The wind was up so we hoisted the main before even pulling anchor. As soon as we cleared the last boat in the anchorage we killed the motor and unfurled the jib. It took two tacks to get us out of the bay and on our heading East. Yes, we were now going almost due East. It seems a bit strange and still feels like were heading south. The wind stayed up all afternoon, blowing at about 12 knots on our beam. It was a wonderful afternoon of sailing. Just after sunset the wind dropped and we fired up the motor for the balance of the run into Acapulco.
We arrived in Acapulco just after sun rise and made our way into the bay. It was quite a shock to see all of the high rise hotels and condos lining the beach that runs around the entire inner bay. The fuel dock was at the private yacht club on the far north west corner of the bay. When we arrived there was a large motor yacht taking up the entire fuel dock. We had no choice but to hold off and hover until space was available. An hour later they finally pulled forward and made just enough room for us to pull in. Before we were able to take on fuel (we only needed 10 gallons), I had to go up to the marina office with all of our documentation, passports, etc. I had to fill out a long form with all of the boat information and then sign a 5 page contract. It was way over the top for the amount of fuel we needed, but just another one of those strange things they seem to always do down here.
Once we had fuel on board we headed across the bay to Puerto Marques where we planned to drop the hook and get about 3 - 4 hours of sleep before pressing on. We found a really nice spot in front of a large resort and a really nice beach. Once we were satisfied that the anchor was set we both collapsed for several hours of much needed rest. Paul woke up first and made plans for a swim. We needed to knock some of the gunk from being at anchor in Zihuatenejo off the bottom and to check our speed transducer to see why we weren't getting a speed indication on our instruments. It turned out that sea growth had accumulated around the speed transducer paddle and a simple cleaning was all it took. Rested and the bottom job complete, we were ready to leave for Huatulco.
Once again, the winds were up, so we hoisted the main before pulling the anchor and as soon as we rounded the point we killed the engine and unfurled the jib. It was another wonderful day of sailing in light to moderate wind and calm seas. Our friends on sv Kia Ora, who decided not to stop in Acapulco for fuel so left Zihuatenejo later in the evening of the day we departed, had just passed by Acapulco Bay. After making radio contact, we ended up sailing the rest of the trip with them within several miles of Talos IV. It is always good to know that there is someone else out there, just in case.
We sailed and motored depending on the wind conditions and finally arrived in Huatulco at just passed sun up on our third day of the passage. We worked our way into the bay staying clear of the large reef and breaking waves that protected the entrance to the marina. Once inside the marina staff was on hand in force to help both boats into our slips. We had arrived at Marina Chahue and Huatulco. This would be our home for the next few days to a week as we wait for a weather window to cross the Gulf of Tehuantepec.
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| Sunset. |
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| Sunrise. |
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| Tia always keeps a close watch as we pull into any port. |
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| And is always the first to yell "Land ho!" |
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| We were entertained by these guys in Puerto Marques. They hook a long hose to the back of the jet ski and turn a platform into a flying machine. As the one guy throttles the jet ski, the other guy goes flying into the air. |
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| sv Kia Ora just before entering Marina Chahue in Huatulco. |
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