So it’s was a bit of a hectic start to our winter season in Mexico (see our earlier entries for details if you missed all the action), but things are settling down now, and we are easing into the wonderful winter south of the border.

Every year when we get down to our sailing base in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, I am amazed with how much is going on… and this year that is probably true more than ever before. I remember my first trip down here in the early 1980s, sailing into Banderas Bay on the San Diego to Puerto Vallarta race. The full coastline along the northern shore had not a single structure that I recall seeing…. it was all unspoiled beaches. Finding Marina Vallarta was always a bit of a challenge since it was lost in the foliage (now it’s lost in the resorts!). We would pull into Marina Vallarta, an oasis of hotels and restaurants which was a good distance from downtown. I remember wondering why they built a marina so far away from the city…

Well, now that marina is not only buried in resorts/homes/shopping plazas, but it is one of three yacht harbors in the region. There are two boatyards, two fuel docks, a yacht club with great youth sailing program, and so on…. but the one thing that remains: These amazing days for sailing: great winds, the spectacular mountains lining the Bay to the south, the wildlife, the weather.

This is going to be a busy season: We have a great racing week taking shape in February, then a series of special events dominate the March calendar: First off, there is MEXORC, a series of races on Banderas Bay (we’ll be entering a J/130 in the regatta, and still have a couple of spaces left). Then there is Copa Mexico, what is turning out to be a huge event for J/24s (some 60+ boats coming!) and kitesurfers to boot. Following this is the ever-popular Banderas Bay Regatta, including the three day J World clinic prior to the event. We still have boats and crew spaces available.

And for the cruisers, our Livaeaboard Cruising Courses continue to explore the wonders of Banderas Bay. Here’s the mighty Tomatillo (our Jeanneau 43DS) strutting her stuff… her three cabin layout makes her a perfect boat for our cruising courses…

Anyway, that’s it for now from our Puerto Vallarta sailing center… there is a lot going on here at J World, so we’ll be posting reports with increasing frequency… and if you want all the latest info, don’t hesitate to give us a call at 800-910-1101.

All the best,

Wayne Zittel and the J World Team