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The Every morning in Mazatlán dawns a little warmer, with the promise of
summer's heat on the new breeze that whispers out of the south. More than
one evening has been without the usual pleasant cooling northerly. These
winds of change blow through the marinas ans the boaters begin preparations
for what determines their schedules more than anything else, the "hurricane
season". Everybody responds differently to this change in season. For the
past weeks, this new breeze out of the south has been blowing cruisers up
the coast from Banderas Bay and points south through Mazatlán. Most of these
vagabundos del mar (vagabonds of the sea) are sailing further north. A few
are staying aboard in Mazatlán, but many are leaving their boats here while
they fly to the US for summer in the cooler climes. Selection of a "hurricane
hole" is a primary decision that faces all skippers of small sailing craft.
The months these storms occur is pretty predictable and the areas susceptible
to them is well charted. Years of observation and data collection have indicated
some patterns, but the infamy of these storms is due to their basic unpredictability.
Unlike Puerto Vallarta, with the protection of the high mountain that surrounds
it, Mazatlán is a coastal plain with open space that almost attracts these
low pressure systems seeking outlet. From a boater´s perspective, Mazatlán
has not always been a good option because the old harbor at el Faro is not
adequate protection from a southerly. The best option for the local fleet
has typically been to run into the mangroves, hoping to find refuge from
the seas and winds. The recent expansion of marina facilities north of the
city however, has put this spot on the map of possible "hurricane holes".
Now boats are afforded some protection from the winds and seas, tucked back
in the lagoons, some nearly a mile inland. Yacht owners are always seeking
refuge and a safe place to leave their boats while they aren´t aboard. The
staff and boatworkers at the marinas are dedicated to maintaining the best
reputation for boat savvy and good care, in the hopes that skippers will
choose Mazatlán for the July to October "non-cruising" season. Leaving a
boat in storage requires preparation and attention to detail. All the system
must be shut down carefully, with an eye to minimum wear and tear for the
summer and easy assured start-up in the fall. The water tanks have to be
treated to prevent unwanted algae growth; the fuel |
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systems left so as to be safe from contamination or explosion.The food stores
have to be sorted and everything left aboard has to be able to stand the
possibility of cabin temperatures in excess of 100 degrees. On deck, everything
must be secured to withstand the possibilities of 100 mph winds. Extra wrapping
on sail covers is esential, some think to stow the sails; occasionally a
cautious skipper will remove the whole boom and store it below deck in an
effort to present the least possible windage. All cruising gear is stowed
deep inside the boat; for some the idea is a deck that needn't be swept
clean by the wind because it is already totally clear. Another school of
thought totally enshrouds the boat in a canvas cover, protecting the deck
and gear from exposure to the elements and hoping no wind will be strong
enough to rip the whole tent to shreds. The lines are doubled, extra spring
lines are added and additional fenders placed to keep the boat secured in
the dock slip. When every preparation has been made, then it is time to
call someone to make arragements to watch the boat while the owner is away.
In every marina there are a few men who make their living by caring for
other people's boats. Each owner arranges for the level of care they may
requiere; the services include the simplest things like watching the waterline,
keeping the cockpit drains unplugged so rainwater can easily run off the
boat, and checking docklines. Or some prefer more elaborate care, like opening
up and airing the cabin weekly, starting the enginess, maintaining the brightwork,
even making minor repairs while the boat is stored. More and more people
are having their engines overhauled while they are away, since Mazatlán's
diesel repair shops are gaining an excellent reputation and it is a messy
job best done when no one is living board. Whatever the agreement with the
caretaker and marina, it is undestood that in times of severe weather, the
boat will receive the attentation she needs to be safe. It is a great comfort
to a boat owner to be able to call someone he knows is looking after his
boat, while he might be far away watching the weather channel show a hurricane
headed for Mazatlán!. Mazatlán is well on the way to becoming a key link
in the chain of marinas on México's Pacific shores. The setting is beautiful,
the location very midway for coastal and Baja cruisers and the services
available to the boat owners are some of the best on the coast. It is a
great to return to, again and again. |
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