As we really need to get to Mazatlan in time to get Covid testing done and get on the plane by Feb. 3 to fly back to Sacramento for the skiing trip with the kids and grandkids, we are planning to leave and sail south. Somethings we need to do is get fuel, get drinking water (our water maker still has issues). So, we checked the weather, Tuesday WINDY, VERY. Wednesday through Friday not so much, Saturday Windy. So, we looked out the window, by noon on Tuesday, the water was flat calm, smooth. Almost no wind at all. But we are about 7 miles in from the Sea here and somewhat protected.
By late afternoon the wind had started to come up, and by 7 pm or so, I turned on the instruments to check the windspeed, bouncing to 40 knots. Which is VERY windy. We are thankful we are in a marina. In the meantime, we walked to the store and got a few supplies. I worked on the blog, which required going up to the office to get on WiFi. I was able to publish about the last 2 weeks worth of posts and pictures. We had a quite dinner and as the wind calmed down a bit, we got some sleep.
Wednesday we got up at 7:30 with plans to get underway by about noon. We walked out to get water and check the fuel dock. Double checked the price of fuel and height of the dock to see where we needed to have fenders in place. We have an option, either take the boat to the fuel dock and deal with figuring out how to get the fenders high enough to block the boat away from the dock, or take Jerry cans to the gas station and carry it back to the boat and pour it in. Both are somewhat difficult, and for once the cost of fuel here does not have the added dockage fees. We have paid as much as 12% for docking the boat while getting fuel. While that sounds high, consider the fuel docks in the states. Typically the fuel at the dock is about $1 more per gallon than at the gas station. Which is between 25 and 33%. We are still deciding which way to go with this, and waiting for the wind to come down a bit more. It is not horrible, but still bouncing around 10-15 knots.
As we are still thinking about this, and doing the last minute stuff, Omar came back to tell us that the port is “closed” that is a determination by the Port Captain. Leaving Port with a closed port results in Fines, and issues with the authorities. NO THANKS! So, we will stay here until they open the port. Maybe while we wait we will get diesel.
We woke up and it was calm, and Predict Wind (the weather app we use) said it would be a great day to head south. I walked over to the fuel dock to check out how to approach with the boat to get fuel and Renee’ filled our water bottle for drinking water. Our water maker is still not making great water, it is acceptable, but not great so we get drinking water from the store. About that time Omar came and told us the port was closed and we could not leave, as in not even go get fuel. So, back to plan B and carry jerry cans. Oh well.
