Gato Loco departs Penasco at 3:30 AM for the big crossing
This is a satellite transmitted update 7AM Very early morning (3:30 yikes) to insure we can make the crossing to Baja today arriving before full darkness. Winds seemed light sleeping on Gato Loco overnight in the marina. Motoring out for the harbor into darkness we were met with lumpy seas. The wind has been blowing out of the SE all night @15-20 so no surprise. The first hours was a good test for the crew especially the newbies Sara and Norman.I’m very impressed they’ve all done well as we pound through 6′ swells with water crashing over the bow. Winds off our port at 15-20 allowing us to point Gato Loco towards our Baja anchorage. We received a special sunrise treat. A huge pod of small dolphin (probably 500 strong)chased us down jumping and playing all around us. The conditions didn’t allow us to go to the bow where the show was probably the best. Nice way to start the morning light.
11AM Winds slacked and shifted NW as forecasted 10ish putting the wind on our rear starboard quarter. Squeacher sail out and motor sailing at 7-8kts to catch up on time lost with lumps early on forcing us to hold speed down in the 5s. Eta at the moment is 6ish with sunset at 7:15. Looks like we will have light winds as we get closer to Baja so a little margin in the wind bank is reassuring. Seas have calmed down considerably but at the 7+kt speed it’s still pretty rough. Spirits are high and we are looking forward to calm anchorage tonight.
3PM North West winds are fading and the swells they developed are getting smaller. It looks, however like they may be a factor for the Isla Pomo anchorage and we may need to sail on the south shores of Isla San Louis a couple miles south to find our quiet anchorage. 20kt winds were at our back all afternoon giving us 7-8 kts and now time to consider alternate anchorages. We just past a pod of fin whales with lots of frolicking going on. Lots of maneuvers on the surface and some heavy spouting. Hummm? The crew are finally able to relax on the bow as Baja grows closer.
6PM Winds 5 or less as we arrive at Isla Pomo after our 14 hour crossing (6.4kt average). A quick inspection of the Pomo anchorage and it still has swells rolling in so we head for the south shore of Isla San Louis. Dave and Norman get a hookup between the islands while 2 sea lions check us out. Bam the fish is gone. Was it the sea lions or just a big fish breaking free? all good in a peaceful anchorage. Nice dinner calm anchorage for some very tired sailors. It’s an early evening.
Tomorrow we’ll do some sightseeing on the these islands and then head Gonzaga.
Until our next satellite update from the northern Sea of Cortez —- This e-mail was delivered via satellite
Typical Sea of Cortez sailing, always plan for the unexpected! So far so good!!
So glad the satellite is working. Safe sailing Captain and Crew!