Dana thinks my last long final post might have been a little discouraging about the drive down especially on highway 1. Let me say it is very doable, IF you are good and confident in your driving abilities towing your boat, you have more than 1 mounted spare and your truck and trailer are in very good shape. You are handy with tools and can solve unexpected fixit problems ( almost all of you C-brats seem to fit into this category). Mexicans are always extremely helpful so you will always have help if you need it.
Cruising the Sea of Cortez:
About 2/3s of the time the weather is great especially in late winter and spring. When the wind does come up the Sea can develop a short nasty chop that even large boats avoid so a way to receive either satellite or SSB forecasts, most areas don't have cell service. With a forecast there are plenty of safe anchorages available nearby. Almost all the anchorages have good holding over a sand bottom (an anchoring system at least 1 level above what the factory sells will give you better nights sleep, ours is sized for a an average 35 footer, 12 kilo Rocna Vulcan, 5/16 hi-tensile chain, 9/16 braided nylon) Tides are not really a factor in the southern sea.
Increased water storage.
Extra fuel cans for some areas. (Mexican gas is great, no ethanol at this time, outboards love it)
A dinghy or other way to get to shore, there are cliffs and long distance shallow sandy beaches, sting rays can be a problem also.
Trolling and reef fishing gear, fishing is best in the summer but can be OK in other seasons. Have a rail mounted BBQ with a 20 lb. propane tank.
Have a spare prop.
Have a good first aid kit.
Pack for 50° nights and 85° days, temps get into the nineties and above in May.
Hiking shoes, a good sun hat.
Food is available as in the states but both food and restaurants are generally cheaper than in the states, we always wash fruits and vegetables in soapy water with a few drops of bleach in it and have never had a problem, we also eat out a lot, many of the restaurants are great.
Optional, but we love having a head sink and saltwater foot pumps to extend our fresh water.
One thing we could have done better is put the boat on a diet of unused extras for better fuel mileage, let past experience be your guide. (leave the cute brass bell behind)
We don't cruise at night anymore so we never needed our radar.
Puerto Escondido is a 3 day drive below the border, has a great marina, launch ramp, safe truck and trailer storage, wi-fi, cell service, a gas dock, cruisers lounge, restaurant with a brick oven pizza and the beautiful town of Loreto is nearby. There are a great many beautiful anchorages nearby and La Paz is just over 100 miles south.
Our C-brat friend Alain alternatively does the one day 4 lane drive down from Arizona to San Carlos which has great boating infrastructure, then with a good weather window does the 80 mile Sea of Cortez crossing to Santa Rosalia then down to the same area we were in in Baja. He has done this many times.
I think any C-brats that have extensive cruising experience would do fine and have a fantastic experience!
Be well all, Micah
