Hola CUBARistas!

Another month down – time is flying by.  We are now less than 90 days to CUBAR departure of October 30^th! The fleet is still forming up – we currently have 41 applications and 25 registrations. If you have not registered yet, please send me or Bill Roush (Cruise Captain) a note and let us know your intentions. We are closing out registration on August 31^st, so please sign up soon!

You should have already made your slip reservations in Mexico.  If you have not done so, please do that soon as it will be a very busy fall cruising season down there!  Here are the dates again:

• Ensenada – Arrive Oct 30^th , Depart Nov 2^nd.   Preferred Marina is Hotel Coral Marina.
• San Jose Del Cabo – Arrive Nov 10^th, Depart Nov 14^th.    Preferred Marina is Puerto Los Cabos.
• La Paz – Arrive November 15^th.  Preferred Marina is Marina Costa Baja.

Additionally, we are finding that slip availability in San Diego is getting very tight. So if you need a slip in San Diego, please start making those reservations as well. This link will take you to the Log slips guide: https://www.thelog.com/digital_edition/2019-slips-guide-digital-edition/

We are arranging for the La Playa Anchorage (next to SDYC) to be available to CUBAR boats starting October 27^th if slip availability becomes an issue.

Other things to work on:

1. Bob Senter (Northern Lights) has contacted all REGISTERED captains about scheduling a pre-cruise courtesy inspection.  This inspection is mandatory for all participants. If you have not heard from him, we don’t have you on the registered list.  Attached is a Boat Checklist you can use to start going through your systems before Bob’s visit.  He is a wealth of knowledge and can help answer questions for you.
2. I probably created some confusion with my last eblast about getting your TIP.  The Banjercito web site says that you can not start the process more than 60 days in advance of your arrival.    Fito Espinoza, Manager of Marina Coral in Ensenada, will be at our Training Weekend (Oct 5/6) to discuss the whole immigration process.  The “Boating in Mexico” guide that I sent out with the last blast is now posted on our web site.  The TIP process is not that hard and you should not be too worried about it.  Fito will make sure we get all of the paperwork in order.  But please do come to October meeting with all of your paperwork if at all possible so we don’t have a last minute scramble.
3. We would like to start gathering more information about each vessel for the Program that you will all receive. If you have registered for the cruise (paid your fees), please complete the Bio form at http://cubar.sdyc.org/about-cubar/boat-bio-form/ 
4. We need complete a tally of those that will need fuel in Turtle Bay so we can negotiate discounts. If you know that you will need fuel and have not contacted Pat already, please let Pat Rains know that as she will be negotiating the rates. Email: patrains@mexicoboating.com  Please cc our Cruise Captain, Bill Roush.  roushbill@yahoo.com 
5. Garmin is going to be providing us with a 25% discount on the InReach device. In order to get the device discount, captains will need to individually email Garmin at inReach.professional@garmin.com.  They will then provide a unique discount code for purchase from Garmin.com.  There are two models of InReach, and both will work.  The Explorer is more expensive, but offers TOPO Maps, compass and altimeter – handy if you want to use it for Hiking.  The SE has all of the other features of the Explorer, but a slightly smaller screen.  If you want the Explorer, it will cost less by buying through Garmin with the discount.  If you want the SE, you can find it for less on Amazon, even with the Garmin discount.  The InReach will be our primary communications tool for broadcast messages, and it’s a great safety device to have for your ditch bag in any case.

Important Upcoming Dates:

October 5/6:  Training Weekend.  This will be an all day affair on both days, running from 8am – 4pm.  Lunch will be provided.   For those arriving from out of town, we will be arranging for a discounted rate of $99 at the Four Points Sheraton in the Sports Arena area.  It is right next door to the training center.  Here is the link for registration:

The Captain and one crew member from each vessel should attend this great training weekend.  My company will be hosting, and we will have some fun stuff to share with you all.  A detailed itinerary for the training weekend will be posted shortly.   At Training Resources Maritime Institute, 3980 Sherman Street, San Diego.

October 24/25:  Registration – time to get all of your crew registered for the event, and work on any last minute Mexico immigration issues.  We will try to set time slots for everyone in advance, so it can be a fast process for you!   At SDYC.

October 29:        Captain’s Meeting – this will be a 3 hour event the morning of the 29^th. At SDYC. Captain’s only (1 per vessel) please.

 October 29:        Send Off Party – 5:30 pm – 9pm.  Start getting to know your fellow CUBARISTAS! At SDYC, only registered participants allowed.

October 30:        Departure Day!

Finally, I am looking for a few volunteers:

1. Registration Desk Help on October 24/25.  Need 8 volunteers for 4 hours shifts each.
2. Decorations Coordinator for Halloween Party in Ensenada
3. “Dine Around” coordinators for Turtle Bay, Santa Maria, Mag Bay, and Muertos Cove.   Coordinate Pot Luck dinners between groups of boaters.   We will be broken up into groups of 10 – 12 boats, so we will need 1 volunteer per group per location.

Volunteering is a great way to get to know your fellow cruisers, and as they say, many hands make for light work!   Please let me know if you can help out in one of these roles!

I know there is a lot of repeat info in this blast, but I want to make sure everyone has the details.  Please let me know if you have any questions!

Best regards,

Dave Abrams
SDYC 2019 CUBAR Chairman