Yucatan Channel

April 9

Unfavorable winds and seas have been with us We finally have a weather window for Sunday, and coincides with the expiration of our visa (so we thought). On Saturday we were informed by the new capitania that our visas expire at midnight and would have to be gone by tonight, he would give us our zarpe tonight. Late that evening he comes by the boat to inform us that capitan Isra had asked him to do what ever was necessary to help us, and also had talked to his commander who said he knew us and in their opinion the weather was bad and we would have to stay put until tomorrow (weather was fine)

There are another five boats here that want to follow us to Isla Mujeres, I might end up with my own flotilla here soon, for some reason they think I know what I am doing. Think again guys, follow me at your own risk!!

We have SV Alleycat Too with Robin & Tony from South Africa, SV Coragem with Osmar, Anna & son Pedro from Brazil, SV Earthling with George from Iran, SV Running Free with Jeffery from Holland ( he is part of the family now, has been with us since Fort Myers Beach, FL) and there is an Austrian couple who has been somewhat rude and arrogant, can’t remember their names, but none the less we included them in our voyage across the Yucatan Channel.

              Tony  & Robin - South Africa                                                                     Jeffery - Dutch

George - Iran                                                               Pedro, Ana, Osmar - Brazil

It is Sunday April 9 0830 hrs and the time has come to cast our lines and bid our last  good byes, at the dock we hug, we kiss and even shed a tear, the strong bonds and friendships that have developed over a short period of time makes it hard to leave such a wonderful place and its people. It is with sadness in our hearts that we cast off our last line and sail away with the hope of returning someday soon.
0925 cleared Punta Cajon and enter Yucatan Channel, winds are 10 - 12 kts, ne, seas 5 to 6 feet. SV Earthling has engine problems and is diverting to Isla Juventud, Cuba,
Our route, as has been explained to all, will take us ssw to a latitude south of Isla Mujeres with a southern counter current. At this point we encounter a north current 4 kts  where we start a wnw course to our destination.

1830 Start our wnw course, speed down to 4kts, winds 15- 18 kts, gust 22kts. Seas 6-8 feet with a beautiful full moon. The Austrians have decided to make a straight run across, the Brazilians turned too soon(they were skeptical of my route), Jeffery is out of radio and radar range, SV Alleycat Too falling behind, but still in radar range.

Approaching north end of Isla Mujeres

 0635 Aproach north end of Isla Mujeres, it has been a great crossing, a bit rough at times but all in all very good weather. We arrived at Marina Paraiso to check into the country, now there are two options, 1- spend several days chasing immigration, medical, customs, port captain... 6 copies each of all documents, stamps,pay fees, tips, taxi, etc.   or 2- pay Capo $240 and by the end of the day you will have all your papers and visa in hand, and no one ever came to our boat, now that was an easy decision.

At Marina Paraiso

SV Alleycat Too arrives by 0930 hrs and is anchored out, SV Coragem arrives by 1800 hrs, they report a rough and slow crossing, not fun going against the current. SV Running Free in late that night, he is slower but always makes it in just fine. Now the Austrians made it in by the next day, but have never bothered to talk to us, all safe and accounted for.