Bashing it home
12 March 2013 | San Jose Cabo
Steve
The trip up Baja is known in boating circles as "The Baja bash". The Baja bash gets its name because it is going against both the wind and the current. In addition to the uphill sail there are also several major headlands which can accelerate both wind and current. Add to these conditions the fact that there are virtually no services, only two real fuel stops and few well protected anchorages in the almost 800 mile trip and you can understand how it gets its name. The worst time of the year to bash it home is the spring, which is why I'm trying hard to get going now ahead of the spring cycles. No matter when you do the bash it is VERY important to pick weather windows as you make your way up Baja. After losing my former crew members I have now found another crew member, Pete, who is suppose to be here Wednesday or Thursday. Right now there is a great weather window that opens today and last for as far out as they can predict (1 week). So the current plan, (subject to change) is to leave San Jose Cabo (pic) either early Thursday or early Friday and make the first 170 NM leg to Magdalena Bay. We will refuel in Mag Bay and subject to weather window, leave for the second 245 mile leg to beautiful Turtle Bay. Turtle bay is the half way point and it is probably best to wait till we get there before planning beyond that.
In the three years I have been cruising in So Cal and Mexico I have avoided any horror stories by being very careful about trip planning. I know that that doesn't make for exciting blog reading, never the less I don't plan to change my tactics now. Even so, I know that there will be times during the bash that I think back to this picture and say a prayer to the man upstairs......hopefully a prayer of thanks.
God bless.