Leg 1, Friday/Saturday, April 17,18

Ahoy!

Woke early this morning to cool temps and light winds and readied the boat for our crossing. We said farewell to a great anchorage and headed off into the sunrise. Next stop Ensenada Posomoreno. About 30mi across we passed south of lone Isla San Pedro Martir. Just to the west of the island we came across a long string of whales and then a pod of dolphins pulled along side and played with our hulls for half an hour. Quite the site to see. Then to the east of the island a huge line of porpoise, with thousands of birds circling above, crossed our path and also followed for short spell. Winds increasing to 20knts and cruising on a reach at 8.5knts. Great ride!! Shortly after the winds began to build on our stern to 25knts, and the ride quickened to 10-12knt average the rest of the way. Otto, our most important crew member, had trouble keeping the heading so we spent the next 6hrs hand steering. We decided on plan “C” for our next anchorage Ensenada Julio Villa. Strong west winds and big waves drove us into this one boat spot and it turned out to be the best decision. Winds settle until 5:00am and then Gato Loco started to drag her anchor a s winds shifted to the north and increased. Adrenlin rush so early in the morning!!!!

Saturday, April 18 Next stop San Carlos’s Marina Real. About 8:30 We set sail with main only. Winds from the north at 10knts and finally some warmer temps. Again winds built and for a few hours we were able to run with the spinnaker. Five miles out of Marina Real winds were at a steady 30knts gusty to 40. Never have I been on a leg with so much wind. Feels GOOD to be tied up at the dock for a break. We arrived at the marina and are waiting for the next crew to join m e for the crossing back to Baja and on south.

Poodle rock at Ensenada Julio Villa.

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.Until the next Update… The GatoLoco Crew

Leg 1 crusin ground

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Leg 1 April 11-19, Crew: Bill, Bruce & Cynthia Tegge, Clyde Betts sail from Puerto Penasco to San Carlos
Leg 2 April 19-26, Crew: Lowell, Frankie, Neely, Bill, Victor & Leslie Rangel. San Carlos to Loreto. Santa Rosilia, Mulege and visit new friends (overnight anchorage) in Bahia San Marcos
Leg 3 April 26-3, Crew:Bill, Lowell, Frankie, Neely, Kerry Fahey (AU). Seawind Rally to Loreto Fest. Sail from Loreto heading south to meet Seawinds coming from Cabo, maybe meet 2 days south. Kurt will be sailing north from Cabo with California Seawind owners.
Leg 4 May 3-10, Crew:Bill, Frankie ,Lowell, Neely, Bob & Chris Sanders, Kerry Fahey (AU). Sail the Loreto area …. Steve and Cindy will also be in the Loreto area this week.
Leg 5 May 10-17, Crew:Bill, Lisa Wendt, Sally Dalton, Marilyn Haney. Frankie, Neely and I head back to San Carlos flying or by Ferry.
Leg 6 – May 17-24, Crew: Rick Quant & Crew sailing in the Loreto area.
Leg 7 – May 24-31, Crew: Bill, Mike Clark, Liane Guathier, Mike & Gill Panasewicz sail back to San Carlos
Leg 8 – May 31-?, Crew: Bill & his family sail San Carlos back to Puerto Penasco