Hauling Out and Hauling Ass to Banderas Bay

From San Diego we sailed overnight to Ensenada, with an appointment to haul out for a bottom paint at 8am. Naturally we expected a delay and let out a chuckle when we saw that the malecon (boardwalk) between the dock and the boatyard was being reconstructed and repainted. Once tied to the dock, we were instructed to wait. This was my chance to get some more blessed sleep! Mark jumped off and without a moments delay I crawled into bed. Some time later the quiet must have woken me, there were no more trucks, the lack of creaking lines, water sounds, no footsteps on deck. I peeped out and saw that we were in the AIR! The boat had been hauled out with me in it.

We didn't expect to stay in the yard more than a few days (a bottom paint is a quick in and out job after all), but ended up staying a total of two weeks waiting for a new cutlass bearing and transmission shaft coupler which needed replacing. Time in the yard was certainly different to being on the water. Baja Naval is situated right behind the 3 Presidential Heads and next to the giant flag, which means it is very central and with all the local festivities, there was music every afternoon and every night, right next door. Being back in Ensenada was a great opportunity for us to visit our friends and re-visit our favourite places to eat. We also tried to do jobs that we hadn't quite got done in San Diego, but alas- it seems there is never a point when you can say 'Yes, we are absolutely, truly READY'. With the delay on our boat parts, we ordered spare parts and last minute things online and made a trip to San Diego by car to pick them up, as the Mexican postal service is slow. Mark installed the HF radio which provides long range radio communication and an AIS receiver which allows us to see other AIS vessel information, like speed, course, and closest point of approach. Without AIS we'd be squinting through binoculars and making guesses. These are completely optional but we both feel that they are indispensable and provide peace of mind and safer sailing. I decided to tackle one of two decorative teak pieces at the bow. I can't seem to nail the google search on it, so I can't tell you what it's called! But we bought a heat gun for the job. And I speak from experience when I say that stripping varnish with a heat gun (instead of sanding) feels like cutting through warm butter.

As the time for us to be put back in the water approached so did a nasty weather system of strong wind and 5m swell. Our neighbor in the yard told us he was hauling out for it...ugh maybe not the best day to be put back in the water then. We opted to stay on the hard one more day and then ride the end of that system right down the coast of Baja. We topped up the fuel tank and had a farewell beer at the marina bar before leaving Ensenada. We had sailed up Baja last June and thought we would skip the usual stops and head straight for Puerto Vallarta.

Just a couple Bonita, no keepers

    

Every morning we found squid on deck?!

   

 We sailed mostly (using the jib and mizzen) but the wind was inconsistent and we clocked about a day and a half on the engine. After 6 nights and 5 days of variable wind conditions we needed fuel and a more recent weather forecast before heading across to the mainland (just in case). We pulled into Cabo San Lucas at the tip of Baja, dropping anchor and hurrying our way to shore only to discover that Spring Break was happening in full force. What a way to be brought back into the 'real' world. We walked down the beach, through masses of inebriated young adults, and veered into town for some groceries, and a quiet beer. We had heard the fuel docking fees in Cabo were outrageous, but thought it might just be another cruiser rumor. Sure enough, we found out they were charging $150 just to tie up at the fuel dock, not including the price of fuel. We scoffed and decided it was worth going out of our way to fuel up at San Jose del Cabo on the way out. The following day we motored down to a more secluded beach and paddled ashore with the SUP. We brought a picnic lunch, our little portable music speaker, and a big beach carpet to lay on. Within the hour we were swamped with tour boats.

Freestyle cruising was their slogan

When Jet skis rule the anchorage (no one is safe!)

Spring  Break at Mango Deck

Our "secluded" beach

It took another two days to get to La Cruz from Cabo. Total passage time of 9 days. We are now anchored just outside of La Cruz Marina, just north of Puerto Vallarta. It is a quiet little cobblestone town, lined with colorful flowers, and frequented by expats and cruisers. Big community here and lots of things going on. Tomorrow we will anchor at Playa Anclote (on Punta Mita) again, where we can dinghy out to the surf breaks morning and afternoon, and enjoy the in between time napping and reading in our newly acquired hammock strung up on the bow. What a life! Thanks for reading!