S/V INTREPID II - Cape Dory Intrepid 40

My photo
Intrepid II is a Cape Dory Intrepid 40 sailboat, hull #2, designed by Chuck Paine and discovered by the Captain in Blue Hill Maine in 2006. The crew are Kelly (Captain) and Carol (Admiral and Blogger). In 2009 INTREPID II embarked on her West Coast journey from Victoria to San Francisco, the Baja Sur Peninsula and into the Sea of Cortez. In 2010/2011, we sailed from Guaymas, south to Bahia Banderas and back. In 2011/2012 we left Guaymas, headed south to La Paz, spent three weeks at anchor on our northward journey and rested on the hard in San Carlos. Her 4th, 5th and 6th seasons were Boat Projects related. Season 7 - an incredible amount of boat work - but no cruising. Season 8 - Tropical Storm Sergio toppled Intrepid II in San Carlos dry storage. A disappointing season of serious and costly repairs. Season 9 - continuing those repairs and still hopeful for cruising.

March 14, 2010

Los Gatos to Puerto Escondido - Mar. 7

En route with Snow Goose in the distance
Our tentative plan to have a 4 hour sail to Aqua Verde turned into an 8 hour run all the way to the "hidden harbor" of Puerto Escondido.  Since we've already posted updates from Puerto Escondido, we'll just mention that the weather forecast and actual winds were such to determine Aqua Verde would not be the best place to anchor if the northers came sooner than expected.  It is a fairly small, though picturesque anchorage and since there were two boats which needed good holding spots, we chose to keep moving. 

En route, about 09:30, Snow Goose radioed to say there were hundreds of dolphins headed our way -- what a sight!  We've never experienced being in the midst of such a large mass of dolphins who were heading south, stopping to check us out, play, jump and keep on moving.  If I learn how to post a video on the blog, hope you enjoy it (later).  A humpback whale also added to the day's enjoyment.

At noon, with our jib out, we were doing up to 7 knots and making very good time - heeled a bit more than Carol likes, but no real chop, so all was well.  At 13:30 winds were picking up,16 - 17 kms  from the North, gusting to 20 kms and we were tacking to make the most of the wind.  Once we found our way through the Candeleros (grouping of 3 islands), we were experiencing the 'gap' winds off the mountains - flukey, shifty winds.  We finally rolled in the jib to ensure we had no surprises as we entered into the Waiting Room and on into the inner harbor.  Once in the harbour, we anchored near the "windows" at the north end, with the idea we'd have less fetch, although perhaps more wind - mooring #81.  (Position:  25 31.0N; 111 00.5 W).  Snow Goose anchored nearer the marina and we all settled in to a well earned rest that evening.
The hidden harbour of Puerto Escondido