The First “Ha-Ha Panties for Peace” With the San Diego Harbor Police

The Baja Ha-Ha has enjoyed a great history with its host departure city, San Diego. The San Diego Harbor Police have been very supportive of the event for decades, though we did get off on the wrong foot during the very first Ha-Ha.

One of the first incidents in the Ha-Ha’s 31-year history was when Mark and Deborah Menagh anchored their Passport 51 Eagle’s Quest in La Playa Cove between the Southwestern and San Diego Yacht Clubs. The crew rowed ashore for the skipper’s meeting at Southwestern Yacht Club, but when they returned, the boat was gone. The city had towed it away, and the woman aboard claimed officials had gone through her panty drawer. So Richard asked the fleet to send panties to the San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau. Since then, the fleet has had a much warmer welcome from the city, and the Harbor Police have been very welcoming to the fleet. You can read the full story of the Panties for Peace incident here.

The 31st Baja Ha-Ha started under the morning gray, giving way to the sunny, blue skies and light breezes of San Diego Bay. The San Diego Harbor Police were again on hand to give a wave and send out their fireboat and crew to salute the starters with their water cannons blazing away.

In addition to the Harbor Police, the crew at West Coast Multihulls assembled a crowd of friends and staff to manage the starting line aboard their new Seawind 1400. Despite the food and libations, it’s always tough duty because we travel along with the fleet for only a few miles before we have to turn and head back to work late on Monday morning. Meanwhile the fleet heads south to Cabo. Still, it’s a great way to start the week.

The 2025 Ha-Ha fleet is now spreading out along the coast of Mexico for a great cruising season ahead. It’s not too early to pencil in early November 2026 for the 32nd Baja Ha-Ha. In the meantime, you can read about the 31st Ha-Ha here. Or listen to the story on today’s Good Jibes podcast.