Out of the Gate and turn left!

So the day, long planned, finally arrived. We were off south to Mexico. Our crew, Captain John Curry had joined us aboard the evening before and the alarm went off at 0430. Man that was not cool. Up and ready, last minute checks and preparation on the bridge, instrument and computer lighting lowered to the point where when the dawn began to loom we cast off and made our way out of the marina and set course for the Bay Bridge. It was 0600, calm and cool.

By 0720 we were passing under the Golden Gate and running out to the west in preparation for the turn to port – heading for either Santa Cruz or Monterey. Some wind waves 2-4ft and some swells 6-8ft. Not bad for the great pacific in the winter but new to us on Carmen. Difficult to take pictures because you do NEED to keep one hand for the boat or you get some bruises (yes – okay - I relearned that lesson this day).

Revolutions for 10kts, not so economical but taking advantage of the weather is a must in March on this coast.

We made good progress, no seasickness and decided to push to Monterey where we arrived at 1600. Tired, so after checking in and dinner on Fisherman's wharf followed by some minor shakedown maintenance we retired early in preparation for another early start the next day.

Day 2 and again an 0600 cast off, bound for Morro Bay some 10 hours away. This day we were able to put the swell further aft which made it a bit more comfortable. Carmen like all boats will roll some in a beam sea but the hull design prevents a sustained roll and pops the boat back towards the vertical. Sometimes a bit too swiftly but on the whole not too bad at all. So at 1640 we tied up at the fuel dock, greeted by a very large sea lion who looks for handouts – or anything else he can reach!

Apres diesel we went in search of a space for the night. After a long discussion with the harbor patrol and the coast guard – the harbour patrol is an idea that Ganges could use - they keep order by knowing all of the mooring spaces and direct you to a place. We were eventually directed to the Morro Bay Yacht Club which we has already passed by as there was only rafting space. All the other places where already rafted three deep!

So we headed back to the club and put our crew ashore to negotiate a space. He was not able to persuade an older Catalina 30 to move so we had to raft outside of it. One of the members commented that the new clubhouse had arrived! This is after all mainly a sail club. After some consternation on the part of some members who were living aboard their boats on the club dock – strictly against the posted rules (do you detect a note of cynicism here) we made fast on the outside of the Catalina and between two larger sailboats. I guess you could call it a six pack. Went to dinner, planned the next day's run (Pt Conception) and retired.

Day 3 an even earlier start, the plan being to pass Pt Arguello and Pt Conception before the afternoon winds pick up. And they are six hours away from here. So at 0544 we cast off from our raft and headed out to sea. Jane remembers the lovely sunrise and sea otters enjoying an early breakfast. These early starts are not a great deal of fun as the excitement of getting underway wears off by 0730 when you look at the clock only to discover yes - it's 0730 and man are you tired!

Putting the swells a little further aft made the ride yet better and we made good progress towards the dreaded duo (Arguello and Conception). At between 1130 and 1200 we passed by about 5 miles off. No biggy this time. Turned towards the SE into the Santa Barbara channel and it felt good. At 1625 we were at the Santa Barbara sea buoy and made our entrance into what I can only describe as a magical harbour. Palm trees, folks walking and jogging. Man this is good.

A visit to the fuel dock and then off to our slip. A quick wash down (the daily ritual with the notable exception of Morro Bay), water the ship and off to dinner (yet again – it seems to be daily occurrence!). Past the biggest private sailing yacht I have ever seen - Lit up like a Christmas tree with upward pointing lights at all the spreaders (six or so) and aircraft warning lights on the tops of its two masts! Underwater lights for effect. Some 200+' and really really shiny.

Dinner was great fun and we took a walk around the harbour to celebrate out rounding of the duo and entry to calmer waters. Tomorrow we put in at Marina Del Rey to drop John off for the airport. An interesting item to note is that Yacht clubs will provide transient moorage if at all possible, to yacht club members, any yacht club. So for the purposes of Carmen's travels SSISC is a yacht club!

Day 4 and a more civilized start at 0800. Today we are bound for Marina Del Rey and it is a fairly simple run across. Dolphins and whales entertained us on this leg. A school of dolphins chose to break away from a feeding fest to swim with us, what a sight, five or six dolphins effortlessly keeping pace. At 1550 we were at the Marina Del Rey breakwater after admiring the undersides of all the jetplanes taking off from LAX and passing over us. Located the Pacific Mariners Yacht Club who were expecting us and made fast at 1620. Many helpful hands from the club, they had a prime space open for us. “Sparky” and the guys made us very welcome. John left for the airport and we went out for dinner to celebrate.

Day 5 and an 0650 engine start, cast off from Pacific Mariners at 0710 and headed out to sea with the intention of putting in at Mission Bay. The idea being that it is further to go all the way into San Deigo and then come back out in the morning if we do not have a need to. We located a berth at Mariners Village Marina in Mission Bay thanks to Gerry who coordinated our arrival from his home 30 miles away by cellphone. Berths are scarce here. Dinner and rest.

Day 6 and the final start at 1000 to head south of the USA / Mexico border. We passed by the Coast Guard and naval ships conducting exercises off of San Diego at the border and headed south to Ensenada. Not much to observe except for the magnificent coast, more like Northern California. 1730 we made fast at Marina Coral at Ensenada. There was a spring forward time change somewhere but it doesn't apply here until April. Very confusing. Due to a tranformer making an unholy buzz we moved to D dock straight off. Up to the Hotel for food and then sleep as we are both exhausted from the last six months. Now we can relax.
31 51.31 51.754 N 116 39.731 W
Days 6; Hours 55; Miles 538; Avg 9.87kts