Mar 30
Underway in a honking Northern. Decide not to sail  and take it easy till guest have found there sea legs. Explored West side of the island and made a few stops. Anchored in Caleta Partida a snug anchorage between the two islands.

All settled for the night til we received a call for help from the VHF ch 16. As there where several boats in the area waited a bit but non responded. Made contact and someone in very broken English was calling for help. La Patita a 31' sailboat boat was drive for the gale with no working engine and rigging failure so it could nor sail. Decided it was serious and as we where only 3 miles away to render assistants. Got going in 10 minutes and set course for the vessel. As soon as we where out of the bay the rolling increased and soon where rolling wild. A few times got over 40 degrees both ways and the noise out of the galley was not good. As we left with haste and supper was being prepared things we where no sea ready down there. Arrived at the position and found a small 31' sailboat laying sideways in 10' steep waves. Had to make several passes at it to get a line over but thanks to Ron who threw the line made fast and start towing.
Let out 400' of heavy line and start pulling in earnest. The boat rolled badly and took some big water over the bow but after a while things got easier. Made it in the anchorage at 2100 hrs and several dinghies took over the tow and we re anchored. 

After we all settled down and where ready to get out the rum to celebrate had one more look at La Patita  only to discover it was on the move again. Both there dinghy toy anchors where not holding and onces more they where underway. This time with no clue what was happening. On the Radio for some help and with a few dingies towed in very shallow water so the anchors would hold this time for sure.

Good thing we went out there as in another few hours they would have been toast. All did well and we all agreed we did the right thing. Good we have a good ship like Western Grace as many a powerboat would have not pulled this off.

Mar 29
Up with the birds getting some last minute shopping done and get ready for 1000 boarding. Almost made it as our eager crew arrived early and met them by accident at the dock. Margaret, Beckie, Beth, Ron and Kay our new guest for the trip. As in usual fashion wasted no time and after a hairy departure in the strong current proceeded to sea. Ron  at the wheel like a old salt. Set sail outside the harbor but after sailing hard on the wind for a few hours made tracks for Isla Espiritu Santos and anchored in San Gabriel anchorage.

Mar 28

Well much has happened since our last report. The website was down and our apologies for that. Looks like our website provider is a computer and trying to contact them is like being stuck in a telephone maze. Same what you get when you try to contact the tax department when you want your money back. Pretty sure one of these day we meet the person behind this on the beach some where bragging about his computer business everyone is sending money to. Well we will change to another site soon.

It has been a eventful time here in La Paz. Not so much onboard as we are quietly going about our work and slowly getting things done. But mainly what is happening around us. Last week we heard a call on the VHF radio around 2100 hrs or so that a boat is on fire. Immediately graphed a few pails, the portable radio and a few fire extinguishers and was underway in less than 2 minutes in the zodiac. No trouble finding the boat. "Shelly B" A small Columbia 28 sailboat. Things looked grim and the boat was engulfed from stem to stern. Nothing to be done that watch and make sure it did not start drifting like a fire ship through the anchorage. The Mexican navy came on the scene and tried to extinguish the fire but could not get there pump going, even trying for 1.5 hours. The boat burned furious and small explosion could be heard.  The fiberglass was burning to the water line. The owner arrived later a young guy from Port Townsend by the name of Brian. He could stand it only so long and some one took him to stay on another boat. He had all he had in the boat and only $20.00 and his drivers license in his pocket. No insurance at all as most cruiser.  At 0200 it finally sunk at anchor.

The next day we went for a work party onshore doing some volunteer work with the church building a house for a poor single mother. Brian was there just to keep himself sane.
After the work was done all went back to Casa Bueno the base we had all our tools etc. But what happened during the day was remarkable. A group of cruiser organized buying a identical replacement boat from a local. Without telling him what was going on they brought him to the dock and to his new boat. This all in 24 hours. Further gifts from local business and a benefit action have now put him back on his feet.

So the community looks after his own down here.

Mar 26 
Mahikiki a 40  some steel sailboat ended up on the beach trying to tow the smaller boat off. Just at high tide for the next few weeks and no chance of getting close to the same water next tide.  In the morning when we woke up there she was.
Took the zodiac over and talked to the owner. As high tide was not expected till 2000 hrs he had a long day ahead. Devised a plan to get him off under own power by setting a stern and bow anchor out to seaward. Then  rig a very long line with a heavy anchor through a block near the masthead to heel the boat to reduce draft. As night came near start hauling on the anchors and lines and slowly heeled her over and with the help of one zodiac and her own  engine got her off.

That was exciting and after mooring the vessel on a buoy everyone was now concentrating on getting the small boat off the beach. It was only 5000 lbs and the consensus was  that should be a breeze. Not so and with several people in the water trying to push and two zodiac's pulling no go. Then plan B came into play and a small trawler who was nearby hooked on to it and after a few runs got it off. So everyone is back floating at least for now.

Tomorrow we are in the marina to get ready for our next trip. Should be exiting going in the sea up to Loretta. Than to Cabo and April 16 for Honolulu. Still berths available!

Mar 25
A small 21' sailboat broke loose from the mooring and stranded not to far from us. We did not know it was a accident as it looks like it was put there on purpose to clean the bottom.

Mar 17
It has been warm the last few days. Yesterday we put the harbor awning over the boat to keep the sun off. This makes a enormous difference as the wind blows underneath it and it keeps it much cooler.

Made a few trips in to town. This place is changing fast. Building everywhere and looks like there is lots of work.
But some things seem to never change. Early morning the iceman come by and drop off large blocks of ice on the sidewalk in front of the store who ordered them. Or the noise of the road club. This is a notorious loud drinking establishment on the beach and when there is something going on it start real early like midnight and goes till 0500 hrs or so. Music so loud it carries for miles. Well any way glad to be back.

Mar 13

Anchor up at 0800 hrs and set course for La Paz. The entrance to the harbor is a long way and took about 2 hours to get to the anchorage. 1000 hrs secure at anchor with 15 fathoms of chains and the anchor set deep. Back to the La Paz waltz. Where due to conflicting strong tides and strong wind boats are waltzing at anchor meaning that some are tide rode others are wind rode. So one faces East other West and none behaves the same way. So a lot of room is needed to stay out of each others way.
Reported arrival to the port captain by radio ( in Spanish) and was delighted that he understood. (We think)

Well back in La Paz. A busy week ahead. The radio is buzzing with familiar names and the Marina's are almost full. A Fair number of boats at anchor as well.

Changed oil and cleaned bilges. Worked on checking bilge pumps . Two days job.

Then up the mast checking rigging, lights stays etc. The wind instruments where acting up and had to take the masthead assembly down oil it up and recalibrate. That was two trips up the mast and another morning gone. Stated repairs on the bow where the anchor has damage it a bit and put on a few layers of epoxy fillers to fair it all in.
Tuned the outboard and it runs much better now. Dolphins swimming around the boat.

Mar 12

Had a great night. No rolling and we lay almost still after months of rolling. Anchor up at 0800 hrs and sailed away from the anchor. Only winds for 2 hours and had to turn the engine on. Proceeded through Lorenzo channel and found anchorage at  Puerto Ballendra. ( Schooner Cove) This is one of the bays just North of La Paz. Dove the boat and cleaned some more bottom and scrubbed the prop. Water still cool.
Tomorrow move into town and have to change oil on the engines.

Mar 11
Arrived late afternoon at the North tip of Isla Ceralvo. Took anchorage on the west side near the tip of the island. Took the Zodiac to the small beach and explored the canyon up the mountain, Very  striking colors and absolute solitude. No one in miles. Water very clear and air is very dry.

Mar 11

Sailed for 1 hour during the night than flat calm. Amazing sky with millions of stars. Water alive with bioluminescent emitting creatures. Western Grace is lighted up like daylight in the water around us and we leave a light trail 100 yards in our wake. What a night not a breath of wind. Ocean smooth.
At daylight still no wind. Had the Genoa up for a few hours to catch some wind. At 1200 hrs 25 nm to go to Ceralvo where we will seek anchorage for the night.

Mar 10
Set out in earnest for Ceralvo and turned on the engine and set the main sail.
Flat calm with a bit of Southerly in the afternoon gives us some boost with all sail up. This only lasted till dark than winds light again.

Mar 9

0730 sailed away in light land breeze. 0900 hrs turned on engine and set course for Ceralvo channel 200 Nm away at 291 T. Wind picked up and start sailing. However winds is backing and forcing us more North. In the afternoon it became apparent that the best we could do is making some northing and at night fail still very close to shore. Decide to anchor off the coast once more. 2030 at anchor of Punta Piaxtla in 35' water.

Mar 8
Gathered our strength and decide to set out. Course for Mazathlan. Motor sailed all day and got a good boost from the wind but not enough to sail all. Mahi on the fishing line but lost it before we could recover it. Mid afternoon lots of ray activity. Jumping all around us.
2300 hrs Anchored of the beach 8 miles south of Mazathlan in 35' water.

Mar 7
Decided to stay for the day as we felt tired. Fisherman ended up with a half flat of Cola.

Mar 6
Depart Punta De Mita at 0100 hrs as the land breeze has build to 8 Kts and we hope we can sail. 0230 Cleared all around the nasty reefs and set course almost due North to  Isla Isabela our first possible stop.

No wind to sail by so had to use the engine all the way although used the sails off and on to get a bit of wind help. Still a bit of a swell running and bow dives in once in a while but no big punches.

Arrived 1400 hrs at the island to discover several boats and the South anchorage to crowded. So anchored on the East side a bit of the stacks in 45' water. Light swell.
Scraped some on the bottom as the barnacles never rest. Water temp OK.

Mar 5

Underway at 0900 hrs and set for PV about 2 hours away. This is the first time we used the engine for any time at all during the week. But then it is early and sea breeze has not set in  Flat calm. Does not look good for the J 24 world championship races starting this afternoon.
Arrived PV 1100 hrs at the fuel dock and Ron did picture perfect docking alongside.

Here we say our farewells and have to go separate ways. It was good to sail with you and that our course may cross again.
Took on 400 liters of diesel for our trip to La Paz. Departed for La Cruz 1130. Found wind and had a great sail. Arrived 1400 hrs and a quick trip to port captain to get clearance and some groceries. Underway 1500 hrs sailing to Punta De Mita. Sailed till 1900 hrs and motored the last few miles. At anchor 1930.

Mar 4  1000 hrs
depart Punta de Mita in search for whales. Slowly motored out to the islands and than got a few sighting. Set sail as breeze start filling in. Managed to see a few whales but not very close. Observed ones again that if Humpbacks are approached by power boats with screaming outboards they start diving and try avoiding. Despite all regulation regarding whale watching (at least in the Bay of Banderas) whales get harassed and chased by a armada of boats and trying to move away only to be followed.

Yet when we are under sail without echo sounder going they often come over to have a look.  Humpbacks are very curious and social animals and very close encounters are possible but this will take time. To go whale watching and expect to get close in 15 minutes you have to act like the whale watch boats do down here. But spending a hour or more will gain the there trust and a set you up for a great encounter. Frustrating to work on this and have a power boat coming out of nowhere and pursuing and we have to move on.
 
Winds filled in ones again and sailed to La crux anchorage. sailed in under full sail and reefed sails and brought her into the wind and set anchor all in one smooth operation. Good work all! Last night for Ron & Gail.

Mar 3
Big swell overnight but not to uncomfortable. Ron & John swim ashore in the morning while waiting for the sea breeze to fill in. Underway in light winds and slowly increasing to 20 Kts close to Punta Mita. Great sailing. Just as it was getting late a whale broaching and given a show not to far away but no time to have a look. At anchor Punta De Mita 1830 hrs. Whale sightings way down this week.

Mar 2
Rough night. Not much sleep for the skipper. Only cat naps to keep anchor watch. Happily pulled out early in search of more good sailing and adventure. Sure enough after leaving this windy place had light winds later in the day. Sailed slowly into Boca De Tomathlan. Another fancy anchoring job and securely moored at 1800 hrs. Another great night watching all what is happening onshore.

Mar 1
Onshore expedition to visit the birds and explore the caves. Made a decent landing ( some guest have all the luck) After crawling around and close encounters with the birds back onboard at 1215 hrs. Gail suffered scrapes. Set sail for Cabo Coriente. Fair winds as this is normally a rough area. Sailed to explore a new cove Los Corrales. We never been here before and the sailing directions give had some conflict so made us uneasy. However as it was getting late and as we got closer could see the possibilities and worked our way in. Just as the wind start increasing to well over 20 Kts. So anchored of the small town ( 6 houses) After having enjoyed watching town live for a while decide to change to get more shelter for the night and moved to the West lobe of the cove. tight anchorage and partial sheltered from the swell and winds. Thank goodness for the big anchors as without them we would be once again in trouble. Held anchor watch during the night as swells and winds are steady.