Turtle Bay

Bahia de Tortugas, BC, Mexico

We did have some winds last night and this morning after all.  At times we were zooming along at 5.5 to 6 knots in a 14 knot following breeze, using our favorite sail combination of a double-reefed mainsail and a full Genoa.  Since the winds were generally from the NE and we were heading SE, we were able to sail on just one tack for most of time - just had to hang on and enjoy the ride.  For about 50% of the time, we had to use the engine when the winds dropped below 3 knots.

We arrived in Turtle Bay around 9:00 AM.  Here is our first view of the entrance at sunrise - there was a pod of about 20 dolphins accompanying us as I took this picture, although they would not cooperate for the camera.

We had the sails down and the anchor deployed by 9:45, just off the little fishing village located here in the bay.  We have already been approached by two of the local boats (pangas) offering fuel, but we have put off that decision until tomorrow when we will be a bit better rested and have some idea of just how much we actually need.  Probably don't really need any - I am sure we could motor all the way to Cabo San Lucas from here on what we have left, if we had to.  Total distance travelled from Ensenada is 295 miles.

Note: As soon as we got the anchor secured, the wind started blowing and has not let up all day - where is it when you want it?  We are pretty well protected here, even though the surrounding land is quite flat, because we have lots of scope out (about 175 feet of chain in 30 feet of water), plenty of swinging room and about 2 miles of shallow bay in which to drag if worst came to worst.  We will sleep well tonight.  BTW, as I am writing this, the wind has totally stopped, just like someone turned off the tap - that is sort of what it has been like sailing down this coast so far, one minute you are flying along under sail and the next, you are motoring in a dead calm.

No Wifi service available here, but our new Telcel 3G stick is working great- thus the text you are reading right now.

 

{GMST}27|41.3|N|114|53|W|Turtle Bay, BC, Mexico|Turtle Bay, BC. Mexico{GEND