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CaptainSonny · 20-09-2016, 08:07

New to the forum. Seasoned sailor currently living in Marina Del Rey (Los Angeles). Own a 1979 30ft Catalina. I'm not from the USA but living here at the moment on a business visa which will expire early next year. I am originally from Australia.

Exploring liveaboard ideas in Mexico. Thinking of sailing down solo and staying somewhere like La Paz, Loreto or nearby... Can explore when I get there. My business allows me to do this but I would like to be able to come up here to LA a few times a year for clients - possibly sail or quick flight up?.

Curious. Any folk sail to & from these locations from SoCal & Mexico annually. Experiences and prices for living aboard in Mexico. Experiences sailing solo in Mexico waters? Experiences occsssionally picking up a crew member to fill the void on rougher trips?

Also, what happens at the Mexico & USA border when sailing? Can I just come in/out on ESTA visa for those expats who might be reading this?

And finally, have a rockstar french bulldog who loves sailing and has traveled the world with me. Experiences from dog owners living aboard in Mexico also?

Thanks community. Hope to see some of you out there

zeehag · 20-09-2016, 08:17

many folks do the commute/migration between various mexican cities/pueblas and usa.
depending on where you settle, driving your car is an option, flying is an option, taking the bus is an option. however, no pets on buses any more. (dogs in hard carriers ride under the bus, in cargo hold--you can hear em crying the entire trip)
to bring into mexico a car is a hoop jump. not so difficult with boat.
if you plan on relocating all your worldly goods to mexico, you need to research the requirements--mexican consulate will help you. they are in san diego near laurel street moorings--just up the hill, grape street--short walk. google it fro details. there may now be a way to do this online. i am already here and rules changed with new administration in 2012.

CaptainSonny · 20-09-2016, 09:02

No goods to bring apart from my boat

. Travel light. What is a realistic schedule for sailing from SoCal to these locations? And back? Have you sailed solo down there? Not talking about hard sailing. Just mainsail & some engine action when necessary.

Is it easy to liveaboard down there? Marinas? Mournings? Pricing? Waitlist?

zeehag · 20-09-2016, 09:44

la to sd--20 hours or so, sd to ensenada 16-20 hours or so... ensenada south--fuel is only issue-- not many stops available despite awesome anchorages for sleeping overnight. san quintin is only 5.5 ft depth at inlet.. use accordingly..
charlies charts are good cruising guides.
i went only for fuel into cabo--they also charge a 17 percent dock fee for fuel purchases. oops.
check into mexico in ensenada. everything is there-- do the pre checkin stuff in san diego--there is a mexican consulate there, close to the cruisers anchorage. you must get permission to anchor ffrom the police at municipal docks on shelter island, aka cop docks when you enter sd bay.
back--it is easier to keep boat in mexico and drive or fly back when necessary. the bash is not always fun.
and do watch your weather window closely.
even remaining in ensenada the sail north is 20 hours uphill....

SV THIRD DAY · 20-09-2016, 10:27

There are so many people doing exactly what you are looking to do out of Baja that it's almost like asking if you can get a cheeseburger at McDonald's.
A bus to La Paz from Tijuana is $99 and takes 24hrs.
A flight from Tijuana to La Paz is $120 and takes 2hrs.

Internet and phone in La Paz is as good as your internet/phone in Marina del Rey. You can either anchor out for FREE in La Paz or pay the same or not MORE than you are paying now in MDR.

KiminAK · 20-09-2016, 10:52

I'm relocating to San Carlos, Mexico. Sail in the Sea of Cortez, reasonable bus ride to Tucson, or Phoenix. 4 hour drive to the US border, reasonable slip rates. If you're looking for a flotilla to come south, check out the Baja Ha Ha. Although I believe it's leaving pretty soon to come south, October, IIRC.

fatherchronica · 21-09-2016, 09:07

It is the easiest thing you will ever do. I cannot believe it took me so long to get around to it. It is on a par with the day I realized I had wasted so many years raising children when I could have been raising Labrador Retrievers. When you get there the biggest hassle will be which bus goes where when you want to stock up occasionally at a Costco or Walmart, which will get fewer and farther between as you find farmers markets and such. Don't over think it. We will maybe see you there, good sailing, David and Holli and Jimi and Pinka

rmlarson1098 · 21-09-2016, 09:11

Consider buying dog food in Mexico. We've had no problem with pets, but a squabble between USA and Mexico over pet foods means that Mexico will usually not allow U.S. made products into the country as U.S will not let Mex. pet foods in. Take enough to get you to Ensenada and consider stocking up there. Your $200 o IAMS might not make it!
Cheers, Robert.

zeehag · 21-09-2016, 09:17

pet food in mexico is much more common to find than is cat food. pedigree is everywhere and that one with the cute gogggie face on it--wet food-- and chow. pedigree and chow are commonplace dog foods and easily found in bulk.
look for cat food or cat litter--you get a weird facial expression and they ask in spanish why the cat not doing it s job of using outdoor toilet and hunting critters--muchos ratones in mexico , muchos pajaros. why feed cat.. oh boy.
dogs in mexico guard. cats hunt. guards get fed, hunters best eat their kill.

Sailor647 · 21-09-2016, 12:55

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