- Location: Tucson, Arizona
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scott vos
- Deckhand
- Posts: 44
- Joined: Thu Jan 13, 2005 10:38 am
- Location: So Calif 05 26m tohatsu 90
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Baja trip
BK-
this is not part of the Tuscon Sailing Club Flotilla(TSCF). They start in San Carlos and usually sail across the gulf to the east side of the Baja. I am going to trailer down the Baja and launch at Puerto Escondido(the east side of the Baja . Also, TSCF does their Flotilla in late May and I was told that the absolute best time of year to sail the islands between Loreto and LaPaz and fish this area is mid April and Early May. This is also perfect timing to make the ever popular Loreto Fest May 4,5,6,7.
Baja Map http://www.cruisecortez.com/map.htm
Loreto Fest http://www.hiddenportyachtclub.com/
I enjoyed doing the CanAm05 Flotilla last year and met a bunch of great sailors, both guy and gals, and saw some nicely outfitted Mac's. However, flotillas usually need to set a pace and follow a schedual. I'm retired and setting a pace and following a schedual is what i retired from. When The Admiral and I find a really nice marina, quaint town , private cove or paridice we usually decide to stay for a little longer??
Herm, Beeck-
we should be finishing up the trip at the end of May and I don't know if we will make it down to LaPaz or haul out at Puerto Escondido. I'll keep my eyes and ears open for a group of Mac's if you make it this far down.
scott
this is not part of the Tuscon Sailing Club Flotilla(TSCF). They start in San Carlos and usually sail across the gulf to the east side of the Baja. I am going to trailer down the Baja and launch at Puerto Escondido(the east side of the Baja . Also, TSCF does their Flotilla in late May and I was told that the absolute best time of year to sail the islands between Loreto and LaPaz and fish this area is mid April and Early May. This is also perfect timing to make the ever popular Loreto Fest May 4,5,6,7.
Baja Map http://www.cruisecortez.com/map.htm
Loreto Fest http://www.hiddenportyachtclub.com/
I enjoyed doing the CanAm05 Flotilla last year and met a bunch of great sailors, both guy and gals, and saw some nicely outfitted Mac's. However, flotillas usually need to set a pace and follow a schedual. I'm retired and setting a pace and following a schedual is what i retired from. When The Admiral and I find a really nice marina, quaint town , private cove or paridice we usually decide to stay for a little longer??
Herm, Beeck-
we should be finishing up the trip at the end of May and I don't know if we will make it down to LaPaz or haul out at Puerto Escondido. I'll keep my eyes and ears open for a group of Mac's if you make it this far down.
scott
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Herm. Beeck
- Deckhand
- Posts: 41
- Joined: Tue Jan 13, 2004 7:22 pm
- Location: Tucson, Arizona
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Frank C
Scott,
It's nice of you to post your plan. I know what you mean about marching to one's own drumbeat. I've never been south of Tijauna so hope you won't mind a few questions ...
Have you been down Baja before?
How long do you expect to tow down to Loreta?
Ever considered S.Carlos or Guaymas?
You plan about a month cruising the east coast islands?
Plans other than sailing & anchoring out? ... do you dive?
Any special equipment aboard, like A/C, generator?
Expecting to have laptop connectivity?
I'm looking forward to seeing SoC, though not this year. Thanks much.
P.S. Quoted below is some info re Mexican roads, from SoC website.
It's nice of you to post your plan. I know what you mean about marching to one's own drumbeat. I've never been south of Tijauna so hope you won't mind a few questions ...
Have you been down Baja before?
How long do you expect to tow down to Loreta?
Ever considered S.Carlos or Guaymas?
You plan about a month cruising the east coast islands?
Plans other than sailing & anchoring out? ... do you dive?
Any special equipment aboard, like A/C, generator?
Expecting to have laptop connectivity?
I'm looking forward to seeing SoC, though not this year. Thanks much.
P.S. Quoted below is some info re Mexican roads, from SoC website.
Roads - the Baja Side
Highway 1 goes all the way to Cabo San Lucas. Although generally in good repair, it is only two lanes and is usually not divided. There is seldom any safety shoulder at all. Livestock on the road is a big problem, so driving at night is not recommended. Gas stations are not nearly as common as on the mainland side.
Roads - the Mainland Side
On the mainland side, there is now a four-lane divided highway from Nogales all the way to Mexico City. By Mexican standards the road is kept in very good repair. It is a bit narrow compared to US roads, and it does not have much of a safety shoulder. If you are trailering a boat you should take it easy, and watch out for the semis, who will tend to pass you at high speed.
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scott vos
- Deckhand
- Posts: 44
- Joined: Thu Jan 13, 2005 10:38 am
- Location: So Calif 05 26m tohatsu 90
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baja trip
Frank
1. Been to Baja many times in my plane ,use to land on the beaches there( www.scottandmarlo.com and go to scotts photos-our cessna 206 trips)
2. I'll take three days, day light driving only(might take a week if we find something worth staying for)
3. I considered San Carlos and the Tuson Sailing Flotilla, but I have the extra time and i know how beautiful this area between Loreto and LaPaz is, so i plan on staying down there until we get tired of it
4. A month +/- ?? I'd like to make LaPaz
5. Sailing Fishing Hiking Exploring Snorkling(we'll bring our PADI cards)
6. Honda ei2000, Engel Refer/Freezer, 345 amp hrs battery, link 10 ,32 gal pressureized water w/ shower at helm, 20 amp smart charger, marine head w/ mercerator and deck pump out, 9' mercury dinghy w/ 5hp tohatsu, special made boarding ladder that sildes onto genoa track, BBQ mounts on stern rail seat, two axle trailer w/ 1 ton duramax desiel truck
7. Plan on leaving the laptop and digital camera at home(less to worry about)
Hope this ansewers your questions
I have several freinds that drive down to Cabo each year and they have assured me its safer that driving between Santa Barbra and San Diego
scott
1. Been to Baja many times in my plane ,use to land on the beaches there( www.scottandmarlo.com and go to scotts photos-our cessna 206 trips)
2. I'll take three days, day light driving only(might take a week if we find something worth staying for)
3. I considered San Carlos and the Tuson Sailing Flotilla, but I have the extra time and i know how beautiful this area between Loreto and LaPaz is, so i plan on staying down there until we get tired of it
4. A month +/- ?? I'd like to make LaPaz
5. Sailing Fishing Hiking Exploring Snorkling(we'll bring our PADI cards)
6. Honda ei2000, Engel Refer/Freezer, 345 amp hrs battery, link 10 ,32 gal pressureized water w/ shower at helm, 20 amp smart charger, marine head w/ mercerator and deck pump out, 9' mercury dinghy w/ 5hp tohatsu, special made boarding ladder that sildes onto genoa track, BBQ mounts on stern rail seat, two axle trailer w/ 1 ton duramax desiel truck
7. Plan on leaving the laptop and digital camera at home(less to worry about)
Hope this ansewers your questions
I have several freinds that drive down to Cabo each year and they have assured me its safer that driving between Santa Barbra and San Diego
scott
Frank, we have driven down to Cabo twice and the last 2 years have driven down to Guerro Negro to see the 1000+ whales(great trip). The road has recently been repaved all the way to Guerro Negro which is the half way mark to Cabo.
We stay the night in Ensenada at the Pelican Hotel, $40 and is very nice and make the big run to Guerro Negro in the daylight the next day.
Also, the last 2 years they have changed the way to pay for the immigration permit visa. First, in Ensenada, you give your passport to the immigration guy who is at the harbor then go to any bank and pay the $20 fee. Then you return with the stamped permit and you get your passport back with the visa. This all has to be done during banking hours so don't show up at night wanting to continue on through Ensenada.
They do check at the halfway mark border stop at Guerro Negro. Your name is sent down that you paid. It is $20 a person and everyone has to have a passport.
The state owned gas stations all look new and no problem with getting gas.
We stayed at a nice hotel called San Ignacio (Back rooms)or Hotel Malarrimo and RV park in Guerro Negro for about $30. Everyone eats at the Hotel Malarrimo. You can camp for free at the area called the nursery where the mother whales are with the baby whales. You can listen to the whales at night. The dirt road to the nursery has to be done slowly. The other whale watching tours are done from town at about $40 for 3 hours. You get to touch the whales.
By the way, there is a tour operator called Baha Whilies that charges $1200 per person for a driving week tour from San Diego to see these whales and they stay at the same hotel, eat at the same place and see the same whales as we do.
One last piece of info, the only phone for 200 miles in Guerro Negro is in the drug store. They charge about a $1 a minute to the US.
We stay the night in Ensenada at the Pelican Hotel, $40 and is very nice and make the big run to Guerro Negro in the daylight the next day.
Also, the last 2 years they have changed the way to pay for the immigration permit visa. First, in Ensenada, you give your passport to the immigration guy who is at the harbor then go to any bank and pay the $20 fee. Then you return with the stamped permit and you get your passport back with the visa. This all has to be done during banking hours so don't show up at night wanting to continue on through Ensenada.
They do check at the halfway mark border stop at Guerro Negro. Your name is sent down that you paid. It is $20 a person and everyone has to have a passport.
The state owned gas stations all look new and no problem with getting gas.
We stayed at a nice hotel called San Ignacio (Back rooms)or Hotel Malarrimo and RV park in Guerro Negro for about $30. Everyone eats at the Hotel Malarrimo. You can camp for free at the area called the nursery where the mother whales are with the baby whales. You can listen to the whales at night. The dirt road to the nursery has to be done slowly. The other whale watching tours are done from town at about $40 for 3 hours. You get to touch the whales.
By the way, there is a tour operator called Baha Whilies that charges $1200 per person for a driving week tour from San Diego to see these whales and they stay at the same hotel, eat at the same place and see the same whales as we do.
One last piece of info, the only phone for 200 miles in Guerro Negro is in the drug store. They charge about a $1 a minute to the US.
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Frank C
Wow - thanks guys~!
So Bob, you drive from the border to Ensenada in one day? Scott will be towing, so he's taking lots more time. I recall reading on the SoC website that it's advisable to be very cautious when towing in Mexico.
Except for tighter roads and lots more driving time, Baja sounds better, prettier and more interesting than San Carlos ~ where you're pretty much confined to a short section of mainland coastline. Otherwise, it's a long, long sail to reach Baja, then a very long sail to get south to Loreta & points south. But just looking at the map, it sure seems a very interesting stretch of islands that Scott has targeted.
So Bob, you drive from the border to Ensenada in one day? Scott will be towing, so he's taking lots more time. I recall reading on the SoC website that it's advisable to be very cautious when towing in Mexico.
Except for tighter roads and lots more driving time, Baja sounds better, prettier and more interesting than San Carlos ~ where you're pretty much confined to a short section of mainland coastline. Otherwise, it's a long, long sail to reach Baja, then a very long sail to get south to Loreta & points south. But just looking at the map, it sure seems a very interesting stretch of islands that Scott has targeted.
The tighter road in Baha is very tight with no shoulder. My new RV is 102" wide which is 6" wider than the Mac and the big rigs in Baha. I think it is too wide for Baha. I take my old pick up truck down there and stay in the Mexican low cost Hotels.
Ensenada is only 60 miles below the border and the toll from TJ road runs along the coast. Very scenic and safe. We go right through TJ onto the toll road and get the visa, money change and gas in Ensenada for the hop to Guerro Negro early in the morning. Ensenada is a nice town and a visit to the long bar at Hussongs is mandatory. We also stay in Ensenada for the night after returning from the long run south.
BTW, If you get a flat tire in Baha you do not leave the road. You have to have a triangle signel kit you put in front and behind you. Everyone justs goes around you.
If your car breaks down, again, do not leave the road. There is no shoulder and the road is higher than the dirt sides and you will get stuck in the soft dirt. The Mexican government has a system of mechanics called the Green Angels who patrol the Baha roads looking for cars that broke down. There is no charge but I think you tip.
I see alot of boats being towed to Cabo, mostly 15 foot fishing boats. I wish my RV was the standard width size and I could take it down there.
Also, the big rigs and buses pass you going at a very fast speed but if you do it you will get a big ticket.
Ensenada is only 60 miles below the border and the toll from TJ road runs along the coast. Very scenic and safe. We go right through TJ onto the toll road and get the visa, money change and gas in Ensenada for the hop to Guerro Negro early in the morning. Ensenada is a nice town and a visit to the long bar at Hussongs is mandatory. We also stay in Ensenada for the night after returning from the long run south.
BTW, If you get a flat tire in Baha you do not leave the road. You have to have a triangle signel kit you put in front and behind you. Everyone justs goes around you.
If your car breaks down, again, do not leave the road. There is no shoulder and the road is higher than the dirt sides and you will get stuck in the soft dirt. The Mexican government has a system of mechanics called the Green Angels who patrol the Baha roads looking for cars that broke down. There is no charge but I think you tip.
I see alot of boats being towed to Cabo, mostly 15 foot fishing boats. I wish my RV was the standard width size and I could take it down there.
Also, the big rigs and buses pass you going at a very fast speed but if you do it you will get a big ticket.
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Frank C
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baldbaby2000
- Admiral
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My wife and I and another couple will be chartering on the Schooner Talofa the first week in June: http://www.talofatallship.com/. We'll be down around La Paz for a week. Anyone heard of this boat?
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Bobby T.-26X #4767
- Captain
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- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Oceanside Harbor, CA
Baja update
I drove from San Diego to CABO (without my X) on Friday & Saturday (3/31-4/1). two full days of driving.
Very little traffic, road is in pretty good shape, and theres plenty of gasolina for 6.2 pesos per litre (whats that, $2.28 per gallon?).
Im in Cabo right now (80+, waters warm, beers cold). Lots of whales just outside the waves in front of our house. My mother lives down here at our family home. She needs a car while shes here for the next 90 days. So I drove her down.
I fly back to reality (to the states) tomorrow afternoon.
I drove from San Diego to CABO (without my X) on Friday & Saturday (3/31-4/1). two full days of driving.
Very little traffic, road is in pretty good shape, and theres plenty of gasolina for 6.2 pesos per litre (whats that, $2.28 per gallon?).
Im in Cabo right now (80+, waters warm, beers cold). Lots of whales just outside the waves in front of our house. My mother lives down here at our family home. She needs a car while shes here for the next 90 days. So I drove her down.
I fly back to reality (to the states) tomorrow afternoon.