Autohelm Sea trials – Heading North
Sunset Bahia San Nicolas north of Punta Pulpito, good protection from the SE swell.
Monday June 5th
Dinner on board last night to relax and listen to the NBA game and also enjoy Jefferey’s shrimp and grits dinner. We’re a bit worn out after the Loreto fun over the past 2 days. We provisioned at El Pescador yesterday and have another full provision list to head to LEYs today before departing north towards Penasco. LEYs has a much better fruit/veg supply today and we score block ice from the plant that will make the Yeti cooler very happy. Morning weather is indicating light from the SE. It probably won’t help much but a least we’ll have following seas and a light wind push.
We installed the new VHF yesterday by barrowing a jig saw from Rick’s friends Steve that has the resort Coca Cabana where Jeffrey is setting above.We’re anxious to try the borrowed autohelm motor we installed yesterday to help us sail north.
Holly Molly, Our initial sail north was pretty hilarious. The auto helm would be stable for a few minutes then go into an osculation making us appeared to be drunken sailors. A panga coming at us wasn’t sure which side to take until we took manual control. Underway I took the motor out and added a sleeve that we had failed to install. Still no improvement. Referencing the manual we found some adjustments that finally stabilized things. When I was talking to Marc, who loaned us the motor, he indicated it was from a different model Raymarine and must run at different RPMs. No matter it’s working.. Yeah….
Our plan was to sail to San Juanico and spend some time cleaning the bottom that is getting a little furry. Sailing near the Juanico entrance we’re early and we have wind. Pulpito is only10 miles north and is our new destination.
Winds are lighter near Pulpito and there’s talk about doing a little bottom fishing for yellowtail. Sails put away, we motor Goto Loco up near the best fishing area near then massive Pulpito headland and the boys put live bated hooks down. Rick gets a hit that takes his bate but no hookup. Swells are rolling in a pushing us to close to surface rocks. Time to forget fishing and head on to the anchorage. The south anchorage we used coming south has surf on the beach and is not going to work today. It looks like the north facing beach anchorage around Punta San Antonio 3 miles north would be well protected and it will be a new anchorage for us.
Anchor is finally down in 12’ of smooth water well hooked in a sand bottom. That’s 40 miles on our first day and we didn’t get underway until 11ish. Rick’s cheifing tonight cooking fish that Jeffrey caught this past Saturday. Fish tacos deluxe, a few cocktails and that’s a wrap on our first leg heading north.
All good on Gato Loco with Rick and Jeffrey
Until the next Update
Sending this update as we sail into Bay of Conception
Good seeing you. Have a great summer, see you next spring.
Jeffrey,
Where are the ladies, or should I say the mermaids? In all the pictures you are smiling, that is good as it means your having a great time without anything to distract you.
Anyway, waiting for more good pics. Have fun.