Sailing Along the Mexican Coast

[mtbandrdrider]

My good friend and I wish to sail along the Mexican coast on a trip that will eventually take us to Patagonia. My friend is a good sailor, but I am new to it. To sail close to shore, and camping on the beach, how large of a boat is needed? How much experience would be required? Which side should we sail down, The Gulf or Pacific? We do not have a boat now and wish to spend as little money as possible on one. Also, I have heard that there are pirates, are they a threat?

[foamcore]

You could do it the way you describe with a sea kayak. Anything bigger would have to be a lot bigger, like a Hobie cat.

[Misiu]

Originally Posted by foamcore

You could do it the way you describe with a sea kayak.

Or even try a transatlantic crossing...
http://www.wired.com/playbook/2011/02/epic-kayak-guy/

[sww914]

A friend of mine did it with 3 other old fat guys for a couple of weeks in a 20' plywood catamaran. They trailered it down to the Sea Of Cortez and camped on the beach as you described. They had the time of their lives. Fresh seafood barbeques most nights, warm beer, rotten veggies, and soggy sandy sleeping bags steaming around the fire. Tim said it was the best 2 weeks of his life.

[mtbandrdrider]

It sounds like fun. Also, we have to have storage for our mode of transit for the rest of the journey: our bikes. Since we are both cyclists, is it possible to take a bike powered boat on the trip? Is it possible to build one easily?

[sded]

These guys fixed up a Panga and headed for Panama Get Lost Travel - Home . They sold the boat along the way, but I last saw them in Barra de Navidad and know they got a bit further before they sold it.

[Bash]

Originally Posted by mtbandrdrider

Also, I have heard that there are pirates, are they a threat?

Pirates? In Mexico? Did you hear this from the kid who sits across from you in algebra?

[mtbandrdrider]

No, from this: Pirates Robbing Boats At Gunpoint On US-Mexico Border Lake
Didn't know if this was an oddball occurrence.

[RTB]

You might want to be careful of certain areas....especially borders. They have plenty of guns, thanks to us - My Way News - AP Enterprise: US push not halting guns to Mexico

I have a friend that just spent a couple of weeks in Progreso, and Isla Mujeres on his boat. No problems, and they really enjoyed the people there.

[foamcore]

Now you want a pedal powered boat? You're making this trip really hard. How about something with sails, that way you can actually make some time?

[mtbandrdrider]

Pedal powered boat was simply an idea, and I'm not set on it. At all.

[mtbandrdrider]

How many days would it take to put the boat out on the Southernmost point of Texas, and sail to Guatemala?

[foamcore]

Lotsa miles, If you are pedaling of paddling, it would be months. Sailing would be weeks.

[mtbandrdrider]

Okay. That is good, because we need to get to patagonia relatively quickly.

[perchance]

Which side? Atlantic or Pacific?