MrBillM - 4-10-2005 at 05:33 PM
Earlier today I was sorting through stacks of Old Baja Newspapers and Magazines and I came across this article from The Baja Times - September 1987
A BIG OLD FAT FERRYBOAT
San Felipe-Guaymas Project Planned
by Lita Miller
San Felipe is not only gearing up for the added guests that will be generated by the New hotels and residential areas now under construction, but she
is also looking forward to something a little different than she has ever known: a big, old fat ferryboat.
Studies are being completed this year for initiation of a ferry line from San Felipe in Baja California to Guaymas, Sonora. The boat has already been
designated and is in drydock for a complete renovation and mechanical overhaul from Stem to Stern.
The trip will take just over 20 hours for the ship's 300 passengers plus nearly 100 vehicles.
At the present time, engineers are working out the route for the dredging of a channel to permit a ship the size of the Benito Juarez access to the
new wharf that will be built to service it. This is not such an easy matter as one might believe, the rare currents and tidal patterns found in the
Gulf of California see to that.
Because of the type of ship needed, the present facilities used by the fishing fleet and tourist boats are not adequate for the ferry service. This
means a new location and a new dock. It had originally been hoped that this project could be completed by 1988, but the study so far indicates that
it will not be quite that soon after all.
Those of you who may have become acquainted with the Benito Juarez in service between La Paz and Mazatlan may not recognize her when she takes up her
duties in San Felipe. She really is undergoing a thorough refurbishing and should be better than new. I, for one, am looking forward to the maiden
voyage out of San Felipe, and will be watching this special project with special attention.
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It never happened, of course, but I don't remember ever hearing a followup on this story.
I remember reading it at the time and not believing that San Felipe in 1987 could support a ferry service of that capacity, probably not even now,
although it would be attractive to Southern California and other tourists whose destination would be Guaymas.
Do any other old timers remember this and what course the story took ?
comitan - 4-10-2005 at 05:50 PM
I'm jumping on your what ever happened to, the big catamaran they were building in cabo. I know they finished it and had tours for awhile what then.
Caborey
bajajudy - 4-11-2005 at 08:10 AM
The cat built down by the water in San Lucas is now a dinner cruiser. They also do snorkel tours to Chileno and Santa Maria and sunset cruises. They
used to have a terrific floor show at night but that was a few years ago. Beautiful boat but the heads are right beside the buffett ......no bueno.