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Old 18-09-2018, 14:00   #1
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Baja to San Francisco

I’m asking if there is a “good “ time of year to sail from Baja to San Francisco? I know that the current runs south so..... not ideal. I’m looking for suggestions for sailing this rout in a Gemini 105mc (34’by14’). All suggestions appreciated. Thank you.
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Old 18-09-2018, 14:31   #2
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Re: Baja to San Francisco

Read Jim Elfer's book "the Baja Bash".

Great information and it was my Bible.
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Old 18-09-2018, 15:32   #3
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Re: Baja to San Francisco

Thank you, wil do.
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Old 18-09-2018, 15:54   #4
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Re: Baja to San Francisco

It depends on how much time you have for faffing around waiting for weather. For instance, winder storms are southerly quadrant, but remember, the seas will kick up due to the south flowing current. With a boat that can go to weather well in light airs, then look for those situations, get as far as you can (use 24 hr. days, do not day hop), then wait for the arrival of the next favorable breezes. However, if it has to be a delivery trip, then you suck it up and try to damage the boat as little as possible. If you have the time for it, the two tack method, first one almost to HI is sometimes recommended. It's payback for the sleigh ride south. Do not risk going in hurricane season, there are few places to hide from a major storm. [A chap called mikereed started a thread about the use of Jordan Series Drogues for catamarans here a few years back, you might find that interesting. Use the CF Custom Google Search function, and it should find it for you, somewhere in the archives.]

Good luck with it. Most likely it will be doable, just pick gentle weather for that lightly built boat.

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Old 18-09-2018, 17:06   #5
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Re: Baja to San Francisco

Thank you Ann. I will take your advice. It is not a delivery so it will be ok to wait for good weather.
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Old 19-09-2018, 09:05   #6
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Re: Baja to San Francisco

I've only done the Baja-bash three times, all during the June-July time frame. Two were only as far as San Diego, with one to Santa Cruz. As s/v Toucan mentioned, the book covering the Baja-Bash by Jim Elfer's is a good resource to review for his extensive experience on this topic. Picking your weather is key to this trip, particularly if you choose to make your way up the coast. Having current weather predictions are essential. Most are fairly reliable for out to 72-hours. It's also useful to be aware of anchorages that will allow for protection from the prevailing wind and waves. Most are found relatively close to one another, with the exceptions of the stretches between Cabo Falso and Bahia Magdalena and between San Simeon and Monterey. The downside of doing a summer bash is the possibility of the development of early season hurricanes. Good luck and enjoy the experience.
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Old 20-09-2018, 07:43   #7
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Re: Baja to San Francisco

The summer months of June July and August definitely give you the best chance of an easier ride North.

You will have good internet in San Jose De Cabo as you wait to round the point and go up your then have good internet in mag Bay two and a half days later most people are stopping now at Cedros Island and bypassing Turtle Bay. So will have good internet there for your next leg. you can check out of the country at Cedro silent and avoid Ensenada if you can make it to San Diego direct which will save you a day.
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Old 20-09-2018, 09:13   #8
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Re: Baja to San Francisco

Depending on your boat and the quality of your weather information, you might consider sailing north with low pressure systems. When the Pacific high did not build in in 1993 and we needed to get home to Portland, this is what we did. There is better weather information now, so there is less likelihood of surprises. Good luck.
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Old 20-09-2018, 14:37   #9
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Re: Baja to San Francisco

Thank you Rich and Robert.
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Old 20-09-2018, 14:43   #10
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Re: Baja to San Francisco

There was a nifty article in CW a few years ago called the Baja Dash. Harbor hopping up the coast. Send me a pm and I'll get it to you, I saved it as a PDF, too big to post here unfortunately. Sailing from SD to SF has been covered to death already. It's the getting from Cabo to SD that is the hard part.
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Old 20-09-2018, 17:54   #11
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Re: Baja to San Francisco

Thanks Stu. PMing now!
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Old 20-09-2018, 18:06   #12
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Re: Baja to San Francisco

I have read about bashing north. It may be made easier by following the coast, using shifts, shelter etc.
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Old 20-09-2018, 18:47   #13
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Re: Baja to San Francisco

Thank you
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Old 20-09-2018, 22:06   #14
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Re: Baja to San Francisco

Your timing is good for a departure in late fall (after October), going north.

Done this trip twice. First time pretty easy in April. This year in May very windy most of the way. In winter the constant northwesterlies lay down a little. In the northern half, in winter, it is possible to get a rare low pressure system with first strong southerlies then cold strong northerly - those are brief and can be avoided by taking the coastal route and staying in anchorages when needed.

Refueled easily at Turtle Bay but couldn't even get to south end of Cedros due to super strong currents combined with a cross-wind, so we tacked over to port for an easy ride inside the island.

The internet connection we used was via T-Mobile, no extra charge in many foreign countries.

Best not to time your rounding of Cabo at mid-day. We did, and had tough going until 11PM. Think we made about 2 knots that afternoon. So leave SJ Del Cabo in the evening not morning.

Checking out of Mexico is very easy at Ensenada and the town is nice.
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Old 21-09-2018, 08:00   #15
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Re: Baja to San Francisco

Thank you for your experience Waterman 46.
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