Baja Ha-Ha 2008

Well, here we are, the Captain and Crew of Chat de Mer! From left to right, Michael, Leo (captain), Mike, and Deb (me). We're a compatible group of sailors with a mix of talents and skills that should serve us well on the 8-week sailing trip this fall.

This is the photo that Leo will submit to the organizers of the Baja Ha-Ha, along with a write-up of our group. It will also be published in Latitude 38 in either October or November, along with those of all the other sailboats. Last year 180 boats were registered and around 165 actually made the trip.

On September 10 there will be a get-together at the Encinal Yacht Club (that is, if it is held at the same place as last year) for everyone who is planning to go on the Ha-Ha. It's a nice way to get to know the other boaters, and maybe see friends from last year. Also, captains who have not filled their crew list, as well as people interested in crewing, can connect. It's a fun evening.

We have lots of prep work to do in getting ready to go; boat maintenance, new equipment to install, menus to plan, night watch schedules to figure out, not to mention all the provisioning. Our fishing licenses arrived in today's mail from Mexico's Fish and Game organization. I have to have one, too, even though I'm not planning on doing any fishing, just because I'll be onboard. Oh, and we certainly can't forget the important stuff like making sure Mike's speargun works. He's been testing it today in the front yard, worrying the neighbors.

I think he's planning to spear a shark!