I will taking my 376 to Ensenada in the next few weeks for my "international delivery" requirements. Have any of you made the trip and any suggesions will be greatly appreciated.
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Some thoughts
It is not a bad idea to call the State Board of Equalization to find out exactly what you need to do. They are usually helpful. Document everything about your stay in Mexico. Ask the Marina (Corral?) for receipts (facturas) for everything. There are a few "tests" you need to meet, but if you do, this is a relatively painless process.
It is not a bad idea to call the State Board of Equalization to find out exactly what you need to do. They are usually helpful. Document everything about your stay in Mexico. Ask the Marina (Corral?) for receipts (facturas) for everything. There are a few "tests" you need to meet, but if you do, this is a relatively painless process.
Islas Todos Santos = good practice ground
for Mexican and further Pacific cruising. Beautiful little coves to anchor in (on the Landward facing side), wonderful sea-life, etc. Missing beacons, fishing nets, unlit shrimp trawlers, big coastal traffic (cruise-liners, freighters, aircraft carriers, tankers, submarines, etc.). In short, it will teach you to never let your guard down and how to take the good with the bad. Going into Ensenada you can watch the sea-lions fight for the prime sunning spots on the harbor buoys. If you happen to have a swim platform make sure to tie some lines around it so it does not look all too inviting to an 800 pound sea-lion bull (it is very instructive to see them hop onto the swim platform of a small powerboat that barely weighs more than they do...). Ensenada itself (6-10 years ago) was a friendly town. Unfortunately, the old waterfront has been replaced with MacDonalds, KFC, etc. etc. In town, though, the food is great, the water is pretty safe (like nearly everywhere in Baja) , but I would not buy fish tacos from a street vendor. Going back to San Diego one has to be extremely careful not to take a visual shortcut over the nearly submerged stone jetty (remember SV Morning Dew). However, I assume you already know your way around in SD. Just make sure you do have updated charts and sail strictly by your GPS and depth readings, always keeping a very sharp lookout for surprises. Have fun! Flying Dutchman
for Mexican and further Pacific cruising. Beautiful little coves to anchor in (on the Landward facing side), wonderful sea-life, etc. Missing beacons, fishing nets, unlit shrimp trawlers, big coastal traffic (cruise-liners, freighters, aircraft carriers, tankers, submarines, etc.). In short, it will teach you to never let your guard down and how to take the good with the bad. Going into Ensenada you can watch the sea-lions fight for the prime sunning spots on the harbor buoys. If you happen to have a swim platform make sure to tie some lines around it so it does not look all too inviting to an 800 pound sea-lion bull (it is very instructive to see them hop onto the swim platform of a small powerboat that barely weighs more than they do...). Ensenada itself (6-10 years ago) was a friendly town. Unfortunately, the old waterfront has been replaced with MacDonalds, KFC, etc. etc. In town, though, the food is great, the water is pretty safe (like nearly everywhere in Baja) , but I would not buy fish tacos from a street vendor. Going back to San Diego one has to be extremely careful not to take a visual shortcut over the nearly submerged stone jetty (remember SV Morning Dew). However, I assume you already know your way around in SD. Just make sure you do have updated charts and sail strictly by your GPS and depth readings, always keeping a very sharp lookout for surprises. Have fun! Flying Dutchman
fish tacos
as much as i hate to disagree with Henk, i feel compelled to point out that fish tacos are Ensenada's cultural treasure, and some of the street vendors are absolute maestros at the art of el taco pescado. the biggest problem, as i see it, are that it's virtually impossible to sample the wares of every street vendor in any given day. (a little farther on down the coast, of course, and you'll want to switch from fish tacos to lobster burritos.)
as much as i hate to disagree with Henk, i feel compelled to point out that fish tacos are Ensenada's cultural treasure, and some of the street vendors are absolute maestros at the art of el taco pescado. the biggest problem, as i see it, are that it's virtually impossible to sample the wares of every street vendor in any given day. (a little farther on down the coast, of course, and you'll want to switch from fish tacos to lobster burritos.)
John is 100% right, they taste great, however....
some people seem to have a sensitive GI system. In fact, I suspect the dreaded Montezuma's revenge is most of the time a reaction to different oils and other ingredients. I personally have NEVER had a problem, whether eating fish tacos in Mexico or lap-lap in Vanuatu. So, if your diet has always included a fair amount of strange foods or even sand and ash (if you love camping out) you should have no problem. Flying Dutchman
some people seem to have a sensitive GI system. In fact, I suspect the dreaded Montezuma's revenge is most of the time a reaction to different oils and other ingredients. I personally have NEVER had a problem, whether eating fish tacos in Mexico or lap-lap in Vanuatu. So, if your diet has always included a fair amount of strange foods or even sand and ash (if you love camping out) you should have no problem. Flying Dutchman
Almost forgot the best part.....
When you are sailing to Ensenada you have a unique chance to turn this into an exciting little cruise by returning via Guadeloupe Island; some 150 NM offshore from Ensenada. With the prevailing NW winds you are almost guaranteed a glorious beam reach (when we did this in 1995 we flew like a bat out of hell, pretty much averaging 9 knots for most of the way!). Then there is the very adventurous island itself (see attached description of our trip copied from one of my 1997 rec.boats.cruising posts) and, finally, you may be setting yourself up for a doable sail back to San Diego, still hard on the wind but without the long motoring or motorsailing beat when going straight back from Ensenada. Once you have successfully completed this little offshore return you will be ready for the West Marine Cup race to Hawaii!! Here is our 1997 report: Just in case you end up in the other Guadeloupe (150 miles or so off the Mexican West Coast), here are a few do's and don'ts: DO bring cigarettes, liquor, chocolate chip cookies and/or Playboy magazines to trade for lobster and abalone DO NOT let the local fishermen in their dinghy's tell you where to anchor (we ended up in 90 feet of water, in the middle of the Southern roadsted pinned down on our anchor in 25-30 knots of wind with all our chain out) NEVER EVER serve the "commandante" of the garrison liquor on board of your vessel when there are women on board (he will refuse to leave without female company, according to the skipper of a hapless sailing vessel sharing the anchorage with us). By all means, however, DO try to stop there. The rugged beauty of this place will etch itself deep into your soul. When heading South for Cabo St. Lucas and beyond , e.g. from Ensenada (where the paperwork cha-cha is relatively quick and painless) the offshore route via Guadeloupe can bring some fabulous sailing while keeping you away from coastal fishing nets, reefs, fleets of shrimpers and heavy Panama canal traffic. Flying Dutchman
When you are sailing to Ensenada you have a unique chance to turn this into an exciting little cruise by returning via Guadeloupe Island; some 150 NM offshore from Ensenada. With the prevailing NW winds you are almost guaranteed a glorious beam reach (when we did this in 1995 we flew like a bat out of hell, pretty much averaging 9 knots for most of the way!). Then there is the very adventurous island itself (see attached description of our trip copied from one of my 1997 rec.boats.cruising posts) and, finally, you may be setting yourself up for a doable sail back to San Diego, still hard on the wind but without the long motoring or motorsailing beat when going straight back from Ensenada. Once you have successfully completed this little offshore return you will be ready for the West Marine Cup race to Hawaii!! Here is our 1997 report: Just in case you end up in the other Guadeloupe (150 miles or so off the Mexican West Coast), here are a few do's and don'ts: DO bring cigarettes, liquor, chocolate chip cookies and/or Playboy magazines to trade for lobster and abalone DO NOT let the local fishermen in their dinghy's tell you where to anchor (we ended up in 90 feet of water, in the middle of the Southern roadsted pinned down on our anchor in 25-30 knots of wind with all our chain out) NEVER EVER serve the "commandante" of the garrison liquor on board of your vessel when there are women on board (he will refuse to leave without female company, according to the skipper of a hapless sailing vessel sharing the anchorage with us). By all means, however, DO try to stop there. The rugged beauty of this place will etch itself deep into your soul. When heading South for Cabo St. Lucas and beyond , e.g. from Ensenada (where the paperwork cha-cha is relatively quick and painless) the offshore route via Guadeloupe can bring some fabulous sailing while keeping you away from coastal fishing nets, reefs, fleets of shrimpers and heavy Panama canal traffic. Flying Dutchman
Thanks for your imput
The trip sounds pretty straight forward without alot of complications. The trip to the islands 150NM offshore sounds exciting but a big step for a coastal sailor. But something to work up to. Thanks again. Bob "Andiamo"
The trip sounds pretty straight forward without alot of complications. The trip to the islands 150NM offshore sounds exciting but a big step for a coastal sailor. But something to work up to. Thanks again. Bob "Andiamo"
Offshore delivery
Keep a ships log. Keep your receipts. Get documentation as to your arrival and departure dates. I was audited by the BOE. I passed the test. Stay a few extra days just to be safe. JR
Keep a ships log. Keep your receipts. Get documentation as to your arrival and departure dates. I was audited by the BOE. I passed the test. Stay a few extra days just to be safe. JR
off shore delivery
It's a good idea to have a daily newspaper have someone on the boat photograph you coming on board use a good 35mm camera get a photo of the newspaper and the gps this will provide a delivery date and the actual location of delivery. when you arrive in ensanada probably the corral hotel be sure to check in with the dockmaster. Purchase fuel at thier fuel dock when you arrive and when you leave. it's not a bad idea to have the boat serviced while you are there, keep all of your receipts. including fuel (auto) tolls and food. you need this to show that the boat was being used out of california. Stay a couple of extra days. before you return you can contact US customs and purchase a sticker for $25 then you do not have to clear customs you pull into you slip and call customs they will ask you a couple of questions on the phone and that's usually it. while down there the sailing is really nice and the corral hotel is great. Good Luck with your new boat enjoy it
It's a good idea to have a daily newspaper have someone on the boat photograph you coming on board use a good 35mm camera get a photo of the newspaper and the gps this will provide a delivery date and the actual location of delivery. when you arrive in ensanada probably the corral hotel be sure to check in with the dockmaster. Purchase fuel at thier fuel dock when you arrive and when you leave. it's not a bad idea to have the boat serviced while you are there, keep all of your receipts. including fuel (auto) tolls and food. you need this to show that the boat was being used out of california. Stay a couple of extra days. before you return you can contact US customs and purchase a sticker for $25 then you do not have to clear customs you pull into you slip and call customs they will ask you a couple of questions on the phone and that's usually it. while down there the sailing is really nice and the corral hotel is great. Good Luck with your new boat enjoy it
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