Where Are Baja Ha-Ha 2025 Cruisers Now?
Registration is open for the 32nd annual Baja Ha-Ha. While some of last year’s fleet returned home shortly after the rally, most of the boats that headed south last fall have been cruising the coast of Mexico all season. They’ve cruised the Sea of Cortez, sailed the Banderas Bay Regatta, or done Sailfest in Zuhuatanejo. Now some, including the Hylas 63 Malilia, are off to the South Pacific with the Pacific Puddle Jump.
Malilia — Hylas 63
Nick Green and Franziska Moritz
San Pedro/England
For as long as I can remember, travel has been woven into the fabric of my life. From Europe to Asia, North America to Latin America, I’ve always believed that life rewards those who work hard, possess a bit of acumen, and embrace luck — which is often the byproduct of relentless effort.
This philosophy has guided me through a lifetime of experiences, culminating in the greatest adventure yet: sailing around the world with my family.
Our journey began not with grand plans, but with a shared dream between Fran and me — a love for the water and a yearning to explore the world at a pace that allows true connection with our surroundings. Sailing offers that unique rhythm: 6 to 8 knots, perfect to witness the unfolding beauty rather than just skim past it.
Starting from Ontario’s lakes, where winter’s grip was harshest on Fran, we honed our skills through chartered trips in the Caribbean and crewing on smaller boats. The jargon of sailing — port, starboard, mainstay — became part of our daily language, blending humorously with Fran’s German-English mix. This new lexicon was more than nautical; it became a metaphor for navigating life’s complexities together.
We bought Malilia six years ago. Between trips along the US East Coast, the Bahamas, sailing to Catalina Island over long weekends, and an attempt to sail to Hawaii in the 2023 Transpac (a story better shared over a cold beverage in person), we got to learn Malilia inside out, and made her our full-time home.
Our journey started with the Baja Ha-Ha in San Diego last November. And since then, into the Sea of Cortez, a region rich in natural wonders and cultural history. We anchored in bays like Los Frailes and Bahia de Los Muertos, where crystal-clear waters revealed vibrant marine life and serene beaches offered respite. One unforgettable morning, whales sang beneath our hull — a hauntingly beautiful alarm clock that reminded us of nature’s profound presence.
Continue reading in the May issue which you can also pick up here.
