The night before the commencment of the 3rd leg to Cabo, we were awakened at 2 am by 30 – 35 knot winds rushing through the anchorage. By 3 am, one boat had drug their anchor and tangling up with another boat. They ended up cutting the anchor chain and abandoning their anchor. At 5 am we watched the power boat anchored ahead of us pass by us fortunately missing us, but dragging their anchor. There were several other 'incidents' that morning. It was a bit hectic.
We were supposed to start at this leg at 7 am. At 6 am the radio was very active with everyone getting opinions on the weather. What will the sea state be? How long will this wind last? What do the 10 different weather apps say? Why is it is so windy when it wasn't predicted?
After the fleet check-in it was determined to delay the official start until 10 am. About ½ the fleet left at 10 am. Most of those remaining started to leave throughout the day as the wind calmed. A hand full of boats decided to stay another day and leave in the morning. The idea being that the expected passage was to be about 32 hours and if we left at 4 am we could arrive in Cabo in the daylight. So, opportunistically, we hosted a dinner party on our boat for the stragglers. About 16 people came over bringing appetizers, fresh snapper and drinks. Radio chatter confirmed the sloppy 6’- 9’ seas for the fleet while we enjoyed great company and a beautiful sunset at anchor.
At 4 am the next day, we had our anchor up and were on our way to Cabo. The sea state was now a comfortable gentle swell and with 15 knots of wind we had a great sail.
As we settled into being on the move again, we set our fishing lines. Shortly we had a hit. I brought the fish close to the boat it was a 40 lb or so Mahi Mahi. Unfortunately, we could not get it aboard and it broke lose.
As we consoled ourselves on the loss of macadamia crusted fish for dinner, we got another hit. A 25 lb Mahi Mahi. The smaller size made it easier to bring on board. With the fish fileted and in the fridge, we thought we would try for another.
We soon caught a smaller 20 lb Mahi Mahi and even though it was smaller, it was not so easy. As I was removing the lure, the fish thrashed, and the second hook was set deep into my thumb. Now the fish and I were attached. I could not pull the hook out and hold the trashing fish still, so Jeanne threw her body on the fish to hold it down and had to pull the hook out of my hand. She was not thrilled. But her first aid skills were first rate. With the refrigerator and freezer now full of fish and my thumb bandaged, we decided to call it a day for fishing. I decided to make our dinner with the last fish…it was worth it.
Seeing Lands End at sunrise as we make the turn into Cabo was amazing. Bringing up the tail end of the Baja Ha Ha fleet means that the anchorage was full. We were able to find a good spot but far from the harbor.
Initially I wasn’t sure about joining the Baja HaHa rally. Cruising with over 100 boats and 400 people seemed like it would be a lot to deal with. However, I really had a great time.
Everyone we met was fantastic, friendly and very helpful. We just look for the burgee and and we know we'll find a friendly face and be immediately welcomed.
The rally ended with closing ceremonies and party.
I would recommend the rally for anyone looking to sail to Mexico and I am not just saying this because we won 1st place in our division of 9 boats (large monohulls with spinnakers). We aren't entirely sure how that happened. But we've never won a boat race before so we'll take it!
We were planning to stay in Cabo several days, but given the anchorage had up to 6’ waves rolling the boat as much as 15 degrees on about a 5 second period and surrounded by vacationing jet skiers we left early the next morning. I now understand why cruisers are eager to move on from Cabo, which we've affectionaltely renamed Cabo Wabo -- the Cabo Wobble....
Comments