T&T: La Paz

[Bonnie@nethere.com]

My late husband I spent six years in Mexico, 1995 to 2002 from the Sea of
Cortezto the Bahias de Huatulco, cruising with the seasons. Cruising, in
our book, didn't mean going from one marina to another. We preferred to be
at anchor. Every summer we left the boat for two to three weeks in La Paz,
where we kept our car, to drive up to San Diego. As long as you take care
of the proper temporary import documents etc., and prepare the boat for
possible heavy weather while you are gone, i.e. clear the decks, button it
up, and put out double lines, it is as safe as it is at home. Being summer,
we always planned with one eye to the weather and never left it when a
hurricane was brewing. We did experience tropical storms and hurricanes,
both at the dock and at anchor up the sea, but were always on the boat.

You will find all the help you need from the morning net, from Marina de La
Paz, from fellow cruisers, and former cruisers now based on land. We also
utilized Marina Palmira and Don Jose Abaroa's marina; there are a few new
ones now. When we were on the boat we preferred to anchor off the Magotte.
But taking the tidal swings into account, we'd reanchor once a week or
every two weeks to keep the anchor from fouling and slipping the hook.
There are breezes every afternoon to keep everything cooler, although we'd
run the A/C during the siesta time until the breeze started.

Mazatlan has its own charm. I prefer the old city and in spite of lack of
failities, we liked anchoring in the harbor and traveling the bus into
the central area; when staying up on the "Zona Dorado", after what is
sometimes and "E- Ticket" ride in the entrance when the waves are up, there
is a choice between the more economical Marina Mazatlan and across the way
at the upscale Marina El Cid. There is definitely a friendly cruiser's
community and the morning net is how one's day get's organized.

In Banderas Bay we liked to stay a La Cruz, spending a few days in one of
the marinas for some shore time, but I understand there are many changes
going on there. It was perfectly safe to leave our boat in any of the
marinas if we had to go home.

I too, love Mexico and could go on and on abouyt the wonderful places and
people. I would still be there if I could. My new husband and I however,
have agreed to do the great loop next and perhaps do a "trading places"
with a canal boat in Europe one summer.

Bonnie Wright

formerly M/V Serenity, Albin 44
now M/V Third Time, Albin 40
San Diego



----- Original Message -----
From: "J Rudolph" <reddog322@earthlink.net>
To: <trawlers-and-trawlering@lists.samurai.com>
Sent: Thursday, September 21, 2006 11:30 PM
Subject: T&T: La Paz


> Does anyone on the list have recent experience with the various marinas
> in La Paz, Mexico.  I would appreciate hearing
> pros and cons of these establisments.   Considering taking my boat
> south in November and am looking for a
> place to winter.  Can one leave their boat and expect it to be safe in
> these places? Also Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta. Prices look
> pretty high from the websites for some.
>
> John
> M/V Kiapoko
> Kadey-Krogen Northsea 48
> Brisbane
> _______________________________________________
> http://lists.samurai.com/mailman/listinfo/trawlers-and-trawlering