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Winter cruise Sea of Cortez Baja MX 2020
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thataway



Joined: 02 Nov 2003
Posts: 20778
City/Region: Pensacola
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: thataway
Photos: Thataway
PostPosted: Sat Oct 12, 2019 5:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The "shakedown" racket has been in Mexico as long as I can remember. I can remember some incidents in the 60's even in Baja, but near the border. But it rarely affects boats. (but I know of several incidents which did--and we almost had one.) A Mexican fishing boat attempted to ram us, I knew about this type of scam, and turned sharply to get on the Fishing boat's stern. We had more speed, and just kept on the stern as they turned--they broke off fairly quickly--shadowed us for a while; then disappeared back toward the coast. One of my friend's boat was hit and damaged. Her boat was seized. The fishing boat claimed the yacht was at fault and demanded a payoff. She gave up cruising. A C Dory would be a very unlikely target.

My impression is that Cabo is not as safe as it was in the past. This is based on family members who have been there this year and were warned to stay on the resort property, or take a verified shuttle to the "down town" area during the day, if they must. Tijuana, Los Cabos and Acapulco are listed as highest murder rates in the World. These are mostly related to the drug trade.

Further up and coast and the Sea of Cortez things still seem stable. Have you checked out?

The Vagabundos del Mar club?

Their Facebook page.

The Vagabundos Del Mar have been organizing both trailer boat (initially) and RV trips to Baja for many years.

I don't know much about this group, but they do have road conditions.

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Bob Austin
Thataway
Thataway (Ex Seaweed) 2007 25 C Dory May 2018 to Oct. 2021
Thisaway 2006 22' CDory November 2011 to May 2018
Caracal 18 140 Suzuki 2007 to present
Thataway TomCat 255 150 Suzukis June 2006 thru August 2011
C Pelican; 1992, 22 Cruiser, 2002 thru 2006
Frequent Sea; 2003 C D 25, 2007 thru 2009
KA6PKB
Home port: Pensacola FL
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Micahbigsur@msn.com



Joined: 27 May 2019
Posts: 484
City/Region: Big Sur
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 2003
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Sierra
Photos: Sierra
PostPosted: Sat Oct 12, 2019 5:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

We have been keeping track on the traveling Baja forums lots of people with houses down there back and forth all the time so far Baja has been good, no cartel roberys but some bad border cops mostly at the Tecate crossing. We have gone through that drill before, we only gave the cop the 30 bucks we had in my wallet, everything else was hidden. We didn't pay attention to the 25 km sign and were going probably 25 mph, so we were speeding....
Baja roads are narrower than US 2 lanes by about a foot.

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Micah Curtis and Dana, RN
2003 C-dory 25 Sierra, 200, 9.9 and 2.5 Suzukis
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Micah, KJ6GUF, Dana, KJ6GXG
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Micahbigsur@msn.com



Joined: 27 May 2019
Posts: 484
City/Region: Big Sur
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 2003
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Sierra
Photos: Sierra
PostPosted: Sat Oct 12, 2019 6:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Bob, the on the water cruising community haven't reported any problems. The Bahia Conception to La Paz coast is tourist remote so not any crowded area criminals. There are more boat burglaries in the La Paz Anchorage so unlike before we will be in a marina, they are very safe.
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thataway



Joined: 02 Nov 2003
Posts: 20778
City/Region: Pensacola
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: thataway
Photos: Thataway
PostPosted: Sat Oct 12, 2019 6:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Agree, the area away from the tourist area is much safer. We have always had good experiences in Mexico on Baja, Pacific and Caribbean coasts.

You mentioned hotels, how about staying on the boat in RV type of compounds?
Even in the US the few times I left the boat in a motel parking lot, I would try and get a room where I could see the boat, and get up about every hour to check for activity. There are a number of campgrounds along Hwy 1 especially.
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DayBreak



Joined: 16 Jul 2017
Posts: 838
City/Region: Monmouth, Or.
State or Province: OR
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PostPosted: Sat Oct 12, 2019 8:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hate to put a damper on this subject but I need to share a story with you. Back in 1987 I drove 800 miles below Tijuana along the West Coast of Baja California. Went with several other friends that also drove their own vehicles and family members. Had a great time and saw lots of neat villages along the coast. The people were great, friendly and very hospitable. The problem we saw was with the Police. At the time, if you brought a new Jeep Cherokee into the country, the Police would stop you, plant an excuse in a way to confiscate your vehicle (place narcotics into your vehicle) and then arrest you and confiscate your vehicle. It was common practice back then and I don't think things have changed in 30+ years. We witnessed in person while down there, a family with a new Ford full size van being pulled over by the Police. We watched from a distance (was really stupid to do so but I was younger at the time) a stand-off with the Police and the family of the van occupants. The family appeared to be of White descent and I am pretty sure the van had a California registration. The situation had become a shoot-out stand off with the owner of the van not willing to surrender the van to the Police. I do not know the circumstances of the situation but after an hour had taken place, the Police left the scene and the owner of the van and its occupants drove off in peace.
I suspect that the Police wanted that new van for somebody or something in the Police Agency. I will never again consider travel into Mexico again for this reason and my personal experience. Maybe travel into Mexico is different with a C-Dory but I personally won't take the chance. Sorry again to be such a pill on this post but I felt I needed to share my experience with travel into the Country with a vehicle or boat that you actually have the Title on. Gary.
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Micahbigsur@msn.com



Joined: 27 May 2019
Posts: 484
City/Region: Big Sur
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 2003
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Sierra
Photos: Sierra
PostPosted: Sun Oct 13, 2019 2:20 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I first drove down with 2 other trucks in 1970, 10 days of bad dirt road to La Paz and have since driven down several times, my dad had a house in La Paz and then in San Jose Del Cabo, my retired parents drove back and forth every winter for years. I have never towed a boat down so that will be different, much slower, I have had some negative experiences with cops but nothing serious and has been far outweighed by the generous spirit of most of the great Mexican people. We sailed our big boat down in 2011 and spent most of every winter cruising between San Carlos and Puerto Vallarta, never a problem.

Bob, yes I am starting to think camping in campgrounds would be best even in the US if we stay at a motel I wake up worried every morning, thinking I should have pulled the prop. When camping we run a tube into a "grey water" container and have the solar power, we just can't fill up the boat with traveling stuff.
Anyway thousands of Nohth Americans make the trip every year, I have actually been more terrified when I have towed a trailer through the LA freeway craziness, believe me that is scary!
We have always crossed at Lukeville in Arizona with the Tug, small and out of the way without traffic but that is too far east for Baja.
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thataway



Joined: 02 Nov 2003
Posts: 20778
City/Region: Pensacola
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: thataway
Photos: Thataway
PostPosted: Sun Oct 13, 2019 8:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
The problem we saw was with the Police.


I had friends and patients who lived in Mexico. The way of life is different there--that has to be understood. One of my friends who had dual citizenship and was born in Mexico, spent some time in a jail because of an "illegal" currency transfer. It cost him many thousands of dollars to "bribe" the right people--more than a new jeep would have cost then. It is not just tourists who are hit up.

Although I understand that bribes (soborno) in Mexico are illegal. "Mordida", which actually means "the bite" has been a way of life. Historically police were underpaid (and a very risky job) so they supplemented their income. I have attempted to always avoid mordida but there are times it is expected. "Oficial, de todos modos, ¿puedo pagarle la multa?" "Officer is there anyway I can pay you the fine?"

For those who have never cruised Mexico:

Upon first checking into Mexico: (different when coming by land, but same rules)
Cruising in Mexico is much different than in the USA--you have to have a fishing license for each person, and for the boat, if you have any fishing tackle on board, even if you are not going to fish when in Mexican waters.

You have to obtain and pay for an "import" permit (and that might have been an issue with the van described?) for vehicles, and boats. I believe currently the permit for Baja, is about $55 and it is for a temporary period--can be renewed once. Boats have been seized for lack of a permit.

You have to check into Mexico at the first port and each major port. Technically you need a Zarpe from the US. I have gotten the US customs form declaring valuable items taken out of the USA, and this has been accepted. There is also CBP Form 1300 for a Zarpe for commercial vessels, which can be used. There is a form for a "Crew List"DespachoEach crew member must have a tourist visa. There are forms, and often you have to buy "Stamps" at the bank. You need the boat's document or registration. (I always took copies, and include copy of passports. I kept extra copies and the originals hidden in the folder--I tried to avoid surrendering the original document or passport to authorities.) There is always the "Captain of the Port" Capitania del Puerto Immigration Migración,Customs Aduana, Agriculture, Health may also be included.

As you leave each port, you get permission and a Zarpe to the next port, even if it is in country. I have only used an "agent" once in hundreds of check in and outs. That was in Roatán Honduras, and the port captain was no where to be found. (The agent knew that he was at his mistresses), It cost a little more. When I checked into Guanaja, Honduras (a village all on stilts over the water), I was accompanied on the rounds by a couple of military men carrying AK 47's.. At the end, they asked for $50 "escort fee". I said, "if you will give me a receipt and official stamp, I'll pay the $50. I am checking at Coxen Hole, Roatán next." They laughed and said "Have a good day". That's the way of life in Central America and Mexico.

Each of these procedures often require some time, taxi rides and knowing when each office will be open. I have always enjoyed my interaction with port captains and officials. I always wore slacks, and a nice guayabera shirt. I try and learn a bit about them. Invite them to come aboard the boat. If they have children, I have gifts for the children--sometimes a little something extra for the port captain...
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Micahbigsur@msn.com



Joined: 27 May 2019
Posts: 484
City/Region: Big Sur
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 2003
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Sierra
Photos: Sierra
PostPosted: Mon Oct 14, 2019 12:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The check ins are usually pretty relaxed an fun. Dana being an OR nurse is really good at keeping track of paperwork and why we offered to help with sorting it out. The import permit is simple and good for 10 years and takes a week on line, virtually no port captain check ins in Baja. There is the fishing licenses and national parks pass for the offshore islands and Mexican boat liability insurance. All of it doesn't seem like a big deal to us once you have all the paperwork done and with you things go smoothly. We spend a lot of our time enjoying the beaches, hiking and hanging out with our cruising friends. Alain seems to enjoy his C-dory down there and I am sure we can work out a way to meet him.
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