Ensenada to Cabo

So…the rest of our time in Ensenada was not what we had hoped. We only expected to be there for three days but due to weather, we were forced to stay there for almost two weeks. The Port of Ensenada was actually closed to all boats under 500 tons going in or out of the harbor at the times we wanted to leave. So…that meant us!

Getting a ride to the Walmart during a downpour 

The weather was very cold and rainy the first week. The entire second week pretty much rained non-stop which kept us held up down below. Rick and I watched movies and munched on snacks huddling close to our diesel heater.

We had water delivered to our boat one rainy day and filled our tanks!

Our friends Kirk and Heidi arrived the previous week, which was a nice treat. We hung out with them on and off when the weather permitted. We went to an outdoor market with them and took lots of trips to the taco stands with them.

An Osprey in our Marina

I took more pictures than what I have to say about the two weeks spent in Ensenada.

 

The mascot of the Marina who sits in the cruisers lounge

The night before we left, we got together with several other boaters that were leaving the same time we were, in the Cruiser’s Lounge at the Marina. We talked about the weather and the waves and what each other’s plans were. After the get-together, Rick and I had it in our heads that we would all be sailing in close vicinity to Cabo. We felt comfort in knowing we would be surrounded by other people to stay in touch with about the weather and the sea conditions. But the day we left, after all of us were heading out of the Marina at the same time, everyone seemed to take a different course than we did. We did not see any of those boats for the next 7 days.  We were able to reach our friends on Monark by VHF radio at times and occasionally Jollydogs for weather updates. We were grateful that we had some communication.  Our friend Jim on Anore apparently had some engine and autopilot  issues, so he had to stop at various anchorages along the way.

Kirk and Heidi waving goodbye

Jim on Enore

A whale sighting just as we were leaving Ensenada

Sunset on our first night

We had originally planned on stopping in Bahia de Tortuga and Bahia Magdalena on our way to Cabo but we weren’t sure how long we would have good wind, weather and wave windows and we did not want to get stuck out on anchor somewhere. So, we sailed seven days straight to Cabo San Lucas.

Various picturesque sunrise's and sunset's on our journey!

The week went by fairly fast. Rick and I took 2-3 hour shifts to be on watch. One day turned into the next without much change of pace. We had decent weather most of the time. We only had one evening, which lasted all night long of difficult sailing. The winds were 20-25 knots along with large swells that were not very far apart.  And, it was pretty darn cold the entire trip. We did have moments during the day that were warm enough to take off a layer or two but that was it. The sun was shining, but it was still quite cold.

During the seven days offshore, we sat in the cockpit most of the time adjusting sails, talking and eating and taking in the fresh air and views. Not much to see but beautiful blue water and daily colorful sunrises and sunsets. We did not see land much of the time.  As I said, we took 2-3 hour shifts, so whoever was on watch would keep their eye out for other boats (especially large ships), check the Chartplotter (which for us is our iPad) and to make sure we are on course.  The one who was off watch went down below and slept in the V-berth usually fully clothed (It’s not easy to undress in a rocky rolly boat, and who wants to use up their sleep time undressing and dressing again).

We only had two things happen that could have potentially been REAL problems. Both occurred just after the sun went down. The first thing that happened was that we caught a drift-can (like a crab pot but bigger and harder) in our rudder. Rick heard a loud thunk just under the bow of the boat then the next thing was that our steering went out. We both stuck our heads overboard to take a look at the rudder with a flash light. We had the hardest time seeing exactly what it was. I thought it was a shark at first then Rick grabbed an anchor pole and jabbed at it. It was hard as a rock. Rick moved the tiller handle back and forth trying to loosen the can but had no luck. Then he moved the throttle into reverse as far as it would go. Finally the can was dislodged and we could steer again. That situation could have gone really wrong…bouncing out at sea with no steering!!! The next thing that happened another evening when the winds died and we had to start our motor was that the motor died. It wasn't working. The starter batter was not getting charged for some reason. Again…not good timing to have your motor quit in the dark. And…no power, no running lights or spreader lights. We would have been mowed over by a ship if we were in the way. We wouldn't have been seen. But again Rick saved the day and all was good. 

Flipper

Most every day there would be moments when the dolphins would come swimming and spring up out and into the water along side the bow of the boat. That was very exciting. Harley was going nuts watching them. She was whining and running up and down the decks.

 

We were able to fly the Spinnaker twice!

The life of a dog on a boat..zzzzzz

On our seventh day of sailing we reached Cabo early in the morning. As we rounded the Arch snapping photo’s and getting excited to be someplace and some place warm! The bay was such a beautiful crystal blue color and the water was like glass.  We ended up anchoring around a few other sailboats right off the beach. One of the boats belonged to our friends Rijnard and Lisa on Enchanter! We both screamed with excitement when we saw each other. We did not think we would see them again since they had plans to go a lot farther than we were going and at a faster rate. So it was a great surprise to see them! 

Approaching Cabo just after Sunrise

Punta del Cabo

We were anchored right in front of Pueblo Bonita Rose Resort

Attessa was anchored next to us who we saw parked next to our dock in San Diego.

A warm welcome from Lisa and Rijnard on Enchanter!!

After we dropped the anchor, we put on our swimsuits and jumped in the water. Rijnard and Lisa offered to take Harley in their dinghy over to the beach for us on their way to the dinghy dock at the Marina. So, they took Harley in their dinghy and pulled me on my SUP board.

Harley cannot wait to join me!

Harley was in heaven to be off of the boat and on solid ground! She ran like crazy up and down the beach and in and out of the water. Seven days straight was a long time for her to be cooped up on the boat. But she was a good traveler and hung in there.

As soon as Harley was done playing on the beach, I loaded her on my SUP board and we paddled back to the boat. The water was so warm yet very refreshing! Apparently the water temperature is around 80 degrees.

Later that day we noticed another sailboat had arrived, Monark (one of the boats that we originally left Ensenada with). We were so happy to see them as well!

To be continued…