"The adventure begins - Marina del Rey to Ensenada"

Life outside the PMYC Fishbowl

After living more than 2 months in front of PMYC’s fishbowl, it was time to cut the lines and go cruising. Although we miss the knocks on the window, the rating scales, the cheering and booing department, helpful comments about our “hillbilly front deck” and even the occasional cell phone calls during visual on-deck projects, we LOVE sitting here at Cat Harbor enjoying the view with only the stars twinkling on us.

As we had been threatening to leave for a while, we randomly picked June 10th as our final departure date. We did not realize that June 11th was PMYC’s birthday party, aka “Casino Night”. Thankfully Sue recently returned from Vegas.

After a famous steak dinner with the Jeffries’ gang at “Petrelli’s”, we arrived back at the boat to find it nicely “TP’d” from top to bottom. It wasn’t difficult to figure out who the main instigator and associates were. An unknown to us go-away party was underway at PMYC, while we were at dinner. Thanks for the going away gifts, especially Fred and Ellen’s giant bottle of Grey Goose. It will be cherished.

Friday June 10th we wake up bright and early to run final errands, wash the boat down one more time with fresh water and fill up the water tanks. Friends started to gather early at PMYC to send us off. After a few last minute cocktails at the club, it was time to cut the lines. While the tunes of Unkle Monkey played, (thanks Steve for the music and the monkey) Frankie kept cutting and re-cutting the same dock line.

Off we went amidst a cheering crowd on PMYC’s guest dock to our next destination…., Randy’s fuel dock. We filled up our tanks, said good bye to Randy and headed out to sea as Mike and Candy waved goodbye from their main channel balcony.

Our first destination was Cat Harbor where we arrived after a leisurely sail past the West End of Catalina. We settled in the anchorage against the wall between the two sea bass fish pens, relaxed and toasted to the beginning of a new chapter in our life.

Saturday we watched the MDR sail boaters cross the finish line in Cat Harbor and BBQ’d with friends at Del Rey YC (Don Currie, Leslie Bond, Jaime Cantu, John South, Marty Fliegel, among others). Afterwards we hooked up with fellow cruisers, the “Mayor of Ballona Creek”, Hans Etter, Eddie, Kat & Rob. We learned not to drink bluish drinks. made by Bacardi (Zombie). It looked more like watered down anti freeze. We’d rather stick to our pinkish looking Grenades.

After a few days of “boat cleaning”, we took a road trip to Avalon with Al and Karen. We played tourists while Karen was at the dentist. Actually, we ended up at JL’s Locker for a few cocktails with Al while we waited for Karen. When we arrived back to the Isthmus at Al & Karen’s house, we turned on the news to learn about the possible tsunami attack. “Suddenly Tsunami” was in full force.

We spent a few more days in Cat Harbor and motor sailed around to meet the gang in Avalon for Father’s Day. A good time was had by all. Everyone departed on Sunday as we ventured north up the coast to White’s Landing for the evening. It was so beautiful and peaceful that we stayed a few extra days. It also helps to know the Harbor Patrol for runs to Avalon and ice. Thanks Bruce.

It was time to return to civilization for a few days. We had a marvelous sail to our new temporary home at the guest dock at Cabrillo Beach Yacht Club in San Pedro. It is a wonderful facility with generous, friendly members. We rented a car and headed north to run errands. The two weeks of relaxation was gone the minute we hit the 405. All we wanted was to return to the boat and get back out to the tranquility of the ocean. When we returned to the boat the next day, we had several visitors. Bees. The sun was about to set and the bees went away. The next morning the bees were back in full force swarming the boat. Not just the galley as the day before, but all around the boat. Sue threatened to end cruising then. Alex went down below and killed several of the bees. Sue agreed to return to the boat. She remained in the galleys spraying Clorox all over the galley and at new bees. The fly swatter is a very effective tool.

That evening we were able to attend the “Lobster Feast” dinner at CBYC. They fed 280 people with Maine lobsters flown in early in the morning, a bag of clams, corn on the cob coleslaw and bottles of wine on every table. We were having such a terrific time, we made arrangements to stay another day. The conversation turned to our bee’s drama. A few members were shocked and told us of a similar story in Long Beach. A swarm of bees took over a lifeguard stand and a hardware store. It was still to be determined if they were African bees. Thankfully our bees left when the Clorox was sprayed. We’ll never know.

On a sad note, Sue’s grandmother passed away at this time. She will be missed.

It was time to work on the boat so we headed back to the island. Again we had another marvelous sail. With the 4th approaching, we were having difficulty finding a slip on the mainland. You guessed it. We stayed in White’s Landing. On one of our daily trips to the hardware store in Avalon, we bumped into Bob Smith. We were able to join him, Helene and some of their friends for a few cocktails at J.L.’s. We also saw “Oasis” and stopped by to visit with Bob and Carol. They invited us aboard “Oasis” with their family on the 4th to watch the fireworks. We couldn’t have asked for better company, burgers or a view. Thanks Bob and Carol!

With the anchorage to ourselves again, it was time to relax. We enjoyed a few more days in White’s and decided it was time to return to our cruising schedule.

With the 4th of July festivities behind us, we headed for Dana Point on Wednesday. We dropped anchor opposite of Dana Point Yacht Club. Thursday night we were able to use their guest dock, as 3 reserved boats turned out to be no-shows. The DPYC Thursday night prime rib dinner is still incredible as ever. It’s highly recommended. While approaching Dana Point Harbor we were greeted by a red tide, which continued all the way down to Point Loma.

Friday morning we left for Oceanside, where we took a municipal slip over night. Oceanside Yacht Club had their docks full of boats for a charity regatta to be held this specific weekend. They tried to encourage us to stay for the weekend, but we opted to continue on to Mission Bay. We anchored for 2 nights in Mission Bay in as always flat waters.

Monday afternoon we arrived at South Western Yacht Club on Shelter Island. We were greeted by several club members. One of them, Frank Slatter, offered to drive us around for our shopping needs, which we gladly accepted. He did it for several days. Another member, Carlos (actually a former PMYC member and Port Captain under Lucas Willemse) offered us the use of his computer for email purposes. We spent some time with Carlos and his wife updating them on the doings at PMYC.

After 3 days it was time for another great venture across to Silver Gate Yacht Club. There we were actually assigned a slip belonging to one of their cruising members. Again, an incredible hospitality, very similar to PMYC’s.

Yes folks, the water maker is finally installed and working properly. After having to trouble shoot a mysterious fault for 3 full days (it would start and stop after 2 minutes), a missing magnet in the Clark pump was determined to be the culprit. With the help from Spectra and the local Spectra dealer, Daily Marine on Shelter Island, the magnet was installed at its proper location. Voila, it ran and ran and ran finally producing 15 gallons of water an hour.

While getting some last minutes spares at Downwind Marine, we ran into George from Presidio Yacht Club in SF. George had spent 3 days at PMYC around April with his 33 foot electro motor powered sailboat. Big hellos followed a long lunch and some beers, where he thanked us again for PMYC’s hospitality during his stay. George is spending the summer in SD after having gone as far south as Turtle Bay in spring.

One more stop at Costco, Trader Joe’s for a couple of cases of 2 Buck Chuck, Smart and Final, Vons, West Marine, Downwind Marine and the fuel dock, the waterline is gone again. In true PMYC fashion the members of Silver Gate Yacht Club treated us to several rounds of drinks at their bar before letting us depart in the afternoon. We headed for La Playa anchorage for some dinner and a brief Siesta, before our evening departure to Ensenada, some 65 miles to the South.

We departed SD around 9 PM, Sunday, July 24th, under twinkling stars and a half moon. We sailed outside of the Coronados until about 1:00 AM, when the wind decided to take a rest. It was motoring from there on all the way to Ensenada’s Cruiseport Marina, where we arrived Monday morning, July 25th around 8:00 AM. And the winner of the secret pool is……….??????????. We haven’t heard it officially yet, just thru the grapevine that a certain “Butte” won the overall pool. Is that Bob, Carol or the dog? We would love to hear an official confirmation.

Also, it took us a month and half to go from Marina del Rey to Ensenada. We managed to beat Paradise aka Turtle Express’ (Sid and Manuela) elapsed record.

After checking in with the marina and a long shower, we headed to town to file our paperwork with the Mexican authorities. What a fantastic system they now have in force in Ensenada. One building will get everything taken care of. We will write a several article about it for the next issue of The Log.

Cruise Port Marina is located in downtown Ensenada, next to the Cruise ship docks. There is no surge whatsoever and the town is only a 10 minute walk away. No need for taxis. Everything is within walking distance. We spoke to several other boaters. All of them had actually been before at Coral’s and decided to move to Cruiseport for the better location.

Now the real cruising life is starting, 80 cents fish tacos and a cold beer for lunch at the local street taco stand is pure heaven.

We went to the new La Vendimia Yacht Club in Ensenada last Thursday. They have once a week from 4 to 7 PM Happy Hour for it’s members with 2 for 1 drinks, free appetizers (BBQ ribs, potato salad, Mexican pizzas, asparagus, marinated hot dogs, etc..) Bob, what do you think? I’m sure you would have a huge crowd at PMYC. They have a very unique and entertaining crowd at this YC. PMYC’s burgee is hanging on the wall and we encourage every member to stop in.

This weekend we will be by car at Puerto Salinas Marina, where a fishing tournament is underway. Lynn Sisco, the local Parrothead President invited us for a day of fun under the sun. Lynn’s hospitality and friendship is well known.

Well folks, it’s time for you guys to start new bets. We are planning to leave beginning of next week for points south. More to follow soon ………. as time progresses…….