Our second attempt at reaching Mazatlan lasted for two days.
Moderate southerly winds changed to NW as day one progressed with our main sail
and jib pushing us southbound. The following seas hit at a higher frequency
than predicted (sensing a trend?) and delivered uneven bashing that was
unpleasant and jostling to the crew and the boat. As the NW winds increased so
did the seas. Everything was lashed down and stowed. The hook holding our mesh
bags full of veggies for our passage broke free and I caught most before we had
a salon full of salad. That would have been a good video clip, I’d imagine.
The wish for ”following seas” as one heads out on a journey is
no longer my idea of fun. I readily admit, I was not looking forward to two
more days of the same. As we headed past San Ignacio Farallon rock outside of
Topolobampo, the captain relinquished and we rounded to the south side to make
our way in.
Crossing against the chop took six hours toward the
entrance. As some know, it’s a very long and shallow way in to the harbor at
Topolobampo. Following the buoys into the channel is critical and slow going. We
followed large ship traffic past Buoy 11 and 12 in the main channel, then they continued
N and we headed NW toward the marina. We stopped to enter additional waypoints,
and suddenly our first dolphins snorted next to the boat to welcome us. In the
darkness, surprise blows make you jump!
Through salty binoculars, we saw marina lights glisten in
the distance at 11pm. It was at that instant we ran aground – aligned exactly
between Buoy 7 and 8 in the inner harbor. Alone in the darkness, we had little
choice but to drop anchor then fell fast asleep exhausted from the journey and
dark passage into the harbor. We were gleefully awoken at 5AM to the boat tipped,
then rocking gently – we were freed from the mud! We quickly raised anchor and made
our way to the marina where we spent New Year’s cleaning the boat, doing
repairs and resting.
I didn’t mind a stop at Topolobampo (the only other place I
know that has 5 vowels, just like my home town of Oconomowoc!). We’d been here
exactly two years ago with cruising friends, so are familiar with the town and
its story [
http://ecollections.lib.csufresno.edu/specialcollections/collections/topolobampo_collection.php].
New Years’ day found us enjoying fresh seafood cocktails at a street stand with
a view to the bay. It was at the intersection of several streets so was
reminiscent of Italy, great for people watching.
So we’ve decided to stay a couple more days until weather
allows. We’ll bus to Los Mochis and El Fuerte then continue our quest south, into
hopefully more mellow seas, the welcome sights and sounds of Mazatlan, and our
friends who arrive from Canada – now before us – on the 4th.
