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Baja California is not the same as Southern California. Sampaguita left Ensenada at 4:30PM on Tuesday, November 7th. Not an ideal leaving time with an hour of sunlight left, but we had a couple lessons about Mexican time. First, a common answer here is “mañana.” Second, some agencies run on PST, while others run on DST. For example, the Puerto Capitán’s office closed at 2PM. “But it’s only 1PM?” Not for them…. Read More
Viva La Mexico. A new chapter has begun as Sampaguita arrived in Baja California’s Ensenada this morning about 10AM. It was a long slog from San Diego that took about 25 hours. But we weren’t the only ones. We planned on an all day and an overnight, but apparently that’s the sail du jour. There were no fewer than four of us who did the same thing. The crux of the biscuit… Read More
Well, almost. Sampaguita sits in the Newport Beach, CA anchorage, about as close as she can get by water. She was built by Pacific Seacraft of Fullerton, CA in 1985. Sampaguita had an excellent sail from Santa Catalina Island to arrive in Newport Beach with the rising sun(and dense fog.) We had a fairly steady SE breeze of 5-10 knots crossing the San Pedro Channel which kept us moving on a starboard… Read More
Say that three times fast. Sampaguita and I are still resting here at Twin Harbors. For logistical reasons, we decided there was no rush to get to San Diego. The Baja HaHa Rally boats are likely beginning to congregate there, and we don’t wish to compete for anchorages and services with that group. Since they are an organized event with the support of San Diego Harbor, it might be that Sampaguita could… Read More
My sister thought Santa Catalina Island was a resort and a little posh. She is correct. But it’s a good refuge here in Cat Harbor and since Sampaguita draws so little water we are able to anchor in the back bay. This is good because the harbor entrance is the only other anchoring choice, and not at all a good one. That, or moorings are $60 per night. $60 for a 24… Read More
It seems that everyone from California has been saying, “Get around Point Conception earlier rather than later,” in an ominous tone. Well, Sampaguita has done it. In true Flicka 20 style, she rounded it in the dark last night. (The sound of the invisible surf can be ominous.) I say true style because she’s perpetually two hours late. It’s not her fault. Her legs are short, and can only expect to average… Read More
Sampaguita‘s circumnavigation of Vancouver Island in June, 2023 inspired some new Resourceful Sailor pieces. Here’s one about reinstalling a Navico Tillerpilot 1600. I decommissioned this gear when I bought Sampaguita in 2013 for various reasons, but recently brought it out of retirement. Thanks to Monica and ‘Lectronic Latitude, Latitude 38’s online mag, for publishing it on July 17, 2023. Click the link below to be redirected to the article: https://www.latitude38.com/lectronic/2023/07/17/#resourceful-sailer-reinstalls-electronic-autopilot
Small boats take extra careful consideration for everything. I decided I needed a self-steering mechanism but weight, space, and cost were all major considerations. After much research, measuring, and envisioning, I decided on a Windpilot Pacific Light. With a bit of luck to boot, the installation and fit seemed to have worked out so far. Everything is in exactly the only place it could go, but it seems to be good enough…. Read More
sailingwithjosh
Sailing With Josh 