We have now traveled over 1500 miles mostly over the last 30 days. Currently we are in a slip in Barra de Navidad in Jalisco. We are now south of Latitude 20 (hot here today).
This is some interesting data (especially for the California folks that are north of conception that think it blows stink all the time).
Following is it an estimate of how the wind has blown for us since leaving California:
5% of the time over 20 knots (never saw over 28)
15% of the time 15-20 knots
30% of the time 10-15 knots
50% of the time less than 10 knots (most of that we barely sailed or motored)
We waited in multiple locations for wind to keep from motoring. (Hate motoring)
Weather predictions are inaccurate no matter where you’re getting your info. PredictWind, Windy and local nets were most helpful.
Navigation Aids:
Electronic chart including Navonics and C-Map are great but not always accurate when it comes to harbor entrances, or remote anchorages. We are really hesitant to enter any new anchorage at night. We have even seen fisherman in pangas sleeping in their boat at night without lights.
Radar has been a huge tool at night especially with local fisherman running about.
VERY FEW navigation tools (bouys, daymarkers, shore lights) since leaving the United States. No Coast Guard either!
Fishing gear can be offshore in the form of nets and long lines. Some miles long and unmarked. We have had to cut off nets/fishing gear multiple times that has hung up on Sea Bella. We try not to travel in heavily fished areas at night and if we do, we go far offshore where the water is over 600+ feet deep.
This trip so far has been fantastic with more highs than lows for sure. Sea Bella has proven to be a fast passage maker, comfortable and very sea worthy. Our only major mechanical issues was a water pump on the diesel I replaced in Frailies anchorage north of Cabo. (Thank god for spare parts).
Now we will spend much of the winter here on the Gold Coast of Mexico with many family and friends visiting. We will head back north into the Sea of Cortez in April.