Smooth Sailing South on the 31st Baja Ha-Ha

Latitude’s Nicki Bennett sends this report from the 31st Baja Ha-Ha.

The 31st Baja Ha-Ha fleet is making its way south under near-ideal conditions. The weather has been kind, the water turning warmer and more turquoise by the day, and today brought the first clear sunny morning as Profligate and the rest of the fleet continue down the Baja coast.

Sunday’s sail was one to remember. Dolphins escorted us out of Turtle Bay, reappeared midday, and then returned in full force at sunset, chasing our wake through the golden light. Yesterday, whales were spotted up and down the coast, and other boats reported sightings of orcas as well. The active sea life has made for some decent fishing along the way. Boats have been reporting catches of dorado, wahoo and tuna as we sail south. Aboard Profligate we landed one tuna that made for excellent sashimi, along with a few bonito that we released after leaving Turtle Bay. This morning we successfully caught three dorado and are planning a fish taco feast for dinner.

While a few crews have faced their share of technical challenges, most issues have been manageable. There have been some autopilot, electrical, and battery problems, largely solved along the way. Two boats are dealing with windlass issues, including Profligate, though both have found ways to work around them. Ullman Sails’ Chuck Skewes had to make only one sail repair in Turtle Bay, and a few minor rigging issues were resolved before departure. One banjo bolt on a Volvo Penta engine sheared off before Turtle Bay, but the resourceful crew managed a solid jury rig and continued south. Two spare batteries were loaned out to help fellow sailors, and one boat, Finest Kind, turned back to San Diego to make repairs before heading south again. All told, there have been no major mechanical or medical issues to report.

The fleet enjoyed an extra lay day in Turtle Bay due to a wind forecast, which gave everyone time to rest and explore. Several cruisers hiked up the ridge overlooking the bay for a spectacular view of the anchored fleet. The extra time also allowed many to wander through the remote village, visit the historic church built in 1887, and walk to the cemetery that overlooks the bay, a quiet spot rich with local history.

This Ha-Ha marks several lasts for the Grand Poobah, including his final ceremonial pitches at the always-popular Bazeball game, which saw great attendance once again. The annual tradition continues to be a highlight of the stop in Turtle Bay, with loads of donated equipment distributed to local kids after the game.

A few new activities were added this year, including yoga sessions, one on the beach and another on the baseball diamond. Turtle Bay is also building a soccer stadium, which hints that next year’s Ha-Ha might include a soccer match on the schedule.

Volleyball was as lively as ever, with two nets in play, one set up for Thursday’s matches and another for the energetic games during Saturday’s beach party. That beach party was a big hit, drawing a huge crowd and raising nearly $800 for charity through hot dog sales. The women continued their winning streak in the always-popular tug of war, once again proving unbeatable on the sand.

This year’s fleet has been a wonderful mix of Ha-Ha veterans and younger cruisers heading out on their first bluewater adventure, many thanks to the connectivity Starlink provides. Though there is less unplugging from back home along the way, that connection has been a great tool for solving and troubleshooting technical problems underway. The fastest boats in the fleet are nearing the second stop in Bahia Santa Maria, and as of this writing, Profligate is expected to arrive not too long after dark.