Friday, April 21 Time: 1200 local
Position: 15’41 N 096’05 W
Course: 248 T Speed:11.9 kts Days run: 280 miles (noon-noon)
Weather: Sunny and slightly hazy
News:
By late Thursday afternoon Timoneer passed the shoreline of El Salvador and
was closing in on the Southern coast of Mexico and the Gulf of Tehuantepec.
The Gulf of Tehuantepec is famous for having Force 8+ winds (34 – 40knots)
an average of 140 days a year with the gale season running from October
through the end of April. The winds originate from weather systems in the
Gulf of Mexico and cross Mexico’s landmass at its narrowest point, the
valley of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. Two tall mountain ranges funnel and
intensify the wind across the land where it sweeps out into the Pacific for
300-500 miles. Most cruisers opt to hug the coast with “one foot on the
beach” using the lee of the beach and shoreline for protection. We went
with the same approach although our weather information suggested settled
conditions. Timoneer sailed 3-4 miles offshore to avoid the smaller
fishing boats along the coast at night, planning to close the gap if the
breeze filled in. None the less we made sure everything on deck was tied
down and stowed the boats interior as well as possible just in case. In
the end we had calm conditions and a smooth trip. At noon today we are 235
miles from Acapulco and should arrive Saturday morning.
John
