The next island on the route was Isla Partida, shown in the guidebook to have two anchorages, one with protection from northerlies and one with protection from southerlies. The forecast called for moderate northwest wind, and it looked like we’d have decent protection where we were on the south side. Au contrere.
But first let’s step back a moment, to the highlight of that day. Casting a 10 weight from the rocky shoreline, I see baitfish getting worked, I present, and at the end of the retrieve, right there in 6 feet of water, I hook a nice little 14” yellowtail, the pinnacle of table fair for Sea of Cortez winter fishing.
Skin on, laid right over hot mesquite coals on the stern rail bbq, cooked for 5 minutes each side, it was some of the best fish I’ve ever tasted. We had a little wasabi and soy dipping sauce, but it didn’t need it. It was swimming an hour before.
But, it was difficult to fully appreciate, because just as we sat down to dine, the wind clocked to the northeast and started howling. Not good for where we were anchored. What’s worse is that we dove on the anchor earlier in the day and we knew that we didn’t have a great set. We had dropped and pulled the anchor three separate times before when we couldn’t get a set. It was simply a nasty, rocky bottom and we were barely holding on. Scratch that…we were no longer holding on.
Just as I was putting that last bite of delicious fish in my mouth Katie yelled “we’re dragging.” And we were dragging fast and we were dragging toward the rocky shore that was less than 250 feet away.
I started the engine immediately, and put her in reverse. The anchor was behind us, however, and the nylon anchor rode was directly below us. We couldn’t reverse or we’d wrap our prop, and we couldn’t go forward or we’d hit bottom. We would swing a bit and clear the line, and I’d reverse for a few seconds to gain some room, then Katie would yell back when the line was beneath us again and I’d go to neutral. We repeated this process for five or ten minutes until we had a little breathing room, but the dinghy, Bojangles, was still in the water and the anchor was still on the bottom.
We swung once more and the anchor line caught the dinghy line. Holding the dinghy with every ounce of strength in my body, Katie raced over and cut the dinghy line. I passed the dinghy off and she tied a polypropylene painter onto the dinghy and cleated it off. We were then able to motor over the anchor and finally lift it off the bottom. Crisis averted, right? Nope, just getting started.
We look around and to the north of us is a slight indentation in the island that looks to be providing a bit of shelter from the wind and swell, so we decide to motor to it so we can lift Bojangles onto the foredeck in preparation for an unplanned open ocean night passage in large seas and 20+ knots of wind. We get to the sheltered spot, and I’m on the foredeck letting the anchor down and all of a sudden I see Bojangles floating away from the boat, and I hear Katie shout “Oh shit, she’s come loose!”
The polypropylene bowline knot had abraded through the 3-strand nylon loop and there she went, but at least she was floating toward the island. The rocky, boulder strewn, wave smashed island, possibly a certain demise for Bogangles. Katie’s about to jump in after it, but I talk her out of that, worried that the anchor would drag again, and I’d have no way to motor and pull anchor alone. She then has the idea to pull the anchor back out, I’ll then motor in circles in the calm water while she jumps in with the oars and swims to shore to retrieve our beloved Bojangles. This sounds more reasonable to me.
In she goes and away I motor. She gets the dinghy, nary a scratch to be seen, and rows back out where I pick her up and we proceed to drop anchor, lift the dinghy on deck and then pull the anchor back up (anybody keeping track of how many times we’ve pulled the anchor up? No electric windlass, either). After we catch our breath for about 15 seconds, we decide our best option is to head off into the night and point for Baja. So much for a quiet evening!
Holly cow! you guys scared the crap out of me, my email line read, We drag anchor and lose… All I can say is the sign of a great sea man is when you send the wife over for a swim with the sharks to save the dingy while you are safe warm and dry aboard 🙂
http://gafferhannah.blogspot.com/2012/11/money-on-ground-tackle.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FXkWdM+%28NOT+ALL+WHO+WANDER……..++ARE+LOST%29
Remarkable! Its really awesome paragraph, I have got much clear
idea about from this paragraph.
You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic to be actually
something that I think I would never understand.
It seems too complex and very broad for me. I’m looking forward for your
next post, I will try to get the hang of it!
Oh my goodness! Incredible article dude! Thanks, However I am
experiencing problems with your RSS. I don’t understand why I cannot join it.
Is there anybody having similar RSS problems? Anyone that knows the answer can you kindly respond?
Thanks!!
I read this paragraph fully concerning the comparison of latest and previous technologies, it’s amazing article.
Woah! I’m really digging the template/theme of this blog.
It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s hard to get that “perfect balance” between superb usability and appearance.
I must say you’ve done a amazing job with this.
Also, the blog loads very quick for me on Chrome.
Excellent Blog!
You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to
be really something which I think I would never understand.
It seems too complicated and very broad for me. I’m looking forward for your next post, I will try to
get the hang of it!
Hey, I think your website might be having browser compatibility
issues. When I look at your blog in Opera, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping.
I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that,
terrific blog!
Excellent web site you have got here.. It’s hard to find good quality writing like yours nowadays.
I really appreciate individuals like you! Take care!!
I really like looking through an article that
can make men and women think. Also, many thanks for allowing for me to comment!
Hi, Neat post. There’s a problem with your web site in web explorer, would check this?
IE nonetheless is the marketplace chief and a huge component of people will
miss your great writing because of this problem.
Hi there! Would you mind if I share your blog with my myspace group?
There’s a lot of people that I think would really appreciate your content.
Please let me know. Many thanks
Its like you read my mind! You seem to know a lot about this, like you
wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do
with a few pics to drive the message home a bit, but
other than that, this is great blog. A fantastic read.
I’ll certainly be back.
When I originally commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and
now each time a comment is added I get several e-mails with the
same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service?
Many thanks!
Hey, I think your website might be having browser compatibility issues.
When I look at your blog in Ie, it looks fine but
when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping.
I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, excellent blog!
adreamoftrains website hosting services
Somebody necessarily help to make critically articles
I’d state. This is the first time I frequented your web
page and thus far? I surprised with the research you made to create this
actual submit amazing. Excellent activity!
Today, I went to the beachfront with my children.
I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She placed the shell
to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear.
She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is completely off
topic but I had to tell someone!
Nice post. I used to be checking constantly this weblog and I’m
inspired! Very helpful information particularly the
last section 🙂 I handle such information much.
I used to be seeking this certain info for a long time.
Thank you and best of luck.
Very nice post. I simply stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that
I have truly loved surfing around your blog posts.
In any case I will be subscribing for your feed and I’m hoping you write once more very soon!
Ahaa, its pleasant discussion concerning this paragraph here at this blog, I have read all that,
so at this time me also commenting at this place.
Thanks for the marvelous posting! I certainly enjoyed
reading it, you are a great author.I will remember to bookmark your blog
and will eventually come back from now on. I want to
encourage that you continue your great writing, have a nice holiday weekend!
I wanted to thank you for this good read!! I definitely enjoyed every bit of it.
I have got you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post…
Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your weblog and in accession capital to assert
that I get in fact enjoyed account your blog posts.
Anyway I’ll be subscribing to your feeds and
even I achievement you access consistently rapidly.
It’s nearly impossible to find educated people for this topic,
however, you seem like you know what you’re
talking about! Thanks 3gqLYTc cheap flights
Hi! Would you mind if I share your blog with my facebook group?
There’s a lot of people that I think would really enjoy your content.
Please let me know. Thank you 3gqLYTc cheap flights
After looking over a number of the articles on your
site, I honestly like your technique of writing a blog. I added it
to my bookmark webpage list and will be checking back in the
near future. Please check out my web site as
well and tell me how you feel. 31muvXS cheap flights
Hi! This is my first visit to your blog! We are
a collection of volunteers and starting a
new project in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us valuable information to work on.
You have done a wonderful job!
Aw, this was an extremely good post. Finding the time and actual effort to generate a great article… but what can I say… I put things off a lot and don’t manage to get nearly anything done.