Sailing into the new decade–Sailing 2020
Dos Buenos anchored on the hard in Cholla Bay
Crossing our 4th decade sailing feels like a significant achievement and deserves a little reflection into this major influence and how sailing has affected the Gato Loco crews. For me, Lowell, it all started a long way from the Sea on a farm in Missouri. Life’s destine is pretty incredible bring my 
family to Phoenix in the 1960s. I met my wife Frankie in high school and we both got involved the racing beach catamarans 
just after college in the early 80’s. That’s when Gato Loco co-owners Bill and Dave entered our sailing life as racing competitors destine to become life long friends along with other major sailing influences Brian Heffernan and Steve Quant. Beach cat racing brought us to Puerto Penasco in the early 80s.
Frankie and I briefly jumped to a monohull sailboat (Oday 26) that brought us to Cholla Bay looking for a place to leave Bueno Day and avoid towing her to Cholla each trip. A Cholla home and Bueno Day allowed us to day sail the Puerto Penasco area including some overnight anchorages in the nearby estuaries. During this era (mid 80s), the Gato Loco crew would meet in Cholla to party and sail. Before long Bueno Day wouldn’t handle our Cholla gang so we began the search for a new catamaran.
Enter Dos Buenos in the late 80s, a 27’ Stiletto we found in Long Beach. Stilettos are a cool oversized beach catamaran that sails like a rocket. Dos Buenos allowed us to venture out on the Sea of Cortez as far south as Bay of LA where we experienced our first Elefante (wind storm) on the Sea. Sailing a performance catamaran on the Sea provided lots of excitement and challenges and gave us the upmost respect for 
how serious conditions can be in our beautiful sailing playground. It wasn’t unheard for us to load 2 volleyball teams on board and sail north to beaches for a high tide game or two.
In 2001 Bill, Dave and I started the search for an upgrade to add more comforts and extend the range of our adventures. The task was dubbed “Conquering Baja”. After chartering a few catamaran brands and adding a 4th co-owner Rick, we found our Seawind 1000 at the Oakland boat show. We soon took delivery of Gato Loco in May 2002. The 2002 Baja Haha (San Diego to Cabo) brought us to La Paz Baja. Gato Loco finally arrived in her home port of Puerto Penasco in 2003. Since arriving, Gato Loco has been enjoying the Penasco area day sailing, whale watching and one of my favorite adventures times is the seasonal spring sailing cruises covering most areas of the Sea of Cortez over the years while making lots of sailing friends. One crusty old sailor friend offered one of my most memorable comment on “how lucky we were to be discovering the Sea of Cortez with fresh eyes”. He was so right as the Sea of Cortez never disappoints. Four decades has passed so quickly but memories and friendships of decades will never fade. Sailing has been part of our soul and sailing is responsible for bring us to Cholla Bay living on the Sea. Here’s to life and the adventures of the Sea.
On to making new memories…
It’s Frankie and my 50th this year and we have a trip to Ireland and Scotland in March to celebrate so we’ve delayed and shortened this years sailing schedule a bit.
2020 schedule
Leg1 May 20th – 29th May (25th Memorial Day) Lowell, Dave, Bob and Wendy
Leg2 May 30th – Jun 6th (Rally week) Lowell, Dave and Crew
Leg3 June 6th – 13th Rick and crew sailing in the Loreto area
Leg4 June 13th – 19th Rick and crew sails Loreto to San Carlos
Leg 5 Jun 20th – 29th San Carlos back to Penasco Lowell, Heather and Heathers friends.
Leg 1 we have a full crew with Bob and Wendy joining Dave and I
Leg 2 is open with just Lowell and Dave.
Leg 3/4 Contact Rick r.quant@comcast.net
Leg 5 is a Brian memorial leg with Heather on board bringing her and Brian’s friends.
Leg 2 will be in the Loreto area sailing with probably 8 – 10 boats to nearby anchorages with beach activities and hiking with sailing friends.
A new Gato Loco era…
After 18 years sailing Gato Loco co-owners Bill and Dave are interested in retiring from Gato Loco to focus on new endeavors. It’s a difficult decision for them and they will be missed on board. Gato Loco is managed in a LLC. Rick and I are looking to replace our friends in our sailing adventure LLC. We’re looking for experienced sailors that can handle sailing the Sea of Cortez. We’re happy to do some mentoring.
If you would like to here more about becoming a 25% co-owner contact me lowellmcculley@gmail.com
Until the Next Update
Looks like a fun schedule for 2020. Keep me in mind when filling any open crew positions. Two seasons with Chris on Strikhedonia has me hooked on sailing.
Hard to believe it’s been 18 years since delivering Gato Loco to you and the partners! Thanks for getting me hooked on the Sea of Cortez and partnering on our annual Seawind Rally’s. Looking forward to #14 in May.
If I should forget….Happy 50th!!! How exciting to go on a Big Anventure. Happy Birthdays too.
Pam and I would be interested in the rally week. Call me.
We can’t thank you enough for all the great times we had with you on the Gato Loco. Sorry to hear that Bill & Dave will be retiring from the LLC, but we are sure the new partners will love it as much as they do. Happy Sailing!
Lowell & Frankie,
Love the post, thank you for including us in so many adventures. Looks like we have another full year ahead.
xx Al
Congratulations from Cascade Iowa! I love to follow the adventures from my remote site.
My best wish’s and many more years.
Your always welcome at the farm.
Congratulations from Cascade Iowa! I love to follow the adventures from my remote site.
My best wish’s and many more years.