Sailing Catalpa · video

What this video covers

The crew of the monohull Catalpa sails 90 nautical miles overnight to reach Acapulco, Mexico, arriving at 5:30 a.m. to find the city still recovering from the 2023 impact of Category 5 Hurricane Otis. The storm destroyed harbor infrastructure and high-rise buildings, leaving the area in a state of slow reconstruction. Upon arrival, the crew anchors off an island opposite the main harbor to avoid potential issues with mooring balls. Checking into the port proves difficult because the crew failed to clear out of their previous port; the captain resolves the bureaucratic conflict by drafting a formal letter in Spanish with the assistance of a local contact. While waiting for a favorable weather window to transit the Gulf of Tehuantepec, the crew attempts to hike to a local lighthouse, finding it closed for ongoing repairs. The vessel’s fixed propeller continues to cause drag, though recent filing by the owner has reduced the audible singing noise.

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