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What are the chances

keithayork

New Member
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I thought someone might find this entertaining. I've been at the marina in San Carlos Mexico for about 8 months getting my boat ready to take off. My 382, Papasierra is on the left. The 382 on the right, Shadowfax, pulled in next to me last week.
 
Yeah! Thanks for sharing that, Keith. The secret is out: Morgan 38s are taking over the world! (well, maybe not)

Coincidently I've spent the last few days researching the best marinas on the pacific side of Mexico. Planning our escape to the south.

How do you like the marina in San Carlos? Looks pretty nice w/concrete docks, modern dock boxes, etc. Any insurance issues during hurricane season?

Cheers,
-Mark
 
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Yeah! Thanks for sharing that, Keith. The secret is out: Morgan 38s are taking over the world! (well, maybe not)

Coincidently I've spent the last few days researching the best marinas on the pacific side of Mexico. Planning our escape to the south.

How do you like the marina in San Carlos? Looks pretty nice w/concrete docks, modern dock boxes, etc. Any insurance issues during hurricane season?

Cheers,
-Mark
I think Marina San Carlos is lovely but others here complain that they're pretty strict. For me it's a bit noisy but in many ways ideal because there are at least a dozen restaurants, a couple small tiendas and a decent sized grocery store all within walking distance. Marina Real is in the next bay north, much quieter and probably a little nicer (newer), and a little less expensive, but it's surrounded by houses and there are no stores and only one restaurant nearby.

Ask me again in a month. On the 15th(ish) I'm leaving for a 2 week blast towards Puerto Vallarta with planned stops in Loreto, La Paz and Mazatlan. Plus, with luck and a little trepidation, this weekend I'm doing an over and back to Santa Rosalia. (80 Miles each way). I really need a couple longer slogs before I do 4 back to back 150M legs.

As for insurance, if you have it (I have liability only) this is one of 3 or 4 ports that I know of (San Carlos is part of the overall Port of Guaymas which has at least 4 marinas) that are far enough north that insurance will consider covering the boat. That said, I'm not aware of a policy that covers 'named' storms, which is one of the reasons I don't carry it. If you'd like more input I'd suggest the Facebook group 'Sea of Cortez Sailors'.
Hope to see you down here soon.

PS: If your serious about escaping you might look into the Baja Haha or the Panama Posse as 'vehicles' to ease into the lifestyle. The Haha is more of a rally from San Diego to Cabo where hundreds of boats go together - sort of. Posse has a little bit of a rally feel to it but it's more a community of sailors going numerous directions that link up to buddy boat on longer legs, share info and receive discounts at various marinas and stores from Mexico throughout Central America. I joined Panama Posse this year. Cost is $200.
 
Keith - your plans sound exciting. So, is the ultimate destination for your "blast" Puerto Vallarta? Are you solo or with crew?

Yeah, I've been following the Baja Haha for many years. Our boat Zia allegedly "won" its class back in the late 90s, even though it's not *really* a race. Did you do the HaHa? We have done a lot of cruising and feel quite comfortable with it, but have been considering it so we can get to know more cruisers down there and hear their experiences.

Thanks for the tip on Sea of Cortez FB group. Joined. I had heard about the Panama Posse before, but never scoped it out. Will do.
 
I have to be in Yelapa (southern end of Banderas Bay) by Jan 3 - and yes, it's just me. My longest solo sail so far is 20 Miles so it ought to be interesting. Again - planning on doing an 80 mile over, sleep a little, and 80 back starting Friday. Again - solo. A little nervous but I just watched the new owner of an older Jeanneau 39, her first boat, leave the Marina for a non-stop solo to PV. She's emboldened me a little. :)
 
Keith - your plans sound exciting. So, is the ultimate destination for your "blast" Puerto Vallarta? Are you solo or with crew?

Yeah, I've been following the Baja Haha for many years. Our boat Zia allegedly "won" its class back in the late 90s, even though it's not *really* a race. Did you do the HaHa? We have done a lot of cruising and feel quite comfortable with it, but have been considering it so we can get to know more cruisers down there and hear their experiences.

Thanks for the tip on Sea of Cortez FB group. Joined. I had heard about the Panama Posse before, but never scoped it out. Will do.
Darn - just went in to check out your blog and it's not there - huh? Bummer. I'm a bit of a musician too - 2 guitars and a tiny, tiny amplifier on the boat. When you get down here let's play!!
 
Keith - your plans sound exciting. So, is the ultimate destination for your "blast" Puerto Vallarta? Are you solo or with crew?

Yeah, I've been following the Baja Haha for many years. Our boat Zia allegedly "won" its class back in the late 90s, even though it's not *really* a race. Did you do the HaHa? We have done a lot of cruising and feel quite comfortable with it, but have been considering it so we can get to know more cruisers down there and hear their experiences.

Thanks for the tip on Sea of Cortez FB group. Joined. I had heard about the Panama Posse before, but never scoped it out. Will do.
Hey - I owe you a big thank you too. One of the frightening 'unknowns' with Papasierra has been the fuel tank. I read an old thread of yours and decided to remove the fuel gauge and check the tank out. I learned that A: Yes - that was in fact the fuel gauge I was looking at - and that it appears to be reasonably accurate. B: - Yes - that was in fact my fuel tank!, and that C: My fuel tank looks 'ok'. It's 'mostly' white - with a few black spots - and I saw no dog poop or other floaties. Tomorrow I will add fuel to the boat. A first for me. (I avoid motoring as much as possible so I just haven't burned that much).
 
Wow - your first fuel add? So was Papasierra in Mexico when you bought her? On our Zia, if we fuel at one of the fast pumps, we have to throttle the flow way back or she starts spraying fuel from the vent opening on the transom, so watch out for that. ;)

Interesting about your fuel tank. I was talking with Terry Thatcher about the tank on his 382 Adavida. His was not that dirty either. Mine was so filthy I was shocked. I wonder if they either forgot to clean it out at the factory or if at some point someone was tossing handfuls of dirt in there as sabotage. Other than the holding tank, it was for sure the dirtiest thing on the boat. I should have measured it, but I'm sure I got at least couple of gallon of debris out of there, including (as you said) that fossilized dog poop.

Sounds good on the music!

Looks like you've got radar on Papasierra. Does it work ok? Having a proximity alarm would help me sleep a little better if soloing. But I know plenty of folks who don't have them.
 
Wow - your first fuel add? So was Papasierra in Mexico when you bought her? On our Zia, if we fuel at one of the fast pumps, we have to throttle the flow way back or she starts spraying fuel from the vent opening on the transom, so watch out for that. ;)

Interesting about your fuel tank. I was talking with Terry Thatcher about the tank on his 382 Adavida. His was not that dirty either. Mine was so filthy I was shocked. I wonder if they either forgot to clean it out at the factory or if at some point someone was tossing handfuls of dirt in there as sabotage. Other than the holding tank, it was for sure the dirtiest thing on the boat. I should have measured it, but I'm sure I got at least couple of gallon of debris out of there, including (as you said) that fossilized dog poop.

Sounds good on the music!

Looks like you've got radar on Papasierra. Does it work ok? Having a proximity alarm would help me sleep a little better if soloing. But I know plenty of folks who don't have them.
Yes - I bought the boat right here. Sometimes things just work out because San Carlos is where I wanted to start my journey anyways but I had already succumbed to the idea I'd probably have to buy a boat in California and sail it down. The 382 was way high up my list of potential boats so I was thrilled when it showed up for sale here. BTW - the fuel is in and I just did a 30 minute drive around the bay to make sure I wasn't going to have any issues as a result. All seems good.

Yep - I have a pretty old radar unit and a brand new AIS. AIS is integrated with Navionics so I've already tested the proximity alarms. Unfortunately the local shrimp boats are notorious for not having AIS transmitters on their boats so it's of little comfort. I've turned the Radar on to make sure it works but haven't really used it yet. Something to fiddle with a bit more in the next couple days but of course there are hundreds of boats nearby, and mountains, so it's a little difficult to distinguish anything meaningful.
 
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