Gato Loco– The 11 Annual Rally Begins
Saturday May 18th & 11th annual Multihull Rally begins
Early arrival Rally boats collect at the residential dock at Puerto Escondido. There’s now 6 boats in this years’ Rally, The marina has a big fishing tournament and there’s no room for us so we get an upgrade the Waicuri residential development just west of the marina on docks at home sites. There’s just one custom home built that recently sold for 3+ million dollars. Very nice! My leg2 crew departed early this morning and soon after I get a call from Frankie and her morning flight out of Phoenix has been canceled. Big Bummer!!. After some fast research I have her rescheduled to join us on Monday. Our guest crew John and Carol arrive 4ish.
With the big fishing tournament underway, the restaurant at the marina is maxed out so we’re off to the Tripui resort where we’ve had many of our rally dinners. Yep, It’s maxed out too but dinner finally arrives.
Rally boats this year
Balam – Fontaine Peugeot 50 “The Mother Ship for the Rally
Kurt, Steve & Pam, Connie & Elvin, Felicia & John and Scott, Guinevere & Eddie
Sky Pond – Seawind 1160
Carl and Roxie
Meriwether – Seawind 1190
Brad & Lisa
Stray Cat – Seawind 1000
Guy and Carol
Gato Loco – Seawind 1000
Lowell & Frankie and John & Carol
Cat2fold – custom folding catamaran
Brian and Josh
Sunday May 19th, Rally kickoff day
The morning starts relaxed for us as the other boats make a run into Loreto for provisions. The Gato Loco crew (minus Frankie) get to go over to the marina and have a nice lunch while all the fishermen are out working on their prize catches. The Rally plan is to have a kickoff dinner tonight and then head out tomorrow morning. Weather looks windy for this years Rally. North winds will blow for 2 days to start things off.
Okay, this is going to be the best Rally dinner yet. Kurt arranged to get the custom home for our dinner and has also arrange for one of the local BBQ specialist to cater. Sebastian and his family serve us up in style with smoked port shoulder and smoked brisk. We’re spoiled now and the bar has been set pretty high. Way to go Kurt and Westcoast Multihulls.
This is a beautiful home furnished to the max with a nice boat on it’s dock. We find that they have caught a 40” winning dorado in the tournament today and the crew is busy filleting it.
Monday May 20th
North winds will fill in today mid morning. The plan is for boats to meet up in Puerto Ballandra 10 miles east of Loreto. Our plan is to meet Frankie at the Loreto waterfront when friends Steve and Cindy delivery her from the airport 5ish then sail on to Ballandra. Rally boats are having a great sail day with 15 –
20 kts out of the north. Arriving in Loreto, the waterfront is extremely lumpy and we decide to head in and take calm dock inside the breakwater marina so Frankie can have an proper arrival on Gato Loco. There’s time for some drinks and appetizers while we wait and we soon see Alaska fly by the water front and Frankie safely arrives on board. Big hugs and happiness for me and a big thank you to Steve, Cindy and Rick for the delivery. The sail across to Ballandra couldn’t have been better. 18 – 20 kts broad reach flying at 8kts. Welcome to Loreto Frankie. We find all the Rally boats anchored but the crews are pretty beat from the sail north and all relax on their boats for the night.
Tuesday May 21st
Winds blew all night but the Ballandra provides good protection. We meet the 6th boat on the Rally, Brain and Josh on a custom New Zealand built folding catamaran. Brian has been sailing her for years spending his winters in Puerto Vallarta and points south. After some anchorage time the Rally is off today to Isla Coronados 10 nms NW. It’s going to be another broad reach with 15 kts, woo hoo !!
Cat2fold and Balm
Sky Pond and Meriwether
Mid sail, Stray Cat announces they will have to head back to Puerto Escondido after loosing one engine and having concern about the other. Stray Cat, you will be missed for the rest of the Rally.
It’s an awesome day sailing and the fleet arrives in the Coronados anchorage mid afternoon with lots of time to enjoy the beautiful turquoise waters.There’s another bonus this time as we have no bees bothering us on our boats. Our plans are to have the annual weennie roast tonight. I’ll update everyone on that in the next post.
Until the next Update
All good on Gato Loco