S/V INTREPID II - Cape Dory Intrepid 40

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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 1, 2011

Time to head north - Tuesday March 1

Intrepid II at Marina Riviera Nayarit, La Cruz
La Cruz has captured our interest for much longer than planned.  The appeal is partly the town itself, and partly the chance to catch up with friends, meet new ones, do our daily chores in much more pleasant temperatures. It is getting very warm by mid day, close to 27 degrees outside and inside the cabin and it is best to get your heavier tasks done earlier in the day.

By the time last Saturday arrived, the weather folks were more or less agreed the north winds were strong enough to set up quite choppy seas, and as we will be heading north who wants to knowingly go into unpleasant conditions?  So we paid the marina for a few more days.  Now there are mixed message forecasts amongst the WX guys we listen to (Geary on Sonrisa net, Stan on Solmatesantiago, and various other sites).  As of this evening our plan is to depart Wednesday (tomorrow morning), round Punta de Mita and head north.

We have some options, depending on wind direction, including checking out an anchorage at Jaltemba, near Rincon de Guaybitos, as there is Isla la Pena to tuck behind from north winds.  Or, we can go on to rock and roll in Chacala again, get out the flopper-stopper, put out a stern anchor and hang on.  After that we have the option of heading back to Matanchen Bay just south of San Blas for a night or two and enjoy the more spacious anchorage it provides.

From there we hope to make our day/night long passage up to Mazatlan, arriving sometime this weekend.  Hopefully one of our tentative reservations at the local marinas there will actually be ready and waiting for INTREPID II.  Carnaval celebrations leading up to Fat Tuesday and Ash Wednesday should be starting soon and we hope to enjoy some of the festivities....stay tuned.

(To our family and friends who are enduring incredibly cold Alberta temperatures or getting over the dump of snow and now rain and high winds in Victoria....we are doing our best to send warmer weather and sunshine your way!! hope this photo reminds you that Spring should show up eventually!)
Hibiscus flower outside marina office

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