Sail Cutthroat

N 23 116.172 W 106 27.304

Arriving in Mazatlan was relatively easy and painless. The harbor entrance is small, narrow and surrounded by rocks and two small jetties at either end. There are port and starboard entrance markers on top of the jetties but the lights were out (as we expected). There must be a shortage of light bulbs south of the border. This is another kudo for the Cruising Guide. They do a great job of describing entrances and adding pictures that are better than what the charts depict for many of the smaller harbor entrances and anchorages. El Cid Marina (and fuel dock) is immediately to the right as you get into the inlet. It was packed with sportfishing boats as we suspected – they had just sponsored a bill fish tournament that ended the night before and many of them were trying to get fuel and leave. It was also Sunday so nobody was at the Harbor Master’s office to respond to our radio calls. We spoke to some very nice folks who were cruising around in the dinghy and they verified this information but said there was plenty of room at the Marina Mazatlan just down the inlet a ½ mile or so. That was plan B. We assumed they would also not answer the radio and we were just going to occupy a slip of our choosing for the night. We did get a response however (much to our surprise) and they immediately assigned us a slip (dock 3 – slip 34). As we approached the marina there was even a guy (Sammy) to direct us and two other guys to take our lines and help us into the slip. This is a great facility that is still under construction with condos and a hotel. Very friendly and helpful people. Yes, there is high speed internet, albeit I can’t get a good connection way out on dock 3, so I’m off the Cruiser’s Lounge to do my internet this morning once I get my other two mateys up and moving.

There is a public bus that leaves from just outside the Marina for downtown every 15 minutes (not sure what that equates to in Western Latino Time) but they also have these oversized golf carts that act as cabs running all over the place. We hailed one of those before the bus came and were off to explore.

We found the market which would have met all our needs but we really needed an ATM since we had no pesos yet. That was available in Sam’s Club as were fruit, vegetables and bread that we needed to resupply. Later we went back to find a restaurant recommended by one of our dock neighbors and got another cab to a really cool restaurant way up on a hill overlooking the old harbor and out to the Sea of Cortez. The picture you see (if you’re on the website) is of Isla Creston just outside the entrance to Old Mazatlan. What a beautiful view. There were even some whales playing around out there we could see blowing every couple of minutes. As it was mid-afternoon we were about the only people there and all the family was involved with our service. We had Anna’s Special Margarita’s that have some secret Tequila and Contreau combination, but the highlight of this visit was the very special Tequila Carol got of her own. The only stipulation from Anna was that she had to drink it the way it was served…another photo op. It was really good says Carol, but now she just misses Pat all the more. I think we’ll need to get these two a room when Pat arrives in PV next week.

Well, that is the long version of our time in Mazatlan. Oh yes, the first day…we did nothing but wash the boat and nap.

This afternoon (sometime) we’ll head back to El Cid for fuel (we’ll call ahead just to see if we can get in – there’s no room to just hang around – very tight accommodations). Then on for another overnighter to Isla Isabela National Park – about 86 miles away. Jacques Cousteau was lured here about 30 years ago to film the rare frigate and booby nests. Today it continues as a wildlife preserve managed by the University of Guadalajara. Should be a good swimming and dinghy opportunity.

As we were walking through Mazatlan today Roger noted that we were at the same longitude as Dillon, Colorado W106. I was wearing my Dillon Marina hat which just happens to have the Lat/Lon embroidered on the side along with the elevation of 9017 feet – the reason I wanted the hat in the first place. I think it’s the highest marina in the US. Kind of interesting to be at the same longitude but with a totally different climate – our world is certainly vast.

Fair winds and following seas from the Cutthroat Crew.