Mexico Cruising 101: What to Know Before You Go

Byline: Capt. Pat Rains Right now, more than 4,000 West Coast recreational boaters — commonly referred to as “yatistas” — are preparing to head south this fall into Mexican waters. From mega-yachts to cruising sailboats to trailerable fishing boats, these vessels and their owners will be members of the Cruising “Class of 2013.” Some boaters visit Mexico every winter — especially those aboard sportfishers and larger motoryachts — making the annual circuit between Alaska in summer and Mexico in winter. Some of them plan to spend six to eight months in Mexico and keep going south into Central America, then transit the Panama Canal into the Caribbean. But for many, this fall marks their first taste of foreign cruising. Like jumping off a diving board into deep water, these adventurers will depart Southern California and are immediately plunge into an honest-to-goodness foreign country where English is not the primary language. They may depart the U.S. anytime after late October — and immediately, they’ll begin exploring 3,500 nautical miles of pristine coastlines that range from remote anchorages to luxurious resort ports; and from uninhabited desert islands to vast jungle estuaries. What an adventure! The Log wishes the entire Class of 2013 a heartfelt Buen Viaje! Here are a few...