Thursday, March 20, 2008

Checking out, headed south.

3.20.08 Thurs

A quick check in from the local internet bar just up the road from the marina. The guy was a few hours late today but they didn't turn off the wifi so we got some things done before he got here. He just brought us the COLDEST mugs and Pacifico's I have ever been served. The things literally slushed-up when poured.

All week we have been listening to t-pec reports. We are taking a look at the latest online and it looks like we're in our window for transit.

Richard checked us out this afternoon and we are gathering remaining things up off the docks and getting them stowed. We made another run into town for some fresh foodstuffs and also came back with an important bonus cheesecake, limes and pineapple.

We should be out of the marina tomorrow on the tide (sometime around noon) and possibly run out and anchor one more night for early departure Sat morning. I'll try to get back here this evening for another update, depending on how much is going on.

Wikipedia said it pretty good:
Gulf of Tehuantepec (Spanish: Golfo de Tehuantepec) is a large body of water on the Pacific coast of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, southeastern Mexico, at 16° N 94.8333333° W. Most of the hurricanes that form in the Eastern Pacific organize in or near this body of water. A strong, gale force wind called the Tehuano periodically blows out over the waters of the Gulf of Tehuantepec, inducing strong upwelling of nutrient-rich waters which support abundant sea life.

I hear when conditions are right these winds will channel directly through a set of mountains towards the gulf and can get up to 50 knots. Waves build from there. This is why we pay special attention this next leg. We will hug the coast to be safe and offer a better view for the ones on watch.

B

2 comments:

Unknown said...

So I read this as. This is insanely dangerous, but we have taken enough precautions that it should be fine...

After all we have limes and cheesecake, what could happen??

Unknown said...

Ah, you have passed the first test and now qualify for first mate.

Being a retired Eagle Scout, you can probably tie a required knot or two.

Richard, our skipper says "if you don't know how to tie a proper knot, just tie alot of them

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I think we'd be in good enough shape except we ate most of the cheesecake last night.

We'd better be on guard then.