We have been anchored off the Baja California village at Islas San
Benito since Saturday afternoon (28-17.8N 115-34.5W). An early
departure from La Paz gave us the option of waiting out high-wind
conditions that started Saturday and are expected to last through
Tuesday. The current plan is to leave Wednesday morning for a
direct, overnight run to Ensenada, arriving midday Thursday.
http://tinyurl.com/3r9qt
Sunday afternoon, we noticed a sailing vessel having difficulty
running into the weather, just off the islands. After some time, it
veered off toward our anchorage. The boat was single handed by a
white-haired gentleman. When he approached Ice Dancer, it appeared
that he was having much difficulty dropping his anchor. He made
several attempts and spent nearly an hour in the effort, in fierce
winds. We offered to tie his boat to a line off the stern of Ice
Dancer, where he remains this Monday morning. We flagged down a
panga that was transporting two scientists around the islands,
studying elephant seals. They helped untangle his anchor chain that
was stuck in the hawse pipe and fouled in the locker from heavy seas.
The sailor is profoundly deaf, but he told the story of losing use of
his auto pilot and depth sounder. He had hand steered the boat, in
adverse conditions, non stop for two days. He was exhausted and
losing his ability to function.
I will try to fix his electronics this morning, but at least he has
working anchor gear and has had a chance to rest.
These islands are stark outposts in the Pacific Ocean, but rich with
sea life. In particular, we enjoy watching the elephant seals. At
night we shine a floodlight into the water and a group of about
twenty juvenile sea lions feast on the attracted fish and shrimp.
The only bad news is that lobster season has closed, so we are unable
to barter with the local fishermen.
The 57 is another beautiful Nordhavn craft, and a joy to cruise. We
will stop in Dana Point the first week of May, on our way to Cordova,
Alaska for the summer.
Cheers,
Dick and Gail Barnes
Aboard Ice Dancer II
Nordhavn 57-28
We have been anchored off the Baja California village at Islas San
Benito since Saturday afternoon (28-17.8N 115-34.5W). An early
departure from La Paz gave us the option of waiting out high-wind
conditions that started Saturday and are expected to last through
Tuesday. The current plan is to leave Wednesday morning for a
direct, overnight run to Ensenada, arriving midday Thursday.
http://tinyurl.com/3r9qt
Sunday afternoon, we noticed a sailing vessel having difficulty
running into the weather, just off the islands. After some time, it
veered off toward our anchorage. The boat was single handed by a
white-haired gentleman. When he approached Ice Dancer, it appeared
that he was having much difficulty dropping his anchor. He made
several attempts and spent nearly an hour in the effort, in fierce
winds. We offered to tie his boat to a line off the stern of Ice
Dancer, where he remains this Monday morning. We flagged down a
panga that was transporting two scientists around the islands,
studying elephant seals. They helped untangle his anchor chain that
was stuck in the hawse pipe and fouled in the locker from heavy seas.
The sailor is profoundly deaf, but he told the story of losing use of
his auto pilot and depth sounder. He had hand steered the boat, in
adverse conditions, non stop for two days. He was exhausted and
losing his ability to function.
I will try to fix his electronics this morning, but at least he has
working anchor gear and has had a chance to rest.
These islands are stark outposts in the Pacific Ocean, but rich with
sea life. In particular, we enjoy watching the elephant seals. At
night we shine a floodlight into the water and a group of about
twenty juvenile sea lions feast on the attracted fish and shrimp.
The only bad news is that lobster season has closed, so we are unable
to barter with the local fishermen.
The 57 is another beautiful Nordhavn craft, and a joy to cruise. We
will stop in Dana Point the first week of May, on our way to Cordova,
Alaska for the summer.
Cheers,
Dick and Gail Barnes
Aboard Ice Dancer II
Nordhavn 57-28
