Passage notes: Bahia Agua Verde to Puerto Escondido

Sunrise over San Marcial point.

Log Book

• Port of departure: Bahia Agua Verde
• Departure time: 9:15 am on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
• Port of arrival: Puerto Escondido
• Arrival time: 5:00 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
• Total travel time: 7.75 hours
• Miles travelled: 26.2
• Engine hours: 997.3 – 1002.4 – 5.1 hours
• Weather: The forecast predicted 3-7 knots from the N/NW with light swell from the N/NW.

This was supposed to be an uneventful day of motoring given the weather forecast, but I’m beginning to think that as soon as you start expecting an uneventful day, the likelihood of it turning out that way diminishes greatly. For starters, there were a lot of reefs and islands to be aware of (ie. not run into). Furthermore, as we approached these many reefs and islands, the wind started blowing at about 20 knots (having built relatively quickly) and, of course, it was accompanied by uncomfortable waves. 

We raised our working jib with a reefed main, uncertain of what the wind would be doing next, right around 6 mile reef. We navigated safely under sail between Los Candeleros and Isla Pardo. The wind and waves were bending around Isla Danzante and Los Candeleros, making them more confused than they already were. Every time we tacked, the wind and waves seemed to alter their course.

Our route on Navionics.

The wind died, almost as quickly as it had begun, once we were on the other side of Isla Danzante. A swift little exhale in the afternoon. We dropped the sails when we were within about 5 miles of the entrance to Puerto Escondido and were disheartened to discover that we were only making 2.5 – 3.5 knots under motor. Our speed under motor has been gradually decreasing as we work our way up into the Sea of Cortez, due most likely to the furry growth on our belly. Got to look into getting that bottom clean…