24 November 2016 | 26 41.15'S:153 7.72'E, Mooloolaba, Australia
13 November 2016 | 25 54.12'S:153 01.72'E, Tin Can Bay, Australia
12 November 2016 | 25 31.69'S:152 57.91'E, Fraser Island, Australia
31 October 2016 | 24 45.38'S:152 23.72'E, Bundaberg, Australia
30 October 2016 | 23 52'S:153 55'E, On Passage - Noumea, New Caledonia to Bundaberg, Australia
29 October 2016 | 23 28'S:156 47'E, On Passage - Noumea, New Caledonia to Bundaberg, Australia
28 October 2016 | 22 57'S:159 54'E, On Passage - Noumea, New Caledonia to Bundaberg, Australia
27 October 2016 | 22 40'S:163 13'E, On Passage - Noumea to Australia
26 October 2016 | 22 22'S:166 10'E, On Passage - Noumea to Australia
18 October 2016 | 22 16.60'S:166 26.40'E, Noumea, New Caledonia
17 October 2016 | 21 37'S:168 13'E, between Vanuatu and New Caledonia
14 October 2016 | 19 31.57'S:169 26.66'E, Port Resolution, Tanna I, Vanuatu
14 October 2016 | 19 31.57'S:169 26.66'E, Port Resolution, Tanna I, Vanuatu
14 October 2016 | 19 31.90'S:169 26.98'E, Mt. Yasur, Tanna I, Vanuatu
12 October 2016 | 19 31.58'S:169 29.65'E, Port Resolution, Vanuatu
09 October 2016 | 20 14.36'S:169 46.63'E, Aneityum, Vanuatu
03 October 2016 | 20 14.36'S:169 46.63'E, Aneityum, Vanuatu
02 October 2016 | 19 39'S:172 03'E, On Passage from Fiji to Vanuatu
01 October 2016 | 18 43'S:174 16'E, On Passage from Fiji to Vanuatu
27 September 2016 | 17 40.88'S:177 23.16'E, Vuda Marina, Fiji
Off to Central America
28 February 2007 | Huatulco, Mexico
Mark
I'm feeling pretty lucky right now! Last week I sent a few emails to cruising friends asking if any of them need crew for upcoming passages to Hawaii, the Marquesas, or really any warm place. Well, John and Gaye from Maestra got back to me and invited me to join them. So, I'm on my way to Huatulco on the West coast of Southern Mexico to be their crew as they head South into Central America.
Our first mission is to cross the 250 miles of the gulf of Tehuantepec, also known at the t-pecker, which can be an extremely windy area. When high pressure builds up in the Gulf of Mexico it gets funneled through this very low lying area of Southern Mexico and blows offshore from the West coast like beer out of a beer funnel! These winds come up very quickly and blow incredibly hard. Last year we regularly heard of almost continuous gales. Combined with the shallow water these winds are a killer. So, everyone hangs out in Huatulco until a favourable forecast is received and then they boogie as fast as they can across the danger area. The winds don't stay light or even moderate for long so you can't waste time. I know of at least one Canadian boat last year that didn't time it right and lost their boat!
After the crossing we'll make landfall in Guatemala or El Salvador. I haven't been to Central America so I'm very excited, and a bit nervous, about exploring the area. I expect to be down South for only a couple of weeks and then on my way back home - A short trip but it should be full of adventure. I don't know exactly when I'll return because I only booked a one way flight...
Last year when we were South on our own boat we weren't forced to rough it too bad. But, traveling on Maestra will make my boat look like camping! Maestra is a ocean going trawler of about 50'. From what I remember she is very comfortable both at anchor and at sea with her active stabilizers. Who knows, I may never go back to sail after this one!