Baja Ha-Ha XXXI — It’s a Go! Go! Go!
This just in from the Poobah:
Yesterday, Assistant Poobah Patsy Verhoeven spoke with Bob Hoyt of Mag Bay Outfitters, our man in Bahia Santa Maria, who reports that the port captain and immigration officials in San Carlos are all onboard for Ha-Ha XXXI. So it’s officially a go.
Signups will be starting on Friday, May 9, at noon.
The event itself will begin on Monday, November 3. We’re all but sure West Marine will be onboard for the Costume Kick-Off Party in their parking lot on Sunday, November 2. To add to the fun, the Poobah has arranged for the Beaver Full Moon to be shining on November 5, when much of the fleet will be approaching or in Turtle Bay.
While we haven’t worked out the details, it’s almost certain that the fleet will spend one more day in the Bahia Santa Maria/Mag Bay area and one less day in Cabo. This would make checking into Mexico at Mag Bay easier than before, and certainly much easier and less expensive than at overwhelmed Cabo. The onetime tiny fishing village has become too crowded and problematic except for very short stays.
How badly does Hawaii’s Kevin Millett want to do his sixth Ha-Ha? If all goes well, his new super 51-ft all-carbon cat will be launched in Australia in April. “I reckon that would give me six months to enjoy the South Pacific,” he says, “and make it to the Glorietta Bay anchorage in San Diego just before the Ha-Ha start.”
Myron and Marina Eisenzimmer of the Swan 44 Mykonos, who have been doing every other Ha-Ha for the last 20 years, say they’re in for sure. “Sign me up,” says Chris Maher, who, if the Poobah remembers correctly, did one of the very early Ha-Ha’s and has done a number in between.
Patrick Walton reports that now all his commitments are done, he hopes to join number XXXI, which would be his third. Anybody else?
For those new to sailing, the Baja Ha-Ha is the 750-mile cruisers’ rally from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas, with R&R stops at funky Turtle Bay and surreal Bahia Santa Maria. The event is open to boats 27-ft and longer that were designed, built, and have been maintained for offshore sailing.
What are two of the biggest benefits of the Ha-Ha? You’ll almost certainly be making new sailing friends for life, and if you have kids, there will be other “kid boats” around. The Grand Poobah doesn’t know about the rest of you, but he’s jacked about the idea of sailing his 30th Ha-Ha.
Save the date on your calendar now, and start getting ready! Signups start Friday, May 9.
Woo Hoo! Retiring later this year and I’ll be wrapping up refit projects on my boat this summer to get some shake down cruising done before joining the 30th Ha-Ha!
31st Ha-Ha that is : )
How long till the Poobah starts telling everyone that this might, perhaps, maybe, not sure, probably, not really his last Ha Ha in an effort to squeeze more entries at the end?
Hoping to retire this year as well and do my first Baja Ha-Ha!
After growing up in San Francisco, and sailing everywhere, 𝘮𝘺 brother & I finally get to do our 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘽𝙖𝙟𝙖 𝙃𝙖-𝙃𝙖!
Count us in for our first. 𝘋𝘰 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘯!
Finally. The stars, planets and other heavenly objects will be aligning properly, and the Denebeim boys will, for the first time, be doing this Ha Ha thing. We will then enforce our own “Stay in Mexico” policy for a couple of months, and cruise the cruising places. At last: Baja- here we come…..by sea!
Two of my three crew gigs on the HaHa have come about due to last minute dropouts on participating boats. I’ll be 81 years old when the shotgun goes off this go ‘round and I’m hoping not to rely on schoedenfreud to gain a berth on a boat this year. Please see my Crew List ad and I’ll send my sailing résumé and references on request.