Leaving Mantachen in the early morning meant we had time for a day stop in Isla Isabel (the Galapagos of Mexico). A whole fleet of shrimp boats were taking up the eastern anchorage so we ducked in to the south anchorage. Four attempts to set the hook (anchor) and three jumps in the water (into look at the anchor placement) and we were good to go. There was about 15 knots of wind and some swell so I relaxed aboard while Jess and Sabrina kayaked in to see all the Frigates and blue footed Boobies. In the afternoon we all enjoyed snorkeling from the boat and around sunset made our break for Mazatlan.
The overnight from Isla Isabel to Mazatlan was the first “real” passage for Sabrina and Jess and they did a fantastic job. Everyone covered their shifts at the helm and kept us safe. Just like that, next thing we knew the sun began to rise and we pulled into Marina Mazatlan. The slip was a bit short, with odd cleat placements but using all of our dock lines we were able to get safely secured. I’d hoped to have Luis wash, polish and wax Strikhedonia but he had plans with his mom to visit Puerto Vallarta over the weekend and wouldn’t have time. Oh well, at least he was able to squeeze in a wash.
Sabrina asked the office about a pool, and much to my surprise the answer was yes one was available. How is it they don’t tell everyone about this when they check in? So that afternoon we walked the 1 km to the beach club where there is a pool, beach access, drinks, and snacks that can be delivered. It was very nice and very empty. Made us feel a bit like VIPs while we recovered from the overnight passage.
The next morning we headed into Mazatlan centro to play the tourist role and check out the sites. Of course no tour is complete without a stop at Tres Islas microbrewery. This time Jess was in luck and was able to get the IPA she had been craving for weeks. Back at the marina we were told good hamburgers could be found on the round island, by the marina, at La Tostaderia. Indeed they were big and they were tasty. The only disappointment of the evening came after eating, a band was setting up and the guys looked to be early twenties, Jess and Sabrina told me I was way off, definitely less than 18. No way. So I went up and talked to them and sadly found out they were 16 to 18. Damn I am getting old and bad at estimating age. My ego survived, but was wounded.
The next day brought more fun, refilling the diesel for the crossing. Rather than pay the high rates at the Fonatur, I hauled gerry cans in a dock cart to the nearby Pemex. Hot, sweaty work. Gassed up with enough fuel to get to San Carlos I thought I was done with the boat projects. HA! The port head came down with illness – as in it wouldn’t flush – thinking the holding tank might be full I scheduled a pump out. Nope, that was not it. And the toilet bowl was full of what you don’t want it filled with when it won’t drain. I’ll save the gory details, except to say that it was the worst job I have ever undertaken. Disguising. Revolting. Miserable. In the end I replaced both the 11 foot sanitation hose from the head (toilet) to the holding tank and the hose from the holding tank to the thru hull. The long hose had calcified to the point where it was too narrow to push anything to the holding tank. I was lucky, if you can call it that, since I was in a marina with unlimited fresh water and was able to purchase a new hose. Had we left Mazatlan and had it failed, the bathroom would have been out of commission for three weeks.
Our last night in Mazatlan we made a reservation for Kua, the nice restaurant just outside of the marina. Vicki, Piece, and I had really enjoyed our meal there back in December and I was excited to give it a second try. It was a Saturday night and when we arrived there was only one other couple. We sat down and enjoyed sharing a few appetizers and some wine. Off to a good start, I ordered pulpo with a mole sauce which made me very happy. By the time we left a few hours later there had been a grand total of six customers served by a staff of nine. Maybe this is a normal summer slowdown or else things do not look good for another visit next December…
The next morning was an sunrise departure for our crossing to Bahia de los Muertos.
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