Gato Loco Sailing–Rally Cats Update 3, San Juanico
Wednesday May 22nd
Winds settled down for a comfortable anchorage overnight. Today starts with the traditional French toast morning that is normally hosted by Ralph and Helen on Moon Drifter. Good breakfast but we did miss Helen’s special syrup with almonds. Shortly after breakfast Eddie and Guinevere have us out on Balm’s deck for our last Rally group shot.
We’re off to San Juanico 15 miles north. Winds are forecasted to be out of the east at 10 which should give us enough wind but not too much so Eddie can get some group sailing boat shots.
Balm’s roomy galley works perfect to feed this crew.
Center, Brian paddle boards back to his boat with his guitar in his backpack. Sounds risky to me. Next photo is our media pros Guinevere and Eddie. Finally John and Carol as they cleaned up to go to the breakfast.
Gato Loco crew waves at the drone as it flies by on our way north. Above you see the entire Rally fleet minus Stray Cat. Great job Eddie. Turns out this was the lightest day of sailing for the Rally forcing us to motor sail in to San Juanico.
San Juanico anchorage and it’s our “last super” for the Rally. John and Felicia know the family who has the house that overlooks the bay and they invited the Rally to join them at the house for dinner. Some of the group took them up on the offer but winds crack up at 15 out of the west so some of us stay on boat watch. Very fun night on Balm with all kinds of conversation that will bond the group forever.
Thursday May 23rd
Last day for the Rally boats to be together. Sky Pond will head north from here. Kurt was picked up and taken to the airport. Meriwether heads south early while we watch them work to put their main sail up in 5’ seas and 15 – 20 kt winds out of the northeast. Balm and Gato Loco will head south later in the day. We’re heading to shore to put a memorial plaque on the cruiser tree for our best friend and sailor that recently passed. I will cover that in a separate update but needless to say it was a tearful emotional moment.
1 PM and Gato Loco is headed south in 20 kt winds with big seas that our friend Connie calls “Big Buffalos”. It’s hand steering all the way and John is mesmerized by the size of the waves watching them approach from our stern and overtake Gato Loco and we disappear in the wave. They peaked at 7’ as we make it to the NE side of Isla Coronados. Finally we take refuge on the south side of Coronados with Balm who also had an invigorating ride south
Friday May 24th
Isla Coronados gave us good coverage for the winds that blew most of the night. This is our last day sailing with John and Carol and we have a nice NE breeze to blow us into Puerto Escondido.
We will take a slip overnight and have a nice evening with Brad and Lisa on Meriwether.. Nice dinner and company to finish the Rally week.
Saturday May 25th
Today we motor sail back to Loreto to do the crew change. John and Carol fly out and Jeffrey and Lynnie arrive. Steve and Cindy meet us at Los Mandiles and again help with the airport transfer. Walking to the restaurant we meet a fellow sailor Sheri who just got off her catamaran Epic to fly back to Seattle. We all have lunch together and get to the airport for the transfer. Another fun Multihull Rally in the books with old friend and many new friends.
Until the next Update
All good on Gato Loco
Appreciate the special, plaque on the tree of remembrance. Sail on Captain. Xo
Lowell you did it again! Great photos of the Rally. Hard to believe it was only last year we were on MoonDrifter with Ralph & Helen. Perhaps another time.
Thanks for everything. It was great seeing you and Frankie and meeting your guest.