Leoma. Back in USA

[JD-MDR]

Big problems with new motor mounts and shaft alignment but I made it back. It was a very comfortable and pleasant cruise. I dont know why everyone says its such a mad beat upwind. I’m dissapointed I didnt sail more. I was too worried about mechanics I just needed to get back. I anchored and realigned the shaft and checked everything four times. Stayed anchored till weather was calm at Turtle Bay, Cedros Isle, Bahia San Quintin. San Diego sucks. Very inhospitable. I heard Mission Bay is good. Im at Dana Point now. So Nice. All in all it was a nice trip weather was perfect. I could spend the rest of my life cruising the Sea of Cortez. No need to go to Hawaii or Alaska. I was freezing here on the Pacific side. Hopefully I will come back next year. Now that I know what to expect maybe. I can bring someone with me

[JD-MDR]

Here is the route

[keneasley]

Sounds like it was a great cruise.
I've often thought of taking a scuba trip beginning at the northern part of the Sea of Cortez but have been frightened off by stories of violence and gangs on the land trip to get there. Probably not a concern for traveling by boat.
FYI - There was a Cape Dory 30K offered for free in my area (SW Connecticut) last Autumn.
I posted a note on the forum but not sure if any takers. The boat needed a new engine but otherwise it looked to be in good shape. Pictures follow:

C_D_30_K_Oct_2021_1.JPG (2.06 MiB) Viewed 1741 times

C_D_30_K_Oct_2021_2.JPG (2.01 MiB) Viewed 1741 times

[JD-MDR]

Thanks Ken for the response. I saw your post of the ketch.
The drive from San Diego. Or Yuma to SanFelipe orPuerto Penasco is not bad at all. I drove from Casa Grande to Penasco a couple months ago

[JD-MDR]

Update 4/16/22
Almost Home. Stayed a few days at Dana Pt and now am at Alimitos Marina(Long Beach). I’ll leave here Sunday night. 80 mi to Ventura.
Everytime I stop the gears wont shift. I have to let it cool and change the oil. I dont know whats wrong. The gear is way hot. The oil is pitch black and very smelly. The motor mount I retapped at Dana Pt seems to be holding but It was only 30 mi. The alignment was way off again.
I hope the boatyard at Ventura will warranty this. I have a feeling I need a new reverse gear. I wonder if the v-drive would also be messed up since I’ve run it so much misaligned. I have set $ aside to repower but I dont want to discard this motor. There is a rebuilt gear w/v-drive on ebay. I may go with that. Im not sailing much. Its all been upwind and I dont feel good with things not functioning correctly. I just want to get home as direct as possible.
Sorry no photos l

[John Stone]

Well damn. I am sorry you had trouble with the engine mounts and tranny. Can you share what you learned about the mounts and tranny since you posted this update? Did you enjoy the good parts enough to offset the difficulties you experienced? Will you make another voyage?

Can you share what you learned that might be beneficial to us?

You really covered some ground. Well done getting there and back. Not everyone could pull that off.

[JD-MDR]

Thanks John. Yes I really did enjoy the cruise down to Cabo San Lucas and up to La Paz. I didnt realize how many awesome places there are to anchor and visit. I hope to bring a crew with me next time so I can go exploring ashore. I'm kindas scared to leave the boat unattended especially in an area I'm not familiar with. There are a million whales all over and there are some lagoons that are dedicated sanctuaries.
I'm going to the boat tomorrow. I've been busy on a job. Some things the yard guys pointed out to me (new Owners) Motor mounts on one side are adjusted all the way to the top and the other side is much lower because the bolt will hit the injector pump. The engine brackets aren't designed right. There is no way to adjust sideways, the motor mounts are tapped into the stringers which I found to be very spongy, It didn't seem to have any steel in the stringer. I went to the boat last Sunday and it was on the hard. I didn't get to talk to anyone. I saw the cutlass bearing is wasted. I will speak to them tomorrow. I told them I am busy out of town for a few weeks so they don't have to hurry. They assured me that they will make it right and I don't have to pay any more. I'll believe that when I see it.
I plan to go back to the Sea of Cortez ASAP. I've scheduled shoulder replacement surgery June 2. after 4 months recovery then I have to do the other side. It hurts really bad and I can't sleep. The doctor said he can't believe I can still work.
I'll post again soon after I speak with the boatyard

[tjr818]

That sounds like a reputable boatyard, however - NEVER tell a boatyard that you are not in a hurry. Mañana is for while you are enjoying Cabo, not before.

[JD-MDR]

Derektor Ventura
It's the same as "Derektor Robinhood" back East. I think one is in Maine and there are several more.
If they really want to be awesome they should consider the inconvienence they caused me.
And I wonder if running all that time has affected my new v-drive or the transmission

[JD-MDR]

[quote="John Stone"

Can you share what you learned that might be beneficial to us?

I got a new chartplotter before I left. It worked great but I didn’t know I needed to buy the $400 Mexican charts. It only gives the over all of the whole Baja Peninsula. Same with Navionics. Luckily I was able to get Navionics Mexican charts when I was close to wifi only $15. I also have Admirality charts, a set of three of the peninsula not details of anchorage and marinas. One very dark night I was going to anchor at Cedros North. I saw another boat and called him for advise. He said he was keeping watch all night cuz he was worried about the anchorage. I was headed strait for him then he started shining his spot lite at the cliffs. He was about 50 ft from the cliff in deep water. if he had not warned me I might have went strait into it. At home a neighbor, who sold out, gave me these guide books. The one by Rains give coordinates to the second where to anchor. Just as the guide said I found the Sandy mesa off
A small beach just about 100 yards south of where the other guy was. But that 10 fathom line is not accurate it was 100' right up to the cliff except where the mesa is. In the mornings I noticed the other boat anchored right next to some big rocks. I think he left in the night. I wish I would have told him to move down where I was.