Baja Ha-Ha Poobah Shares Advice — “Create a Life You Don’t Need a Vacation From”
There are many reasons to sail to Mexico with the Baja Ha-Ha in October, and the Grand Poobah shares this story from Beverly van de Velde and her husband Rolf, who did the 2019 Baja Ha-Ha aboard their Marina del Rey-based Lagoon 400 Rochambeau. Beverly and Rolf have just returned from a second cruise in Mexico.
“This time we spent exactly six months sailing from Los Angeles as far south on mainland Mexico as Barra de Navidad,” reports Beverly, “then north to Mazatlán on the mainland, then over to La Paz on the Baja side, and lastly farther north into the Sea of Cortez.
“We did this all while working full-time ‘reboatly,’ and with one dog and two cats.”
“We met several other like-minded couples who were also working ‘reboatly,’ often with pets. We all understand the essence of living life to the fullest.
“We did our cruise in a mostly environmentally friendly way, by converting power from solar panels, even for making fresh water.
“We covered a total of 3,025 nautical miles and spent 85 days and 69 nights at sea going from place to place. Six days and five nights was the most time we spent at sea without stopping.
“The following is a list of our longest passages: 1,382 nm from Los Angeles to Barra de Navidad; 141 nm from Barra to La Cruz and Punta de Mita, Banderas Bay; 164 nm from Punta de Mita to Mazatlán; 233 nm from Mazatlán to La Paz; 318 nm from La Paz to Bahia Magdalena; 256 nm from Man O’ War Cove, Bahia Magdalena, to Bahia Tortuga; 420 nm from Bahia Tortuga to Marina del Rey.”
(Note from the Poobah of the Ha-Ha: Given enough time, it’s easy to cover the same route as the van de Veldes’ with very few overnights. Sixty-nine is a tremendous amount.)
“Rochambeau is our floating home that takes us to special places that most people never get to experience. We’re so grateful for the opportunities and friendships, as well as for having bosses who understand our lifestyle doesn’t have to compete with our careers.
“Now it’s time for us to reconnect with friends and family while we explore our backyards between Los Angeles, Catalina, and Mammoth Lakes.”
“Create a life you don’t need a vacation from. Become the view. Do it now! That’s my advice.
“These pictures represent us living our best lives.”
The Poobah is biased, of course, in thinking that doing the Ha-Ha is the best way to head south, particularly for the first time. For those who are interested, Notice of Rally for the October 31 event can be found here.
For those who hope to work “reboatly,” or want to do homeschooling, Starlink, which reportedly works great everywhere on the coast of Mexico, is a godsend.
Here’s a story about another sailor, Robert Hansen, originally from the East Bay, who sailed south with the Ha-Ha, and never left!