Stick around until the end for an important announcement…

Winter ’24

Ahoy readers! As 2024 comes to a close, I am feeling extra nostalgic lately as we reflect on our year and make plans for the next. We kicked off 2024 in Puerto Peñasco finishing up boat projects before splashing Avocet back into the water to sail south in the Sea of Cortez. Our adventure was made even more memorable by buddy boating with SV Kessel, and watching her crew (Peter) gracefully step into the title of solo sailor. A bit further down the sea, we had the pleasure of sailing with our pal Reid and his furry sidekick Ellie from SV I’mua. For about two months, I found myself as the lone female (or the “Wendy”) amongst my “Lost Boys,” which quickly became a cherished role. Together, we made unforgettable memories in every anchorage we visited. 

We celebrated our February birthdays in Loreto, soaking in the beauty of the area before setting sail for a three-day passage across the Sea of Cortez to our second home — La Cruz de Huanacaxtle in Banderas Bay. There, we reunited with our family Max and Karen from SV Lusty, who had just taken over a local watering hole, now affectionately known as “Lusty on Land.” Many nights were spent there dancing, singing, drinking, and savoring their delicious menu.

Spring

March brought new adventures as I flew back to California to compete in a snowboard competition — and I placed 3rd, right behind an Olympic snowboarder! Not bad for someone fresh off the boat from Mexico! Back in La Cruz, we competed in the Banderas Bay Regatta. Against all odds, Avocet placed 2nd in her class, even though she was ranked as the “slowest” boat in the race. Just goes to show, you should never judge a boat by her PHRF rating!

Before we knew it, two months had flown by. In April, it was time to sail north to Mazatlán, where we watched the total solar eclipse with our friends Charles and Nora, who hosted an unforgettable house party to mark the occasion. Mazatlán exceeded all expectations with its beauty, charm, and energy, so we extended our stay by a week. We can’t wait to return for more good times! After Mazatlán, we sailed back to La Cruz just in time for the town’s annual celebration — our second year experiencing this colorful event. From there, we set off on an 11-day road trip with Max and Karen, traveling deep into the heart of Mexico. Our adventure took us from Tequila to Lake Chapala, to Guanajuato and San Miguel de Allende, and finally to Karen’s hometown of Celaya. The trip was filled with delicious food, history, shopping, and unforgettable experiences.

In late May it was time to sail north to Guaymas and haul Avocet out for the season. Before doing so, we flew to Santa Cruz, CA, to celebrate my little brother’s marriage to his beautiful wife, Autumn. It was the perfect opportunity to offload the first round of boat items, which made our final return to California a little easier. We officially hauled Avocet in June, securing her for the season and saying goodbye (for now).

Summer – Winter

Back in California, we settled into life at Runaground Ranch, where we learned how to trade our sea legs for land legs, working the 5 acres of land we bought in 2023. Our decision to buy a home in the mountains was an investment in our future, providing a safe place to store our lake boats, treasures from far off lands and create passive income so we can rent it while our sailing the world. 

It was a long summer of lake sailing, house projects, work and hosting our salty friends including our longtime pals Mitch and Quincey (SV Esprit), Charles and Nora (SV Ayala), and a surprise visit from our Canadian friends Jay and Kenna (SV Sitka) AND Max and Karen!

Tough Decisions

One of the hardest parts of cruising is meeting incredible people, only to sail separate ways. Yet, the silver lining is following their journeys online and feeling that familiar itch to follow in their wake. After our pals from Lusty and Sitka left California to return to Mexico, Chris and I have been wrestling with the question of “what’s next” for us. We’ve lived and loved aboard Avocet for six years and have been cruising for nearly three, but deciding our next move—whether to sail further south, head west, or stay in Mexico a bit longer—is tough. With the addition of Runaground Ranch in our lives, new possibilities are calling to us.

After spending this summer at our new-to-us homestead, there’s a strong pull to stay put for a while. We’ve got  family to spend time with and endless projects to shape this place into something special. Five acres offer a lot of room to dream—a proper garden, chickens, expanding the shop for boat storage, and maybe even a spot for dinghy building. Like when we found Avocet, which had “good bones” but needed work to become ours, Runaground Ranch has that same potential to evolve into our vision.We also hope to rent out the house or a smaller unit we build on the property to a tenant, providing a source of income to support our cruising lifestyle. Since I can work remotely, this plan would help balance our finances, especially since Chris isn’t able to work from the boat.

Moving aboard Avocet now nearly seven years ago was the easiest decision we ever made, but the cruising life itself has never been simple. Casting off was just the beginning; we’ve faced engine struggles, mental health challenges, and the constant stresses of planning. Last season, we went with the flow, and since returning to California, seeing so many of our sailing friends has reignited the fire to go further. Especially after our “found family”, we’re more eager than ever to push Avocet south, dreaming of sailing through the Panama Canal and reuniting with Sitka, Prism, and so many other buddies on the other side.

Before that can happen, though, Avocet needs some TLC. It’s been about five years since we tackled major projects, and the time has come for a round of replacements, repairs, and upgrades. Right now, Avocet is on the hard in Mexico, tucked away in a great boatyard where we can focus on these updates. So, we’ve decided to keep her dry-docked this season, dedicating our energy to preparing her for grander adventures in 2025/26. Avocet will always be our primary home, and our passion for sailing is stronger than ever—we just need to do this right, for us.

Thank you for supporting our journey; we can’t wait to share more with you soon! And if you’ve sailed beyond Banderas Bay, we’d love to hear about your favorite must-stop anchorages and can’t-miss spots. We want to experience as much as we can!

Fair winds,

Marissa, Chris and Cleocatra