Pacific Crossing Prep: Balancing Boat work and Big Dreams in Puerto Peñasco
The air here in the Puerto Peñasco boatyards sometimes seems to taste of a mix of bottom paint, diesel residue,
Back in the water!
Back in the water after 7 months of what seemed a neverending refit in the boatyard. Where do I start?
Back to work
As the plane descended, the sun was setting in the Sea of Cortez, silhouetting San Carlos and the harbour of
The last port
Unsurprisingly, as we headed North from Santa Rosalia, for the whole day we saw no yacht, ship or even fishing boat. There is maybe one village on this coast for the next 500 km.
Today we were sailing the first 150km of that
Loreto: At the heart of the Sea of Cortez
Once the gateway to California when it was founded by Spanish missionaries over 3 centuries ago, Loreto is now the gateway to the largest marine and island park in the Sea of Cortez, as well as adjacent destinations stretching from San Basilio Turtle Reserve to the Solitario Pinnacle at Agua Verde.
A taste of summer
As I plunged into the water, I knew I wouldn’t make it to the whale shark in time before it swam away. The magnificent creature continued to glide back and forth, savoring its feast of plankton. But the refreshing water was too inviting to leave so soon. After the warm waters of Conception Bay, I was reluctant to climb back onto New Life. We had headed towards a sandy beach along the rocky foreshore to drop anchor, knowing we could expect decent holding in the sand flats in front. And sure enough, the anchor gripped well when we motored backward to set it properly.
El Meru Wharf: Village life on the water
There are many places to work on one’s boat: in a boat yard, on anchor, or even in your backyard. Marinas are usually are not one of them, as the noise and dirt are frowned upon.
Leaving refuge of a safe harbour
After over a week in various idyllic anchorages around Refuge Bay, today we are setting off for the journey south. The bay offers shelter from any wind direction, hence the name. Apart from that, just barren rock with countless cacti and the incessant noise of sea lions.