Sailing life: Sailing to a new anchorage in the dark? Predeparture procedures
November 12, 2023 · 24 min · 747 views · Baja, Mexico
What this video covers
The crew of the 38-ft sailboat Adventure Can't Wait prepares for a 90-mile passage from Santa Rosalia, Mexico, to Isla Animus by performing engine maintenance, checking lead-acid battery fluid levels, and cleaning the deck.2:21 They manage a difficult departure from a tight slip by using the boat’s port-side prop walk to turn the stern to starboard.9:14 During the transit, they encounter calm conditions and fail to find the forecasted 10–15 knot southerly winds, forcing them to motor for the duration of the trip.11:55 Because the arrival time at their destination—a small, poorly charted anchorage—would have been 2 a.m. in total darkness, they decide to divert to the familiar San Francisco Guido bay to anchor overnight.20:45 They navigate the Lorenzo channel the following morning, noting that tidal currents can reach 5 knots.21:36 The crew emphasizes that relying on electronic charts for unknown, unlit anchorages at night is dangerous, especially when currents and reefs are present.19:47
Boats in this video
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