04/03/2018 – 32 nm – N13º18.1 W88º53.5 – Bahia Del Sol Marina, El Salvador
Land Ho! 3 pm sighting by Yayoi after lighter air veering behind us. We tried the spinnaker, but could only make 5.5 knots. Gotta pick that up to make our pre-planned arrival into Bahia Del Sol. Our plan is to meet a jetski to guide us into the 5′ deep entrance over the sandbar. The guides say it is a dangerous arrival through breaking waves, never to be made at night. Gary Eaton (probably back home by now) has done it before and said, “Be careful and take precautions, but only and idiot could get in trouble.” Perfect set-up for Captain Chris, haha.
High tide at 16:00, so our 16:20 arrival should give us plenty of room under the boat. Dowse the spinnaker, both motors up to 2000 rpm, 10 knots all the way in to the back of the breakers with smooth following seas. We helf offshore waiting for our guide and watched a few fisherman motor out of the channel, memorizing the best routes. But the best routes would then close out under a heave of breakers, changing our minds about that only to choose another, smoother route. Then a set would close out over that section. I guess it’s all about timing! A sailboat started out after about 20 minutes of waiting, guided by a long, dhao looking outboard. Maybe that’s what they call a jet-ski here? They zigged and zagged their way around the breakers, powering up and over one bow on, showing us his keel. He waved as he passed, assuredly relieved to be past the danger as his guide became our guide. He waved us to follow and in we went, powering up to full speed to stay ahead of the breakers. We came in fine with no heart-stopping moments, maybe just a bit extra thumping in the chest. Poor Yayoi was quiet on the way in and I thought sea-sick, but after, she said it was fear. Awwww! I didn’t even know to comfort her! We powered in past the very roudy shelter-city to the port. People shouting, playing, eating, selling and splashing in the water under the wood-and-tin lean-tos. And just past that into a heavy current to squeeze our way into a narrow end dock at the Bahia Del Sol Resort, around $400/month! This would be a great place to leave the boat for a few months, I’d say. Good security, friendly people, well protected in the river and cheap rates. Just ensure to double up the docklines with that 5 knot current twice a day.
The resort welcomed us with cold Bahama Mamas and cheers as we tied on, then a wobbly walk to customs right in the resort and we were free. We met Joe, Chris and Cheryl’s friend who would join for the next leg to Mexico and ate dinner, celebrated our arrival with sun downers and went to bed. We’ll save the exploration for tomorrow.
Up early for a Resort breakfast of eggs, chorizo, plantains and some very tasty, very dark beans. Laundry, boat cleaning then finally off to walk the area. Where ARE we??? I did zero research on this place, putting all my faith in Chris and Cheryl. We walked along a straight resort road, picking up freshly fallen mangos on the way and getting juice all over ourselves, washing in sprinklers before catching up to the others who stopped for morning beers. Continued on to the other side of the spit and walked along the beach, picking our way past plastic jugs, shoes, birds eggs and buildings sunken haphazardly into the sand. And then up ahead we saw our entrance, looking very surfable, two foot overhead wind waves. Onward to the shanty-town for a big sea-food meal of fish, prawns, chorizo, chicken and beef. Yummmmm!
So Yayoi and I are done, gotta go back to work. But the boat is continuing with the others plus Joe up to Puerto Vallarta, lucky dawgs. Here’s to good wind and flat seas, good luck! Hopefully we can get on the next leg, Mexico to Hawaii.