Less than an hour after my post this morning the winds did indeed pick up. The stories of Cabo Falso came true. Strong winds right in your face no matter which way you are going, steep seas caused by the sudden increase in winds. Boat and crew take a pounding. I was quickly facing 25 knot winds gusting to 30. I was soon under a triple reefed main and half furled jib with water flying everywhere. After 6 months without rain, I found new leaks in the boat as spray from the waves flew from the bow to the stern.

After about 10 miles, the strong winds calmed nearly as fast as they built. However, I’m still close hauled waiting for the winds to shift north. It is happening slowly, my gps track traces a gentle curve, my bow pointing closer and closer to Hawaii. I expect to be able to bear off the wind by the morning and be done with the upwind sailing for the rest of the trip.

The sudden appearance of the waves caught me a little off guard and I spent most of the day feeling under the weather and trying to keep my lunch down. This should be the most uncomfortable day of the trip; I’m looking forward to the tradewinds pushing me along instead of having to fight my way away from the coast.

Current Position:
22,27.35N 110,51.14W (look on the location map to see this plotted on the map)
heading 255 deg true (265 to Hilo)
speed 5.5 kt
wind 17kt at 310 deg

Set sail at 7:30 this morning. Nice to be moving. Had a very nice going away dinner last night, steak and wine. My first good steak in 6 months!

Currently motoring in light winds, but expect them to pick up significantly as I near Cabo Falso in an hour.

Current Position:
22,52.09N 109,54.30W
Speed: 5.5 kt

I’m in Cabo San Lucas, completing the last of the preparation for the trip. This means completing the food shopping, checking out with the 3 different government agencies here and of course getting the boat shipshape.

Here is the plan for the trip:
Cabo to Hilo, Hawaii
Planned departure date is this Saturday, May 19, around dawn.
Taking the rhumb line over the great circle to take advantage of favorable currents further south.
Total distance 2550 nm which is just over 21 days at 5 knots, which should be a doable average in the trade winds.
This puts me in Hawaii around June 9th.
I’m sailing single handed.

Looking forward to my last shoreside meal tomorrow evening. Any suggestions? I’m thinking of a nice big steak which are very good in Cabo because the good restaurants use imported meat.

So I’ve been really bad at posting to my blog. Sorry everyone! I’ve had such a great time in Mexico. Storm season approaches quickly, so it is time for me to move along. The wind and current were in my favor sailing down here make it a very difficult trip back up the coast, so I will be doing what most other sailors do that need to head north, they sail to Hawaii first, then back to Canada, this will allow me to sail down wind the whole way home.

I have my satellite phone working and will be posting to my blog with a quick note each day. Stay tuned and follow me along!

NEARING BAJA AFTER SOME GREAT SOUTHERLY WIND. EXPECTING STRONGER NORTHERLY THIS EVE. 23,17N 108,18W

EN ROUTE TO LA PAZ. VERY SLOW PROGRESS DRIFTING IN 4KT OF WIND 21,29N 106,15W

TAKING A REST FROM 25KT WINDS NEAR CABO CORRIENTES 20.24N -105.57W LEAVE AT DAWN

MAKING FOR PUERTO VALLARTA. 19.73N -105.51W GREAT UPWIND SAILING YSTD, NOW NOW MOTORING

SAILING NORTH 18.10N 103.02W VIA SATPHN. NO WIND, USING ENGINE. NEXT STOP BARRA FOR FUEL

I met Anna on new years eve and we spent several days together in the weeks following. We kept the boat at the party beach which gave us easy access to the city, though the unprotected beach had pretty serious waves at times! We joined the group for karaoke and other nights on the town.

Anna and I set sail for Yolapa, a beach town on the south side of the bay that is not accessible by roads, so it feels a little less touristy than the city. Featuring a gorgeous beach surrounded by colorful buildings and lush jungle, I really liked Yolapa. A short hike takes us to a waterfall for a very refreshing swim.

We spent one night in Yolapa, then back to Puerto Vallarta for a few days. The next trip was to the Tres Marietas. These islands are a wildlife refuge and feature more Blue Footed Boobies and great snorkelling in water that is much clearer than in the bay. The tourist boat left in the afternoon and we had the place to ourselves until the next afternoon when it showed up with another group.

Anna flew home on January 12th and I began preparation to continue on to Manzanillo.

Yolapa

Refreshing waterfall swim

Anna exploring the beach at Tres Marietas