Log of Black Wind - Part 2

By James.

Barry the Shark Hunter

Onwards still... Dolphins and whales, turtles and strange looking birds we could not identify. We even caught another shark for our dinner thanks to Barry leaving us his fishing kit. Rarely a trace of any other human did we see; maybe because we spent most of our time over 50 miles offshore. ​Whatever the reason, it suited me fine. I was finding everything I needed on the boat and in the air, but mainly in the deep blue ocean.

Eventually we approached the southern tip of Baja California, and Cabo San Lucas came in site. And what a site! On the way in Blair had asked if he could take the helm for practice and I had agreed. The moment we rounded the headland and the bay came into view I quickly changed my mind and jumped back on! The harbour entrance was insanity afloat; cruise ships, party boats, police boats, naval boats, water taxis, jet skis, kayaks, yachts and motor launches, every form of water craft going in every direction and us sailing through the middle of it. I was chaos. In the middle of this party boat full of girls came dangerously close and as I opened my mouth to say something they beat me to it. They yelled 'Jack Sparrow' at me and fell about laughing. Comparing our well worn boat to the multitude of shiny craft around us I had no come back. I couldn't argue their point.

By now I had replaced Sam with Blair as First Mate partly because he had proven much more competent, and partly because Sam had started to resent having to do any work on the boat. I'm not sure Blair wanted the job but he took it with grace, and did a damn fine job of it. In spite of this everybody was happy to be there together and arrive in time for New Years Eve. And together we were drawn... to the pretty lights like moths to a flame, and the promise of a very wild New Years party.

Cabo San Lucas Beach

Four days in Cabo turned out to be quite enough in the end and we used it like the party town it was. You can only say 'no, we don't want any drugs thank you' so many times without getting bored, and besides, it is not somewhere to spend too long if your imagination runs beyond shopping and Tequila. It was a playground for wealthy Americans though and the marina packed with shiny white motor boats. After giving in to the crew's pleading for a night in the marina instead of anchoring off the beach, we went in. Our boat did stand out somewhat but the staff seemed to find it amusing and had us tied up with a very large Mojito in each of our hands in no time (and I should think so too with what that marina charged).

And then there was New Year's Eve. Staggering around the streets at 4 in the morning we found Sam who had convinced a hobo to repair his sandals, then ended up at a house party. I lost Jack and Dominic to the police, and found them again later at another party on a large rock stage. I tripped over Chris sleeping on the beach by the dinghy who had somehow lost an hour of his life, and I last saw Blair in a taxi going off with his arm around a guy. Me, I ended up carrying out crowd control on some kids who were questioning Kris's honour with one of their ladies. After a brief standoff they took the sensible option and backed down. For all that may come between us at times, I get very protective about my crew and those that sail with us. I think I got the point across, and Kris got his mark. He then left them all the next morning with the bill for breakfast. Eventually we all ran into each other again in the early hours. It always amazes me how in such a large sprawling place where nobody knows where they are or what is going on we always found one another again. Subconscious focus?

We were in a very poor state the next afternoon when we came round, but we were already late to meet a paying fare in Puerto Vallarta in three days and time and tide wait for no man. Sadly, we left Jack there to fly to France to complete his ambition of joining the French Foreign Legion, and Sam too as he decided that ours was not quite the easy life he had in mind. The last time I heard anything Jack had changed his mind and had gone back to the UK, and Sam had a job in a cheese factory in Florida. We were now down to 5.

Spot Black Wind...

When we left Cabo we roared down to Puerto Vallarta with a big following wind and sea. It was perfect. Without Jack and Sam and Barry however, watch time increased for the remainder of us, but everybody pulled their weight and we quickly entered Banderas Bay after just 3 days; mooring in Puerto Vallarta at first light. This was a much calmer place, and a good port to spend the week.

​We had no idea when we moored here however that this was going to be the furthest south we sailed for some time...

“The past is never where you think you left it.”

Katherine Anne Porter

It is never quite how you remember it either. In fact, I would go so far as to say that it only exists at all for as long as you allow yourself to remember it, for better or for worse.