Strong Winds Off Northern Coast of Baja

"We tried to sail from Ensenada to San Diego yesterday, and ran into 40-50 mph easterly winds off of Bajamar about 11 a.m., and had to turn back," reports John Howard. "It was a bit much for my 30-year-old Hunter 30! I made it back to Ensenada safely, although it took us about two hours of tacking in front of the harbor, with a reefed main and the motor in gear. It was pretty scary stuff, as we lost control of the rudder several times, couldn’t tack because of the strong current and swells, and because our motor was undersized for the conditions.

"Do you have any links to Mexican marine forecasts and reports, and/or other handy links of where else we might have sheltered – other than the lee side of the Coronados, which we were hours away from? Also, the lee side yesterday would have been the west, and I am not sure if there are any anchorages there."

We don’t want to sound harsh, but please don’t ask us where you could have anchored or otherwise responded to the weather. As a mariner, it’s your responsibility to know what the weather conditions are likely to be – the strong easterly winds were forecast far in advance – and all your options for getting out of the weather before you leave port. There are all kinds of weather reports for Baja that we’ve reported on, including a great streaming one that shows the wind speeds and directions for the entire coast of Baja. Do a little internet search – including on www.latitude38.com – and you’ll find plenty of weather information.

Having said that, it’s well known that Santa Anas fizzle out just a few miles off the coast. We can’t be sure, but it was probably relatively calm at the Coronados and, in any event, you wouldn’t  have needed a recognized anchorage for shelter, as you could have just dropped your hook anywhere on the lee side. Although there was nothing wrong with it, heading back to Ensenada was probably your roughest option, as the winds are strongest closer to shore.

As for folks doing the Ha-Ha, it’s going to be hot with Santa Anas much of this week in the Southland, but by the Sunday kick-off party and Monday start in San Diego, conditions are expected to be back to normal. Drat, because starting in Santa Anas would have been hot and fast.