BC to Baja and Beyond - '09

[waterdog]

We are now in early stage homlessness. That is to say we are out of the house. We still have vehicles and we haven't yet exhausted the goodwill of friends and family. Tomorrow we lose the cars.

But we will soon have the boat loaded and move aboard. Home for a year or so.

Saturday we are having a large party and sailing away. We'll mess about in the gulf islands for a week and head out Juan de Fuca.

[Amgine]

Congrats Waterdog & crew!

Of course, you're all making me extremely jealous. I may have to chase you down, starting next year. Keep in touch here so I know where to find you.

[Solosailor]

Join Blue Water Cruising Association. It's worth it. You can run an Ad for crew. You are will miss this years V.I.C.E. (Vancouver Island Cruising Experience) though. This is a yearly event were people go out to sea to gain experience. I did it last year and it was wonderful education.

[limmer]

highseas when is your departure date? we are leaving on aug 8 for victoria and will leave aug 9 for san fran. jeff - sv rockstar

[highseas]

Hey Jeff,we are leaving on the same day.Was going to leave on the 6th. but now pushed back to 8 or 9 Aug. from Neah bay.Winds dont look good at this point,but will likely improve by next weeks forecast.Picking up new mainsail on Tuesday in Vancouver,then will head for Port Angeles.We will also shoot for SanFran.,thinking about 80 miles out.If weather bad at Mendocino ,will head into coast around Port Orford or Crescent City.we are at Hornby today,and heading for Lasqueti this afternoon.Will look for you next week;Geoff

[highseas]

Just checked 180hr. forecast on Passage Weather,looks like flow returns to normal by Saturday.

[LByers]

We plan to head out the Strait on or about August 19th. Anyone leaving around then? Heading to SF and then on down for the Baja Ha Ha. YeeHaw!

[speakeasy]

For all you Canuckistani's heading to SoCal, here's a recent review of anchorages and their limitations. A snippet and a link. Fair winds!

VAGABONDING IT IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Do you or any of your readers know of free or inexpensive liveaboard anchoring sites/mooring in Southern California?
Phileta Riley
Bandon, OR
Phileta — If you're looking for a safe and convenient year 'round place to liveaboard for free in Southern California, you're not going to find it. And if you could, there would be countless other people fighting for the same spot.
If, however, you're truly a transient vessel or can be mobile, there are some options. For example, if you don't live in San Diego County and your boat isn't registered in San Diego County, you can get a permit — once your boat has been inspected — to anchor for free up to three months a year at the A-8 anchorage in San Diego. We salute San Diego for offering this option to transients.
When it comes to moorings, the best deal on the coast has always been Newport Beach, where you can — after giving the Orange County Sheriff a look-see at your boat — get a mooring for $5/night. The maximum stay is 15 days, after which you have to leave for 15 days before coming back. You do, however, have to pay every five days. After October and before May 1, Newport Beach allows you to stay for 60 days, but you still have to pay every five days.

Latitude 38 Letters - May 2009 Scroll down to Vagabonding ... letter for the full goop.

[ixtlan22]

We'll should be in the mix there somewhere. We still have a lot of boat things to do otherwise we'd be gone already

We'll probably hold up in Neah Bay and wait for weather come September.

Ray and Sandy
S/V Pure Joy
Olympia

[highseas]

Just did a rough inventory count on here of cruisers heading south from B.C. and west coast of U.S.,came up with about 15 vessels.I look forward to visiting with all,and to review what went right and what didn't.

[highseas]

Looks like we will be holed up at Neah Bay next week ,waiting for the low and accompanying south winds to let up.Seems to be alot of abnormal southerly winds on west coast this last few weeks,contrary to regular summer flow.At least winds will be light getting up Juan De Fuca on weekend.Hope things change soon.

[highseas]

WTF,now its all different,the south winds are now more like easterlies,opposite of regular onshore flow.That is a change!Tonight at Montague Harbour we had the most bizarre red sunset anybody has ever seen,redder than red,like Mars.

[zeehag]

this is an el nino year-things will change next june, when el nino clears out--sailing is a lot different than normal years---for anchoring in san diego--call 619-686-6227 for a space in the alleged cruisers anchorage over by the coast guard station--is run by the san diego harbor police....need to get a permit 24 hours in advance of attempting to anchor--is a fine and such for not so doing. mexico telecommunications are fine with a sprint or other service air card--dial up broadband or some wifi--the dial up broadband is usable wherever you can see a cell tower and have cell reception...wifi is another story....if you stop in san diego--go to downwind marine-they have all the scoop on cruising and help cruisers with various things like parts and info--they have a decent cruising guide--and are one of the sponsors of the haha....have fun!! i found the southbound group on yahoo just that--yahoos---didnt find any good info--was merely gossip and bs....goodluck--maybe they cleaned up their act by now----

[Charlie]

I have been able to gleen some good info from southbound group. You do have to wade thru some BS though. Format is not the best either.

[highseas]

Sitting in Neah Bay, waiting for the weather window,first rain seen in some time.