Attention All Ha-Ha Skippers
October 3 – San Diego
As you may have heard, very few slips are
currently available in San Diego. However, the Baja Ha-Ha Rally
Committee expects that there will be plenty of room in specially-designated
anchorages. But here’s some advice for avoiding berthing headaches:
Berth along the Way – The tight berthing
situation in San Diego gives you more reason than ever to take
your time while heading south and enjoy some of Southern California’s
other harbors and anchorages. For example, you’ll find plenty
of moorings available at Catalina, and both some berths and lots
of moorings at Newport Beach – both of which are well worth a
visit and just 75 or so miles from San Diego. You can also try
Long Beach and Dana Point. So don’t be in a rush to get to San
Diego weeks before the Ha-Ha.
San Diego Slips – When you arrive – or
shortly before your arrival – at San Diego, call Ha-Ha sponsor
Downwind Marine. The folks there are keeping tabs on all San
Diego marinas, and they’ll know when, and if, berths become available
– but don’t get your hopes up. Call (619) 224-2733.
Anchoring in San Diego – As in years past,
the friendly staff at the San Diego Harbormaster’s Office – also
known as the Recreational Mooring Office – have been very helpful
in allowing Baja Ha-Ha fleet members to anchor in their special
cruiser anchorages. The “A-9” cruiser anchorage – located
off the east end of Harbor Island – is normally the most desirable,
due to its close proximity to services. You must, however, have
a permit to anchor there or at Glorietta Bay across the way at
Coronado. So on your way into San Diego Bay, stop off at the
Shelter Island Harbor Police Dock and go to the Harbormaster’s
Office to obtain your permit. Their phone is (619) 686-6227.
Police Dock Slips – If you’re wildly lucky,
you may also have a chance to berth right at the Police Dock.
They now have at least 30 transient slips available on a first-come,
first-served basis. For boats of 55 feet or less, the fee is
only $10 per day for the first five days, and $20 per day for
the next five days, with a 10-day maximum stay. For further questions
regarding harbor regulations, call the San Diego Harbor Police
at (619) 224-6272.
Cabrillo Isle Marina, located on Harbor
Island, directly across a land bridge from the airport and adjacent
to the Sheraton Hotel, will be the site of the October 26 Skippers’
Meeting (at noon) and Pre-Halloween Kick-Off Party (2 pm). Managers
Tim and Linda Leathers can be reached at (619) 297-6222.
The Baja Ha-Ha Rally Committee does not
arrange berthing at San Diego or Cabo San Lucas. At Cabo, you
should be prepared to anchor. However, the Cabo Marina staff
will try to accommodate as many boats as possible, with priority
based on the chronological order in which Ha-Ha entries were
received.
By the way, if you’ve sent in your packet
with all the forms, the next step is to show up at the Skipper’s
Meeting at the Cabrillo Isle Marina at noon on Sunday the 26th.
If you still need to turn in waivers, you can do that at Cabrillo
Isle Marina on Saturday the 25th from 5:30 to 7 p.m. , or Sunday
from 9 a.m. to noon. If you need more crew waivers forms, we
expect to have a copy available for you to download from the
Baja Ha-Ha Web site, www.baja-haha.com,
later today.
– Lauren Spindler, Ha-Ha Honcho
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