Alan
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Launch Ramps of Baja?
Is there interest on this board to include a section that describes launching facilities up and down the peninsula? Author Mike Bales wrote an
excellent book describing launching facilities in Baja but that information is now several years old. We all know conditions in Baja can change
rapidly.
With the number of private boaters that tow to Baja each year I would think others have as much interest as I do to learn where we can launch to
explore new areas without having to drive 50 miles of washboard only to find there is no way to put your boat in.
This board seems to have a lot of full-time and long time residents throughout the peninsula that could describe conditions at their local area as a
service to those of us that can only get down there a few weeks a year. There are so many areas that I would like to try but because my time is still
limited each year I end up returning to only those areas I am familiar with.
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Bruce R Leech
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Location: Ensenada formerly Mulege
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Mood: A lot cooler than Mulege
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good idea. you have just started it. post the ones you know of and others will do the same.soon we will have a comprehensive list of boat launching
ramps in Baja Ca..
Bruce R Leech
Ensenada
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Alan
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San Carlos Mag Bay
San Carlos Mag Bay
There is an adequate ramp that should handle anything you can tow down there at the proper tides. The ramp is concrete but has begun to deteriorate so
try to view it at low tide before you come back to launch on a mid to high tide. The start of the ramp is nearly level for 15-20 and then becomes
steeper. On high tidal flows a mid-tide works best. With the slight angle at the beginning of the ramp you could end up getting your truck completely
in the water before your trailer gets deep enough to float your boat at a full high tide. On very high tides the approach to the ramp can be difficult
because the previous high tide could leave the area soft and muddy.
The launch area and the bay can be very shallow. Hopefully you will have 3-4 in the launch area when the tide is right. I personally prefer to launch
on an incoming tide. As stated there are several shoals in the bay as well. If at all possible try to follow someone who has the course out of the bay
already charted. Following pangas can also work if you dont draw too much more than they do. Deep Vee boats should plan on anchoring overnight in
Bahia Santa Maria rather than trying to navigate the bay in the dark. Ideally you should try to plan on a couple of nights on anchor because it is a
long run back to the ramp from the Entrada.
The town of San Carlos has everything you need for provisioning and even an ice house where you can load up with block ice. There are several clean
motels where you can rest up after your drive there, such as Brennan's ($45/night, Nov 05). Bring sabikis and make your own bait in the bay and it is
about a 25-30 mile run from the Entrada to the Thetis Bank for the annual marlin pileup from Oct-Nov. Good shot at tuna, dorado and wahoo in this time
period as well.
[Edited on 10-22-2006 by Alan]
[Edited on 10-23-2006 by Alan]
[Edited on 10-23-2006 by Alan]
[Edited on 10-23-2006 by Alan]
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Alan
Super Nomad
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How do I insert a picture?
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Alan
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Loreto Marina
Excellent Ramp. Will handle anything you can tow there. Best on mid to high tide. Launch area and ramp puts you into a protected harbor. Docks in
the area so picking up your driver is easy. Parking available along street. Talk to locals who are almost always at the ramp or watch how others
place their trailer. The ramp had a pothole when I was there in 11/05 but I can't remember which side.
Live Bait often available. Look for the guys with the cast nets. They may be able to fill you up right there or just get them on board and run them
just outside the harbour. They will direct you to where they need to be to fill you quickly.
Loreto is a full-service town so provisioning is a snap.
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Alan
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Puerto Escondido
Said to be the best ramp in all of Baja - might be.
Can handle anything you tow at almost any tide. A fee is charged. $13.85 USD 11/05. Usually a guard in a little kiosk just as you drive in. If he
is not there when you launch no problem, he will be when you return and he knows who has paid. Concrete seawall with a ladder to pick up your driver.
Ramp drops into a natural protected anchorage
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Alan
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Bahia de Los Angeles
Several ramps in the area but I have only used two of them. Guillermos is by far the best . He sometimes charges $5.00.
Concrete ramp that can handle most anything you can tow. Like all ramps in this area it is dependent upon tides with mid to high tide best. This
ramp extends the farthest into the bay so you will have access for a longer time. Ie; gets deep enough soonest and stays deep enough longer. Need to
be able to back your rig in a straight line. If you launch before a full high tide your rig driver may need to swim out to you. Usually plenty of
room to park your rig in the campground
Public ramp between Guillermos and Casa Diaz. Good concrete ramp that works well at high tide. Park your rig on street in area.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64850
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Rather than this good information be in the Suggestions Forum it needs to be in the Fishing & Hunting Forum on Nomad... ? So it can be found again
in the future.
Alan, are your photos from a web site you have or off the file in your computer... if so, they need to be under 50 kbs to post here... See frequently
asked questions link on Nomad for how to post.
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Alan
Super Nomad
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They are just in a file on my computer. I don't know how to put them on a website.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64850
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Okay Alan, let's see if I can help you...
First off, when you post a new topic (start a new thread OR post a reply (do not use the 'quick reply' box that is located at the bottom of a
thread)... there is a button labled BROWSE... when you click it, your files open up in a new window... just pick your photo!
However, the photo must be under 50 kbs in file size!
Here is how to easily reduce pictures (without losing your original full size image):
HOW to Reduce Photos for Baja Nomad Posts
I have been asked many times how to reduce photos on your computer's file to smaller than 50 KBS (Nomad size limit)... The following was posted in
November 2005 in a thread called ESSAY CONTEST by Packoderm... If my method (actually Neal Johns') isn't easy enough... use the search engine and go
to that thread for other methods posted by Nomads...
Here is the method I use:
If 'paint' isn't on your deck top, do this (click on):
a) Start
b) All Programs
c) Accesories
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1) Paint (start here if 'paint' is on your desk top)
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2) File
3) Open...
3a) then click on the photo to get reduced (double click).
4) Image
5) Sketch/Skew... then change the % down from 100 in both sketch & skew to a lesser number... My photos were taken at normal quality 55-60 kbs.
(vs. HQ or SHQ) and changing the % to around 90% brought the kbs to under 50.
If you are taking HQ images, try reducing to 30%.
Continue to Click on:
6) OK
7) File
8) Save As
8a) now type in a new name for the photo or add 'R' to it to indicate it is the reduced one... this is a copy so you don't mess with the original.
9) Save
THAT'S IT!
When you move the mouse over the reduced photo in the files, the kb size will show and let you know if you didn't get it low enough, or too low! In
either case, repeat the steps above... after you do a couple it gets pretty easy.
Photos over 25 kbs (but less than 50) will usually look fine on Nomad posts.
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Alan
Super Nomad
Posts: 1626
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Well I got the picture posted for Mag Bay. Hope it's big enough. Sorry, don't have pictures of the other ramps. Looks like I need another road
trip!
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Bruce R Leech
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6796
Registered: 9-20-2004
Location: Ensenada formerly Mulege
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Mood: A lot cooler than Mulege
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Alan
Well I got the picture posted for Mag Bay. Hope it's big enough. Sorry, don't have pictures of the other ramps. Looks like I need another road
trip! |
sounds like a good excuse to go to Baja Ca.
Bruce R Leech
Ensenada
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BajaBruno
Super Nomad
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Gene Kira, Mexico Reports Editor of Western Outdoor News, has a comprehensive list dating from 2001 at:
http://www.mexfish.com/baja/baja/af011110/af011110.htm
It's worth a look.
Christopher Bruno, Elk Grove, CA.
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Alan
Super Nomad
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Thanks! I check that site every Mon. morning for the weekly report and never found that link. I guess I need to spend a little more time snooping
around on it.
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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Mood: Full Time Residents
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alan
this book mike wrote was outstanding
he spent alot of time up and down the coast documenting the ramps
an updated version would be GREAT!!!
go for it
take pictures and write your own data...
you have a lot of experience traveling baja
we'll help you publish if you finish
or provide you webspace if you don't want to make money
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Alan
Super Nomad
Posts: 1626
Registered: 4-6-2005
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Sounds like it would be a great project once I retire! It would definitely be a fun one.
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