Coastal Cruising the Cortez

Posted By: Jay Hammer
Date: 5/9/07 10:57a.m.

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50th Anniversario Small Boat Cruise to La Paz The Historic 1956 “Bob Francis” full–length cruise of the Cortez by two 16’ outboard boats was the first of its kind made by tourists. This was done in November 1956. In 1957 Ray Cannon with Gene Perry took a trailer boat trip from San Felipe down to Isla Lorenzo. In 1958 Tuna Club member Philip Clock cruised with a 15’ outboard boat to Cabo San Lucas. This was at this time the longest small boat cruise of record on the Cortez. Afterwards in 1959 “Shipwreck Charlie” Cohen in a 24 foot outboard reached La Paz and so small boat cruising the Sea of Cortez was born. “Los Cruceros” In Western Outdoor News, January 11, 1957 headline article: FOUR HARDY SMALL DEVOTEES IN HISTORIC “FELIPE-LA PAZ TRIP. Commodore Eternal, Ray Cannon said; “My first lengthy small boat voyage in the Sea of Cortez was with Eugene Perry and a couple of friends who had trailered their 20’ cabin cruisers to San Felipe”. It was to be called the “Charmed Cruise” and would be later changed to leave from Kino and the creation of the fabled “Kino Course”, once a requirement for membership in the Vagabundos Del Mar. “This was my introduction to small boating in the Sea of Cortez, and the trip was a thing of joy from start to finish”. So said Ray Cannon on his first small boat cruise. Well folks this year The Vagabundos Del Mar are going down to the sea again in our little ships and following the historical “ San Felipe Course” only done once previously by Ray Cannon; Commemorating 50 years of small boat cruising on the Sea of Cortez. We will travel the way of the famous “Middrift Cruise “ operations, which ply the sea from pangas towed by mother ships. We will explore and raft up in areas hardly frequented by man even today. Testing a hot springs if the tide is right and doing some wonderful fishing and diving in pristine areas and of course our world famous “Raft Up’s are just a few of things planned. If you haven’t figured it out yet we’re talking about the Vagabundos 2007, 14th Annual Small Boat Cruise “The San Felipe Course” which has been changed into the 50th Anniversario Small Boat Cruise to La Paz; stopping for a Vagabundo Dorado Tournament in Loreto on the way. Since almost everybody who signed up is planning on coastal cruising down to La Paz, we’re just going to make it official. Also making it easy for the “Los Cruceros” to participate in the World Famous Vagabundo Dorado Tournament. Here’s the Plan. We are going to meet (6/22) 12 Noon at the parking lot between the Best Western and the Holiday Inn John Jay Express motel, 1.6 miles north of the border off highway 111 (turn right on Cole) 2501 Scaroni Avenue, Calexico, Ca (760) 768 6048) Calexico. I personally am going to stay the night of 6/21 at the Holiday Inn (very nice) and then the next morning (6/22) provision across the road at the 24 hour Super Walmart. Then meeting the group in the parking lot at Noon between the Best Western and Holiday Inn. We then group up and caravan down to San Felipe. I will hand out an information packet with maps/details for the cruise. We plan to arrive in San Felipe at Hotel “El Cortez” (011 52 686 577 1055) at about 3:30P.M. We will have an organizational meeting in the Cortez waterfront Restaurant at 6:00P.M. If the tide is high enough we will launch (6/23) at 9:30 AM. From the Hotel ramp. Victor Rodriguez has made arrangements for storage and security for our rigs at the hotel. Contact me at jayshammer .com for futher information on this and Cortez Hotel Accomodations. If the tide is not high enough we will go down to the harbor and use their launch ramp which is good at any time during the day. We will cruise south to Puertecitos (52 miles). If the tide is right we will try some natural hot springs off the beach and then find anchorage in Puertocitos Bay. Then go in for a dinner at fine Puertocitos Restaurant or get some gas (out of drum). (6/24) The next day on to Gonzaga/Willard (50 miles) exploring the Isla Encatadas for fishing and diving on the way. Leaving the protected Gonzaga/Willard bays (6/25) we will cruise into “Hell” as described in earlier explorations; Puerto Refugio; Angel of Guarda, one of the most fascinating places on the Sea of Cortez. (6/26) We will then cruise back into civilization at Bay of LA (80 miles from Gonzaga) BOLA. At this point we are planning to spend a day or so to clean up, relax and gas up (6/27) at Casa Diaz. . (6/28) We then head south to Bahia Fransiquito (50 miles). 6/29) Cruise out of Fransiquito and on to Santa Rosalia (gas up) . (6/30) Santo Rosalia to Loreto with maybe a brief stop at Punta Chivato for lunch. (7/1) Anchored up in Loreto/ Juncalito or Puerto Escondido attend Dorado Tourney meeting (TBA). Fish the tournament 7/2-3-4. (7/5)Leave Puerto Escondido and head for Aqua Verde and fire some clam shooters. (7/6) Leave Aqua Verde and on to Bahia Fransiquito for a night on the “Sandy Hook”. (7/7) Cruise into La Paz (Marina La Paz) and spend a day to rest and gas up. Then on 7/9 retrace our steps back up the road to San Felipe. Minimum items for 50th cruise Mexican courtesy flag Vagabundo burgee US 50 star flag --Ensign not acceptable Boat Registration/Mexican boat permits, Mexican Insurance, Fishing licenses (one for each person on boat whether they fish or not.) ; Vag Office Up to date engine/outdrive/lower unit service Put boat in water and run it—all speeds! Spare props, filters, oils Lower unit, and motor oil, replace impellors, etc. Special tools (2+) Batteries new? Trojan 6v are great. Mexican batteries are fair Parts can take a long time to get. Oversize bow and stern anchors w/ boat length of chain and 200 ‘ rope. Life jackets, suspenders are nice to wear, throw ring US coast Guard equip. Visual distress Flares, first aid kit, etc. Tow line, Spotlight, flash lights with batteries Fenders for rafting Blender and appropriate stock for Margarita Contest Dock lines Charts, Gerry Cunningham’s are the best “Middle Gulf” and “Lower Gulf” (Vag Office cheaper), also Gerry’s Tide charts and GPS guides. Most accurate on the market. VHF radio and handheld (handy); SSB nice for weather reports Dinghy Camera W/cables for computer, or film & good Batteries Pesos (no problems with exchange rate), ATM card (two is better) GPS, Compass (can be ½ mile off with 1900 British chart), use Gerry’s cruise charts. FUEL CANS, five gallon or more, 200 mile Minimum range. Water, drinking for 4 days Fishing lic. Boat permits Vag office, Passport recommended Fire extinguisher (fully charged) Check Nav lights, anchor light. Copy of boat insurance (Mex/US) for marina. Plenty of oil if needed to mix with gas. Sunscreen, sun glasses, broad brim hat, Bimini, shade Sun Shower Mirror Cell Phone (Cingular has plan for Mexico that works),or rent satellite phone. Bottle of Joy for sea bath Binoculars FMT (Visa for more than three days in Mexico) get at border. Dry food stores (rice, pancake, spaghetti, flour, can goods, etc) Trash bags, cleaning towels, boat soap, etc. Recommended reading: Sea of Cortez by Ray Cannon, The Unforgettable Sea of Cortez by Gene Kira, Baja Boaters Guide Volume II Sea of Cortez by Jack Williams, Baja Sea Guide Two by Leland Lewis; Gerry Cunninghams Tide Charts, GPS Chart, Light list, and Sea of Cortez Cruising guide Middle Gulf,