The Baja Ha-Ha and SoCal Ta-Ta

Thanks to blundering by the Mexican version of the IRS last November, we’ve had concerns on how it might affect the number of entries in this fall’s Baja Ha-Ha. But in the 24 hours since announcing that signups for the Ha-Ha have begun, 34 paid entries have been received. Entry #1 was Patsy Verhoeven, ‘La Reina de la Mar,’ of the La Paz-based Gulfstar 50 Talion. She has done so many consecutive Ha-Has — sailing all 750 miles each time — that we’ve lost count. Although Patsy has a boyfriend, this year she’ll be sailing with an all-women crew.

First Day’s Entries:

• Talion / Gulfstar 50 / Patsy Verhoeven / La Paz, MEX
• Arluk III / Cabot 36 / Wayne Peters / Vancouver, BC
• Quest / Golden Wave 42 / Michael Thirkill & Cybele Abbett / Brookings, OR
• Family Circus / Lagoon 470 / Chris & Heather Tzortzis / San Francisco
• Champagne / Hunter 456 / Yhomas Junod / Newport Beach
• Cavale / Cheoy Lee 44 / Michael & Mary Tutty / Seattle, WA
• Long Windid / Jeanneau SO 42 CC / Daniel & Marla Slattery / Chula Vista
• Wind Dancer / Hunter 466 / Phil Helman & Desley Oliphant / Pleasanton
• Abby Normal / Island Packet 41 / Brad & Gay Gibson / Seattle, WA
• Third Wish / Norseman 447 / Jeff Goldfarb / Long Beach
• Penelope / Hans Christian 38 / Karl & Susan Gierga / Scappoose, OR
• Kandu / Tayana V42 CC / Eric & Leslie Rigney / Ventura
• Cool Change / Pacific Seacraft 31 / Rick & Cindy Patrinellis / Sausalito
• Optimus Prime / Beneteau 49 / Keith & Dana Jensen / Cameron Park
• Plan Sea / Island Packet 45 / Richard & Jenny Freeman / San Diego
• VikingMor2 / Morgan OI 41 / Kenneth & Lori Lillo / San Diego
• Impulse / Hunter 336 / Chris & Doug Rockne / Portland, OR
• Freya / Cal 2-46 / Steven Straitiff / San Diego
• Starshine / Outbound 44 / Patrick & Melodie Williams / San Francisco
• Starfire / Islander 32 / Jeff Delaney & Dawn Brooks / Channel Islands
• Nova / Catalina 42 / Michael Pernitzke & Ina Tabak / Alameda
• Sisu III / Kadey Krogen North Sea 48 trawler / Ron & Janet Inberg / Seattle, WA
• Mana / Cape George 36 / David & Holli Swanson / Ventura
• Pelagic / Hallberg Rassy / Michael & Amy Bradford / Portland, OR
• Petrel / Rhodes Annapolis 30 / Dane Faber / Sausalito
• Miss Lorelei / Beneteau Oceanis 361 / Michael Niggli / San Diego
• Destiny / Island Packet 38 / Roberto Anima / Redwood City
• Indigo / Pacific Seacraft 34 / Brian & Marya Lipiec / Camp Pendleton
• Scoots / Able Apogee 50 / Eric & Vandy Shrader / San Francisco
• Papillon II / Pacific Seacraft 37 / David Boyer / Vancouver, BC
• Between da Sheets / Beneteau 42s7 / Rick & Sharon Seeber / Seattle, WA
• Double Docs / Pacific Seacraft 37 / Thomas Balgooyen & Lucie Merkle-Balgooyen / San Francisco
• Cockpit / Beneteau Oceanis 440 / Renald Bouchard / Vancouver, BC
• Saturna Spirit / Beneteau 411 / Katherine Blade / Vancouver, BC

We’re growing more confident by the day that there will not be a repeat of the Mexican SAT fiasco of last November, when hundreds of perfectly legal foreign boats were impounded for up to four months while the Mexican version of the IRS determined that, yes, the boats were in the country legally.

First of all, everybody in the Mexican government knows how badly the blunder hurt the country’s reputation, and they don’t want a repeat. As a result, the government is making a big push to encourage foreign-owned boats to come on down. Secondly, the harbormasters of Mexican marinas are currently working with the government on a new Temporary Import Permit, one that will eliminate many of the things that caused problems with the old ones. We’ll have details soon. Lastly, the harbormasters now know exactly what the SAT was looking for and how they want it provided.

The Ha-Ha is open to boats over 27 feet that were designed, built, and have been maintained for offshore sailing. For all requirements, visit the website. If you’re ready to do the Ha-Ha, the 750-mile cruisers’ rally from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas, with stops at Turtle Bay and Bahia Santa Maria, sign up today here. The event starts on October 26 and ends at Cabo on November 8.

As for the second SoCal Ta-Ta — aka Reggae Pon da Ocean — all the basic arrangements have been made for that September 7-13 Ha-Ha-style cruisers’ rally from Santa Barbara to Catalina, with stops at Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz Island, Paradise Cove and Redondo Beach. New this year? Reserved group berthing at Santa Barbara, as well as a kick-off cocktail party at the Santa Barbara YC. We’ll also be having an onshore party at the King Harbor YC and at the Main Bandstand at Two Harbors. We’re just finishing up the online entry form, and we plan to start accepting entries on May 15. Since the fleet will be limited to 50 boats, we’ll give advance warning on ‘Lectronic of the opening for entries.

Want a ‘free ride’ for your boat in the Ta-Ta? Send us a photo of the captain and the first mate in their most extreme reggae attire before the end of next week. If Ta-Ta judges decide yours are the best outfits, your entry fee will be comped. Ja mon!