Zihua Sail Fest
February 11 - Zihua Bay, Mexico
Zihua Sail Fest seems to be an event whose time has come, as
over the February 1-3 Super Bowl Weekend, some 40 yachts gathered
in Z-town for three days of parades, sailing, socializing - and
excellent fund-raising. The following boats participated: Wasabi,
Marna Lynn, Volante, Scarlett O'Hara, MMildred, Loncia, In The
Mood, El Pacificio, Spot, Dry Martini, Kamielle, Hard on the
Wind, Saucy Lady, La Vie Dansante, Kynda, Sunrise, Mariah, Wings,
Seraphy, Catherine Scott, Observer, Abraxas, Fairwind, Halcyon,
Capricorn Cat and Profligate. In addition, the crews
of many other boats anchored in the harbor joined in by sailing
on other boats, donating money, or getting in on the beach activities.
This was an event that almost didn't happen
again. The Wanderer had dreamed of a semi-organized late January
sailing event in Z-town for the last two years - in part because
it would give him an impetus to make the 200-mile sail south
of Manzanillo, the southern tip of Mexico's Gold Coast. Friends
Jan and Signe aboard the Deerfoot 64 Raven, and Blair
and Joan Grinols aboard the 45-ft Capricorn Cat, gave
positive response to the concept, with the Grinols agreeing to
take any and all aboard in a fund-raising race against Profligate.
Alas, it didn't come together last winter, and by mid-January,
it looked like lassitude was once again going to rule. That's
when Rick of Rick's Bar, Jimmie Zinn of Dry Martini, and
other cruisers really picked up the ball, making arrangements
with the port captain and navy, getting shirts made, and beer
donated. With them having done so much work, there was no way
we could not come down with Profligate.
The Zihua Fest started with a Friday sunset
raft-up aboard Profligate and Capricorn Cat, with
snacks brought by cruisers, and many cases of beer provided by
Sol and Corona. Originally it was just going to be a dinghy-in
party on Profligate, but fortunately the ever cooperative
Blair decided at the last moment to bring his cat over for a
raft-up. It was a good thing he did, because nearly 100 people
showed up. Everyone had a fine time and enjoyed the sunset for
which Z-town is renowned.
Saturday was the boat parade around the
harbor and up to Ixtapa, where boats set sails to try and sail
back to Z-town in light air. The fleet was honored to have the
port captain, well-liked by the cruisers, and other dignitaries
lead the way. A film crew also came down from Mexico City - alas,
it was an unusually hazy day with very, very little wind. Oh
well.
That night there was a big burger fest
with traditional entertainment at Rick's Bar. During the evening
festivities, Jimmie Zinn introduced some kids from the Netzahualcoyotl
Indian School in Z-town, as the school would be the recipient
of the funds raised.
Photo Latitude/Richard
On Superbowl Sunday, Adam Sadeg of Blarney
3 organized beach games, while Capricorn Cat and Profligate
had their match race for charity. Cap Cat took about 30
guests, while the larger Profligate carried about 40.
Things didn't look good at the start, as there was almost no
wind. Fortunately, there was about 6 to 8 knots later in the
day so we had some decent sailing with the nylon sails up.
As always, the waters outside of Z-town
were bluer than blue, and the race was briefly interrupted so
everybody could take an offshore swim - something that might
add interest to the America's Cup. After most of the crew were
recovered, the racing was resumed. Down by the leeward mark of
Guano Island, a humpback whale made a dramatic breech, and for
the next five minutes slapped the water. The Wanderer likes to
think he was waving to him.
All Photos Dustin Except as Marked
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