We made an overnight sail to Isla Isabel the "Galpagos" of Mexico. This small Island off the coast is now a bird sanctuary reconized by Mexico and the World Wildlife Trust. We had difficulty unfurling the main sail as we left Mazatlan, chalking it up to a blown out sail rolled up badly.... However when the wind died we didnt like the slatting sound of the sail .... but we were unable to furl it in nor take it down. In the morning when we dropped anchor in beautiful Isla Isablel I was finally able to remove the sail and diagnose the problem. The furling mechanism had becom detached from the shaft that the sail furls on inside the mast. We folded the sail and explored the island.
This island has a huge population of nesting and breeding Frigate birds. These birds have 2.5 Meter wingspan!. They soar overhead with great ease and are tremendous fishermen. On this island they have no fear of man and it is possible to walk right up to the nests and observe the newly hatched chicks. The same was true of the boobies which had green and yellow feet instead of the blue seen earlier.
We left early the next morning with a forecast of a gale warning for the Sea of Cortez brewing and headed to San Blas. When we arrived the bar leading to the town anchorage and Marina was not favorable for crossing so we spent the night in nearby Matachen Bay.