From Ha-Ha to Baja and Beyond: Where the 2018 Fleet Went Next

A few months back, before the Baja Ha-Ha XXIX registrations opened on May 9, the Poobah reached out to the fleet of 2018 to ask, “Where are you now, five years on?” We’ve already shared some of their replies; here are those that we missed.

Bruce and Audrey Toal, Wild Orchid, Beneteau Oceanis 58, San Diego.
“Wild Orchid is currently in Australia. After the 2018 Baja Ha-Ha, we joined the Pacific Puddle Jump in 2019, departing Puerto Vallarta on March 15 and arriving in New Zealand on October 22. Then COVID hit and we stayed in New Zealand for 2.5 years before departing in April 2022 and sailing to Fiji and New Caledonia. We later cleared into Australia at Bundaberg in October of 2022. We enjoyed Christmas and New Year’s Eve in Sydney, and we are now in Southport (Brisbane) and will continue up to the Whitsunday Islands in May. Including the Baja Ha-Ha, we have cruised almost 17,000 nm so far.

“We got Starlink in Dec 2022 and are loving it!”

Bruce McClean, Pacific Bear, Alaskan 66, West Vancouver, B.C.
“I’m still happily cruising Pacific Bear in the Pacific Northwest from Vancouver to Alaska. My advice to anyone considering joining the Ha-Ha? Do it!”

Robert Day, Daydream, J/122, Newport Beach.
“We still live in Laguna Beach and sail out of Newport Beach. We did the 2001 Newport to Ensenada Race and won our class — thanks to Stan Gibbs. During the 2022 Ensenada Race, we hit something just north of San Diego that brought us to a full stop from 10 knots while under spinnaker. Exciting! We are planning on doing the Ha-Ha again this year. It will be our fifth or sixth.

“Suggestions for people considering it? Yes! Yes! and Yes! The Ha-Ha certainly got me started sailing long distances, and we have some incredible memories from each Ha-Ha. Fabulous event!”

Bill Thomas, Epiphany, Crealock 37, Seattle.
“I’ve continued cruising after the 2018 Ha-Ha. After a year in Mexico, I sailed south through Central America, spending a few months enjoying El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. We hauled out in Panama, did some bottom work, and then explored Panama. Even crewed on a boat going through the Canal.

“We next sailed from Panama to the Galápagos and on to French Polynesia. Epiphany spent 18 months in French Polynesia before sailing to Fiji, where I spent all of 2022. She is currently in Vuda Marina waiting on engine parts. This summer I expect to sail to Vanuatu and then Australia’s Gold Coast.”

Perry and Patty Chrisler, C’est Si Bon, Beneteau 46, Scottsdale, Arizona.
“We did three Ha-Ha’s with C’est Si Bon before selling her in 2020. We did last year’s Ha-Ha as crew. We’ve since purchased a new Beneteau 46-3, where she is now part of the Moorings/Sunsail fleet in St. Lucia. In essence, we now have access to 20 international bases for charters with up to 12 weeks of time. We are still actively sailing!

“Our Ha-Ha’s were great experiences.”

Lee Leonard, Mi Casa, Hunter Legend 40, San Diego.
“Along with doing the COVID Nada Ha-Ha in 2020, I’ve done three Baja Ha-Ha’s. I’m still cruising from California’s Channel Islands to Barra Navidad, including the Sea of Cortez. I’m currently spending the season in Banderas Bay.

“From the good organization to the fun events to the first-hand experience of sailing to a true destination, I highly recommend the Baja Ha-Ha. In fact, I hope to do it again this year. ”

Pam and Howard Bean, Nomad, Jeanneau 49, Anacortes, Washington.
“We were part of the fun groups for the 2016 and 2018 Ha-Ha’s. After the 2016 Ha-Ha, we sailed to the Marquesas, the Tuamotus, Tahiti, Huahine, Moorea, Bora Bora, Hawaii, and back to Anacortes. In 2018 good friends wanted to experience the Ha-Ha, so we did it again! This time we shipped Nomad home from La Paz after enjoying the winter cruising Mexico.

“We had enjoyed Mexico so much that in 2019 we rented a condo, and then bought one in La Cruz overlooking the cruisers’ anchorage. In 2022, after two seasons of being in Mexico without Nomad, we sailed her back down from Washington. We are keeping her in the marina at La Cruz. Sailing in Mexico in the winter is awesome!”

George and Shirley Vallance, Sanderling II, Hylas 49, Vancouver, B.C.
“After the 2018 Ha-Ha, Shirley and I returned to Vancouver in 2019, and a year later sold our Hylas 49 to a really nice couple from San Francisco. They immediately turned around and did the same trip. I think they were in the 2020 Ha-Ha as Mickey and Jean. We were still living on Salt Spring Island at the time and purchased a 59-ft Selene trawler.

“Family circumstances made us move back to Vancouver in 2021, and unable to find moorage for a large boat, we eventually sold the trawler last summer. We have now found a slip on False Creek where we live, and are actively looking for another boat, probably power as we want to spend time in northern waters over the next few years.

“We have great memories of the Ha-Ha and made some great friends. It’s a terrific program.”

If you want to join the fleet, there’s still time. Right now there are nearly 90 boats signed up! Get all the details and register here: www.baja-haha.com.