BajaNomad

Starting to plan out a trip from San Felipe to San Carlos, Sonora

JZ - 10-22-2023 at 09:40 PM

Just under 400 miles on the water. Stops at Gonzaga Bay, North anchorage of Isla Ángel de la Guarda, BoLA, San Franciquito, Kino Bay and San Carlos.

Did this route once before about 15 years ago. My oldest graduates from college next April, so we are targeting mid/late May when the water starts warming up.




[Edited on 10-23-2023 by JZ]

mtgoat666 - 10-22-2023 at 10:03 PM

I dont recommend you taking your little bowrider on an ocean journey more than a dozen miles. Does it have a self-bailing c-ckpit?
You stuff that bow and you’ll all die.

JZ - 10-22-2023 at 10:24 PM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
I dont recommend you taking your little bowrider on an ocean journey more than a dozen miles. Does it have a self-bailing c-ckpit?
You stuff that bow and you’ll all die.


We did 80 miles on the Pacific on Thursday. Ventura to Santa Cruz Island, Santa Cruz to Santa Barbara, and back to Ventura.

True story, when we entered the mouth of the Ventura harbor there was a gigantic swell. Very big waves with a long period. Coming from far away. As we got closer you couldn't see the lights of Ventura when you went down in the trough. I looked over as we made our last push into the harbor and the wave coming at us was bigger than the boat. Freaky.








[Edited on 10-23-2023 by JZ]

mtgoat666 - 10-23-2023 at 05:08 AM

Quote: Originally posted by JZ  

True story, when we entered the mouth of the Ventura harbor there was a gigantic swell. Very big waves with a long period. Coming from far away. As we got closer you couldn't see the lights of Ventura when you went down in the trough. I looked over as we made our last push into the harbor and the wave coming at us was bigger than the boat. Freaky.


Little dude,
A big, glassy long period swell aint freaky. It aint freaky until the waves are steep enough that the waves are breaking over the rail, and your boat is surfing down wave faces.

pacificobob - 10-23-2023 at 05:47 AM

I say go for it! Your superior skills will more than compensate for the unfortunate choice of an open bow craft.

JZ - 10-23-2023 at 10:38 AM

Quote: Originally posted by pacificobob  
I say go for it! Your superior skills will more than compensate for the unfortunate choice of an open bow craft.


It's a 30 foot center console with twins.

Hook - 10-23-2023 at 10:56 AM

What is your range? Is this a cat hull where both engines consume approx. the same amount or is it a main engine/ kicker situation?

JZ - 10-23-2023 at 11:28 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Hook  
What is your range? Is this a cat hull where both engines consume approx. the same amount or is it a main engine/ kicker situation?


180 gallons, 300+ mile range. Two separate tanks. Will just have to fill up once, in BoLA.

It's just two Yahama's. Speed is about 50mph.

chippy - 10-23-2023 at 12:36 PM

These naysayers don't know boats. Bowrider wtf? You won't be dry in weather but you're certainly safe in that self bailing boat.

pacificobob - 10-23-2023 at 04:29 PM

Alaska has many sad stories featuring open boats in open ocean.
That said, i believe the Atlantic has been crossed in a bathtub

mtgoat666 - 10-23-2023 at 05:17 PM

Quote: Originally posted by pacificobob  
Alaska has many sad stories featuring open boats in open ocean.
That said, i believe the Atlantic has been crossed in a bathtub


Many of those “self-bailing” boats have only little floor drains that drain minor splashed volumes, and cant quickly drain the hundreds of gallons that may come into a boat from a breaking wave or stuffing the bow.

pacificobob - 10-23-2023 at 07:52 PM

They are called scuppers. Most are stupidly small. They do a good job draining rain....not so good when the bow gets full of blue water

mtgoat666 - 10-23-2023 at 08:44 PM

Quote: Originally posted by pacificobob  
They are called scuppers. Most are stupidly small. They do a good job draining rain....not so good when the bow gets full of blue water


Scuppers drain water. The deck drains on the these boats are pathetic, not a real scupper. They have little stainless filters like your home shower drain :lol::lol:

Marc - 10-27-2023 at 06:48 AM

I should be in BOLA when you come by. I'll be looking for you.
I've been to San Carlos three times. Wonderfull place.

[Edited on 10-27-2023 by Marc]

Marc - 10-27-2023 at 07:28 AM


USS Renshaw underway in the western pacific. No need for scuppers.




[Edited on 10-27-2023 by Marc]

[Edited on 10-28-2023 by Marc]

JZ - 10-29-2023 at 06:57 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Marc  
I should be in BOLA when you come by. I'll be looking for you.
I've been to San Carlos three times. Wonderfull place.



That would be great to connect.

We kept our last boat in SC for almost 10 years. From the beginning of November until March it blows 20-30 mph about 3 to 4 days a week in SC. We'd go out in 4-6 foot wind waves, but just to make it a few miles from the Marina San Carlos to a bay that had cliffs blocking the NW wind. These why I'm targeting May, the water is starting to warm, as the winds die down, and before the thunderstorm season.

There are about 30 bays in the 50 miles of coast line North of SC. Really beautiful bays.

Marina SC



[Edited on 10-30-2023 by JZ]