July 2, 2019-Blast of Wind in La Manzanilla

wingssail images-fredrick roswold
Anchored in La Manzanilla


The blast of wind hit at 04:30 am.

Judy and I were both up in a flash. We raced up the ladder onto the deck into the overwhelming noise of the canvas flogging, the rigging screeching, and the staccato on the backstay of the flapping American flag. I turned to Judy coming up behind me, and yelled, “Turn on the instruments!”

Reaching the deck our bodies were at once buffeted by the wind, and we hung onto winches for support. We glanced around in the darkness trying to get our bearings, which way are we pointed? What is the wind direction? How much is it blowing?

Then a lull came and everything became silent. The boat sat placidly. Not a ripple on the water. We could see the town to our left, the mountain behind us, and the rocks to our right. We’re not in immediate danger, but we’re pointing to the East, an unusual direction.

Soon another gust came in and again hit us hard. This time we could see it was from the SE; the glowing numbers of the B&G system answered most of the questions but immediately the answers went crazy. The wind was swirling around, coming from every direction and the wind speeds were all over the place.

wingssail images-fredrick roswold
Numbers we need to see


Judy said, “Fred, let’s take down the awnings!”

I wanted to resist. In fact I did resist, but another strong gust changed my mind. We worked together in the howling wind, released the lines, and manhandled the awning.

“If it tries to take you away, just let it go!” I yelled to Judy.

The awnings came down. I took down the flag. The boat became quieter, even in the gusts.

Judy had been right. With the canvas down, things seemed more under control.

One of Judy’s concerns was if the wind got worse and we started to be in danger and we had to bug out then we’d need to be managing the boat, not struggling with canvas. Our anchoring spot was not a good one for this to be happening anyhow: Rocks nearby to the NW, a headland with reefs close by to the West, and a long sandy surf beach just to the SE of us. Only the NE was clear direction so if we had to leave that was the only way out. But we wouldn’t have much time and with the spinning boat it would be easy to get mixed up. A clear mind was essential. The boat had to be shipshape, ready for sea, and we had to be paying attention.

That was why we wanted the instruments on; the compass and instruments were our guides if we had to move. We knew what course to follow and the instruments would point the way. I was glad we had fixed the instruments the previous day.

After a few minutes the gusts seemed less and we went down below and sat on the settees but we were waiting nervously. We didn’t know if more wind was coming. We also didn’t know if this was a thunderstorm up in the mountains behind the town or what it was. There could be rain, even heavy rain if it was a squall. But no rain came and after a while the wind became steady from the ESE. There were no waves. Wings rocked peacefully. I fell asleep.

Later we decided that it was the SE wind which had been predicted for days and had finally arrived. That predicted wind was the reason we were anchored in this cove at La Manzanilla and we’d been there for two days waiting. La Manzanilla It was the only place around with protection from the SE, but the forecasts grew inconclusive; the SE wind might not even come. We stayed anyhow and we went ashore for some shopping and had a nice dinner there. It was a quiet town and very peaceful. We relaxed, and grew complacent. The wind woke us up out of our complacency.

wingssail images-fredrick roswold
Boys everywhere by the sea


After this brief SE wind had passed through the weather forecasts called for a return to the typical NW conditions. La Manzanilla would not be good in NW winds. That day we went ashore and bought supplies. Then we set sail back to the Tenacatita side.

Wind Instruments

After being so proud of ourselves for fixing the B&G wind vane we were dismayed that once we got underway the wind direction was not working. The vane spun properly and pointed the right direction but the electrical signal did not get to the computer. We noticed it as soon as we got underway on the trip to La Manzanilla.
I had no confidence that I could fix whatever was wrong inside this sealed instrument, but I was determined to try. Back up the mast. Back down with the mast with the instrument.

I spent a day on the workbench with my meters and test probes. I checked for continuity between all the plugs and wires. I diagrammed the circuit. I finally ran some tests of each synchro path and confirmed, as best I could, that the instrument itself was working, but still, when it was plugged in no signal came through. So it had to be a bad plug connection. I carefully drilled some holes and put in some screws to secure the plug. This seemed to work. When we put the instrument back on the mast it did work. The wind direction readings came through. This was helpful that night when the wild wind came blowing through.

I have no idea how long this 40 year old B&G system will continue to work.

Water vs Power

For over 33 years we have cruised this boat. We’ve always had to run the engine to charge the batteries. Our solar power has never been, with few exceptions, enough to keep up with the electrical demand, primarily from the refrigerator. Even now with bigger solar panels we only generate about 60 amp hours per day. In the past our refer alone has used nearly 100Ah each day. Only when we’ve been in cold water and very sunny conditions has the solar kept up with the demand. The Sea of Cortez in January meets those conditions. On most days, while cruising, we run the engine each day until the batteries are full or nearly so. It has averaged between one and one and a half hours a day.

In addition to the electricity for the refer we’ve always run the watermaker when the engine is running, usually just enough to fill our water bottles for drinking water then we turn off the water maker.

Click here for more photos

Fred & Judy, SV Wings, La Manzanilla, Mexico