Sailing Catalpa · video

What this video covers

The crew of the 45-foot sailboat Catalpa departs the Sea of Cortez, Mexico, to begin a southward passage toward Panama.12:28 After celebrating a birthday at Espiritu Santo, the family chooses to capitalize on a 20-to-30-knot wind window, opting for a 230-nautical-mile run to Mazatlan rather than the more distant Isla Isabella.14:27 During the overnight transit, the boat encounters 2-meter swells at 5-second intervals and gusts reaching 35 knots.21:23 The crew maintains a "jib and jigger" sail configuration—using only the jib and mizzen—to manage the heavy following seas and avoid being overpowered.15:57 Although the crew initially struggles with fatigue and illness, they successfully navigate the passage, catching a mahi-mahi and arriving in Mazatlan with limited fuel reserves.24:43 They utilize the Sea People app to track their progress and coordinate routes.14:37 The passage confirms that adjusting course to put the wind on the beam, rather than directly behind, significantly improves comfort in steep, short-period swells.21:59

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