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Graham
Senior Nomad
Posts: 558
Registered: 6-16-2006
Location: San Diego and DeTour, MI
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White Zodiac Heading to Cabo
Keep an eye out for a white 14-foot Zodiac inflatable running the length of the Sea of Cortez.
Matthew Sokalski will be departing Saturday June 9 from either a sweltering Golfo de Santa Clara or San Felipe and, weather permitting, hopes to
finish in Cabo San Lucas July 2-4. His first rest stop will probably be Puertecitos on Saturday or Sunday.
He was a long distance trucker. While driving across Indiana in 2003 another big rig veered across the median at 70 mph and smashed head-on into his
rig. The other driver was killed. Matthew suffered extensive head and bodily injuries and for a while seemed like he wouldn't survive. After numerous
surgeries and years of rehabilitation he was determined to take back his life and follow his dreams.
And this trip is something he has been dreaming about for a long time. Got to admire his spirit... if not his departure date. Sure hope it all goes
smoothly. Appreciate any sightings or news.
I've added a few more details about his plans on my website, under the Baja Adventurers tab.
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chuckie
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6082
Registered: 2-20-2012
Location: Kansas Prairies
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Mood: Weary
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Sounds like a GRAND adventure, I wish him well..I'll be on the water almost every day for the next couple of weeks. If I see him, I'll be hospitable..
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paranewbi
Senior Nomad
Posts: 913
Registered: 4-15-2011
Location: San diego
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Go Matthew!
Photos Matthew Photos!
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captkw
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3850
Registered: 10-19-2010
Location: el charro b.c.s.
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Mood: new dog/missing the old 1
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not the best
we call them deflatables,because sooner or later they leak !! wish him luck !! Its a crazy world !! K & T
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comitan
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4177
Registered: 3-27-2004
Location: La Paz
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Mood: mellow
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Only problem I see is no Bimini!!!!!!!!!!!
Strive For The Ideal, But Deal With What\'s Real.
Every day is a new day, better than the day before.(from some song)
Lord, Keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth.
“The sincere pursuit of truth requires you to entertain the possibility that everything you believe to be true may in fact be false”
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SFandH
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7084
Registered: 8-5-2011
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I wonder what his longest run is between fuel stops.
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capt. mike
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8085
Registered: 11-26-2002
Location: Bat Cave
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Mood: Sling time!
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reminds me of when Carlos Fiesta did it in his Panga 19' figian.
he did a total circumvention alone and wrote a book about it. I met him in Mulege, sure miss him.
formerly Ordained in Rev. Ewing\'s Church by Mail - busted on tax fraud.......
Now joined L. Ron Hoover\'s church of Appliantology
\"Remember there is a big difference between kneeling down and bending over....\"
www.facebook.com/michael.l.goering |
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Graham
Senior Nomad
Posts: 558
Registered: 6-16-2006
Location: San Diego and DeTour, MI
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I’m not sure if he has improvised some kind of shade top for the boat, but he was planning running early morning and late afternoon and setting up a
shade structure on shore if wind and weather permits. Otherwise he intends lathering himself in sunscreen and covering up as much as possible.
I asked him about the danger of ripping the inflatable while beaching or negotiating a rocky shore… and he agreed that’s a risk that might end his
trip. And he’ll need luck to make it to the end, especially in hurricane season.
But he had a window of opportunity to do the trip now and was determined to set out and tackle problems as they arise. I believe he met Carlos Fiesta
and read his book, and he also spoke with Ed Darack and read his book on kayaking the Sea of Cortez.
He was mindful of the need to pick up extra gas on the long stretch between Loreto and La Paz, certainly south of Puerto Escondido. And the stretch
between LA Bay and Santa Rosalia.
He’s been preparing for weeks, and planning it for years, and the last days have been a mad rush. One of his final comments to me was “I think I am
ready and if not I will find out in Baja and I will have to just improvise.”
He also quoted Yoda with approval. To paraphrase – “There is no trying. You either do it or you don’t”
When I expressed a few of my anxieties he reminded me: “I think I can manage 1000 miles on my own. Should I vanish; so be it... better in Baja than
on some freeway in Indiana as nearly happened in 2003.”
Hard to argue with that. I have my doubts but I’m sure he’ll give it his all and if events stop him this time, he’ll be back to try again. Of that I’m
certain.
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sd
Nomad
Posts: 487
Registered: 3-19-2008
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What a fun trip! I hope he takes his time in order to meet people along the way. Wish it was me going.
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comitan
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4177
Registered: 3-27-2004
Location: La Paz
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Mood: mellow
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He will have a great trip, and it will be over all to soon. I think his boat will have a fuel range 250-300 miles. But never push it.
Strive For The Ideal, But Deal With What\'s Real.
Every day is a new day, better than the day before.(from some song)
Lord, Keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth.
“The sincere pursuit of truth requires you to entertain the possibility that everything you believe to be true may in fact be false”
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JZ
Select Nomad
Posts: 10595
Registered: 10-3-2003
Member Is Online
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| Quote: | Originally posted by captkw
we call them deflatables,because sooner or later they leak !! wish him luck !! Its a crazy world !! K & T |
Floor is solid. The sides have multiple chambers. My 11" footer has 3 + the floor. They don't leak that fast, plus they can be patched easy enough.
Engine troubles are a much bigger risk. A zodiac will take a lot of weather. It's virtually unsinkable. Just need to stay in / with it.
[Edited on 6-10-2012 by JZ]
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JZ
Select Nomad
Posts: 10595
Registered: 10-3-2003
Member Is Online
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Graham
I’m not sure if he has improvised some kind of shade top for the boat, but he was planning running early morning and late afternoon and setting up a
shade structure on shore if wind and weather permits. Otherwise he intends lathering himself in sunscreen and covering up as much as possible.
I asked him about the danger of ripping the inflatable while beaching or negotiating a rocky shore… and he agreed that’s a risk that might end his
trip. And he’ll need luck to make it to the end, especially in hurricane season.
But he had a window of opportunity to do the trip now and was determined to set out and tackle problems as they arise. I believe he met Carlos Fiesta
and read his book, and he also spoke with Ed Darack and read his book on kayaking the Sea of Cortez.
He was mindful of the need to pick up extra gas on the long stretch between Loreto and La Paz, certainly south of Puerto Escondido. And the stretch
between LA Bay and Santa Rosalia.
He’s been preparing for weeks, and planning it for years, and the last days have been a mad rush. One of his final comments to me was “I think I am
ready and if not I will find out in Baja and I will have to just improvise.”
He also quoted Yoda with approval. To paraphrase – “There is no trying. You either do it or you don’t”
When I expressed a few of my anxieties he reminded me: “I think I can manage 1000 miles on my own. Should I vanish; so be it... better in Baja than
on some freeway in Indiana as nearly happened in 2003.”
Hard to argue with that. I have my doubts but I’m sure he’ll give it his all and if events stop him this time, he’ll be back to try again. Of that I’m
certain. |
The section between BoLA and Santa Rosalia can be the worst. I've got a 1000 hours on my boat in the Ocean. My one and only trip between BoLA and SR
was the worst conditions I've ever see. That ridge right before you turn south down to SR is notoriously brutal.
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Terry28
Senior Nomad
Posts: 825
Registered: 8-25-2007
Location: S.Calif mtns.
Member Is Offline
Mood: Thirsty
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Sat. phone???
Mexico!! Where two can live as cheaply as one.....but it costs twice as much.....
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JZ
Select Nomad
Posts: 10595
Registered: 10-3-2003
Member Is Online
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| Quote: | Originally posted by SFandH
I wonder what his longest run is between fuel stops. |
San Felipe, Gonzaga, BoLA, SR, Mulege, Loreto, Puerto Escondido.
Not sure below there.
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9010
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
Member Is Offline
Mood: Inquisitive
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| Quote: | Originally posted by captkw
HOLA, I dont sell boats/vessels anymore but you might go for a ride on a small cat and you will never look at a mono again,end of discussion !!
[Edited on 6-10-2012 by captkw] |
yeah, well, what does that have to do with THIS discussion?
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chuckie
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6082
Registered: 2-20-2012
Location: Kansas Prairies
Member Is Offline
Mood: Weary
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Once again, an interesting thread is hijacked...Will we have to wade through pages of mine is bigger than yours? I hope not....
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wilderone
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3824
Registered: 2-9-2004
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Via con dios, Matt!
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Cypress
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7641
Registered: 3-12-2006
Location: on the bayou
Member Is Offline
Mood: undecided
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Running the length of the Sea of Cortez in a Zodiac? Doable! Swimming across the Sea of Cortez? I'd pass on that adventure.
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captkw
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3850
Registered: 10-19-2010
Location: el charro b.c.s.
Member Is Offline
Mood: new dog/missing the old 1
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white zodi
hopefully he will be taking a newer EPIRB and some good vhf's with him...and lots of sunblock..T-tops and bimini dont stop the sun reflective rays off
the water !! can you say crispy critter !!  K & T
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railroadgreen53
Newbie
Posts: 7
Registered: 6-4-2012
Member Is Offline
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take a washboard road less bumpy:.after numerous surgeries and years!!of
rehabitation. wow have fun bro.
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