Baja Ha-Ha XXV

WHAT'S IT LIKE ON THE HA-HA?

I stumbled across the accompanying clip of a Baja Ha-Ha from about 10 years ago. It shows relatively typical wind and sea conditions for the Ha-Ha. This doesn't mean it can't blow a lot harder, or there might not be any wind for hours, but you often see conditions such as this. And in 24 years and 72 legs, the wind has only been on the nose twice.

The clip was taken pre-dawn on the first leg on approach to the southern end of Cedros Island. I'm guessing we were about 50 miles north of the finish line for Turtle Bay.

It may not look like it, but Catalina sized Cedros has peaks as high as 4,000 feet. First-timers ask whether we go on the inside or outside of Cedros. We have probably sailed outside two-thirds of the time, and inside one-third of the time.

But here's a tip: If you sail inside of Cedros, you can get internet for a mile or two off Cedros Village, which is on the southeastern part of the island.

As the clip continues on, you'll see some smaller islands in Profligate's wake. Those are the Benitos Islands. We've stopped there once or twice for afternoon hikes and kicks Usually there will be a handful of fishermen out there. Once or twice we've anchored overnight at Cedros. Just slowly pulled up to a lee shore in the pitch black, and when the fatho showed 20 feet, we dropped the hook.

Based on the Poobah having sailed this stretch of water 24 times in the last 25 years, always at the same time of year, I've decided that Cedros/Turtle Bay is for all intents and purposes the dividing line between northern and southern Baja. Sort of the same way that Pt. Conception is the dividing line between Northern and Southern California.

South of Cedros, it's shorts and t-shirts weather during the day, and sometimes through the night. The water is bluer. And while the waters between Cedros and Turtle Bay — particularly between Isla Natividad and the mainland — are riddled with traps and seaweed, once you get a few miles south of Turtle Bay you won't see seaweed again.

But you will see a lot of sunshine. Lots and lots and lots of sunshine. If you're sailing to Mexico, bring shade!

The great Alan Weaver is seen driving the 63-ft Ha-Ha mothership in this clip, talking to Lynnie, who has done close to 10 Ha-Ha's on Profligate. She says the Ha-Ha are the two best weeks of each year of her life. She hates it when we reach the finish at Cabo San Lucas.

Baja Ha-Ha, LLC

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