December 9, 2004, 20 Degrees 39 Minutes North 105 Degrees 15 Minutes West, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. Water Temperature 80, Air around high 80’s. Trip total from Fraillies to P.V. 297 n.m;. Average speed 5.8 kts.
Life is good in Puerto Vallarta. We are in the Municipal Harbor, which is used by cruise ships. We are about 3 miles from downtown. Hi-rise condos/time-share buildings surround the basin we are in. There is a Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club across from the cruise ship terminal, a mile away. The malecon around the basin is lined with shops and restaurants. You can buy a time-share within 40 feet of any place on the malecon.
The trip from the Bay of the Dead to our jump off point, Frailes, was only 42 miles and uneventful except for the fact that we crossed the Tropic of Cancer and therefore officially entered the tropics. A brief celebration was held on board complete with boat-made party hats and grape juice.
The weather forecast for the crossing to the mainland was winds 15-25 kts from the North for a couple of days then a stronger northern system moving in for several more days. We discussed it with several other boats and all decided to leave. This time we were the last to leave.
The wind was at the top end of the forecast and the waves were 4 to 6 feet with an occasional 8 footer. They came from two different directions. We were all uncomfortable. The real problem was that autopilot could not handle the seas and would not work. In fact Bob and I were challenged holding the course. Bob or I had to steer the boat around the clock. Rhea tried to take a shift at the start of the second night but she wasn’t strong enough to hold us on course. She did sit with me.
Just after midnight the second night we passed the Tres Marias Islands and the wind and waves calmed down but the autopilot still wouldn’t work but the steering didn’t require much muscle..
The five boats that left together kept a radio schedule and we talked every hour or two hours depending on the time of day. A real comfort when its pitch black and you can’t see anything beyond the boat. The second afternoon we hooked up with a boat that was going the same speed and same destination we were. We took each other’s pictures in the morning. We followed him thru a short cut that they had used before into Banderas bay.
Banderas Bay/ Puerto Vallarta is a wonderful place to spend some time in the winter and we plan to do just that.
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