Baja Bash Thoughts

by Captain Mike Harris

The following thoughts on making the trip from La Paz to San Diego are the option of the author and are based on the experience of over 40 trips on the Pacific side of the Baja. These thoughts represent an average trip not the worst case. The comments are general and should serve as items you need to research and/or apply to your vessel.

Three Basic Trip Options:

1. Sailing - The Clipper Route

If you want to sail up the Baja coast this is the only productive way to do so. When you get to Lands End (Cabo) go close hauled on a starboard tack. Continue on that tack until you can switch to a port tack and lay San Diego. You could be many miles offshore.

2. Rhumb Line - Direct

This is the fastest way to make the trip and is what is most often used on professional deliveries. This is a motoring trip that runs a rhumb line from five miles off each major point. I have found that this course has puts us outside much of the local fishing activity but inside most of the major shipping routes. This course has you offshore at some points

3. Rhumb Line - Camping Out

This is the same as the Rhumb Line Direct option but allows for anchoring stops along the way. This option requires longer too complete than going non-stop. This should be a choice of the Captain.

General Information

• There are pros and cons for each month you choose to make the trip north.
• Going north during the heart of the hurricane season is not a good idea unless you have an extremely fast powerboat.
• Check with your insurance agent about policy restrictions before choosing a trip option.
• The Rhumb line course is 1,000 miles. The Clipper route is at least twice as long.
• The trip north is nothing like the trip south. Everything that was in your favor coming down is against you on the way north (wind, waves and current).
• The forward cabin of your vessel will be unusable.
• Your bow will be underwater often. Green water not just spray.
• Anything on deck that is not really secured will be washed away.
• No weather prediction source will provide you with an accurate picture for the entire trip.
• If there is any weakness in your vessel’s systems they will surface en route.
• Plan for 10 days if choosing the Rhumb Line-Direct route.
• Your crew’s schedule needs to match yours but in any case should be longer than ten days.
• There are no logical crew exchange locations between Cabo and Ensenada.
• The longer your schedule the greater your risk of being out in bad conditions.
• Cabo is the last place where you can get any real/timely repairs until you reach Ensenada.

Vessel Preparation

• Everything on deck must be secured
• No dinghies on davits even if cross tied. Secure on deck. Seats, oars, etc. stored below decks.
• Kayaks stored inside lifelines as far aft as possible.
• Solar vents leak badly!!!
• Anchors should be tied down and secured
• Windless breakers should be off
• Do not have anything in the chain locker you do not want underwater
• Almost all hatches leak when under green water
• Staysail stays and back stays. Keep them all attached to help reduce mast pumping when bashing.

Fuel Planning

• See more recent fuel tips below
• Mag Bay is not a reasonable fuel stop.
• The longest run between fuel stops is 400 miles.
• If you normally make 6 knots when motoring plan on loosing at least 1 knot going north. I often do a fuel plan based on an average 3 knots. It is better to have some extra fuel on board when you get to Turtle Bay than to not make it.
• Give a lot of thought to how you will store fuel on deck and how you will transfer it into the tank when underway.

Checking Out Of Mexico

This is easier to do in Ensenada than in La Paz. This is because all the needed offices you need to visit are in one location in Ensenada. Both of the major marinas in Ensenada will handle this process for you for a fee. You can also check out in Cabo San Lucas and even at Cedros Island.

Checking Into the USA

(See Get the App, Get the Decal below) Approach San Diego harbor from the safe water buoy to avoid the heavy kelp fields in the area. Go directly to the Customs Dock/Police Dock. Do not park on the red part of the Police Dock. The Captain should go to the Harbor Police Office area and find the computer stand. Using the computer or pay phone contact the Customs office and advise them that you have arrived and need an inspection. Officers will then be dispatched from the airport to do the inspection and check you into the country. You will need to have all the normal ship’s papers, passports and $27.50 USD in cash for an entry permit.

Summary

This document is very general and was intended to help you think about want you need to do to make the bash with the minimum amount of hassle. There are many more details not addressed in this document. It is suggested that you do more discussion with those who have experience on these waters and build a strong plan for your crew and vessel before taking off to head north on the outside of the Baja.

May, 2023
This taken from a Facebook post

Bahia Asunción Fueling Option in Baja

Fuel contact:
Lery Espinoza +52 615 109 1881 Speaks English and Responds promptly on What’s App
20 pesos/gallon to deliver
Anchor point: 27°8.154'N 114°17.463'W Sandy bottom, large area 15-20’ deep about 200 yards from shore. Good protection from north and west, wind and swell. Lery had a sailboat (the only one in the anchorage) that we anchored next to.
The process:
- Two days out I messaged Lery on WhatsApp our date, ETA, estimated fuel requirements (350 liters in our case). Lery responded he would be available.
- 12 hours out we confirmed our ETA. Lery responded with an AIS screen print showing he was monitoring out progress and confirmed he’d meet us
- We arrived and anchored. Lery texted us he was picking up his son at school and would be out in 20 minutes and he was.
- Lery picked up our crew of four and we decided to go to lunch at the Sunset Restaurant including Lery (wow was it good, a short walk from the boat ramp). We got groceries at a little market in town (pretty good supply). Then filled up Lery’s 15 five gallon (20 liter) Jerry cans at the local service station in Lery’s pickup.
- Lery shuttled us and the fuel to the boat. We put the Jerry cans on the boat and started transferring (we used a cordless drill pump, Lery syphons) we did a second trip to the service station for the last 50 liters.
Summary:
- Great anchorage for prevailing conditions
- 300 liters/trip in the dinghy
- Captain or crew accompanies Lery to the Service Station to pay (we used a credit card)
- Lery takes cash in pesos
- Small shore break at boat ramp requires good timing, Lery is excellent. Your feet will get wet.
- Lery is an excellent communicator, he’s friendly (has a heart for helping boaters), he’s safe, efficient and reliable. Lery speaks good English. We would highly recommend this stop for fuel. It’s about half way between Cabo and Ensenada.

June, 2021

Get the App, Get the Decal!

Get the app: For US registered vessels the best way to check back into the USA is with the CBP Roam app from the US Customs and Border Protection. Before you leave for the bash download the app to your smart phone and get signed up. When you are getting near San Diego contact customs through the app. They will FaceTime you (they can see you but you can't see them) and want you to hold your passport to the phone. Usually you do not need to go to the customs dock but they may ask you to tie up there and dispose of any fresh fruits and vegetables in a special trash can.

Get the decal: Customs will want to be sure you have paid your annual border crossing user fee. They will ask for the number off your decal. So before you head north for the bash while you still have internet get (or renew) your decal. Go to dtops.cbp.dhs.gov and pay about $30. Otherwise you will have to call the guy back after finally figuring out how to buy the stupid sticker thing while super tired from a long few days of bashing.

July 2020:

For those doing the bash and looking for an alternative to the overly priced diesel provide by Enrique in Turtle Bay, Juan in Asunción is a great option.  For $20 US per load (boat trip), Juan will bring fuel to your boat at cost and give you a receipt from the Diesel/Gas Station.  I gave him eight new 50 liter fuel cans as part of our “deal!” I made contact via email the day before to work out the details. We anchored near the cliffs toward the point between the two launch ramps to the west of the church. 18’ of water, windy but no fetch. An hour after we arrived Juan showed up to get my cans. Juan is an Abalone diver and does that work in the AM.  I did pay a little more than $20 by choice after seeing what it took for Juan to bring 400 liters to me.  Contact Juan on 16 by hailing Serena (he speaks great English) or via email to Shari at sharibondy@gmail.com, or phone +52-615-155-7197 or +1-619-906-8438. I paid 21 pesos per liter for 400 liters. While in Turtle waiting on weather I was quoted 34 pesos per liter by the guys on the fuel boat. Additionally, if you’re looking for an alternative to Ensenada for clearing out of Mexico, the Port Captain at Cedros Island is it (thanks to Rich Boren of La Paz Cruiser's Supply for that tip!). We did this fast and easy.

Chip Prather
m/v Victoria

Lobster Pots

One of the many hazards found on the outside of the Baja are lobster pots. In recent years the pots have changed from a one float rig to three floats. This makes it harder to figure out where the line running down to the pot/trap actually is located. Generally the pots are located in 300 feet of water or less. 
We have developed a method to avoid the pots which has worked well for us for the last few years. One person stands on the starboard side while the helmsperson watches the port side. The only communication we use is “turn to port or turn to starboard”. We also add “turn to port hard or starboard hard” when needed.  Saying things like “there is a yellow one over there” only adds to the confusion. It is important that the helmsperson communicates that they are turning before they do so the other person can see that you are not turning into danger.
Getting a pot off of your prop, shaft or rudder is not only a cold, wet job but can be very dangerous. It is best to avoid the problem by being extra careful in areas where pots might be found. I have also found that the actual lobster season has little to do with when you might encounter pots.  Keep a good watch and be careful.

Captain Mike Harris