Sailing/Camping South of San Filipe Mexico

I want to take, a camping trip to just south of San Filipe Mexico, on my Hobie 18, and want to know if anyone has done what I am attempting to do. If you have please give me advice, and maybe some locations to stop at.

My plan:
Drive to San Filipe, Mexico from San Diego with my Hobie 18 on my trailer, then launch in San Filipe. I will then load the boat with supplies and sail south. My girl friend will be accompanying me. I want to sail 4-7 hours each day, depending on wind, and weather, then camp, on a beach at night. We can sail more than that, but we just want to relax. I want to sail 3 full days south and then sail back at about the same pace. Ive heard the wind will be against me on the way back, so it may take an extra day.

What I want to know is where should I leave my truck and trailer while gone? I have a 2000 ranger, its nothing fancy, and any tips on where to land for the nights? I know you can camp almost anywhere, but maybe some one knows an amazing spot to camp on the beach. My GF and I are experienced campers, and I am a very experienced sailor, she is mediocre at sailing. What spare parts should I bring? I have an extra Hobie 18 that I am parting out so I got a extra everything. Except rudder castings, I just sold those on ebay.
I will also be adding some netting to the fwd sections of the hulls, just ahead of the fwd crossbar for extra cargo space.

We want to do this early April. Also any other Hobie enthusiast are welcome to come, I know Mexico has a reputation for robbing, murdering and jailing people, so please ignore those aspects within any advice given.

Thanks
JD

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ALLEY CAT 1984 RED LINE HOBIE 18 MAGNUM
Sail # 10505 or 277

Leave an armed guard with you truck, hire a zodiac with a 50mm machine gun mounted on the front and hire someone who can shot the thing to follow you down the coast and back up. I have heard too many stories about Mexico and what happens to good people down there.

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06 getaway -- always remember, man with both feet in mouth have no leg to stand on.

Check out Brian Joder's account from 1991:

http://www.hobiehawk.com/BajaAdv.html

My friend used to have a place in Puertocitos, about 50 miles south of SF. Cool spot, but it's kind of a ghost town now due to some weird city politics. I guess it's privately owned or something. I've done that stretch of baja many times driving various off road vehicles, it's desolate and lacks amenities but you'll never see more stars in the sky unless you're offshore in a sailboat. I always thought I'd retire down that way like all the other malcontent ex pats , but it's too volatile this day in age.

Sounds like a great adventure, wish I could go with you!

P.S. Find someone and pay them to watch your truck! A hotel? A resort? A retired Gringo? I'd call the El Cortez Hotel.

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Sail Revolution
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Drive north to san diego put boat back in water don't leave your truck and trailer in mexico unattended.

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Rich Vilvens
F-18 5150
[email protected]
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/f-185150sailing/

JD - Before you and your girlfriend go on a sailing trip south of San Felipe, contact this group and sail with them to Catalina and the Channel Islands.
It should be safer and you'll gain a lot of valuable experience.
Rich


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Or maybe it is the yearning for tranquility-to walk on a deserted beach with birds, salty breezes, and the rhythmic wash of waves as our companions. You don't have to go far to find such a place. Off the coast of southern California the Channel Islands seem to float on the horizon like ribbons of dark rock. Named for the deep troughs that separate them from the mainland, the eight islands and their encircling waters are home to more than 2,000 species of animals and plants-145 are found nowhere else on Earth. Isolation over thousands of years and the mingling of warm and cold ocean currents give rise to the rich biodiversity of these islands

I would check with Rv/campground,they should let you park there for a fee,they will keep an eye on it .

My family and I are living about 6 hours south of San Felipe on the Baja Peninsula. Tijuana may not be the safest place to hang out for an extended period of time but down in the more rural areas (San Felipe) its safer than any American city. Like anywhere in the world if you try hard enough to find the bad sides of town or get into trouble you likely will. There will always be isolated scary stories but that is the exception not the norm. Stop watching so much news. I live here with my wife and three young children and feel very safe. We have never, in six months, felt threatened in anyway. Just go have fun. The windy season just started!

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I wish winter was not so long in Sask. Canada. It's hard to sail on ice! 1984 16' hobie cat Sail# 84848

I totaly agree with you; but if something does happen you will wish you were back in the states.

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Bodhisatfa

7 day trip on an 18...I went Island hopping on the TVA lakes for 3 weeks with my girlfriend once...let me tell you!
1st lets talk weight!
-you (180-220 lbs?)
- girlfriend (120-170lbs?)
-13lb tent
>7 days worth of food (according to the USDA the average american eats 4.7 lbs per day)
>Water (men=3L /women=2.2L per day)+800/600ml per day if you exercise/sail every day
-33lbs=4.7x7 Food
-98.4lbs water {(6.5Lpdx7)convert to gal=12gal x 8.2#'s=98.4} Divide by two in you plan onrestocking in mexico.
bust out your calculators kiddies!!!!
That's some odd 474lbs give or take a few donuts!
And that doesn't include cookware,creature comforts,clothes,spare parts, USCG crap, etc.
Then theres the issue of space!
our cats were NOT purpose built for holding cargo!
theres little to no room for storing stuff... It becomes a pain I Promise
And last but not least!!!
Imagine being, for lack of a better term, TRAPPED on an 8'x8' square in the ocean (or any body of water for that matter) with 500lbs of stuff and your girlfriend...
It is the best, sure fire, way to start a fight I PROMISE!!
On that note! all said and done It will be great fun!
Take half the crap and twice the cash!
its easier to buy that carry!
really consider what you need to take! (usually I spend 3-6 days going over gear)
Pack clothes&food&essentials in SeaLine bags
Balance the boat!!!
on a cat typically COMFORT=SLOW and vice versa

It will be an adventure
Best of luck

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Jack

I did just that for the inaugural Texas 200. Weight is bad for speed but good for stability. DON'T capsize though. Righting a loaded boat would be tough. Check out http://www.flickr.com/photos/11044365@N00/?saved=1 for some photos of a loaded H18 and how low and wet the boat will be.

Oh, be safe too--it's been a bit crazy lately as others have pointed out.

Dan

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Dan St. Gean
'82 H 18
'96 H Wave

Cool pics Dan. Quite a collection of small sailing craft. I believe I even saw a bathtub with a sail!

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'88 Nationals Blue
Hobie Alter Signature Model
Sail #11

Hobie Mirage Classic

Those would be Puddle Ducks. They all finished while the other H18 had to pull out!

Dan

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Dan St. Gean
'82 H 18
'96 H Wave

I think the PD Racers are way cool. I may build one some day. I just learned of the Texas 200 by looking at your photos and it really has me intrigued. I may have to try that some day.

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'88 Nationals Blue
Hobie Alter Signature Model
Sail #11

Hobie Mirage Classic