Author: Scott and Kathy Erwin, Sail the World

We took a wild dingy ride just South of Barra to the shipwreck of Los Llanitos. She was a 215 meter Mexican carrier, who ran aground just after leaving Manzanillo one day in 2015. This was just before Hurricane Patricia.

“She had been blown ashore unable to withstand the strong winds by the hurricane.  The bulker went ashore and sustained severe hull damages as it’s hull dragged along the rocky shoreline. Mexican Navy helicopter rescued the crew prior the hurricane hitting land.” Reported By The Wrecklog.

We took a wild dingy ride just South of Barra to the shipwreck of Los Llanitos. She was a 215 meter Mexican carrier, who ran aground just after leaving Manzanillo one day in 2015. This was just before Hurricane Patricia.

“She had been blown ashore unable to withstand the strong winds by the hurricane.  The bulker went ashore and sustained severe hull damages as it’s hull dragged along the rocky shoreline. Mexican Navy helicopter rescued the crew prior the hurricane hitting land.” Reported By The Wrecklog.

….we were pulling up anchor in Melaque and surprise! This anchorage has a very sandy seafloor, but over the last 2 days, we apparently swung around and around this random dead tree, 25 feet down. Thank goodness Hope Erwin had given Scott a new, sharp machete!!

….we were pulling up anchor in Melaque and surprise! This anchorage has a very sandy seafloor, but over the last 2 days, we apparently swung around and around this random dead tree, 25 feet down. Thank goodness Hope Erwin had given Scott a new, sharp machete!!

Hope flew into Puerto Vallarta then cruised 100 miles south with us for a week. Montana, Derek and his girlfriend Hailie enjoyed a few days at the resort in Barra, then attempted cruising and some light sailing for the week. Unfortunately, all 3 felt a bit queezy from the seas.

Using their Spanish was trickier then they thought. They practiced it at the many restaurants which was a motivating factor.

Our cruising friends all piled into a friends motor yacht and headed across the bay to the darling village of Yelapa (only obtainable by boat). The rickety homes and few restaurants all are on walking paths, since there are no cars. Two beautiful, cascading waterfalls are fun to hike up to. The indigenous people here have been here for centuries, dating back to 1581. The land is owned communally, making this little village a special treasure.

We left Barra de Navidad early December and spent a few days anchored at Bahia Tenacatita just up north a bit. Crazy jungle! A sleepy little bay with access to some awesome mangrove rivers/swamps. A group of 8 cruisers were hanging out here. After trekking through the mangroves for about 5 miles we came to another little beach where we fished with a few locals! Crocs, crabs, egrets, herons and a few fish.

We left Barra de Navidad early December and spent a few days anchored at Bahia Tenacatita just up north a bit. Crazy jungle! A sleepy little bay with access to some awesome mangrove rivers/swamps. A group of 8 cruisers were hanging out here. After trekking through the mangroves for about 5 miles we came to another little beach where we fished with a few locals! Crocs, crabs, egrets, herons and a few fish.

We joined up with a group of cruisers, roughly 30 boats, mostly sail but some motor. ‘Panama Posse’ includes boaters who travel primarily between Florida and the Pacific North West (in either direction). These cruiser groups are an excellent resource for any sailor, newbie or veteran, traveling along this route. The Grand Resort Marina in the quaint little town of Barra de Navidad was where we congregated for helpful sailing seminars and to socialize with like minded, lively people. This town is a bit south of Puerto Vallarta and is the in the center of what cruisers call the “gold coast”.

This massive resort has a very comfortable and friendly Mediterranean feel.  Scott and I enjoyed the people, numerous pools, marina, close dinghy ride to town, private beaches, some surfing, live music and of course good food/drink.

We loved it so much, we have scheduled a few more stays back this way in Jan and again in Feb. We are happy that family are joining us for a sailing and resort vacation! Derek, Hallie, Montana, Hope, Sue and Roland all get to join the beauty here!