Re: seattle to mexco: SSB, Windvane,watermaker,bimini or dod
southern baja is known for winds.
across baja in certain seasons is much wind, across sea of cortes, also.
baja haha time isnt usually during those known times although stranger things have been known to happen. just be ready to reef instantly.
it can become very busy very suddenly on outside of cedros. the winds are joined by a large southerly swell and it gets busy on pacific --we went inside, between cedros and the main peninsula of baja--there is flatter water there, some less wind, but has venturis and windshadows.
. watch at south end of island -- abreojos and punta eugenia--avoid the rocks. i had local knowledge sailing with me--was wonderfully beautiful passage.
we had already killed the starter so we were being cautious.
we got the 60 kt chubasco just north of cabo. in my heavy boat with split rig, it was a gas. in a lighter sloop it would have been survival time, yes. we hit 8.4 kts during that with only reefed mizzen and reefed jib in place. what a ride--those winds had totally ceased by time we left cabo after fueling, less than one hour later.
the chubasco lasted us about two to two and half hours.
be ready and be cool .. it will be a fun ride and you , in early nov, late oct, should not have those yet. but...
the pacific is either flat calm or busy at any time of year. is all downhill and intermittent gales. if someone promises you gale force winds, thank them and see calm. is pacific.
smooth sailing and happy prepping--
to answer the question about hanging on an surviving--my heavy ketch is by far easier to sail in a wind than a performance sloop---wow--this was fun.
gom was hard work, with fin and spade and autohelm. similar winds at many times.
btw--in those winds, you want to have neither a dodger nor a bimini unless you are sailing a heavy ketch, even then, have good feel for wind strength.
