Mexico in "Hobbes"

A south-of-the-border small-boat adventure

Story by John Chille

I’m in crowded downtown Guaymas, trailer in tow and pulled over with a uniformed policeman in my car “asking” for 300-pesos or we “go to the station.” I had last sailed Mexican waters 35-years ago while crewing on and delivering boats; at least some of Mexico has not changed.

I had sailed my 1969, 14-foot West Wight Potter Hobbes (named after the imaginary tiger in the comic strip Calvin and Hobbes) on several California events over the summer since I bought her, but I was always a bit nervous about driving the boat and trailer, with doughnut-like nine-inch wheels, through no-shoulder L.A. For my Christmas/New Year’s vacation I knew that driving on no-shoulder Mexican roads with speed bumps grande and potholes galore would require bigger rubber. Changing to 12-inch wheels was well worth it.

“…there are two types of boats; “get there” boats and “be there” boats. The little Potters are pretty amazing boats but its not fun sailing 20-miles against a 20-knot chop along an unfamiliar coast with only one potential anchorage of refuge.”