Sunday, April 17, 2016

Safe crossing, dolphin and a marlin!

A group of dolphin right under the bow of the Liahona

About 3 days ago a great weather window presented itself to cross back over to the Baja peninsula so ourselves and about a dozen other boats jumped on the opportunity and set sail for southern portion of Baja California Sur which lies about 200 miles west from Mazatlan.  Winds were predicted to be very light from the SW so most headed direct to La Paz or farther north.  My sister scheduled a last minute trip to Cabo so we headed to the southern tip to see her and then pick up my nephew Rawly and youngest son Tallen in Cabo on the 19th.

The winds were not light as predicted which made for a long night's sail in pretty rough seas and blustery conditions.  It wasn't bad but just not a comfortable, flat ocean motor sail that we had anticipated. The last 3 hours or so was a beat into 20-25 knots of wind right on the bow which was a rough, slow ending to the overnight crossing.

On a high note the Liahona hooked into another marlin about 15 miles off the coast of Cabo San Lucas. Under full sail and blustery winds it was lot of work to get all the sail down then continually circle around the 7' long beast before we could get him to the side of the boat.  Well over an hour later we had him next to the boat for some pics then we released him back into the beautiful blue waters of the Sea of Cortez.  What a great way to cap off a crossing!

 Trying to get him up to the boat.

 Off the stern while I wrestle him toward me.

 That is the Liahona's rudder on the right.  He went under the boat several times and we thought for sure the line would snap chafing under the boat on the rudder, keel and prop.

 Beautiful creature.



Along the way we also came across a large pod of small dolphin that sailed along with us for several minutes allowing us to get some great shots with the GoPro of them in their beautiful underwater world of the deep blue.

 Over a dozen just in the field of view.
A tight group gracefully playing in the bow wake.

 The Liahona from the marlin's point of view.


We are glad to be back in the Baja!  Ciao for now.

SV Liahona
Bret and Marne

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