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Sharing More Memories of Mexico

Although this year’s Baja Ha-Ha didn’t eventuate (thanks, COVID) we’re not short of stories about Ha-Ha sailors’ adventures in Mexico. The Grand Poobah has been keeping the memories alive with regular dispatches about the Ha-Ha’s past, and we’re happy to spread the cheer. There’ll be no “Baj-humbug” from us!

The Baja Ha-Ha celebrates cruising everywhere in Mexico — even by folks who continue on around the world. We’re looking at you, Rob and Mary Miller of the Finch-46 Maude I. Jones.

Rob and Mary in Mexico
Rob and Mary looking no worse for wear after their thousands of ocean miles.
© 2020 Richard Spindler

Theirs is one of the small number of wood yachts to have done the Ha-Ha. The couple did the first Baja Ha-Ha in 1994, and continued on around the world on a slow circumnavigation. As in, at least 10 years.

If we remember correctly, the couple spent a winter among the fjords of the South Island of New Zealand. Although we may be mixing them up with Bruce Balan and Alene Rice of the Cross 46 Migration, who did the Ha-Ha and have now covered more than 50,000 ocean miles. Many of those miles were off the Milk Run, such as to Japan and home across the North Pacific.

As for Rob and Mary, we bumped into them in 2004, 10 years after their Ha-Ha, in St. Barth. They were still with Maude I. Jones; we were there with Profligate. They looked healthier than ever, as you can tell from the photos.

Rob and Mary aboard Maude I Jones
Rob and Mary aboard Maude I. Jones.
© 2020 Richard Spindler

The moral of the story is that if you do a Ha-Ha, or if you did the Nada Ha-Ha because there wasn’t an official Baja Ha-Ha this year, be careful, because you may be in for a much longer adventure than you anticipated.

1 Comment

  1. Bruce Crockard 3 years ago

    Congrats to all who adventure to beautiful places. We did the HaHa in 2010 aboard our Beneteau 473 “Tribute.” Had an amazing time and spent six months cruising the Sea of Cortez. We have a power boat now but those memories will always be treasured. Best thing we ever did and made life long best friends we still have.

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