hey Good People. We sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge in Sept 2019 and turned left towards Mexico. I thought we’d be going on to the Panama Canal, and perhaps Europe, but COVID and eldercare changed all that. Instead, Ravenswing has enjoyed many great adventures in the Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez), mostly on the Baja eastern coastline, plus a trip to Puerto Vallarta. The Sea has been an incredible collection of experiences. Just the other night as my kids helped me sail south from Loreto down to Cabo San Lucas, they did a night shift with dolphins dancing around the boat streaked by bioluminescence. The wildlife has been amazing, the anchorages mostly peaceful and beautiful, the new friendships excellent, and the people of Baja, Mexico have been delightful to us. I think we’ve gotten our fill, even though the boat had to sit alone for many months at a time at various stages of the six years.
So, it’s Sunday night before the planned Tuesday departure. Dave and Gabe fly in tomorrow. I’ve provisioned the boat and done countless small jobs to get her fully ready for an arduous 1,500 mile ‘going to weather’ trip. She feels ready to go. We’ve got two EPIRBs, a life raft, a borrowed emergency rudder, two satellite communicators, a good medical kit, and a clear mind. We’re not on a schedule, and we’re not interested in just ‘bashing’ up the coastline. My plan is to first head west, the way the Clipper Ships used to travel up the Pacific coast. Take the wind and waves at a comfortable angle, not head on, and accept the extra miles. The trick is to pick the right time to tack on to port and head due north. The wind decides that.
Once we depart Cabo, our tracking devices will be updating the boat’s progress. Here’s a reminder how to find us on the ravenswing website. I’ll try to post little messages on the right side of the map each day. Hope it’s entertaining for you!

Wishing you fair winds and a safe passage. Reef early, reef often, and stay comfortable.
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Bon voyage. I love following your adventures. See you at the dock! Blessings with love, Sandy Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
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nice. What type of routing are you using? Pro on shore? Predict wind? Luck Grib?
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PredictWind Offshore on IridiumGo! I don’t have the Pro level, but I think it’s Premium? I want to make routing decisions based on crew comfort & less wear on the boat. It’s taken a long time to learn NOT to beat things/self up in race mode ;)
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safe travels Greg and crew!
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Ah ha! Been wondering what you were up to! Safe travels. Look forward to seeing you on the bay.Don K
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Ahoy! You are parked beneath my window in the turning basin Petaluma , you are gorgeous so I had to track you down. I spent 20+ years sailing in the Gulf of California, hope you had a pleasant uphill sail. Don’t miss lunch at Water Street Bistro, in the yellow building forward of your bow. Stephanie is the best baker, you may need to stock up on pastries. Jenn Sebastian, formerly of the Tucson Sailing Club
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hey neighbor! Yes, we’re going to enjoy keeping the boat right here in home town Petaluma. And I’m quite familiar with the bakery’s artwork ;). While we’ve concluded the six year “cruise” in the Gulf, I will spend the rest of my life making return trips because it is such a magical place. Next October Anton and I will lead a trailer-boat rally from Mexicali and help a bunch of sailors learn what you and I know so well.
now if City of Pet would just finish our slip rental agreement we’ll get off the guest dock and into the new home at the marina by the freeway.
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