BAJA HA-HA XXIII RECAP — E
ver since October 1994, when the first Baja Ha-Ha fleet sailed out of San Diego Harbor bound for Cabo San Lucas, this two-week, 750-mile cruisers' rally has followed the same time-honored itinerary. Nevertheless, no two Ha-Has have ever been exactly the same. As you'll read in this recap, the 23rd
this up, we'd be willing to bet that along the way to the Cape every fleet member forged a few new friendships — which will be renewed time and again as they cross paths in future anchorages. As in years past, boats in the 2016 fleet were as varied — from 19 to 68 feet — as the crews who sailed them. The oldest Ha-Ha'er was veteran cruiser Dr. Jerry Morgan, 79, of the Richmondbased Hunter 44 Whimsea. The youngest was four-year-old Zoey Wada of the Long Beach-based Mariner 48 Empyrean.
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The costumes were great this year at the Kickoff Party. Several pirates actually showed up with their own personal mermaids.
edition featured stints of both strong wind and no wind; glorious periods of "Champagne sailing," as well as some moments of concern when several rally crews needed help. As is typical, by the time the fleet arrived at Cabo on November 10, many first-timers had grown more confident in their skills and learned valuable lessons about both offshore sailing and crew dynamics. And, although we have no scientific data to back
ALL PHOTOS LATITUDE / ANDY EXCEPT AS NOTED
Although cleverly disguised as Incredibles, we're pretty sure this is actually the Kelly family of the Lagoon 380 'Ankyrios'.
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Latitude 38
• December, 2016
he official festivities began with a skippers' meeting followed by a spirited Costume Kickoff Party (Sunday, October 30) on the grounds of West Marine's Shelter Island superstore. In addition to the predictable assortment of swashbuckling pirates and saucy wenches, there was a wide assortment of superheroes, mock celebrities and curious sea creatures, including a seductive trio of lusty mermaids. Yet again this year, West Marine electronics ace Ron Maggi — elaborately dressed as a Johnny Depp look-alike — shared his wit while emceeing the costume contest. All in attendance enjoyed a 'Mexican
tune-up' lunch complete with plenty of cool libations. And around the perimeter of the party venue at least a dozen Ha-Ha sponsors were on hand to educate firsttimers about the facilities and services that await them south of the border. At 10 a.m. the next day — Halloween morning — two local fireboats saluted the fleet with arcs of spray, as dozens of rally boats paraded out of San Diego Harbor toward the start of Leg One. Ashore, at the western tip of Shelter Island, print, TV and radio reporters captured the scene, while Mexican and American dignitaries cheered the departing sailors — many were decked out in costumes — from the deck of the sportfishing boat Dolphin. Of the 183 registered boats, only 136
