As they say, there’s always next year. Why not make it your
New Year’s resolution to be part of the Baja Ha-Ha VIII fleet?
Bookmark www.baja-haha.com
now for use later!
In the meantime, check out the Baja Ha-Ha coverage below to see
just some of what you have to look forward to.
Looking for current as well as recent wind and sea readings
from 17 buoys and stations between Pt. Arena and the Mexican border?
Here’s the place – which has further links to weather buoys and
stations all over the U.S.: www.ndbc.noaa.gov/stuff/southwest/swstmap.shtml.
Also check out http://facs.scripps.edu/surf/buoylist.html
(but note that the Java Applet is still not working with some
browsers on Macs – including your Webmistress’s Netscape Communicator!)
Pacific Ocean Weather
You can view the University of Hawaii Department of Meteorology
satellite picture by clicking
here.
While the Baja Ha-Ha is underway, our cruising section will
be on hiatus, but we’d still love to hear from you…so keep your
pictures and stories coming!
Qualcomm / Globalstar Satellite
Systems Baja Ha-Ha VII Update
1000, November 6, 2000 – Bahia Santa Maria, Baja California,
600 miles south of San Diego
Most of the 112 boats in the Baja Ha-Ha cruisers’ rally from
San Diego to Cabo San Lucas arrived in Turtle Bay long enough
to enjoy two lay days and lots of socializing. The big event
on the first evening was the traditional get together at the
Vera Cruz restaurant in the little town of 4,000. Most folks
walked up the hill to the restaurant, others used huge trucks
which were pressed into service as cabs. The second afternoon
was the traditional beach party, in which many folks flipped
their dinghies in the surf and went for a swim before sharing
sushi, cervezas and tall tales of the first leg. Yes, even the
‘Latitude 38’ dinghy took a dump, destroying a Nikon camera body,
telephoto lens, and crew lunch. Nonetheless, a good time was
had by all – including the many locals curious to see what the
gringos on boats were up to – at the abandoned trailer park.
The 240-mile second leg to Bahia Santa Maria started early on
November 5. After seeing that there was no wind at the start,
the Grand Poobah informed the fleet that everyone was permitted
to motor up to five miles offshore on a course of 220 degrees
without penalty. Everyone cheered – then charged offshore in
search of wind. Soon the fleet was reveling in the 15 to 20 knots
of wind under bright blue skies that had been predicted by Commanders
Weather, the official forecast service of the Baja Ha-Ha. It
was an afternoon and evening of spectacular sailing under perfect
conditions.
The winds held through the night, allowing everyone to make excellent
progress down the line. Thanks to the great breeze and some extended
surfing, the committee boat ‘Profligate’ arrived at Bahia Santa
Maria first, and is expecting lots of other boats to arrive soon.
We’ve already noticed that Kojak has his tent set up on the beach,
so apparently he will have his one-day-a-year restaurant-bar-dance
hall set up for tomorrow’s beach party.
To date, the seventh version of the Ha-Ha has had the best weather,
the fastest times and the least breakdowns. Here’s to hoping
it continues; wish you were here.
– The Grand Poobah aboard ‘Profligate’
Elysium and
the fleet at the start of Leg 2
Catch of the day aboard Profligate
Sunrise on the Pacific
Rowing Ashore at Turtle Bay
All Photos Latitude 38
This Baja Ha-Ha VII update has been brought to you via Qualcomm
satellite phones and Globalstar satellite systems, the official
communications system of the Ha-Ha. We’ve been using their products
to make countless calls and send the photos you’ve seen here.
It’s worked great!
YOTREPS
November 6 – The Pacific Ocean and Cyberspace
Who is out making passages in the Pacific and what kind of
weather are they having? Check out YOTREPS – ‘yacht reports’ –
at http://www.bitwrangler.com/yotreps/
Racing
Vendée Globe Start Rescheduled for Thursday
November 6 – Bay of Biscay
Officials still hope to be able to start the twice-delayed Vendée
Globe singlehanded around-the-world race on Thursday. Looking
at the photo at right, we can see the reason for the postponements.
Bruce Schwab reports that “it is WAY nasty outside. Even
the fishing boats who know the harbor well cannot go out. No
psycho windsurfers today!”
The 20′ breakwater wall at Les Sables d’Olonne
is awash. Photo Bruce Schwab
