26 • Sept. 26 - Oct. 9, 2014 • The Log
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Mexico Cruising Guide Part 1: By Capt. Pat Rains
Dreaming of cruising Mexico? This fall, more than 25,000 U.S. boat owners are making plans for their adventures down south. Whether you own an ocean-going yacht or a fishing skiff on a trailer, you’ll be happiest if you pre- pare before you go. Prepare what? Isn’t it the same as
cruising the U.S. West Coast? Similar but different. Let’s look at specific preparation steps that are unique to cruising Mexico – for the boat and the people.
Prepare for life on the hook Mexico’s Pacific coast houses 22
full-service resort marinas with slips and yacht services. (See the section on “Mexico marina madness” on page 30 for the complete list.) But most of the 3,000-mile shore-
line is pristine and delightfully unde- veloped, compared with Southern California. You’ll find 100 times more uninhabited beach coves and free anchorages than you will marinas or mooring zones. Hence, owners of properly outfitted cruising yachts will be able to spend most of their time liv- ing comfortably on board while at anchor. The freedom and independ- ence of this cruising lifestyle is the big attraction. If boredom strikes, it’s easy to hoist the anchor move on the next
MEXICO The Log’s Cruising Guide to Preparations for Mexico cruising Prepare by rigging your boat’s stan-
dard overnight anchor and rode for a range of 25 to 45 feet of water, with as much chain at the bottom as you need. Rig chafe gear at the bow for everyday use, plus carry rubber hose material for when additional chafe gear is need- ed. Also prepare your boat with a big- ger storm anchor and a smaller portable anchor for bow-and-stern sit- uations. Don’t forget that the dinghy needs a dinky anchor too. Practice anchoring by taking turns being captain verses deckhand, until you recognize when your anchor has hooked good and solid. Practice retrieving the anchor from a different direction, as if the wind or tide had shifted during the night. Because so few shore lights are seen
spot. Even trailer boats with a cuddy cabin can anchor out overnight, and sleep until boaters decide to return to the launch ramp where they parked their trailer and tow vehicle. Mexico has hundreds of launch ramps to sam- ple.
Living on the hook in Mexico is a
gloriously simple lifestyle, but it does require a few unique preparation steps to keep things swinging smoothly.
Anchor drill “We don’t plan to anchor on our
way down Baja,” said a first-timer at the Newport Beach Boat Show. “After Ensenada, we’ll just stop at marinas every night, so we don’t need to prac- tice anchoring until we get to the warm waters of the Sea of Cortez.” Oops, sorry, but after you leave Ensenada, the next marina is 700 miles down the coast in Cabo San Lucas. In between, you might need to anchor for rest from standing watch, or to seek refuge from heavy weather. About 30 anchoring spots are found along Baja’s Pacific coast, but the most reliable is Turtle Bay, half way down.
along Mexico’s coast, first-timers often find it difficult to locate reference points ashore. So, consider setting up a simple perimeter alarm before going to sleep. If the radar senses that you are dragging toward the rocks or shore, the alarm will wake you in time to avoid problems.
The mighty dinghy Your boat’s dinghy and outboard motor will be vastly more important while cruising down south than they were stateside. Dinghy landings are not as prevalent down here.
See MEXICO page 28
Photos courtesy of Capt. Pat Rains
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