Mazatlan Re-visited

We spent 15 days in Mazatlan.  A bit longer than we had wanted, but day 15 is the break point between slip fees and it was simply worth staying a little longer to get the better rate.  Besides, we didn't want to do the crossing to La Paz too early, so hanging in Mazatlan was a nice break.

Having been to Mazatlan previously in December on our way south we found our experience to be quite different.  For one, we really didn't need to explore the city to make new discoveries (we had already done that); two, the weather was much cooler, with highs in the low 70's (I know our friends in Seattle think that 70 at this time of year would be quite warm, but your perspective changes in these latitudes); three, people and boats at the marina were not the same, so we had a chance to meet some new people; and finally, the surge, which is a common thing at Marina El Cid throughout the year, was absolutely raucous.  We had the boat snugged down as tight as we could with bow and stern lines and spring lines running fore and aft, but it still felt like we were out to sea with a good blow.

We made the run into town to visit some of our favorite places and of course made multiple trips into the markets to re-provision for our trip across the Sea of Cortez.  Most of our time, however, was spent doing boat projects.  Paul managed to lay down some fresh varnish on the toe rail and we re-built the toilet.  The varnish of course looks beautiful as always and the toilet can now be flushed without that strange odor and back flushing that we were getting before the re-build.

All that work done, provisions stored and day 15 behind, we made plans with David and Barbara from sv Zoe and Chris and Chris from sv Scintilla to all depart at the same time for the run across the sea.  Our destination was Isla San Francisco, about 45 miles north of La Paz.  We would hang out there for a few days before heading into Marina Palmira in La Paz.

This is the toilet after the re-build.  You really don't
want to see the before or during pictures.

The bright work in progress.  Yes, daily life goes on, even
in paradise.

We cycled through the diesel in our Jerry cans
to keep them fresh.  Besides, it was easier
just taking the water taxing over to the fuel
dock to refill the cans than it was to throw the
dock lines off and motor over, especially with the
surge.