Gato Loco Sailing; Calling all boats for the 2019 Baja Rally
This years Baja Rally will be held the week of May 19th – 25th. This will be the 11th annual for this casual sailing week in Loreto’s surrounding islands and nearby Baja anchorages. The Rally started when WestCoast Multihull founder Kurt Jerman came down to Loreto in hopes to convince the Gato Loco owners to upgrade to an 1160 Seawind. Instead we introduced him to Ralph and Helen who bought that 1160 and christened her MoonDrifter. Ralph and Helen have enjoyed cruising in style ever since. We just got recent news that Ralph has a health issue in Puerto Vallarta and they won’t make this year’s Rally for the first time since joining us in the Rally 11 years ago. We’re sending Ralph positive healing thoughts. They will be missed!!
The photo right is from the 1st annual Rally and was taken in Vee Cove near Loreto. I think we were all celebrating them joining the Seawind family.
Here’s what this year’s Rally should look like. Of course weather can always have a big influence on plans…
Meet at Puerto Escondido on or before May 19, 2019 (best to arrive the 18th)
Marina Puerto Escondido will again be offering free slips for the first night or two (or free moorings if slip space is too limited)
Meet and Greet/Happy Hour in front of the WCM office from 5-6pm (refreshments and appetizers provided by WCM). We’ll run through the agenda for the week, distribute T-shirts, etc.
Spend the next five days tooling around (and racing a bit, just for fun) from one gorgeous anchorage to the next, exploring the fabulous islands in the Loreto/PE area.
Events include Island Barbeque sponsored by WCM, a dinghy appetizer raft-up party, and a weenie roast one night somewhere.
Wrap up at Loreto waterfront (weather permitting), or back at Puerto Escondido on May 24.
This years Rally will be small compared to last years 15 boat edition. So far there’s only 4 boats reminiscent to early Rally days.
Sky Pond – Seawind 1160 – Carl & Roxie Podlager
Stray Cat – Seawind 1000 – Guy & Carol Dean
Balam – Fountaine Pajot Saba 50 – WCM Charter with Kurt and crew
Gato Loco – Seawind 1000 – Lowell, Frankie, John & Carol
This year’s Rally shirt will be a navy hoodie and is sponsored by our local Puerto Penasco boatyard Cabrales. Thank you Salvador for your support of the Sea of Cortez mariners.
Gato Loco will head south toward Loreto and Puerto Escondido next Wednesday May 1st. Our roster and schedule is all set and everybody is getting excited for another adventure. We have 6 newbies this season. Dave and Ellen’s friends Norman and Sara from Maryland on leg 1. Chris and Todd are Penasco sailors venturing out for the first time on leg 2 and our Cholla HOOD friends Ed and Marcia are with us on leg 5 heading back to Penasco. Of course we’re very happy to have veterans John & Carol and Lynnie & Jeffrey joining the adventure in Loreto.
Leg1 – Penasco to San Carlos May 1st to 9th (Lowell, Dave & Ellen, Ellen’s friends)
Leg2 – San Carlos to Puerto Escondido (Loreto) May 9th to 18th (Lowell, Rick, Chris & Todd)
Leg3 – Multihull Sailing Rally May 19th – 25th (Lowell, Frankie, John & Carol)
Leg4 – Loreto islands May 26th – 30th (Lowell, Frankie, Jeffrey and Lynnie)
leg5– Puerto Escondido to Penasco May – 30th – June 6th (Lowell, Dave, Ed and Marcia) arriving in Penasco just in time for Peacemaker weekend.
Our next blog will detail our leg 1 journey south. We’re just getting our first view of weather allowing routing decisions. Stand by for more details.
Until the next Update
Hi Lowell, I heard from Helen that Ralph’s leg is healing nicely. We did get to spend some time with them in La Cruz.
Looking forward to the rally Connie and Elvin will be on Balam. See you soon.
Lowell, the ice chest is at Casa Chivo in the entry. I ordered some of the same lures we used to catch the yellowtail and hope they arrive soon (back ordered).
We will be on Kurt’s boat. Too for to get Barramundi for a week of sailing. Hope to move it there sometime this year. Will miss Ralph and Helen. Look forward to seeing everyone.
Steve & Pam