What to expect Sailing Sea of Cortez
What’s the deal with sailing Sea of Cortez? Isn’t it kind of boring?? Is it scary when the boat tips over? Aren’t there more fun things to do??
“The sheet winches creak, the water murmurs on the bottom as the Joshua gathers way and begins to come alive… People who do not know a sailboat is a living creature will never understand anything about boats and the sea.”
The Long Way, Bernard Moitessier
For our experienced sailing friends, the “Mango Wind” is a Caine and Robertson 45, also known as a Leopard 45 AKA Moorings 45. She underwent a shipyard refit and overhaul stem to stern 2 years ago. Nice rig. We are fitting her out later this spring with a code zero and perhaps also a code 5 to have more fun. Captain, chef and naturalist/guide/diving instructor. Equipped with twin Yanmar diesels, a generator, air con, gas cooking, and Individual heads (bathrooms) and showers in all 3 guest staterooms. The yacht can carry a full complement of kayaks, paddle boards, snorkelling and scuba diving gear. Cold craft beer, good wine and single malt scotch. And a very large cockpit with a shaded outdoor table and couches seating 6 in great comfort.
For all our non-sailors out there, it’s hard to describe the thrill of hoisting sails, catching the wind just right, and feeling the power of wind as the sails fill and the boat accelerates. It’s a joyful experience, especially when you turn the engine(s) off. A day on the water never fails to leave us pleasantly tired, fulfilled, perhaps a bit windburned and sun-kissed, and immensely satisfied with a day well spent. We are not sure who said, “time stands still when you are sailing” but it is so true. Is it thrilling? Absolutely, especially when the wind picks up, and you are on a beam reach going FAST. Will the boat tip over? Nah. It’s fun to be heeled over, but a monohull is not going to capsize in the Sea of Cortez. It’s not like the roaring 40’s in the Austral winter!! And a catamaran barely heels over under sail and is very stable.
What are our favorite trips?? That’s a really hard call. Sailing quietly past blue whale mommas and calves is very special.
My wife and I regularly see the humpback whales in Hawaii but have never seen the Blue Whales which are substantially larger and equally graceful. While they don’t breach like the humpbacks, they are truly amazing and magnificent creatures to behold! This trip was a fantastic opportunity to spend time with them as well as whale sharks, which we had never seen before. It was a wonderful trip filled with adventures and fun!
-Ross
What an amazing adventure! To see so many whales up close in the beautiful setting of the Sea of Cortez was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. A truly magical moment was cruising alongside a group of about 200 dolphins that were playing and jumping in our wake.
-Candy. Denver, CO.
Getting in the water with thousands of mobula rays is also an unforgettable experience.
Cruising with a group of friends or family while we spoil you is priceless. But our “cruise and learn expeditions” (coming soon) have the special promise of guests, starting the week not knowing much about sailing and finishing the week with the self-satisfaction of confidently being able to take the helm.
P.S. Guaranteed that during the week you will learn what “taking the helm” means.
Today’s adventure with the pod of hunting orcas was beyond anything I could have imagined. The orcas circled around our RHIB, passing under and alongside it, providing us with an unforgettable spectacle. At one point, I accidentally dropped my iPhone underwater in its waterproof case and managed to capture a video of two orcas swimming past. It was truly incredible. Many people talk about finding their happy place mentally, and I’ve found mine in the Sea of Cortez.
-Judy Adams. California
* Bernard Moitessier was an incredible sailor. He spent 7 months sailing around the world in the first Golden Globe Race, a solo nonstop circumnavigation rounding the 3 great Capes of Good Hope, Leeuwin, and the Horn. All his competitors were knocked out of the race except for Robin Knox Johnston, but as he closed in on the final leg, he thought “screw it” and headed off for another partial circumnavigation before setting anchor in the Tuamotu Archipelago, Tahiti in June 1969. His account of this adventure, “The Long Way”, is a highly recommended reading.
Captain Mike
Founder