The 3rd and final leg of the journey began early in the morning with the typical roll call. The way this works was pretty amazing. With the objective of "herding" nearly 200 boats in unison from San Diego to Cabo, the organizers of this event (which they have been doing for 17 years) make exceptional use of the VHF and SSB radios with a departure roll call at each stop and at least one or two annnouncements during the day.
In advance, each boat in the fleet is assigned a "class", which helps in the organization, as well as aligns boats of relatively equal size and speed, in case they actually want to race one another to the finish. These classes have fun names, like the Enchillado Division, the Huevos Rancheros Division...you get the idea...and the departing roll call will go through each Division, asking how many people are aboard and whether your boat is starting that day. The "net", as it is called, is repeated once or twice during the day, reporting the weather and sea conditions up ahead, asking for the participant's latitude/longitude position, and asking for wind and speed reports. I was very impressed at ow well ths system worked, and those with the more powerful (and expensive) SSB radios served as relays for those boats back in the fleet with VHF only.
Another benefit to the "net" is safety in numbers. During the second leg of the the voyage, an elderly participant dislocated his hip and was helped to shore, thanks to the communication betweeen boats. And yes, there was a range of ages from the parents who brought their 2 year old son, up to an 84 year old sailor doing the HaHa for the 7th time...!
In any case...
The 3rd and final leg began early in the morning as we raised the anchor, motored slowly out of the Bay and once again sailed into the open sea.
This leg was to consist of only one overnight sail and the cast 'n crew was happily anticipating our arrival in Cabo.
Here are a few pics taken that day, along with some unique shots, approaching Cabo by sea.
In advance, each boat in the fleet is assigned a "class", which helps in the organization, as well as aligns boats of relatively equal size and speed, in case they actually want to race one another to the finish. These classes have fun names, like the Enchillado Division, the Huevos Rancheros Division...you get the idea...and the departing roll call will go through each Division, asking how many people are aboard and whether your boat is starting that day. The "net", as it is called, is repeated once or twice during the day, reporting the weather and sea conditions up ahead, asking for the participant's latitude/longitude position, and asking for wind and speed reports. I was very impressed at ow well ths system worked, and those with the more powerful (and expensive) SSB radios served as relays for those boats back in the fleet with VHF only.
Another benefit to the "net" is safety in numbers. During the second leg of the the voyage, an elderly participant dislocated his hip and was helped to shore, thanks to the communication betweeen boats. And yes, there was a range of ages from the parents who brought their 2 year old son, up to an 84 year old sailor doing the HaHa for the 7th time...!
In any case...
The 3rd and final leg began early in the morning as we raised the anchor, motored slowly out of the Bay and once again sailed into the open sea.
This leg was to consist of only one overnight sail and the cast 'n crew was happily anticipating our arrival in Cabo.
Here are a few pics taken that day, along with some unique shots, approaching Cabo by sea.
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