Monday, October 24, 2011

Stay tuned for another season...

Our boat passed the hurricane season peacefully, in the water at El Cid marina in Mazatlán. Thanks to Captain George and to Jim and Meri for watching over her in our absence, and to Total Yacht Works for saving us from doing a few maintenance items when we get back. I made one visit to the boat, due to a hurricane forecast. Hurricane Jova did major damage to one of our favorite ports of call from last year, Barra de Navidad. But it barely touched Puerto Vallarta, and Mazatlán never felt a thing.
In comparing dry storage at San Carlos, which we did the previous hurricane season, to leaving the boat in the water, as we did this year, there are clearly advantages and drawbacks on either side. Overall, I think I prefer dry storage for my own peace of mind. But, at the risk of repeating myself, we had no problems in the water this year.
We expect to arrive back at the boat within a week or two. Our plan for this year is to spend most of the season on the Baja side of the Sea of Cortez, and to mix it up with some side trips - diving at Cabo Pulmo, whale watching at Laguna San Ignacio.
Come spring, we are planning to sail to French Polynesia. Neither of us is particularly eager to repeat the long passage, having done it last year on another boat. But we really enjoyed what we saw of the Marquesas, Tuamotus, and Tahiti. We are ready to explore new horizons!