Tuesday, September 2
At long last! The day has finally arrived when we stop talking about it, stop preparing for it and finally GO FOR IT! At approximately 5:30 a.m., with my husband Bill and friends Eric and Robert aboard, we set off en route to Ensenada Mexico, with a 2.7 knot tide to pull us out and an over ground speed of 10.2 knots, on the first seafaring adventure of the new Bonnie Lass.

Wednesday, September 3
We travelled throughout the first day and then overnight with the boys taking turns on watch (frankly I think they were too excited to sleep anyhow) and I was gratefully awakened at 5:30 a.m. as we made our approach to Morro Bay. Upon learning the fuel dock opened (generally speaking) at 8:00 a.m., we scouted a restaurant serving sailor-size breakfasts and enjoyed a leisurely feast.

Morro Bay is first sighted by Morro Rock. It reminded me of the sleepy little fishing villages in New England 30 years ago. If I didn’t know better, I would never have guessed we were still in California.

Our departure at 9:00 a.m. was escorted by an amazing array of sea otters, sea lions and seals that jumped and played for the camera. If we had only known that the marine life in store for us two hours later and 6 miles offshore would be Humpback whales! Not just one, not just two. We were literally surrounded by a pod of at least a dozen Humpbacks! Imagine our surprise as we cut the engine to drift and watch when suddenly(!) ten feet away(!) two of the largest (nearly the size of our 46' Lass) shot their noses out of the water in unison and together took a deep dive to shoot under our keel. Talk about synchronized swimming, and talk about being scared witless! Even our friend Robert, with over 30 years of experience delivering yachts up and down the West Coast, told us in amazement that he had never experienced anything remotely like this and promptly threw on his own life vest. Needless to say, the rest of us followed suit. And while we all stood mesmerized, Captain Bill had the good sense to re-engage the engine (slowly) and motor us gently outta there.

The fog came and went throughout the rest of the day and night. We had been warned that the toughest part of the journey would be passing through Point Conception (nicknamed "The Cape Horn of California"….need I say more?) and although we were expecting possible sea swells up to 10 feet with 6 to 8 foot waves on top in 25 knot winds, we scooted through with 6 foot swells in 15 to 20 knot winds. Whew! Suffice to say that my fearful anticipation of this one passage had been nearly enough to change my mind about the entire voyage. Although I had debated as to whether to book a flight to meet the boys in San Diego, I am happy I did not cave!

Thursday, September 4
As the sun came up the next morning we were just passing Santa Barbara and crossed the international shipping lane on our continuing southbound voyage. We dodged the tanker ships making their way north and were grateful for the Raymarine Series E radar (and deflector) that Bill had installed prior to departure. The sun was coming up and the fog was clearing. Tankers appeared in and out of the mist. The water was smooth and glassy when we were greeted by what seemed to be nearly one hundred dolphins hopping, skipping, bouncing and diving along with the Lass. Bill headed to the bow of the boat and with his arm extended into the water was nearly able to touch them as we raced along. I think they were just teasing him, eh?

It was at this point when we became incredibly aware of the change in temperature and subsequent need for a change in clothing. We had left Tiburon two days earlier in temperatures of 48 degrees, donning flannel underwear and foul weather gear at night. Suddenly, foulies and rubber boots were exchanged for shorts and shirts and chattering turned into chatting. It was downright warm as we continued on our way at daybreak and headed for Catalina Island and the lovely town of Avalon, where we put in for our first anchored night.

We were greeted by the harbormaster's boat who cleared our documents and shortly we boarded the shoreboat to the island. After cheeseburgers in Paradise were enjoyed by all, we hung out with the locals and eventually made our way back to the Lass. Not surprisingly, everyone slept very well at anchor that night!

Friday, September 5
Another early morning departure. Next stop, San Diego. Except for the nearby sighting of the Navy warship exercises which we were also able to pick up on VHF (I know, small exception… happens to everyone, every day, I suppose…), the day was wonderfully uneventful and warm. We refueled in San Diego and docked at the San Diego Yacht Club, singing the praises of reciprocity, courtesy of our beloved Tiburon Yacht Club.

Bill found that one of the shower drain hoses had blown out on the voyage and was happy that he finally had something to fix. After we all obtained Mexican offshore fishing licenses, Robert ran some errands and took a flight home, while Bill and Eric shopped for hoses and clamps in the local chandlery and I retired back to the Lass.

That evening we watched some of the well known and "seasoned" former America's Cup racers enjoy battery powered toy-boat races (I know there is a more proper name for these types of toy boats, if someone would like to fresh-catch dinner at Brigantine's.

Saturday, September 6
Today was the most "normal" day of the trip thus far. We spent the prior night in San Diego, and ate brunch at a charming local restaurant, Red Sails. Bill and Eric fixed the shower drain hose while I spotted a sister ship, another Catalina Morgan 440 named Vamonos across the canal and headed off to introduce myself to Capt. Hans, of whom I had known via the Catalina Morgan 440 'owners forum' website. Ahhhh … technology at it's best use ~ sailing info!!!

Later that day, after having left a note of introduction on his boat, Hans returned the house call and we were all able to compare notes on our 440s and talk about Hans' sojourns in Mexico. That night we had dinner at the clubhouse and retired early, in preparation for the 10 hour sail to Ensenada the next day.

Sunday, September 7
We timed our departure from San Diego to coincide with the lifting of the infamous San Diego fog and were on our way at dawn. When the sun came up, Bill and Eric cast off the deep sea fishing line with visions of wahoo and tuna dancing in their heads, while I worried about where we would possibly put these 200 lb. whoppers they were planning to hook (I do sheepishly admit that it was yours truly who planted the seed to begin with…)

After a few hours of fishing, it became clear that there was no need to worry, and nothing to clean up after all, although Eric did catch a whopping kelp bed.

No matter! We easily traded the absence of fish for the nearby sighting of two enormous (each estimated to be 80' long!) Gray Whales. Although they appeared and disappeared very quickly, Eric was able to capture the blue-gray backs rising out of the water, followed immediately by the spray from the blow holes. Another day, a few more whales. Geez!

Land ho! We spotted Ensenada on the horizon and it was full speed ahead, docking in slip D50 at the Coral Marina (also a hotel and resort) around 2:00 p.m. It didn't take Bill more than one skinny minute to break out one of our favorite champagnes.

Back to Top