Mexico

[Cheechako]

dana-tenacity.... yea that's how I remember San Carlos too

[Squeaks]

I too would like to see more on cruising Mexico. Having crewed as far south as Alcapulco and skippering a delivery back in '77 and gearing up to retire there (or as a yo-yo for part of the year) aboard my boat very, very soon it would be both informative and encouraging.
Thanks!
John

[Sailabel]

I think having a 'Mexico' thread is appropriate, in that many cruisers head that way; and is often the first stop for us 'west coast' cruisers. There is a lot of info out there, but it's not always the most current. So, being able to ask folks who are currently cruising Mexico can be a great advantage.

As it relates to charts... I've got to second the comment regarding charts being inaccurate. I guess the charts are accurate... just the gps data is off.

I agree that the Sea is a great place to spend some time.
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[Jmolan]

Originally Posted by Sailabel

I think having a 'Mexico' thread is appropriate, in that many cruisers head that way; and is often the first stop for us 'west coast' cruisers. There is a lot of info out there, but it's not always the most current. So, being able to ask folks who are currently cruising Mexico can be a great advantage.

As it relates to charts... I've got to second the comment regarding charts being inaccurate. I guess the charts are accurate... just the gps data is off.

I agree that the Sea is a great place to spend some time.
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Sailbable, nice website you have. It looks like you are in Marina Seca Guaymas? Is that right? Are you hauled out for the summer?

I bought my boat when it was on the hard there. I brought my wife in to clean out the 3 years of dirt in Sept. It felt like a pizza oven...OH MAN! I ma glad she kept me and the boat, but it was touch and go I am afraid!

[Boracay]

Could we put two sub forums for Mexico under "Destinations"?

This might not add greatly to the complexity.

[Jmolan]

Squeaks, there are a lot of people doing just that. The majority of cruisers I met on this last cruise are all Mexico based. In other words very few of them ever leave. Many go to the mainland for the winter and hit the Sea of Cortez for the late spring, then haul out or find a hurricane hole to hide in for the summer. The cruise the fall around here and back down to the mainland for winter.
The mainland side (San Carlos) is a 5 hour drive or bus ride to the US. On the Baja side it is much more remote. 1,000 miles of two lane road. The Baja side has many more good anchorages and interesting places. Below (south) Guaymas, it becomes very flat and shallow and not suited to cruising. That is why everyone jumps over to the Baja side if they are going south.
La Paz is also a very nice place to re-fit and prepare for another season. Many cruisers there. And it looked like a good amount of industry to get what you need. Cool town, located on the water, big long water front walkway. You can check out the club site.

Club Cruceros de La Paz Home Page

Just some stuff off the top of my head.

Oh this guy is tops for weather.

Home Page

Weather is a joke here though really. It will finally boil down to, listen for any warnings, and deal with what you have in front of you. There are so many variables with the mountains and the desert and all the valleys etc. I talked to a guy the other day who has sailed (really sails, 44' cat and a 9.9 hp outboard) the Sea of Cortez for 8 years now. He has never seen over 30 kts short of hurricane conditions. I would concur with that. I have been out in 30 kts. northerly and it sucked. But it was not a storm by any means. and it was forcast. But as far as getting the wind directions and speed right for you local? Don't count on it. Just listen for the warnings and go deal with it. Often it is 8 to 12 kts. and flat anyhow...only thing slowing me down is the Dorado that becomes a drogue while I wait for it to play out......:-)

[jackiepitts]

I would be happy with one forum on Mexico so I could post some of my many questions.
Jackie

[Charlie]

I like the idea of the Mexico forum. It would be nice to break it down into two parts one for each coast. Has anyone used the Gerry charts for the SEa of Cortez? Here is a link to his website. Gerry Sea of Cortez Charts I bought them last year b/c I thought I was going to do the Baja Ha Ha in 2008 now as long as fiancies hold out I will do the 2009 and then leave the boat in La Paz wile I yo yo then? Not sure if we'll bring the boat back or what?

[canimlake_rudy]

I'm looking forward to a Mexican forum. I just got a boat in Mazatlan and look forward to sail the sea of cortez for a wile. I sure have problems to find digital maps for my Mac book. I found some for my garmin gps, but was shocked how empty those maps are.
I'm looking forward to any good advice!
I will be in Mazatlan from the 22nd of May on for a week. If somebody is down there please contact me!

[Cheechako]

As I remember it , the Charts are all from the 1800's and are off.... not the GPS!

[Jmolan]

The charts are right on, on Lattitude. They are off on Logitude. Makes sense if they were using older fix methods when they made the chart. Between one and two mles off east or west. I found it to be no big deal, as the area has good visibility 99.9% of the time. With the new guidbooks and their GPS waypoints you can plug those in and go in at night if you choose. We usually do not find ourselves coming in at night so we did not do this. Those same charts are not detailed enough to show you the small reef and rocks anyhow. You need a guidbook.
I talked to one cruiser who said they motored 80% of the time last year. They figured out they were setting their goals too far away to make a decent day of sailing possible. They always had to motor to make it too their desired anchorage. Now they go much shorter distances, and are able to make it under sail. Pretty simple but made a world of differnce to their enjoyment of the sailboat I think.

[dana-tenacity]

We cruised all over the west coast and Baja, did way less motoring than most (hardly any in fact).

1) have a boat that sails well
2) don't overload it with unnecessary stuff
3) no sailboat should have a fixed three bladed prop
4) travel when there is wind, stay put when there is not (our best sailing was at night, there are significant land breezes in most of Baja)
5) learn to enjoy sailing at 2-3 kn.

[Liam Wald]

I would love to see a Mexico Forum. That would be very helpful as I am planning a year in the Sea of Cortez. Thanks, Liam.

[Catalysis]

This thread has been very valuable to us already.
Our Cat "Indigo" will be based out of La Paz from mid June 2009 onwards and ae looking for good chart, cruisiing guides - we have "Charlie's charts" and based on the thread advice we will buy Shawn Breeding and Heather Bansmer Crusiing guidebook also.
Does anyone have experience with picking up Sirius Weather / Radio service in the La Paz area?
Paul and Maureen.

[Jmolan]

Originally Posted by Catalysis

This thread has been very valuable to us already.
Our Cat "Indigo" will be based out of La Paz from mid June 2009 onwards and ae looking for good chart, cruisiing guides - we have "Charlie's charts" and based on the thread advice we will buy Shawn Breeding and Heather Bansmer Crusiing guidebook also.
Does anyone have experience with picking up Sirius Weather / Radio service in the La Paz area?
Paul and Maureen.

Good move basing out of La Paz, there is a good group of folks on moorings/anchor, as well as in the marina's. VHF Channel 22 is the working frequency there and they have a morning NET at 0800.

I have a friend who uses Sirius with good luck down there. I use XM in San Carlos no problem.

For weather I got a short wave radio. Dual Conversion Shortwave radio with side Band, SSB Radio, Kaito KA1103

You can get it cheaper, I just googled this pic for this site. This radio worked really well after I figured out how to use it. There are a number of SSB nets that you can pick up that has excellent weather service run by sailors for sailors. The radio did not work near a city due to interference, but you do not need it when you get weather on the VHF in town. I want to get an antennae extension run up the backstay next time around.
You can also get a free program to pick up weather fax's. I have not done it yet, but I will when I go offshore.
For the Sea of Cortez, just listen for the big picture, like warnings and general flow etc. then just deal with the local stuff as it comes.