Summer Storms in Bahia de los Angeles | Sea of Cortez | Ep 84
7 November 2022 · 14 min · 3K views
What this video covers
A family sailing the Sea of Cortez experiences intense summer storms while anchored in Bahia de los Angeles. During one afternoon squall, wind speeds reach sustained levels of 35 knots with gusts up to 37 knots, causing the boat to heel significantly. The crew maintains a 7:1 anchor scope, which holds the vessel in position despite a 180-degree wind shift. As a precaution, the crew runs the engine during the peak of the storm to assist the anchor and monitors their position using an anchor alarm app. The passage to the bay earlier that day involves navigating a narrow, rock-strewn channel between islands, requiring a daylight start to manage tidal currents and visibility. Upwind sailing conditions against a strong current increase the planned 30-mile transit to 45 miles. The crew also notes the failure of adhesive-backed velcro used to secure dinghy chaps, planning to switch to heavy-duty glue for a more permanent repair.
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