[Irieguy]

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This is just an awesome trip report and I am left completely envious of all of you. Doing something like this just shot up to the top of my list of things to do at some point in my life.

Irie, I'd like to know about how you went about learning to sail and what the requirements are to navigate a trip like this. How long did it take you to plan this trip? Looks like the weather was perfect the entire time, and I think the photos really bring out the life in this TR.

Another question about the Tecate cerveza. I remember buying a case of that stuff when I was in California last New Year's and remember it tasting not so great. Is it noticeably better in Mexico?

Such a sick TR, thanks for posting!

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You can get a Basic Keelboat Certification from either ASA or US Sailing in a 3-4 day course. I did this over Memorial Day weekend. Then Coastal Cruising is about the same length course, which I completed over Labor Day. I wanted to take the navigation course and the Bareboat Charter classes, but I didn't have time so I just read a bunch of books and taught myself how to navigate and read charts. Most charter companies don't require official certifications, they just want you to tell them that you have some experience and you know what you are doing. I felt comfortable, but without at least a few classes it wouldn't be any fun at all trying to figure out how to bring the boat into and out of a marina or gas dock, especially in the wind.

We got lucky with the weather, but we did have some high winds and seas. We picked the time of year based on the likelihood of favorable weather.

Tecate tastes great in Mexico. Dos Equis is great also. We had regular Modelo too, which blew, but Negra Modelo is great. It all tastes pretty good cold when you are camping or sailing though, ya know?

It was the best trip of my life and I would rather go sailing than do anything else for a vacation.

Irieguy