The Baja Ha-Ha

For most West Coast sailors and fans of the Latitude 38 Magazine worldwide, the Baja Ha-Ha needs little introduction...  but for the rest of you, be assured this is one great event.

Now in its 15th year (wow!), this cruiser's rally from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas marks the beginning of the winter season in the warmer regions of Mexico.  Pretty much all comers are welcome, and the fleet regularly include boats from 20 to 80 feet, from racers to cruisers to whatever tickles your fancy!  The camaraderie and friendliness of the group is renowned, and the success of the event is clear:  In the last running, over 160 boats participated!

The Baja-Ha-Ha fleet leaves San Diego in late October of every year.  There are two stops along the Pacific coast of Mexico designed to let crews rest and relax, enjoy the local scenery and culture, and intermingle in well organized beachside events

To learn more about the Baja-Ha-Ha, visit their site here.

So what does any of this have to do with J World?  

Every year, we offer individuals an opportunity to participate in he Baja-Ha-Ha on our boats, with our world class instructors.  This is a great way to be a part of the fun, while improving your sailing and cruising skills.  If you are new to coastal cruising, this is a perfect way to sample the waters (so to speak!) under the watchful eyes of our professional captains (the skipper this year is Eugenie Russell).  If you are a seasoned sailor, you can become an active member of the crew and head south without the hassles, expenses, and logistics involved in organizing your own boat.  The flat fee is $3985 per person, which does not include travel to/from San Diego and Cabo...

The Baja Ha-Ha is part of our annual cruise to our winter base in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.  For information on the other legs, please go here.

This years' event: October 26-November 8, 2008
 

About the Ha-Ha

If you’re new to the Baja Ha-Ha cruisers rally (from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas), you probably have a boatload of questions about it. We hope the following list of. . .

Frequently Asked Questions

. . . will give you many of the answers you’ve been looking for.

Click on a topic below or just scroll down for all the questions and answers.

Q) When is the Baja Ha-Ha?
A) The event begins every year at the end of October. This year’s dates are October 26 - November 8, 2008.

Q) How long has the Baja Ha-Ha been running, and how many boats have done it?
A) This year’s event is the 15th (the first was in ‘94). The event begins at the end of October. Roughly 6,000 boats have done the event so far, with somewhere around 21,000 participants aboard.

Q) What’s the total distance of the event?
A) Roughly 750 miles.

Q) Are there stops along the way?
A) Yes, two stops, at Turtle Bay (Bahia Tortugas) and Bahia Santa Maria. The event is timed so that even the slowest boats will get about a day and a half of rest at each stop.

Q) Why is is called a rally rather than a race?
A) Although some boats invariably do push hard to beat the rest of their class, most are just looking for a comfortable ride down the coast. Also, you can use your engine if and when you want, and, as long as you inform the Rally committee, you can engage in any number of variations, such as starting a little early or a little late, or from Ensenada. You might even choose to anchor for a night at Isla Guadaloupe or Isla Cedros. All these variations are permitted, as long as you let the Rally Committe know where you are. The Ha-Ha organizers don’t see their role as making a lot of rules, but as facilitating everyone’s pleasure.

Q) What’s the primary goal of the Baja Ha-Ha?
A) The goals of the Ha-Ha are simple: for everyone to get to Cabo safely while enjoying some great sailing and making countless new friends.

Q) Does the event involve a lot of heavy partying?
A) Definitely not. If your plan is to get drunk, party into the wee hours, and shake your booty all the way down the Baja peninsula, then the Ha-Ha, which is all about responsible, G-rated fun, is not for you. Sure, most folks have a beer or two and might do a little dancing on the beach, but the Ha-Ha has never been about wild and crazy behavior.

Q) What sort of boats can enter the Ha-Ha?
A) The event is open to all boats over 27 feet that were designed, built and have been maintained for open ocean sailing. If you’re not sure your boat fits that criteria, get a trip survey from a marine surveyor. While most boats will be carrying SSB radios, they are not required, as the VHF relay system for roll calls has worked very well over the years. But you’ll want to go over all your safety equipment and procedures carefully. (Powerboats are also welcome.)

Q) What is the crew requirements? Is singlehanding allowed?
A) Singlehanding is not allowed. All Ha-Ha entries must have a minimum of two crew with overnight offshore experience. Everyone who participates needs to be in good health and physical condition. While a lot of couples doublehand, the Ha-Ha covers a pretty good distance in a relatively short period of time, so you’ll probably enjoy the sailing and the R&R stops more if you’ve got four or more competent crew on your boat. But such decisions are yours alone, not the Committee’s.

Q) Does the Rally Committee inspect entered boats?
A) No. The Committee does not do inspections, nor does it publish a list of mandatory equipment. Decisions on boat safety are entirely up to each skipper. Only boats which would be capable of making the trip on their own should enter.

Q) What are the typical sailing conditions?
A) There are three legs in each Ha-Ha, so there have been 42 legs to date. Of those 42 legs, only two of them have been upwind. Indeed, the typical Ha-Ha conditions are light-to-moderate following winds with small-to-moderate seas. But the Pacific Ocean is not a controlled environment so, while conditions are generally benign, you nonetheless must be prepared for the very slight possibility of heavy weather. Commanders Weather, which does forecasting for many of the best racing boats in the world, will provide forecasts which will be passed along during the roll call each morning. But remember, a forecast is a prediction, not a guarantee.

Q) What sort of facilities and services can be found along the way?
A) The two stops along the way are Turtle Bay, a dusty but loveable fishing village far off the main road, and primitive Bahia Santa Maria, which is truly out in the middle of nowhere. The former has a couple of small tiendas, a few low-capacity restaurants, an Internet cafe and usually some diesel. It does not have ATMS, banks, McDonalds, boatyards or spas. Bahia Santa Maria has nothing — except a restaurant that magically appears one day a year, with a rock ‘n roll band, just for the Ha-Ha. You need to be self-sufficient from San Diego to Cabo. For for facilities and services in California and Mexico and on the Internet, see our list of Sponsors.

Q) How much is the entry fee?
A) This year’s entry fee is $350 per boat. (However, if you are under 35, or your boat is under 35 feet, you can pay the discounted rate of $300.) The fees are up slightly this year to cover increased liability costs. Nonetheless, it’s still only about 25% of the cost of similar two-week rallies elsewhere in the States and around the world.

Q) How do I sign up?
A) For the first time ever, you may now sign up online. Or, you can still sign up the ‘old fashioned way’, by mailing an entry packet request, along with a $20 handling fee, to Baja Ha-Ha, Inc., c/o Latitude 38, 15 Locust Ave., Mill Valley, CA 94941. Entry confirmations will be mailed, along with info and special offers from the event’s many sponsors, as well as your official Ha-Ha burgee.

Q) Is there any reason to sign up now, rather than waiting until the last minute?
A) One very good reason to complete your sign-up early is that berths in Cabo are assigned based on the order that boats signed up for the event. This may not seem like much now, but when the lady in your life has been without a luxurious shower for 10 days, and your boat needs a washing and her tanks filled, the demand for slips goes way up.

Q) What do I get for my entry fee?
A) By signing up for the Ha-Ha you fleet members get all kinds of benefits, such as big ‘swag bags’ filled with hats, T-shirts, sunglasses, starting timers, frisbees, burgees, beach balls, an event program with mini-bios on all the entries — we can’t even remember it all. Captain and first mate get free entry, food and drink at the Costume Kick-Off Party in San Diego (co-sponsored by West Marine), and there are beach parties at Turtle Bay, Bahia Santa Maria and Cabo. In addition, you get all sorts of great offers and discounts on goods and services from California to southern Mexico. Looking for a berth for the winter? Many of the marina managers show up in San Diego for the kickoff party to take reservations.

Q) Will there be a Committee Boat within the fleet?
A) Yes, Latitude 38’s 63-ft catamaran Profligate will be the mothership once again, with the Wanderer serving as the Grand Poobah, Banjo Andy as the Assistant Poobah, and Doña de Mallorca as the Chief of Security. This trio has a total of 37 Ha-Has to their credit, and have never missed one since they started.

Q) Are there other key dates I should be aware of?
A) Yes, see the event’s list of Important Dates. Note especially, the Mexico-Only Crew List and Baja Ha-Ha Party on September 10 at the Encinal YC in Alameda (6 to 9 p.m.), and the Ha-Ha Welcome to San Diego Party, October 19 (noon to 4 p.m.), put on by event sponsor Downwind Marine.

Q) Where can I check for event updates?
A) Check the Sightings section of Latitude 38 magazine, and the ‘Lectronic Latitude postings at www.latitude38.com.

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