Southern Baja, Eventually the South Pac
I set out of Southern Cal on an old broken down wooden ship after the financial collapse (‘08-‘12). I had ideas of where I might take all this, a new path for my life that focused on the Ocean, work with my hands and environmental activism, a lazy activist. The idea was to share a journey I had 25 years ago with the wife and kids. Time with my boys to men…and a chance to reignite a 20 year romance, away from the fray of city, business and clients. I could clearly see us all cross legged at a Polynesian genuine feast with the fire, foods and dance. Hunting, gathering and sharing a life naturally. In sickness and health and it was not to be.
I am here on my own now. And while I still try to spread info and pull rubbish out of the water and beaches. I am still (7-8 years now) captaining a power vessel for a fine family from the States. My wife-ex and boys are in New Zealand. I do now have 2 fine lads as crew here on the Southern Baja…and that is stable. I met a fine woman and we ran the boat together as Capt and stew for 3 years and that was remarkable but, over. It’s an amazing life.
The day job; captain, crew and maintaining a high tech, performance pleasure vessel, a personal vessel to a private family out of Los Angeles and they love coming down to the Southern Baja when they have a spare moment. I would like a deckhand and a hostess to have fun with this role...for the "client" and ourselves. All roles aboard have overlap and a sort of cross training…we all wear a few hats or caps.
Then there is the personal project; the wooden boat...sadly, had to be retired but, I found a cool fixer-upper in a 37' Prout Catamaran. The hull is sound and sailable, most of the work is interior decorating and doing some other improvements that will make her a better long distance cruising vessel...like installing a desalination (done) system that was on the wooden ship. It would be great to allocate time to this and in short order, get her back into the water. She would be great to use around here, in the Sea of Cortez for sailing out to the nearby Islands for overnighters and weekends. Eventually, perhaps in May ‘22…. make for the Maquesas, French Polynesia and the South Pacific to New Zealand...it is called cruising for a reason.
Regardless of the situation or position…I am a professional Captain. I take this duty of care seriously. I’ve heard the stories of drunken boat owner operators and captains that abuse their position, whether we have a shorter or longer term working, personal or both relationship…this is a safe, respectful and cooperative environment.
The years roll on by and life happens. People come and go and while I appreciate all the participation, this isn’t for everyone. Updated: The Cat was reintroduced to the sea mid-‘21…with most critical systems in good running order. We’ve been enjoying her around La Paz and the nearby Islands.
I have been boat handling...all my life. In the mid '80's I bought an old wooden sailboat, a double ended gaff rigged ketch 32' "Spindrift" and lived aboard and sailed her for some 7 years thru the South Pacific before falling in love and settling in Australia with my bride from New Zealand. It was the tail end of the great cruising yachties epoch and there were little or no mega yachts and navigation, was by sextant/celestial and senses. I also then delivered boats, repaired boats to make my way, earning a quid as I went along. Now, after a career as a craftsman, architectural design, mostly interiors...I am back at it again, home again. I have been back on the water full time...since mid 2012 in this iteration.
What you can expect; Room and board and some expenses. We have an apartment in Cabo San Lucas and a House in La Paz on the Southern Baja of Mexico. Groceries will be supplied...some personal choice items upon discussion. We have 2-3 inflatables and outboards, a quiver of surfboards and skateboards, dive/snorkel gear, we have little motorbike 150 and an old pick-up and the bosses great hunkin' van, and once we get our catamaran in the water (done) we'll have some fun with that as well. We have friends around the place that will make you feel at home and welcome.
I have 2 very good deckies now, I can see a possibility of a co-captaining situation with the right person…3 months on and 3 off? A stew/housekeeping/cooking situation could be created. I would like a traveling companion in a woman of what I hope would become a deeper personal life partnership, romantic expression…not quite something of an application form thing but, open to the possibilities. Two boats, two residences, a few vehicles and lots of sea and ocean.
There will be some work to do...and fun to be had! I find fun in my work as well, I hope you will too. Thanks, looking forward to your expressions interest...
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