Finding a Hurricane Whole

From Puerto de la Navidad Marina, Barra de Navidad, Mexico

Last night when I called in to get the latest weather report my mom told that the weather system that was 150 miles from me was likely to build into a tropical storm or hurricane and was predicted to track across my path. Most hurricanes in the Eastern Pacific veer WNW but this one was forecasted by three weather models to veer WNW and then NNE towards Cabo san Lucas or more likely Puerta Vallerta. If this came to pass, the system would pass right acriss my route.

There is another system forming down south in the area of the Gulf of Tehuantepec near Huatulco. This one is predicted to barrel up the coast as far as Manzanillo. So, with 2 possible hurricanes bearing down on me, I had to make a move to get out of their path. Since last night the system right behind me was predicted to hit land around Puerta Vallerta, my only option was to back track 120 miles to a port I had passed 100 miles out to seathe day before.

I set my course and began to make the trek back over my hard earned miles. The wind built through the night and by morning I had 30 knots with many big squalls - offshoots of the storm behind me.

About 30 miles out of Manzanillo I called my friend and avid sailor, Brett Thompson (also part of Praxis Universal). I knew he had done tons of sailing up and down this coast. He suggested the bay of Barra de Navidad about 18 miles north of Manzanillo. There were several reasons for this. First, Manzanillo is a busy industrial port. Second, he felt that Barra was a better hurricane whole. Lastly, it was about 5 miles closer so that I would reach the harbor while it was still daylight. It sounded like a good plan so I altered course slightly and slammed along the last 25 mile stretch - making 7 knots under double reefed main and reefed genoa.

As I neared the entrance I had about an hour of sunlight left yet the horizon was black with squalls. I sailed as fast as I could towards the entrance but about a mile off of the point I was slammed by a 40 knot squall. It swallowed up the land and I had zero visibility. The squall passed quickly and I got my visibility back. I made my way toward the little harbor entrance with 8' sharp swells on the beam, knocking Intrepid.

A second squall hit and again I lost sight of anything around me. Coming out of the squall I could see the buoy lights that marked the harbor entrance. I started up the engine and weaved my way thought the shallow entrance to the bay and pulled in to this amazing marina.

Now I've just got to chill here and wait for these storms to pass over.

I'm off to search for a shower and some good food.

Cheers,
Zac