Storage on the hard in Mexico?

[Coastalmess]

Have wintertime plans to cruise Mexico's Pacific coast. Curious as to other's experience with leaving their sailboats in Mexico for extended periods of time. The further south the better as future plans include continuing south and then west. Any firsthand experience in this department? Cost, safety and the like?

[zeehag]

there are many folks who leave boats in mexico to go back north after the high season ends... some leave boats in water in marinas and some leave on hard and some even leave em on moorings or anchored, which i snot recommended for a long absence.
some even stay year round.
safety-- yup. contrary to your news sources mexico is a fairly safe place. marinas are secure and folks are unmolested by the idiocy of cartel actions. the cruising community is a fairly tight community.
in high season rents are high. in low season, some rents are lower. depends on location. the 2 cane holes fill up early and have high rent. those are marina ixtapa and marina puerta de navidad, in barra de navidad.
many go up into sea of cortez aka gulf of california. there are many dry storage yards there and in many locales.
if you are with baja jhaha there will be info. if you are coming down separate from the haha you will meet folks who will and can give info. there are cruisers nets in am on vhf which offer much info and there are fb groups which cover these issues. there are also ssb nets for info. sonrisa net is one.
as i stated earlier in my comment the prices vary and are for the most part less expensive than san diego or lost angeles marina fees.

[NaClyDog]

Originally Posted by zeehag

there are many folks who leave boats in mexico to go back north after the high season ends... some leave boats in water in marinas and some leave on hard and some even leave em on moorings or anchored, which i snot recommended for a long absence.
some even stay year round.
safety-- yup. contrary to your news sources mexico is a fairly safe place. marinas are secure and folks are unmolested by the idiocy of cartel actions. the cruising community is a fairly tight community.
in high season rents are high. in low season, some rents are lower. depends on location. the 2 cane holes fill up early and have high rent. those are marina ixtapa and marina puerta de navidad, in barra de navidad.
many go up into sea of cortez aka gulf of california. there are many dry storage yards there and in many locales.
if you are with baja jhaha there will be info. if you are coming down separate from the haha you will meet folks who will and can give info. there are cruisers nets in am on vhf which offer much info and there are fb groups which cover these issues. there are also ssb nets for info. sonrisa net is one.
as i stated earlier in my comment the prices vary and are for the most part less expensive than san diego or lost angeles marina fees.

Apologies for jumping in; are you aware of any good / safe marinas in / around Manzanillo that provide either slips or storage on the hard? This would be for a 48' catamaran.


Thanks in advance.

[Coastalmess]

Originally Posted by zeehag

there are many folks who leave boats in mexico to go back north after the high season ends... some leave boats in water in marinas and some leave on hard and some even leave em on moorings or anchored, which i snot recommended for a long absence.
some even stay year round.
safety-- yup. contrary to your news sources mexico is a fairly safe place. marinas are secure and folks are unmolested by the idiocy of cartel actions. the cruising community is a fairly tight community.
in high season rents are high. in low season, some rents are lower. depends on location. the 2 cane holes fill up early and have high rent. those are marina ixtapa and marina puerta de navidad, in barra de navidad.
many go up into sea of cortez aka gulf of california. there are many dry storage yards there and in many locales.
if you are with baja jhaha there will be info. if you are coming down separate from the haha you will meet folks who will and can give info. there are cruisers nets in am on vhf which offer much info and there are fb groups which cover these issues. there are also ssb nets for info. sonrisa net is one.
as i stated earlier in my comment the prices vary and are for the most part less expensive than san diego or lost angeles marina fees.

Thank you for that Zeehag. Very usefull info. Enjoy the ride.

[zeehag]

Originally Posted by NaClyDog

Apologies for jumping in; are you aware of any good / safe marinas in / around Manzanillo that provide either slips or storage on the hard? This would be for a 48' catamaran.


Thanks in advance.

barra de navidad has the safest marina in the area--was designed as a hurricane hole. i found it good to 250 mph plus gusts of hurricane patricia. it proved its hurricane hole reputation during the strongest hurricane in epac.
no hard, but does have in water slippage, if you get there in timely manner... or reserve a slip with segundino. is getting popular there

[bradfordharley]

The marina in Barra is your closest. Do you mean safe from hurricanes, or security?
Next would be Puerto Vallarta. They are many, room for large boats and I would consider all “safe”. Opecemar(sp?) is the only dry storage I’m aware of.
Do you have any of the cruising guides? This is very well documented.

[Greg Mason]

I live near Grand Bay Hotel Isla Navidad Marina half the year and I have seen boats in the storage area. They have no lifts, cradles or stands though, that would be your issue.

[avotrejoyeux]

We have a slip in Paradise Village Marina in Nayarit and selected it for general safety and hurricane safety. We are very pleased with the management and facilities. In previous years we stayed in the water in Acapulco, Ixtapa and Manzanillo. Our experience at Las Hadas in Manzanillo and Marina Ixtapa were very good. The stay in Acapulco was at the Yacht Club which may not be accessible without reciprocity. The management this winter at Marina Ixtapa was good and the environment is safe.
We are now in the yard at Opequimar in Puerto Vallarta while doing some refitting. The yard is well managed and we evaluate it as very safe in the event you are certain you want to be on the hard. The yard at La Cruz Marina is also well managed.
It is my take that you have many choices. The costs in and out of the water are about the same once you factor in required bottom cleaning when in the water. Paradise Village Marina is an estuary and prone to barnacle growth.
We were impressed with Marina Chiapas for safety and good management. We also had a good stay in Bahia del Sol in El Salvador. There is a sound marina in Bahia del Sol. Even so, most folks who depart leave their boats on moorings that are watched closely by a couple who live in front of the moorings.
Previously we had a slip at Banana Bay Marina in Golfito, Costa Rica for 8 months. Lovely people and safe marina while a lot of rain and lightning. I share the El Salvador and Costa Rica options in the event you want to be below the hurricane zone. That said, we regard Puerta Vallarta and south as having historical hurricane safety.

[alansmith]

I am probably too far north for your convenience, but I store my boat on the hard at Marina San Carlos for about 1000 bucks a year. They do have a good atmosphere there. The yard is highly protected.

There are only a few highly skilled tradesmen there. It is difficult to find many marine quality parts. Not fun trying to get stuff shipped either.

[zeehag]

Originally Posted by bradfordharley

The marina in Barra is your closest. Do you mean safe from hurricanes, or security?
Next would be Puerto Vallarta. They are many, room for large boats and I would consider all “safe”. Opecemar(sp?) is the only dry storage I’m aware of.
Do you have any of the cruising guides? This is very well documented.

barra is good for both security and canes... there are 4 checkpoints on land before arrival at hotel and marina... canes--was designed for hurricane safety and proven in patricia. besides is a lovely place. tell segundino i sent ye.

[Sailor647]

Originally Posted by alansmith

I am probably too far north for your convenience, but I store my boat on the hard at Marina San Carlos for about 1000 bucks a year. They do have a good atmosphere there. The yard is highly protected.

There are only a few highly skilled tradesmen there. It is difficult to find many marine quality parts. Not fun trying to get stuff shipped either.

Highly protected from what? Weather? Theft? Marina San Carlos is still in the hurricane zone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwI3ZIAhzJ4

We keep our boat year round in Mexico in the water, with La Paz being our home port. In La Paz, it's easy to get supplies, boats parts, and some skilled trades. However, given how hot the summers are in ports around the Sea of Cortez, we can't imagine leaving our boat out of the water to bake in the 100-120F sun. At least in the water, the hull and lower interior stay in the 80-85 water temperature range.

We've heard lots of stories from people coming back to their boats on the hard after hurricane season to find a pile of maintenance due to the extreme heat. Think engine impellers, fuel lines, anything rubber. And interior teak dries out something awful. As does any exterior teak.

Of course, leaving it in the water has its own set of challenges and you will need someone to watch the boat in the event of a named storm.

The Sea of Cortez is absolutely gorgeous and we haven't had a single issue of violence or theft in the six years we've been here. You'll love it!

[Coastalmess]

Originally Posted by bradfordharley

The marina in Barra is your closest. Do you mean safe from hurricanes, or security?
Next would be Puerto Vallarta. They are many, room for large boats and I would consider all “safe”. Opecemar(sp?) is the only dry storage I’m aware of.
Do you have any of the cruising guides? This is very well documented.

Was mostly concerned about theft. Cruising guides are next on the agenda. I like to "ask a local" whenever possible in these matters. I am open to El Salvador and beyond. Have not turned up too many results online for reasonably priced storage in and out of the water.

[Coastalmess]

Originally Posted by Sailor647

Highly protected from what? Weather? Theft? Marina San Carlos is still in the hurricane zone.

We keep our boat year round in Mexico in the water, with La Paz being our home port. In La Paz, it's easy to get supplies, boats parts, and some skilled trades. However, given how hot the summers are in ports around the Sea of Cortez, we can't imagine leaving our boat out of the water to bake in the 100-120F sun. At least in the water, the hull and lower interior stay in the 80-85 water temperature range.

We've heard lots of stories from people coming back to their boats on the hard after hurricane season to find a pile of maintenance due to the extreme heat. Think engine impellers, fuel lines, anything rubber. And interior teak dries out something awful. As does any exterior teak.



Of course, leaving it in the water has its own set of challenges and you will need someone to watch the boat in the event of a named storm.

The Sea of Cortez is absolutely gorgeous and we haven't had a single issue of violence or theft in the six years we've been here. You'll love it!

Did not consider the damage from hot temps on the hard. I would be storing my boat for around 6 months. Seems that in the water is the smarter option. Besides storms, hull scraping/zincs and leaks could you name some other challenges you have faced in storing your boat?

[zeehag]

Originally Posted by Coastalmess

Was mostly concerned about theft. Cruising guides are next on the agenda. I like to "ask a local" whenever possible in these matters. I am open to El Salvador and beyond. Have not turned up too many results online for reasonably priced storage in and out of the water.

i have experienced no thefts from or of my boat items since 2011 when i arrived.. lately , in a nonmarina locale my pulley was removed from my mizzen mast. note the area was unprotected totally.
in 10 yrs only one damned pulley. safe?? hell yes..
i wont return with my boat to usa, cali, wherein my boat was entered at will of intruders, refrigeration, engine driven compressor complete with its other parts, was stolen., other important items stolen, and damned near lost a 35 mII ericson to thieves in san diego..hell no, no theft in mexico. and with 4 security stops between human beings and marina, barra is over the top with security. all marinas are secure as are the good anchorages.. this doesnot include la cruz de huanacaxtle. included in my experiences safe are zihuat, barra, mazatlan, not old harbor anymore--but the marinas are secure.
i donot do soc. i did that in a camper years ago. was gorgeous. no one was thief..thieves were escorted around san felipe in a pick up truck with a special place to have em stand for publicization of their misdeeds. no one molests turistas, as turistas are money for families whop would other wise starve.
i have since 2004 learned that mexicans donot steal, but keep eyes on many gringos who are thieves.
in water storage will want a diver every 6 weeks or so to check and scrape bottom, storm prep an dcheck post major storms... dockline checking... not much else..shore power cord disconnect. make sure your wet bilges are emptied by working pumps and keep solar power working, but disconnect shore power for your absence.
cruising guides--charlies charts and sarana. best out there. rains is good, outdated now.
ps i live aboard my boat all year round. only time in 10 yrs i left was for dead brother trip in 2014. the cruiser community is good peeps, the gringos to watch are not members of said community.

[Coastalmess]

Originally Posted by alansmith

I am probably too far north for your convenience, but I store my boat on the hard at Marina San Carlos for about 1000 bucks a year. They do have a good atmosphere there. The yard is highly protected.

There are only a few highly skilled tradesmen there. It is difficult to find many marine quality parts. Not fun trying to get stuff shipped either.

Have you had any issues with on the hard storage? It has been brought to my attention that the hot temps can dry out fuel-lines and other rubber/plastic components. It seems like a safer bet to store the boat out of the water, I am just trying to weight it all out.