Sea of Cortez or Caribbean?

[McGinnis]

We're currently back in California before heading back to the boat in Guaymas come October. Unsurprisingly, we still haven't figured out what we're doing or where we're going when we get back.

Background:

We've spent the last year on the west coast of the US/Mexico and Sea of Cortez, originally planning on making it through the canal and being in the Atlantic by now. We quickly adapted to the slow life and didn't make it out of La Paz in time to safely make it out of the hurricane zone so we lounged in the Sea of Cortez for a bit before putting the boat on the hard in Guaymas.

We'll be heading back to the boat the end of October and have up to a year + to make the most of our life at sea. Keep in mind we're likely to sell the boat at the end and resume a less functional life.

Idea #1
Stay in the Sea of Cortez for the winter, maybe part of the summer, before heading back up the west coast of the US. Eventually find ourselves in a port somewhere, decide we're "good" (for now) and move on.

Idea #2
Make some wicked good time down to Panama (I figure we'll make it in about two months, weather pending) and hangout in the Atlantic for about a year, landing eventually somewhere on the east coast, decide we're good (for now) and move on.

Caveats:
-Hurricanes/weather in the Atlantic (we're quite used to the calm, squalless weather of Mexico)
-If it's better to try and sell somewhere on the west coast or somewhere between Florida and Texas
-Being able to decide that we're "good" (for now)


I'm hoping a little input from the forum will help sway a decision. Keep in mind we're in our mid-20's and don't have the cushion of a real retirement so money is a factor to consider.


And go.

[Bash]

Getting stuck in the Cruiser Vortex in La Paz is quite common. Many never make it out. For that reason, since you've already gotten stuck, the best advice may be to move on.

While you can.

[model 10]

You may get to Panama in 2 months but then what? Shelter Bay is a pretty pricey place to get stuck for the next phase of your adventure. However you would be ending up in a much bigger cruising ground once you left the canal area.

[McGinnis]

Originally Posted by Guy

You may get to Panama in 2 months but then what? Shelter Bay is a pretty pricey place to get stuck for the next phase of your adventure. However you would be ending up in a much bigger cruising ground once you left the canal area.

Going through the canal naturally!

We're quite okay with the large cruising ground and it has it's appeal in some regards.

One of the bigger deciding factors is the market in Florida vs California. Where the best dollar can be sought in the least saturated/highest desired market.

[model 10]

We sailed from CA to FL and tried to sell the boat for about a year. There are a lot of boats for sale on the east coast. Decided to keep it and sail back to the Sea of Cortez someday.

[zeehag]

i have no interest in sailing golfo de california--is desert with a lil stick of watr btween.
tropical mexco is so much prettier and more interesting and has mayan ruins and aztec ruins and many other things to do and see. lovely with rain, also, in summer.
so many gringos only cruise the golfo withou tpaying attention to tropical mexico--is too bad for them.is gorgeous here. and cheap..especially in summer when rates drop like hot bricks.
to even try to compare the desert like heat sans rain of golfo de california to or with the tropical rain season areas of mexico is like comparing phoenix aridzona with saint louis or kansas city in tornado season. it aint happening...
different places in same huge nation. such a long coast line to be staying in one locale with no changes except when a hurrycame comes up golfo de california...
yeah, almost all the sailing gringos return to san carlos /guaymas for summer. dont know why and i wont find out--i prefer these lovely places and spaces that havent the summer crowding.

why dont ye try cruising the wet coast of mexico with summer in bahia del sol.....south of mexico..cruise central america then decide if you wish to go to caribean..