16-Nov-14 0830
This is a fairly remote part of the Mexican coastline and though there are many beautiful beaches and small bays they are all exposed to the swells and more suited to surfers and boogie boarders than sailers. Caleta de Campos is sometimes used as a midpoint anchorage but Dave from Pacifico had warned us that some boaters have run into problems there with theft. Most of the cruisers have not started to move yet so we are the only ones on this part of the coast so we decided to sail on by and not put ourselves into any unsafe situations. So we were prepared to do the 198 nm leg of this coast nonstop.
0939: Genoa and main were raised. Winds from the ENE at 7-8 knots. We decided to motor sail until we had crossed the harbor. A container ship was coming into the Harbour and a container ship was leaving the Harbour.
0945: Motor off and bopping along at 1.3 knots. At this rate we should reach our destination some time next week!
1020: abeam Punta Campos and Roco Vel which mark the south side of the entrance to the Harbour.
1118: Dead calm. It is hard to believe that a body of water could be this calm. I mean - when you look west there is nothing out there except water til you get to Indonesia. So the motor is running, the water maker is on and the inverter is on. Time to make strawberry, blueberry, mango, pineapple smoothies. With a bit of planning and the right tools anyone can enjoy a bit of decadence on the high seas!
1210: Wind has started to pick up so the motor is off and we are sailing at a comfortable 3.5 to4.7 knots!
1400: time for lunch which included a ham, tomato and cheese sandwich and leftover potato salad.
1514: the Dolphins came by to say hello
1817: sunset
1900: Captain decided to take a snooze in the cockpit. It is a beautiful evening. We are motoring but the seas are cal. And there are no bugs!
Treated the captain to Chicken Quesadillas and fresh salsa for dinner, the. The cook went to bed. And the deck hand and the admiral!
2100: the water maker tripped the breaker. Dave to investigate tomorrow.
2335: abeam Rocky Bluffs light. The wind backed into the SE so course was altered to 120*. Tried running the gib out but there was just not enough wind to keep it full.
Does this guy look relaxed?
17-Nov-14 0030. Wind finally picked up and the motor was turned off - again. Sailing at 4 knots. Nice and quiet so I actually managed to get some sleep.
0250: moonrise and a pod of dolphins came over to play with the boat. Now steering 095*
0330: captain goes to bed and I am back at the helm. Confidence slices through the water like butter. The moon is an orange sliver and casting enough light to mark our path along the water. If the moon was full I might have to put on my sunglasses. The stars are magnificent and my bud Orion is directly overhead. Ursa major is hanging sideways.
I am sailing at 3.7 knots with the winds from the NE. It is funny how this sped feels slow in the daylight but fast in the darkness. Actually perfect with very little list.
0405: saw a shooting star. My first thoughts were of Heather's mother. - I just felt that it was her spirit being lifted to the heavens as she had passed away that day.
Wind has picked up and I am now sailing at 4.5 knots and eventually topping off at 5.8
0548: winds slowly died off until I was forced to start up the motor. Rolled in the Genoa. I always postpone starting up the motor as long as I can because I know any activity by me during the. Igbo is sure to wake the captain up.
0645: the Dolphins came by to say good morning. The winds picked up again so I let out the Genoa, turned off the motor and managed a comfortable 4 knots.
0820: captain was up and enjoyed the fruit salad. An attempt was made to put out the staysail but the curler jammed. DO NOT USE!
0915: motor sailing in light easterlies.
1000: winds picked up and back to sailing at 4 knots
1100: winds decreasing, motor on and back to motor sailing. It looks like this will be the routine til we reach Ixtapa. Ham and eggs and cheese scramble with fresh coffee. Galley wench cleaned the galley and head. Chores are done. Time to relax - like we are so stressed!
Time for some Jimmy Buffett. I LOVE MY LIFE!
1330: Snicker time. I cannot even remember the last time I ate a Snicker chocolate bar but I saw a package of 6 at Walmart and the price was not too outrageous so I just had to buy them. Another treat for the cupboard are M& M's - and the price was outrageous. And they do not melt - even in this heat.
So sometimes you just have to splurge!
Easy day. Mostly motoring as the wind is from the east and on our nose. Listening to tunes, enjoying the breeze and catching a few zzz's in preparation for another night on the high seas.
1500: winds swung around to the SW so we decided to try wing on wing - again for those non-sailers - that is when you have the main sail on one side of the boat and the Genoa on the other. But there wasn't enough wind to make it worth our effort. But by 1820 the winds picked up and we were able to sail with just the main and Mai tai about 3 knots.
2019: we can see the lights of Lazeros Gardenas which means we have travelled over 150 nm. This is one of the busiest ports on the Pacific Coast.
It is a very industrial looking area. It looks like they are pouring slag - which brings back memories as a kid in Sault Ste. Marie when our dad would take us for a car ride to see them pour the slag at Algoma Steel. It was a big deal for us kids.
0250: motor back on
0350: approaching Isla Grande so the main is dropped in preparation for anchoring. Isla Grande or Isla Ixtapa ( as the locals call it) is a small island just offshore from Ixtapa and about 10 nm from Zihuatanejo
0740: we were a little exposed to the NE winds but they were light and there was no surf. Decision was made to stay there and get caught up on our sleep and then make a plan! It was a grey hazy morning but we were treated to a blood red sunrise.
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