Against all superstition, we decided to leave Chiapas to cross the Tehauntec on a Friday. Our first day out was wind off the bow, so we motored all day and through the night. We did get a chance to use "Dave" our newly purchased used autopilot. It took some getting used to.... nobody at the wheel! We did adjust, overall it worked great, but also, left us nothing to do.
Arturo is enjoying the cruise, so far. As the sun rose Saturday morning, the wind increased to about 10 kts, and allowed us to sail for nearly 10 hours. It was the perfect day; we saw dolphins, turtles, and a pod of whales!
Eventually the wind died, so we cranked up the iron sail and headed into the night.
A few hours later and the wind was back, it was close to dark, so I decided on just a headsail, for ease of recovery in the dark, and we were sailing again. Now the wind was getting stronger, and the seas were increasing. Shortly before we furled the headsail, I believe that we planed out! Our speed went from 5 to 8 kts in about 2 minutes, and we were Flyin Sideways! O.k., too much fun... it's dark, the wind is still increasing.. time to bring in the jib and start the motor again.
During the night the conditions deteriorated, with 4 foot confused seas and 20 - 25 kt. winds.We got a call on the VHF from Velvet Sky ; they said that they may have hit something, and it had broken their bob-stay. I was glad they weren't taking on water or anything, and they made it into the marina in the morning.
We anchored in Santa Cruz, at our old spot, and recovered from the crossing.
The next day was spent with Atruro, having a few tequilas while he waited for the bus to Tapachula. On Tueday we got fuel and provisions to depart for Puerto Angel the next day.
Once again we were greeted with fair winds, and sailed 24 miles to Puerto Angel. It is a small bay with only enough room for a few boats. We chose not to go ashore (much to Jacks dismay), and left the next day for Acapulco...48 hours away. Unbelievable! We got to sail again, and use the windvane! There were lots of dolphins and turtles along the way, then we arrived in one our favorite and most spectacular anchorages in Acapulco.
It's still hot. So, our mission is to get north for cooler temperatures as soon as we can. That being said, we left Acapulco the next day for Zihuatenejo. 24 hours, with very little sailing, but here we are! We'll stay here through Christmas and then on to Puerto Vallarta with some stops in anchorages we missed along the way down in 2014.
The crew at Marina Chiapas.
Jack and Dave got along great!
Arturo at the helm.
Arturo is enjoying the cruise, so far. As the sun rose Saturday morning, the wind increased to about 10 kts, and allowed us to sail for nearly 10 hours. It was the perfect day; we saw dolphins, turtles, and a pod of whales!
A few hours later and the wind was back, it was close to dark, so I decided on just a headsail, for ease of recovery in the dark, and we were sailing again. Now the wind was getting stronger, and the seas were increasing. Shortly before we furled the headsail, I believe that we planed out! Our speed went from 5 to 8 kts in about 2 minutes, and we were Flyin Sideways! O.k., too much fun... it's dark, the wind is still increasing.. time to bring in the jib and start the motor again.
During the night the conditions deteriorated, with 4 foot confused seas and 20 - 25 kt. winds.We got a call on the VHF from Velvet Sky ; they said that they may have hit something, and it had broken their bob-stay. I was glad they weren't taking on water or anything, and they made it into the marina in the morning.
We anchored in Santa Cruz, at our old spot, and recovered from the crossing.
The next day was spent with Atruro, having a few tequilas while he waited for the bus to Tapachula. On Tueday we got fuel and provisions to depart for Puerto Angel the next day.
Once again we were greeted with fair winds, and sailed 24 miles to Puerto Angel. It is a small bay with only enough room for a few boats. We chose not to go ashore (much to Jacks dismay), and left the next day for Acapulco...48 hours away. Unbelievable! We got to sail again, and use the windvane! There were lots of dolphins and turtles along the way, then we arrived in one our favorite and most spectacular anchorages in Acapulco.
It's still hot. So, our mission is to get north for cooler temperatures as soon as we can. That being said, we left Acapulco the next day for Zihuatenejo. 24 hours, with very little sailing, but here we are! We'll stay here through Christmas and then on to Puerto Vallarta with some stops in anchorages we missed along the way down in 2014.
