BajaNomad

Windrider 17 sailing trip

Mulege Canuck - 12-20-2023 at 06:02 AM

Myself and a buddy headed out for 2 weeks in early November. We started in Mulege and headed south to Agua Verde. Then worked our way north back to Puerto Escondido.



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Launch day at Mulege



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First nights camp at Medano Blanco. Great spot. There is just enough of a break to get out of the northerly weather and pull up the boat. My buddy forgot to zip his tent up and had a Tarantula visit him that night. Very entertaining!



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Sailed to San Basillo the next day. Stayed a couple of days waiting for a good northern wind to get us to Isla Carmen. Latest gossip at San Basillo is that it was purchased by the owner of Walmart and is going to be an “Eco Retreat”.



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Had a fast sail south and camped at Ballandra Bay. Only one spot to camp there and lots of bugs. Not a great spot but it is sheltered from the northern swell. Next day we were off to the southern end of Isla Carmen ( pictured above). Paradise!



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Fishing was great! Trolled under sail, lots of fun.



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Stayed a night at Agua Verde spit. Fish tacos and beer were a nice treat compared to dry food dinners.



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Worked our way back north to a place I have camped before. Unfortunately it has become a Semana Santa spot. The beach was littered with garbage and broken glass. I will bring some garbage bags with me in February to clean some of it up.

We pulled out near Puerto Escondido but next time we will use Juncalito. Great trip! Early November is a great time n Baja with 80 degree water and lots of dorado.

Ateo - 12-20-2023 at 07:18 AM

Super cool trip! Thanks.

pjpvi - 12-20-2023 at 09:21 AM

This is great! I didn't know that boat existed. What a great way to get around Baja. I like that it can simply be pulled up on the beach.

Thanks for sharing.

David K - 12-20-2023 at 09:22 AM

Thank you for sharing! Dorados for dinner... can't beat that!

Don Jorge - 12-20-2023 at 09:38 AM

Nice trip and good call pulling out at PE.
Might have been a bit wet to Mulege.

JZ - 12-20-2023 at 10:44 AM

Sweet trip!!!

pacificobob - 12-20-2023 at 11:09 AM

Excellent! Thanks for posting.

BeachSeeker - 12-20-2023 at 12:27 PM

Awesome trip!

I'm not sure how I feel about the San Basilio thing. It is such an amazing beach. Kind of a pain to deal with the squatters who decided to set-up for the long term and think they own the joint. Maybe they will shoo them out.

Mulege Canuck - 12-20-2023 at 12:54 PM

Quote: Originally posted by pacificobob  
Excellent! Thanks for posting.


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Our last sunrise near Puerto Escondido.

jwheel1970 - 12-21-2023 at 09:41 AM

Thank you for the post - very cool. What an adventure!

akmaxx - 12-21-2023 at 07:07 PM

Sweet trip...when you are ready for a little more comfort and bigger seas...this is available in Mulege.

https://bajasur.craigslist.org/boa/d/18-capri-sailboat-on-ez...


Mulege Canuck - 12-22-2023 at 07:40 PM

Quote: Originally posted by akmaxx  
Sweet trip...when you are ready for a little more comfort and bigger seas...this is available in Mulege.

https://bajasur.craigslist.org/boa/d/18-capri-sailboat-on-ez...



Looks like a nice boat. I own a 26 ft trailer sailer in BC. I have had it for 30 years. The only way to own a boat, no moorage fees, no bottom paint. Lots of bomb proof anchorages here in BC so you don’t have to worry about dragging anchor.

However for Baja, the anchorages are very conditional with average holding ground. The beauty of a boat that can be hauled up on the beach is it gives you access to so many more gorgeous spots and you don’t have to worry about dragging your anchor at night.

As far as weather, that boat has been in 20 knots with 7 ft swell and I have had no problems. Given it has a planning hull, we were doing a sustained 10 knots from San Basillo to Isla Carman. With those speeds we were able to troll for Tuna on the surface. Lots of fun.

The boat was loaded for a 13 day trip. We had a 100 litres of water, and food. Pretty good for a 17 ft boat. So for Baja, I would not recommend a trailer sailer.

HeyMulegeScott - 12-27-2023 at 07:27 PM

Looks like a great trip!

Mulege Canuck - 2-3-2024 at 12:42 PM

Anyone interested in buying a Windrider should jump on this. Very good price.

https://bajasur.craigslist.org/boa/7702956537.html?lang=en&a...

BornFisher - 2-3-2024 at 01:02 PM

Great trip report. Like a true nomad or vagabundo!!