Gato Loco finally Ready to go sailing

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By Lowell | April 21, 2015 | Category Baja 2015

It’s been a challenging spring that has prevented us from making long range sailing plans. Things are coming together and we’ve finished the repower of Gato Loco with new Yamahas motors. If you remember last season we had motor problems that we were able to manage but that was the hand writing on the wall indicating it was time to repower. Cruising out on the Sea of Cortez requires reliable equipment as there is little support when you have problems.

We’re going out for a 2 week Bay of LA cruise. We are usually just passing through this area heading south or home not having time to explore the area in any detail.  We will probably have at least one other sail boat with us plus fishing buddies (Victor Rangel and crew) will be hanging with us (4 fishing boats) May 23-27 (catching lots of fresh yellowtail sushi I’m sure). This should be a fun one.

Puerto Refugio is on the north end of Isla Ángel de la Guarda  is the area Victor hopes to fish and dive. The photo below is the east bay of the Puerto Refugio anchorage and a good place to set up a camp. Our last 2 visits here were in mid-April and the Boo Boo bugs were not tolerable. We’re hoping that late May will be much better. If not our fishing buddies will have to move their camp further south in the islands off Bay of LA.

The Bay of LA area does have challenges that must be taken seriously. Whale channel between La Guarda and Baja can have strong winds plus there is a slot where Pacific winds spill into the channel. compounding the conditions. Also tidal currents can be stronger than sailboat speeds. Understanding all of these make it very manageable but respect is the key word. The anchorage at the Bay of LA village is subject to unpredictable strong west winds (Elafontas). We’ve anchored there many times without problems but found it best to slide out to one of the nearby anchorages protected from these winds. The area is very cool and well worth dealing with these issues.

Here’s what the cruise may look like but after all we are the crazy cat and things might change. Looks like the crew for the cruise will be Bill, Frankie & I and Jeffrey & Lynnie. We’ll see how this holds together.. Stay tuned.

Week 1
Depart May 16 Penasco early morning to San Felipe, Hopefully meeting Salvador and his crew.
May 17th – Isla San Luis anchor Gonzaga
18th – Two Headed Cove south of Gonzaga
19th – Refugio  on Isla Ángel de la Guarda  (checking on bugs)
20th – Isla Smith
21st –  Bay of LA visit anchor Don Juan
22nd – Este Ton on Isla Ángel de la Guarda (photo below)

Above.. Anchorage Este Ton on Isla Ángel de La Guarda

Above… Gato Loco anchored at isla La Ventana

Week 2
May 23rd  Refugio (Meet up with fishing crews if bugs are tolerable)
24th – Refugio (bugs permitting)
25th Memorial Day –  hang with our fishing friends
26th – Isla La Ventana
27th – Visit Bay of LA anchor Don Juan  Hopefully meeting Ralph & Helen on MoonDrifter.
28th – Isla La Ventana
29th – Isla Smith
30th Gonzaga
31th Puertecitos to Penasco

Until the Next Update

Here’s a Bay of LA fishing guide maps for Victor to checkout.. Also check out this page for more Fishing Bay of LA