I just returned from 11 days at sea on Baja Ha-Ha. This was a really well-orchestrated event for couples and groups interested in cruising. I helped a friend I originally met while day sailing at Channel Islands Marina Sailing. He went on to buying his own boat, a Catalina 36, 2 years ago. Recently, he met a new girlfriend, decided to retire early, convinced her to do the same and then to go on to cruising the Sea of Cortez - planning for 4 years. He was reluctant to do 3 + day-night legs with just the two of them, so he asked me to crew.
Crewing for an extended period of time - first 2 days from CI Harbor to San Diego Harbor, then 11 days from SD to Cabo San Lucas - was a lesson, and an experience, of a lifetime. We had both light wind motor sailing days and heavy weather sailing days, easy nights on the hook and howling winds. We had to provide for foreign country permits, boat registration, and insurance. The fleet constantly stayed in touch on vhf and we learned from one another - boat repairs, weather forecasting, standing watch, sailing skills, etc.
I had been looking to take my boating experience to the next level and having finished this, I'm ready to start chartering boats for overnight cruises to the islands.
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