S/V "Mandolin"
In Mazatlan - 12/05/98

So we last left you in Cabo.  After several days anchored out in warm water we decided to contine on.  We had seen as much of the town as we wanted to.  Due to the northers that were coming down the Sea of Cortez we chose to leave at night as we were headed north to the anchorage at Los Frailes (The Friars).  This was basically a motor boat ride, but that was ok since many boats had turned back because of the strong winds.  Los Frailes was a wonderful change from the party and tourist atmosphere of Cabo.  The holding ground was nice with a large beach and good snorkeling. This bay and the one to the north are the only places where there is a living coral reef in Baja.  The sea temperature has to be within a specific range year around for coral to grow.  Our next passage was across the Sea of Cortez to the city of Mazatlan.  Again we left at night with a nice wind on our beam.  The sailing was great for about 9 hours before the wind shut off.  We ended up motoring the rest of the trip.  We both enjoyed the crossing as we learned many new constillations at night during the new moon.  I saw the green flash during the morning as the sun came up over the ocean.  I have only seen the flash at sunset.

Mazatlan also known as the Pearl of the Pacific was very welcoming.  We called the Port Captain of Marina Mazatlan on Ch 16.  After switching to Channel 18, Mario the Port Captain came out in his Panga to guide us in through the narrow channel to the Marina.  Mandolin was very happy to get a bath with fresh water for the first time since San Diego.  After some discussing, Ellen and I decided to spend a month in the Marina to take spanish classes and get some installations done aboard Mandolin.

Marina Mazatlan is one of the least expensive places to dock in Mexico. In addition, there is a great cruising community.  As well, the marina sponsors many events.  The night we arrived, there was a Cuban band that performed for all of us at the marina.  Later we went to a night club where they played for an evening of dancing.  A Thanksgiving dinner was catered at the marina for all of $7 US.  Yesterday transportation was arranged to the shrimp ceviche fair and today there will be a margarita party at the marina.  Amongst all these happenings we have been able to complete the cockpit awning, sew a jib bag and a storm sail bag.  The Ham radio is also installed.  Tomorrow the foredeck awning project will start. The plan was to spend some time finishing projects here so we don´t have to do them all winter long.

We are still shocked everytime someone tells us about the weather in the states.  Snow and rain are hard to comprehend where we wear shorts everyday.  Oh, we had to put on a sweatshirt last night.  It might be time to keep heading south.

Mazatlan is a fun town, but we are looking forward to be out on the ocean and at anchor again.

Cheers,

Todd and Ellen Mandeville
S/V "Mandolin" - Cal 34
svmandolin@hotmail.com
www.aljian.com/mandolin

P.S. We tried to spell check this on a spanish computer, but it said everything was misspelled.  Hope we did ok.

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