Chasing the Weather Window



Calm Seas At Last

We managed about 4 hours of sleep between our 2am arrival into Punta Abreojos and our 7:30am departure that same morning.  Good weather was predicted for the next leg of our journey to Bahia del Tortugas (Bay of the Turtles), located 12-hours away.  Indeed, we were greeted with light winds and gentle 2-4 foot ocean swells; now that’s more like it!  By noon the seas were flat calm and remained pleasant for our entire 12-hour leg to Turtle Bay. 


Fuel Barge - Turtle Bay

This pretty bay is a popular stop for boaters to rest up from hours of motoring, get fuel, and experience the village lifestyle.  Some enterprising locals provide a much needed marine fuel service; and in good Mexican fashion, business operations here are simple and straight forward.  When we entered the bay, we were greeted by the two different fuel panga businesses anxious to take our fuel order.  We requested 150 gallons of diesel to be delivered the following morning by what they call the fuel barge.  The barge turns out to be a large panga with a 500 gallon fuel storage tank built in the center.  They motor up alongside your boat, hand you the hose, and start their pump.  

The Fuel Looks Good

To power the fairly large electric pump, they use a standard household Honda gas powered generator for electricity.  They yank on the start cord, and you’re in business!  Of course this sort of setup would never be permitted in the States, but you have to admire people who live in remote areas, see a need, and find the most economical solution. 

Friendly Local Service

After taking on fuel, we called up the weather reports and found the good weather window was still waiting for us – time to go.  The guidebooks all say that when you have good sea conditions for your northbound trip, you go and keep going.  

Leaving Bahia del Tortugas

We departed Turtle Bay around 11am; our route took us past beautiful Cedros Island on a course heading for Bahia San Quintin where we planned to anchor for the night.  A sailboat which had also departed Turtle Bay became our impromptu buddy boat.  It was nice to have some company and talk with them on the radio, wiling away the hours.  We discovered that they had participated in the Baja Ha Ha and were heading back home to Portland.  

Beautiful Cedros Island

As darkness fell winds reached into the teens, perfect for sailing while still comfortable for power boats.  Around 10am the next morning, we were nearing San Quintin, “what the heck, why don’t we just keep going; we can do another night’s cruise can’t we?”  And so after motoring 280 nautical miles for 36 hours, our longest continuous trek ever, we arrived in Ensenada at11pm on May 6^th.




Another Night's Cruising





Arrival at Marina Coral - Ensenada

Downtown Waterfront Harbor - Ensenada