Baja Ha-Ha Announces New Poobah, Chuck Skewes
Well, we’ve all been waiting for the answer to … What will happen to the Baja Ha-Ha after current Poobah Richard Spindler steps away from the rally? The announcement was made in Mexico yesterday. Chuck Skewes is taking over the reins and will become the new Poobah of the Baja Ha-Ha.
“After 31 years Baja Ha-Ha founder Richard Spindler has, with unbridled enthusiasm, announced that sailmaker Chuck Skewes will be the new Poobah. He will enjoy the continued indispensable support of Assistant Poobah Patsy Verhoeven. I [Richard] expect to continue writing the entry bios, and Doña de Mallorca will naturally be happy to help, too. Chuck is the only person I ever considered to take over. He’s got the skills, experience, and personality. I’m delighted!”
Chuck, lightly referring to himself as the “Newbah,” shared this about his new role.
“I am extremely honored and proud to take the reins of what I feel is the best event for cruisers in the world. Richard, Doña, and Patsy (who is staying with the Baja Ha-Ha crew) have set the bar extremely high with a great formula that makes cruising to Mexico a reality for so many cruisers. Although filling those shoes is an impossible task, I feel confident that the Baja Ha-Ha will continue at the level people expect, or exceed expectations.”
“From the moment I joined my first Baja Ha-Ha I was not only extremely impressed with the event but realized the benefit to anyone heading into Mexico for the season or more. Not only with the guidance of the Poobah, but the incredible resources of the community of cruisers to help [with] nearly every obstacle that the other cruisers had from charging issues, sail repair, and even crew.
“I have felt from the beginning, as many that have joined the Baja Ha-Ha, that this is a very valuable resource for anyone heading south of the border by boat. It is more than just fun — and it is fun — it is safety, education, and a building of lifelong friendships.
“There is no reason to change the formula that has helped many cruisers to achieve their dream and give them a departure date to learn offshore cruising, so you can plan on having the experience that has helped thousands to enjoy the first and learning part of their tropical cruising. We will keep in touch with Mexican officials to keep the entry into Mexico as painless as possible.”
Latitude 38 sales and marketing manager Nicki Bennett, who is on the mothership Profligate with Chuck and Richard, says, “Chuck has an intricate inside knowledge of this event and is excited to take it over.”
Here’s a quick video of Chuck himself talking with past-Latitude crew Mitch Perkins.
We wish Richard and Doña all the best for their next adventures, and we send a big congratulations to Chuck Skewes and look forward to the future of the Baja Ha-Ha.
Good news: I did not miss the last Baja Ha-Ha!
Yea! The Ha-Ha Lives. I really hope to do it someday.
That is great news! Vallarta Yacht Club is delighted to hear that our friend, Chuck, will be the New-bah! We look forward to continuing to support the Ha Ha here in the Bay! Congratulations, all! Looking forward to seeing you soon!
Finally confirmed! I promise not to bug the Publisher anymore….
Great News.
We did the 2008 Ha-ha to cast off with our two kids, then 8 and 9. After Cruising Mexico for 5 Seasons, we started up a watermaker company and became Ha-ha sponsors and hope to continue for many years to come.
Cheers
Rich Boren
Cruiser Services/La Paz Cruisers Supply
You always worry when an instigator poops out, what will happen to the event.
Wecome chuck
Woohoo! The Ha-Ha continues! Congratulations, Chuck!
Exciting news! Congratulations to both incoming and outgoing Poobahs!
So happy to hear that the Ha-Ha will sail on! We did it twice; the second time in 2019 launched our five years of full-time cruising in Mexico. It was the absolute best way to launch our new life, and to join the cruising community. We bumped into friends we made on that rally in anchorages all over Mexico, and many of them are still our favorite people in the world. My memories of the Ha-Ha will last my entire life. Good luck Chuck and Patsy!
Yes!! Couldn’t make the last of the original Ha-Ha’s but looking forward to participating in the 1st 2.0 Ha-Ha 🙂
Fantastic news! Thank you Chuck for taking the Newbah position!!!
Congratulations Chuck. I know you’ll make it work. Maybe I’ll get a chance to do a third one with you.
Congratulations Chuck, Richard, and Donna.
I had to abort my HaHa in 2024 because of TIP problems, but got that all cleaned up now and I’m ready to go!
When do signups for 2026 open up!
SWEET! I was ascared we had missed the last opportunity after finally buying a boat this year!
Chuck is a great guy and the Ha Ha will benefit from him taking the helm. It might even motivate me to do one in the future…
Awesome!!! Couldn’t be in better hands. Thanks for ensuring this awesome tradition survives, Chuck!