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 Americas & Beyond | June 2008 
Get Ready for FUBAR 2009
 Capt. Pat Rains - The Log
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| | Sponsors can sign up now, and interested boat owners can get details and join forums at the new Web site, SDYC.org | | |
San Diego Yacht Club to run next year’s Mexico cruising event.
The inaugural FUBAR Odyssey sponsored last year by Del Rey Yacht Club and the Mexico Tourism Board was so successful that San Diego Yacht Club recently agreed to take over the helm for the 2009 cruise.
FUBAR stands for Fleet Underway to BAja Rally, because organizers will shepherd a fleet of well-found but short-legged powerboats from San Diego about 750 miles down the outside of Baja California and 140 miles up the Sea of Cortez to La Paz in late 2009.
This is an excellent chance to buddy-boat down the Baja Peninsula with long-range cruising experts. I was on the first FUBAR, and it was a resounding success for all participants.
Kemp Ruffner and Val Farrell, San Diego Yacht Club co-chairs of the project, said the FUBAR cruise is planned for midsize powerboats capable of traveling at least 450 nautical miles at 8 knots without refueling. FUBAR organizers will arrange international port clearance at Ensenada, along with marina reservations and refueling at discounted prices. Several rest stops at anchorages and marinas are scheduled, with beach parties and cruising activities.
Ruffner and Farrell said that the FUBAR is designed to support powerboats that need refueling while traveling down the Pacific side of Baja California — however, vessels with larger fuel capacities are welcome to join the FUBAR, too.
“Escort vessels manned with experienced skippers, mechanics, doctors and other experts will accompany the FUBAR,” Farrell explained. “Safe routes will be prearranged, and a weather-routing service will oversee the cruise.”
Boat manufacturers and marine gear makers will lend their expertise to skippers and will sponsor seminars and events along the way. Joining with San Diego YC in supporting next year’s FUBAR are Del Rey YC and California YC of Marina del Rey, and the Mexican Tourism Board.
After San Diego, boat stops in Baja California will include Ensenada, Turtle Bay, Santa Maria Cove, Magdalena Bay, Los Cabos and La Paz.
FUBAR participants (who often call themselves FUBARistas) will have opportunities to fish and enjoy whale watching — and some may opt to depart early from southern Baja California to head toward Puerto Vallarta and mainland Mexico. After the FUBAR grand finale at a marina in La Paz, boaters are likely to venture off on their own or in smaller informal groups to explore the Sea of Cortez and mainland Mexico. A yacht transport ship may be available to return FUBAR boats from La Paz.
Sponsors can sign up now, and interested boat owners can get details and join forums at the new Web site, SDYC.org. |
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