Puerto Penasco in our sights
Tuesday June 18th
The Bay of LA wind Gods were good to us last night giving us a quiet night at anchor in front of Guillermo’s restaurant. Quiet nights are precious as we’ve had some long nights with big winds. We’re up early with the charter fishing fleet that are active at sunrise. Jeffrey and Doug headed in for breakfast while Mark, from Miss Grace, and I discuss information on his boat engine problem on the Amigo net.
The waters of the Bay are experiencing a red tide and the water pretty nasty. I’ve never seen the condition here before. Guillermo’s dock in the foreground continues to fall into the sea although his restaurant is in great shape.
A very friendly local dog hanging with us at breakfast. He stayed with us until we launched the dinghy to head north.
You can see the red tent in the waters at our anchorage
Yesterday arriving just outside the Bay area winds piped up probably due to windy slot in Whale channel. A hot 20+ puff hit us and BAM the turning block for the main sail exploded. We were just outside the Don Juan anchorage so we pulled in and made a quick repair. Note to me, we need some spare blocks on board. This is the second main halyard block to go.
9ish we’re off to take on Whale Channel. Winds should be light this year than last. Before getting out of the Bay area winds are up at 25. It never fails to impress. We’re ready with the main sail reefed and and only 20% of the jib unfurled.
This day only the main wind slot is blowing instead of the whole region like last year. Winds peaked at 30kts and all was well on Gato Loco. There’s been a concern about the condition of the top of the mail sail we re-sewed and added sail tape re-enforcement but it held up well.
The island of La Guarda has wonderful colors that don’t show up very well in photos. I’ve enhance this photo to better illustrate the colors. After completing the wind slot sail challenge we get a peaceful down wind sail past this view heading into the Puerto Refugio anchorage.
We made the 38 mile run to Refugio with time to enjoy the anchorage. Arriving there’s 4 sailboat in the north bite anchorage and our usual inside anchorage is open with room for us and Miss Grace.
Good new there’s not one gnat to be found but before long we have a few bees. This is the first time for bees. The trusty net eliminates that problem.
The water is 72 and very swimmable as compared to San Francisquito at 61 and Bay of LA with the Red Tide. Doug and I spent some time enjoying a swim. Laurence snorkeled the whole anchorage area.
Puerto Lobos without bug makes it one of the favorites in the Sea of Cortez.
Another good Yellowtail dinner. That fish just keeps giving. Cool light breeze as we retire for the night.
Tuesday June 19th
We’re headed to Puerto Lobos, our last anchorage on the journey home.
Miss Grace planned to leave early for Puerto Lobos with us but plans changed. Mark hasn’t been able to solve the starboard diesel problem and is limping on one engine. After some morning discussion they would have problems with making Lobos and Penasco at our pace and decide to turn towards Penasco. They can move slower maybe under sail power and make Penasco tomorrow morning. That will be an extra adventure for his young crew. 3PM we reached them on the radio and they have a slip arranged and a haul out scheduled for Thursday at Cabrales boatyard. All good for them.
Lunch
The Yellowtail that keeps on giving. The final meal was an awesome seafood soup. I could eat that every meal. Thanks to Jeffrey for catching it and all the meals he produced from it.
The crossing Puerto Refugio to Puerto Lobos is 57 miles making for an easy reach before sunset. The morning started with good winds from Whale Channel while Jeffrey caught another yellowtail that eventually got away. Mid day a NW wind filled in pushing us to Lobos with a light motor sail by 5. Another good crossing.
We even saw a pod of fin whale out in the middle along with turtles and flying manta rays,
Tonight is our last anchorage night for this season. I have mixed emotions looking forward to the coming summer and a bit sad to give up the sea life. Tomorrow we head to Penasco the final leg where Frankie and Lynnie await our arrival. That will make us very happy.
All good on Gato Loco
Until the next update
Right at sunset the the local Lobos fishing fleet woke up and headed out one by one
Thanks Lowell, Bill, Rick and Dave. This is my 6th annual trip aboard Gato Loco and each trip is a brand new exciting experience of a lifetime – thank you so much for the memories!