Cruising the Sea of Cortes

Lynne at Bahia Salinas

2019 has been a year of contrasts. In January our transmission failed; February was spent finding the engine solution (and hosting Andy, Lorraine and Clark); March was a month of waiting for the replacement engine and transmission to arrive; April saw the engine installation and break in; and MAY—yes, May, we spent doing what brought us here to Mexico—cruising the Sea of  Cortes. The beaches in the Sea are among the best in Mexico, with some in white sand, others a variety of pebbles, and even some dressed out in pink rock formations. We think that May is the best time of the year to visit the Sea of Cortes, avoiding the windy, colder winter months and the hot, humid hurricane prone summer months.  The air temps push into the mid 80’s in daytime but nicely cool off to 65 at night

Our trusty Schatzi at anchor

. This along with 77-degree water temps, zero rain, and impossibly blue skies make for ideal cruising conditions. It is really surprising, therefore, that most other cruising sailors depart for the northern latitudes before May, leaving us with sparsely used, idyllic anchorages.

This part of Mexico is vary lightly inhabited and, in many places, completely deserted. There is the occasional pueblo such as Timbabiche or Agua Verde with 30 or more inhabitants. But mostly the coves and beaches are sitting waiting for us to use. Communicants are also sparse.

Fishermen tossing the net

Cruisers here are off the grid, except when in La Paz or Loreto. This is the one place when the weather reporting over our satellite phone was really helpful.

We timed our arrival in La Paz to give us time to prepare Schatzi for its yacht transport back to the Northwest. Initially the loading was scheduled in June, but this has now been delayed to the second week in July. Roger has asked to ride the yacht transport ship back to Victoria, and if this is accepted, he will fly back to la Paz to drive Schatzi to the ship; if not, a local dealer will make the delivery. In any event Schatzi is all dressed up and ready her 7-10 day sea voyage up the coast, the

Roger, Lynne & Salty at San Juanico

gentlemanly way to go. (Remember that gentlemen never sail to windward!), In our next (and final) posting for our Mexico wanderings, we will let you know how the final leg of this adventure goes!

Roger, Lynne, and Salty

You can reach us at 206-755-4193 or email rdwerner47@gmail.com.  And if you are so inclined, you can leave a comment at the end of this post.