BajaNomad

Starting to think about taking the boat down from San Diego to Cabo

JZ - 7-29-2022 at 10:58 PM

We have done San Felipe to La Paz on the Sea of Cortez. But haven't gone on the water much below Ensenada on the Pacific side.

Anyone have good info on stopping points for fuel and rest? In theory we can do 330 miles on one tank. Want to keep it to 150-200 miles between fill ups if possible.

Thinking to stop at:
- Ensenada
- San Quintin
- Santa Rosalillita or Guerrero Negro
- Bahia Tortugas
- Punta Abreojos
- Scorpion Bay
- San Carlos

Any advice?



[Edited on 7-30-2022 by JZ]

chippy - 7-30-2022 at 08:05 AM

Take as big of a fuel bladder your boat can handle to increase your range.
Shari Bondy in Asuncion can help with refueling by panga. Be prepared to take it in the shorts when fueling in Tortugas (asuncion is a better option=less $). San Juanico and Puerto Chale are options for south of Asuncion.
Bring trolling gear. You´ll be going thru some great fishing spots.
What month are you thinking of going?

David K - 7-30-2022 at 08:26 AM

Maybe review what Carlos Fiesta found when he piloted his panga from L.A. to San Felipe:
https://vivabaja.com/carlosfiesta/

JZ - 7-30-2022 at 09:27 AM

Quote: Originally posted by chippy  
Take as big of a fuel bladder your boat can handle to increase your range.


I might do that. There is a company that will build custom ones. You give them the dimensions of the space.

I have a 100 gallon fish box right in the center of the boat at the stern. Might be the ideal spot.



chippy - 7-30-2022 at 09:32 AM

Quote: Originally posted by JZ  
Quote: Originally posted by chippy  
Take as big of a fuel bladder your boat can handle to increase your range.


I might do that. There is a company that will build custom ones. You give them the dimensions of the space.

I have a 100 gallon fish box right in the center of the boat at the stern. Might be the ideal spot.

Perfect spot!



vacaenbaja - 8-1-2022 at 04:48 PM

Oh but the ride back up........ugh

JZ - 8-1-2022 at 06:17 PM

Quote: Originally posted by vacaenbaja  
Oh but the ride back up........ugh


Yeah, for sure. Big Ugh. Would.never do that. Will take a trailer down and pull it out in La Paz or Loreto.


[Edited on 8-3-2022 by JZ]

BajaGringo - 8-2-2022 at 08:10 AM

Quote: Originally posted by JZ  
We have done San Felipe to La Paz on the Sea of Cortez. But haven't gone on the water much below Ensenada on the Pacific side.

Anyone have good info on stopping points for fuel and rest? In theory we can do 330 miles on one tank. Want to keep it to 150-200 miles between fill ups if possible.

Thinking to stop at:
- Ensenada
- San Quintin
- Santa Rosalillita or Guerrero Negro
- Bahia Tortugas
- Punta Abreojos
- Scorpion Bay
- San Carlos

Any advice?



[Edited on 7-30-2022 by JZ]


I can give you info on the San Quintin area but would help to know if it is just a stop for fuel or a planned overnight stay? Does your GPS include the chip that has the Baja coastal seafloor mapped out? There are several high points in our area (underwater volcanoes that never made it above surface) that are usually great to fish around for a quick meal with one exceptionally dangerous at low tide, having badly damaged and even sunk several boats over the last 50 years that I am aware of.

Let me know when you plan to be passing through - it would be fun to meet at the Old Mill dock and grab a bite to eat.

mtgoat666 - 8-2-2022 at 11:38 AM

Half pint,
What kind of boat you using?
If chop gets too rough to plane, can you safely travel at non-planing speeds on big chop/swells?
If you take large wave over side, does boat stay stable and self-drain quickly?
Most runabouts and bow riders are not seaworthy in nasty chop/swells and cant handle a wall of green water breaking over boat and filling c-ckpit.

BajaTed - 8-2-2022 at 12:25 PM

JZ,
I have done this event as a crew member and it was a truly epic adventure.

Check out their itinerary, it gets you to warmer waters soon and then gets easier.

https://www.baja-haha.com/

JZ - 8-2-2022 at 01:17 PM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Half pint,
What kind of boat you using?
If chop gets too rough to plane, can you safely travel at non-planing speeds on big chop/swells?
If you take large wave over side, does boat stay stable and self-drain quickly?
Most runabouts and bow riders are not seaworthy in nasty chop/swells and cant handle a wall of green water breaking over boat and filling c-ckpit.


Yes, this isn't something to be taken lightly.

Boat is a newer 30 foot center console with twins. Equipped with a dinghy and an 8 person life raft. Have 3 Inreach Mini's for communications.

~40 years boating experience back to when I was 8 running big lakes in Kentucky and Tennessee. 4-5 years on the Pacific, 10-12 years on the SoC.

Would go during a good weather window in late October/early November and only head South. Likely go when they are doing the Baja Ha-Ha to benefit from the extra boat traffic.

Will scout all stops first on a drive down and hire a panga to take us out to experience the approaches and routes in.

Want to come along? I think some time out on the ocean would do you some good and clear your head. Promise to take the DeSantis flag down, deal?


[Edited on 8-3-2022 by JZ]

JZ - 8-2-2022 at 01:22 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaTed  
JZ,
I have done this event as a crew member and it was a truly epic adventure.

Check out their itinerary, it gets you to warmer waters soon and then gets easier.

https://www.baja-haha.com/


This is exactly when I was thinking of going. Either this year or next year. Probably wouldn't join the rally, but would time it around then.

I want to explore all the anchorages a lot more than they do, as we can move so much faster. I'm particularly interested in seeing all the spots in the Seven Sisters that we have only seen by land.

Will take some surf boards with us.


[Edited on 8-3-2022 by JZ]

JZ - 8-2-2022 at 05:40 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaGringo  
[/rquote]

I can give you info on the San Quintin area but would help to know if it is just a stop for fuel or a planned overnight stay? Does your GPS include the chip that has the Baja coastal seafloor mapped out? There are several high points in our area (underwater volcanoes that never made it above surface) that are usually great to fish around for a quick meal with one exceptionally dangerous at low tide, having badly damaged and even sunk several boats over the last 50 years that I am aware of.

Let me know when you plan to be passing through - it would be fun to meet at the Old Mill dock and grab a bite to eat.


That would be awesome to get some input. I would plan to stay a day or two. I have already set a way point for the Old Mill.

Our charts are pretty good. We have Garmin and Navonics. I've looked at the entrance and it looks pretty tricky. Looks like there is a defined channel to closely follow.

I am familiar with the Sacramanto Reef and have set a pin for that.

We would likely come down in the truck to scope out the bay ahead of trying to bring the boat down.

advrider - 8-2-2022 at 06:33 PM

If you have room, I would be more than happy to put in some $$$$, I have next to no boat skills but I'm proficient at many other things, pretty good mechanic to.

JZ - 8-2-2022 at 11:30 PM

Overview of the Route.





Track:



Attachment: San Diego to Cabo.kmz (2kB)
This file has been downloaded 112 times



[Edited on 8-3-2022 by JZ]

bajaric - 8-3-2022 at 10:08 AM

What an adventure! I think most "blue water" sailors sail from San Quintin to Cedros Island due to lack of good anchorages south of El Rosario. However, that is a long way across; in a smaller boat I would do the same as your plan; stick to close to the shore. You could always beach it if you had to. That is what the pangeros do when the weather comes up.

I was at a garage sale and an old salt was giving away his entire collection of books for free, all related to boats and the sea. One of the books was Baja Boater's Guide, Vol. 1 The Pacific Coast Jack Williams, 2001. The information is dated but it has a good description of all of the ports and landings on the Pacific, along with ariel photographs. I assume you have charts, but this might have some good information to supplement the official charts.
Bring a trolling rod!

shari - 8-3-2022 at 10:45 AM

We do fuel runs here in Asuncion...be fun to have you stop in here for c-cktails on the patio too! Just call me when you get in or email or message me on your ETA so we have the water taxi ready for you. Asuncion is a great holding ground and safe, friendly stopover.

David K - 8-3-2022 at 11:24 AM

Quote: Originally posted by bajaric  
What an adventure! I think most "blue water" sailors sail from San Quintin to Cedros Island due to lack of good anchorages south of El Rosario. However, that is a long way across; in a smaller boat I would do the same as your plan; stick to close to the shore. You could always beach it if you had to. That is what the pangeros do when the weather comes up.

I was at a garage sale and an old salt was giving away his entire collection of books for free, all related to boats and the sea. One of the books was Baja Boater's Guide, Vol. 1 The Pacific Coast Jack Williams, 2001. The information is dated but it has a good description of all of the ports and landings on the Pacific, along with ariel photographs. I assume you have charts, but this might have some good information to supplement the official charts.
Bring a trolling rod!


Great books!



1988



1971



1995 (I am selling this one at www.oldmissions.com)

JZ - 8-3-2022 at 05:45 PM

I have the Baja Boater's Guide. Haven't read it for many years. I'll have dig it up from the garage.

BajaMama - 8-9-2022 at 02:13 PM

Sounds like an epic trip, can't wait to hear about it!

JZ - 8-9-2022 at 02:35 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaMama  
Sounds like an epic trip, can't wait to hear about it!


I just got my friend from Alabama to sign up. He use to live here in LA for about 10 years. Did my first run down the SoC side with him in the early OO's.

This will be the first go at the Pacific side below Ensenada.

David K - 8-9-2022 at 02:48 PM

There may be a language barrier!
Be sure to have grits in the galley!

chippy - 8-9-2022 at 03:04 PM

Cheezy grits even better!