Ensenada to Turtle Bay Mexico Nov 16-17th, 2009

November 16, 17, 18th, 2009

We left at midnight of November 16^th for our first overnight run. It was approximately 282 miles from Ensenada to Turtle Bay and we would run continuously for about 36 hours to arrive in Turtle Bay by 4pm on the 17^th so we could anchor in the day light.

We all had trepidation about traveling overnight and besides that it was a new moon so it would be as Alexus said “ as dark as the inside of a cow”. Not sure how she knows how dark an inside of a cow is. Nevertheless, we created overlapping shifts of 4 hours on and four off. Loe, Rachael and Lori took four hours and Alexus and I took 4 hours overlapping their shifts. In this way we always had two people on watch and either Alexus or I with each of them as we were more familiar with the boat.

Well here is what I know. I would cruise overnight anytime over cruising in fog! The seas were calm, 3-4 foot swells and winds less than 10 knots. The sky was completely dark and the stars twinkled off the ocean as there was no moon. We all saw numerous shooting stars and there was one that looked like it was done by Disney. It went straight across the horizon with a long sparkling tail and everything!!!. The dolphins that play in the boats bow wake during the day, at night created phosphorus jet trails as a mark of their presence. And it was comforting to see the distant running lights of the fleet spread out over 10 to 15 miles and on the radar screen for those within 3-6 miles. My shifts were from 6pm to 10pm and 2am to 6am, so I had plenty of company for the first few hours and saw sunset and sunrise for two days running. Was it difficult? The motion and noise of the engines running made for difficult sleeping for all. However, we all were good cruisers and managed our shifts and 2 hour engine room checks with as much attention and good humor as fits of sleep allow. The confinement to the boat for 36 hours straight is also a challenge, but we all adjusted to it the best we could.

We arrived in Turtle Bay and gratefully dropped anchor. Our next adventure would be a Panga ride to shore for the first taco dinner of the event. Panga’s are small fishing skiffs and are working boats, so we shared space with fish guts and whole tuna. Bravely, we all went ashore amid the chaos of about 180 people swarming a small fishing village. The next day, Nov. 18^th we waited all day for fuel. How did we get fuel? Well a bigger panga comes out with a large 1000 gallon tank, ties up next to your boat and fuels you up. Over all, the fuel in Turtle Bay was about $2.79 per gallon and appeared to be clean. Now we are set for our next run of 228 miles or about 32 hours of straight running as we head to Santa Maria Bay. While we were waiting to fuel, Loe and Rachael took the dinghy and represented NuMoon in the dinghy poker run. Rachel taught the boaters a new knot, a Falconry Knot. Lori spent her time exploring the village and looking for “pan”, bread.. We seem to eat a lot of bread, sandwiches, toast you name it. Early night for all again, as we will leave at first light, which is about 6:00am.