Loving the Boat Yard & Freedom from Excessive Regulations

"Deb and I are proud of ourselves for finally following the Wanderer’s advice," write John and Debbie Rogers of the San Diego-based Deerfoot 2-62 Moonshadow. "We’re still smarting from ignoring the Wanderer’s advice and leaving St. Barth too soon last winter. But since the Wanderer had Profligate hauled at the La Cruz Shipyard on Banderas Bay for a lot of work, and used the services of Peter Vargas and his Sea Tek team, we decided to do the same. We’ve never really enjoyed time in boatyards — who does? — but we were surprised to find that our two-month experience of refitting Moonshadow here was really great. We could live ashore inexpensively right on the beach while having the much-needed work done. We ended up becoming great friends with the whole Sea Tek crew, whom we found to be sincerely interested in giving us the best possible outcome. They did a great job.

"And the town of La Cruz has been wonderful. We especially like the way the beaches are free of the many regulations we’re used to seeing at the beaches of our hometown of San Diego. On the beach in front of our temporary home in La Cruz, we frequently saw dogs running free, horses, cars, ATVs, dinghies, fishing pangas, parties with coolers full of beer, barbecues, bonfires, fireworks — and mostly people taking a break and having a good time relaxing. We haven’t seen drunks, fights, arrests, cops, lawsuits or other forms of party-pooping interference. Here in La Cruz they’ve somehow figured out how to share a public beach without a lot of government ordinances. Although while in Chacala today, we saw the accompanying anti-pooping sign, which made us realize that even in Mexico you have to draw the line somewhere.

"We’re heading up into the Sea of Cortez next week, and will be doing the Bash in late June. Any chance we’ll see Profligate somewhere along the way?"

The Wanderer and Doña de Mallorca are glad you had a great experience with Peter and his crew at the La Cruz Shipyard. We also had a great experience, but we need to make it clear that we are Switzerland when it comes to boatyards, as there are many others in California and Mexico that do excellent work. One of the big factors in our hauling Profligate in La Cruz is that there are so few places — three — between Panama and the Napa Valley that can accommodate Profligate’s 30-ft beam. But like you, we loved how much pride the Sea Tek team took in their work.

We’re big on the smallest and least intrusive government possible, but we understand the need for some regulations. For example, we are not in favor of pit bulls and other potentially lethal dogs on populated beaches, as they are often used by subhumans to intimidate others who are simply trying to relax. Similarly, we are not in favor of cars or ATVs on popular beaches, as humans simply can’t be trusted to abstain from recklessly showing off in front of people who don’t want to see or hear them.

As for jet skis, proportionately the most deadly of all watercraft, we don’t think they are regulated nearly enough, even though they are banned entirely in places such as Sayulita. There was a tragic jet-ski accident last Christmas between La Cruz and Bucerias, when a jet-ski instructor, showing off, hit a honeymooning young couple from Mexico City who were paddling along in an orange kayak minding their own business. The young woman was killed and the young man suffered serious injuries. About that same time, a woman from a cruise ship on a jet ski off Puerto Vallarta collided with her daughter on another jet ski, killing her. Happy holidays.

That said, we’ve spent a lot of time on the beaches of Banderas Bay, and despite the fact that there doesn’t seem to be any regulation against drinking on the beach, we haven’t seen one fight or need for police. It’s overwhelmingly been regular Mexicans having a great time on the beach, not bothering anyone. We love watching the families and kids play in the water.

Not to rub it in, but you really should have listened to us about St. Barth, as it’s a fabulous sailing hotbed between early February and the first week in April. We’ve already had the Bucket and the Voiles. Today the first of the double-handed boats arrive from France, and early next week is the start of the West Indies Regatta for work boats. During this time span there have been other great regattas just a few miles away: The Heineken Regatta in 15-mile-distant St. Martin, and the Antigua Classic and Antigua Sailing Week in 80-miles-distant Antigua. All this, not to mention the great anchorages, the clear warm waters, or the women who walk like cats.

With the season here nearly over, we’ll be returning to La Cruz to have Vargas and crew put on Profligate‘s hard-top. We hope to be bashing by late June, as we’re eager to get north for the Santa Barbara to King Harbor Race in late July, the So Cal Ta-Ta in early September, the Little Ensenada Race in early October, and Baja Ha-Ha XXI in late October. So much sailing to do, so little time. But yeah, there’s a good chance we’ll see you on the Bash Bash.