BajaNomad

Boat travel lifts in the north part of sea of cortez

mackconsult - 1-3-2016 at 10:16 PM

Hello all, I am USCG licensed captain with a delivery business and a non-profit called go-sail.org. Next winter I am thinking of using my 3 axle sailboat trailer to bring my 1970 Columbia 34 Mark 2 down to do winter cruising in the sea of cortez.

Specifically I am looking for locations in the very north part of the sea of cortez that would have travel lifts to launch our sailboat.

You can read all about me and my organizations by clicking on the links in my signature.

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Hook - 1-3-2016 at 11:31 PM

I am not aware of any Travel Lift services in San Felipe. There probably is in Puerto Penasco. Certainly not Bahia de Los Angeles or Gonzaga.

And, quite honestly, the northern Gulf is not favored by cruisers in the winter; at least any farther north that Bahia de Los Angeles. Too few protected anchorages, too many blown out days OVER 25 knots. But maybe you know that.

Can your trailer be dunked? You might hire a tractor to do it, if you dont want to use your tow vehicle. Is that possible?

I think you're going to find that San Carlos, Sonora, is going to be your best best, if a Travel Lift is what you demand. It also has lots of secure parking. Outside of the Cabo marinas and La Paz, San Carlos is, by far, the best equipped area this far north in the Sea. Marina San Carlos has an excellent ramp, too.

If you must challenge the northern Gulf in winter, it's very possible to sail up there from San Carlos. But you must pick your weather window carefully. It's usually uphill, most all the way.

What's your range under power? Not that it matters that much; there is diesel "available", though not always from a fuel dock. Sometimes it's hiring a guy with containers to get it at a land station.

[Edited on 1-4-2016 by Hook]

skippermike - 1-4-2016 at 07:27 AM

I believe Hook is correct.
I'd believe that ,with the keel depth on your boat, you'll need a Travelift
Any boats coming to our yard in San Diego go thru there, get put on a trailer or boat mover's truck, then up to AZ, and across to San Diego.
Good luck

[Edited on 1-4-2016 by skippermike]

mackconsult - 1-4-2016 at 08:59 AM

I am just considering the north for launching, we will cruise south.



[Edited on 1-4-2016 by mackconsult]

[Edited on 1-18-2016 by BajaNomad]

ncampion - 1-4-2016 at 10:21 AM

How about trailering it South to Puerto Escondito (just South of Loredo). They do have a travel lift, although that's a lot of boat to trailer down Hwy 1.
Also would not recommend cruising SOC North in winter. It's even pretty cold and windy in the South in the winter. Summer is the typical cruising time.

mackconsult - 1-4-2016 at 10:23 AM

Thanks for that information. I think I would launch in the north and then we just cruise it south. Then in the spring bring it back north. Its all tentative, but really appreciate the information sharing.

Hook - 1-4-2016 at 11:30 AM

San Carlos is your place. No doubt about it. Trailering that thing down HWY 1 would be a nightmare.

With San Carlos, you would only be spending about 260 miles on Mexican roads, AND THAT IS ALL ON DIVIDED, MULTI-LANE HIGHWAY. Some of it is toll, but worth it. Loreto, on the other hand, is about 700 miles (make that 1125km, since you are a Canuck); 98% of which is undivided, single lane in each direction. And it is mostly narrower than standard US highways and has no shoulder for probably 75%.

You must have other sailboaters from the Vancouver area that you know. Ask them about San Carlos. There are many cruisers from the Vancouver area down here on a seasonal basis.

The traditional cruising season really goes like this. Cruisers tend to head to the Mexican Riviera (Mazatlan to Acapulco) in December and then return to the Sea of Cortez in March when it begins to warm in the central and southern Gulf. December, January and February can be quite cool and windy in the central and northern Gulf of CA/Sea of Cortez; generally not swimmable w/o a wet suit. The Mexican Riviera is generally swimmable all year.

Then, many of them haul out in May/June before the hurricane season starts.

Prepare yourself for REALLY liking San Carlos. It is love at first sight for many. As a jumping off point or a place to hang out, year after year.

In case you wondered, I live here. But I dont work in real estate, tourism even though this post sounds like it. I'm happily retired.


[Edited on 1-4-2016 by Hook]

mackconsult - 1-4-2016 at 11:31 AM

Thanks Hook.

Hook - 1-4-2016 at 11:43 AM

Woops! Just noticed you are from Vancouver Washington. Do you know the Kreutners, by any chance?

mackconsult - 1-4-2016 at 11:44 AM

Net yet :)

micah202 - 1-4-2016 at 12:02 PM

.

...I remember seeing some very 'unique' forms for boat-lifting in San Carlos,,but no proper travel lifts to lift a boat from trailer,,but my last visit there was ~10yrs ago. ..... took a look online, found a good pamphlet for you to review, it also lists marinas and features but in San Carlos it doesn't show anything for travel lifts,,,best to double check before making the drive.
http://www.paradisevillagemarina.com/BoatingInMexico.pdf


..edit....here's a blog snippet with the inf you need....
...''Marina Singlar Guaymas is newer than many marinas, with a concrete yard, which should ensure the ground does not wash out and the stands on which the boats are supported, topple. We visited it last Wednesday, the day after our arrival in San Carlos, to confirm that there really is space for us as there had been much confusion over our email confirmations. At the marina we met Tony and Pat of SV Forbes and Cameron, who had been part of the BCA Fleet a few years back. Their boat is in the picture above of the travel lift, as they were just being hauled out.''.....(picture shows a full size travel-lift.)

...indeed this is the closest you'll get to the N end of Cortez,, a bit more driving than you'd like, but not a whole lot when you consider how far you're coming. ;)

.



[Edited on 1-4-2016 by micah202]

SteveWil - 1-4-2016 at 12:43 PM

There is a crane in San Carlos that they use for small sailboats on trailer. I do not know if they could do yours, you could launch using the ramp.
Also so there is a travel lift in Guaymas Just south of San Carlos.
A Cruising guide, you may want to get is the "Sea of Cortez" by Shawn Breeding and Heather Bansmer. Lot of information.

Jack Swords - 1-4-2016 at 01:07 PM

We had our boat (30 ft Catalina) hauled to San Carlos 16 years ago in early February. The marina at that time used their "Baja Cama" trailer that was able to lower the boat into the water at high tide. They have a gin pole for raising the mast. We then took 2 weeks to sail down to La Paz where she is today (Marina de la Paz). We crossed from San Carlos to Concepcion Bay during the night, arriving at dawn. This was during a norther, but the anchorage was fine. Our trip down at different anchorages was fine, comfortable swimming and cleaning the waterline. It was a great adventure and we had a strong norther coming into Espiritu Santo island anchorage too where we spent the night before going into La Paz Bay. The sailing was great, never felt overpowered by wind (it is a sailboat), and weather was very nice. We still spend Dec, Jan, Feb on our boat in the Sea of Cortez sailing out of La Paz. We snorkel with a shorty thin wetsuit if in the water an hour or so. The SOC has a short chop that takes getting used to and the winds are there to make the sailboat go. Your Columbia is much heavier than the Catalina so you should be fine. Do call Marina San Carlos about your draft and their water depth for launching. And...research the anchorages. Good Luck

Hook - 1-4-2016 at 02:16 PM

According to the Marina San Carlos website, they have the capability of launching boats up to 60 tons.

http://www.marinasancarlos.com/

SlyOnce - 1-4-2016 at 03:17 PM

You could launch at Baja Naval in Ensenada, and sail south, downwind all the way, and be in La Paz in about 10 days or 5 to 7 if sailed non stop. Or launch in San Diego. Add 1 day, Ensenada is a 16 hour sail from SD.

alacran - 1-4-2016 at 09:51 PM

A 7th wheel at the front of the trailer, and a long chain could be your answer.

alacran - 1-4-2016 at 09:53 PM

7th wheel retractable that is, I have used it.

mackconsult - 1-4-2016 at 09:54 PM

I have way to much invested in my trailer to be dunking it in the water. My trailer makes me $$$$$ ......
Quote: Originally posted by alacran  
A 7th wheel at the front of the trailer, and a long chain could be your answer.

mackconsult - 1-4-2016 at 09:57 PM

I kind of want to avoid the outside although that would be a possibility is to launch it in ensanada and then sail it down to cabo.
Quote: Originally posted by alacran  
A 7th wheel at the front of the trailer, and a long chain could be your answer.

mackconsult - 1-4-2016 at 10:00 PM

How would HWY 3 be to get to Ensenada .... It would be a long sail to Cabo but doable ..... This boat has sailed to the Sea of Cortez 3 times and back to San Fran .... with the previous owner so I am confident the boat could make it.
Quote: Originally posted by Hook  
San Carlos is your place. No doubt about it. Trailering that thing down HWY 1 would be a nightmare.

With San Carlos, you would only be spending about 260 miles on Mexican roads, AND THAT IS ALL ON DIVIDED, MULTI-LANE HIGHWAY. Some of it is toll, but worth it. Loreto, on the other hand, is about 700 miles (make that 1125km, since you are a Canuck); 98% of which is undivided, single lane in each direction. And it is mostly narrower than standard US highways and has no shoulder for probably 75%.

You must have other sailboaters from the Vancouver area that you know. Ask them about San Carlos. There are many cruisers from the Vancouver area down here on a seasonal basis.

The traditional cruising season really goes like this. Cruisers tend to head to the Mexican Riviera (Mazatlan to Acapulco) in December and then return to the Sea of Cortez in March when it begins to warm in the central and southern Gulf. December, January and February can be quite cool and windy in the central and northern Gulf of CA/Sea of Cortez; generally not swimmable w/o a wet suit. The Mexican Riviera is generally swimmable all year.

Then, many of them haul out in May/June before the hurricane season starts.

Prepare yourself for REALLY liking San Carlos. It is love at first sight for many. As a jumping off point or a place to hang out, year after year.

In case you wondered, I live here. But I dont work in real estate, tourism even though this post sounds like it. I'm happily retired.


[Edited on 1-4-2016 by Hook]

mtgoat666 - 1-4-2016 at 10:42 PM

Quote: Originally posted by mackconsult  
How would HWY 3 be to get to Ensenada .... It would be a long sail to Cabo but doable ..... This boat has sailed to the Sea of Cortez 3 times and back to San Fran .... with the previous owner so I am confident the boat could make it.

Quote: Originally posted by Hook  
San Carlos is your place. No doubt about it. Trailering that thing down HWY 1 would be a nightmare.

With San Carlos, you would only be spending about 260 miles on Mexican roads, AND THAT IS ALL ON DIVIDED, MULTI-LANE HIGHWAY. Some of it is toll, but worth it. Loreto, on the other hand, is about 700 miles (make that 1125km, since you are a Canuck); 98% of which is undivided, single lane in each direction. And it is mostly narrower than standard US highways and has no shoulder for probably 75%.

You must have other sailboaters from the Vancouver area that you know. Ask them about San Carlos. There are many cruisers from the Vancouver area down here on a seasonal basis.

The traditional cruising season really goes like this. Cruisers tend to head to the Mexican Riviera (Mazatlan to Acapulco) in December and then return to the Sea of Cortez in March when it begins to warm in the central and southern Gulf. December, January and February can be quite cool and windy in the central and northern Gulf of CA/Sea of Cortez; generally not swimmable w/o a wet suit. The Mexican Riviera is generally swimmable all year.

Then, many of them haul out in May/June before the hurricane season starts.

Prepare yourself for REALLY liking San Carlos. It is love at first sight for many. As a jumping off point or a place to hang out, year after year.

In case you wondered, I live here. But I dont work in real estate, tourism even though this post sounds like it. I'm happily retired.


[Edited on 1-4-2016 by Hook]


From Vancouver easiest to drive I5 to TJ and then toll road to Ensenada.
But transporting boat across border by truck is a pita. Put boat in water in San Diego. It's <90 miles difference.

Hook - 1-5-2016 at 02:12 AM

Yeah, why launch from Ensenada and deal with the border? Just launch in SD.

Didnt realize doing the outside is an option. Nothing wrong with that, if you have the time. Join the HaHa in November some year, if you want company.

mackconsult - 1-5-2016 at 07:51 AM

That is a great idea. We are only 34 feet in length so is there a staggered start.
Quote: Originally posted by Hook  
Yeah, why launch from Ensenada and deal with the border? Just launch in SD.

Didnt realize doing the outside is an option. Nothing wrong with that, if you have the time. Join the HaHa in November some year, if you want company.

TMW - 1-5-2016 at 09:43 AM

Here is their web site http://www.baja-haha.com/