Sea of Cortes - A Cruiser’s Guidebook

Created by sue. Last modified on 2008-06-05 15:15:05
Topic: Books,Charts and DVDs
Countries: Mexico, USA

Sea of Cortes - A Cruiser’s Guidebook
By Shawn Breeding and Heather Bansmer
Blue Latitude Press
ISBN 978-0-9800901-0-9
Rec. price $49.95

This book is a true labour of love, its two authors having spent four years (2003 to 2007) compiling a most comprehensive guide to one of the most attractive cruising areas of the world. Exploring every nook and cranny between Baja California and the Mexican mainland in their Westsail 32 Om Shanti, the authors’ enthusiasm and affection for this unique body of water comes through on every page.

The reader’s appetite, including this reviewer’s, is constantly whetted by colourful descriptions of secluded anchorages, amazing encounters with the prolific wildlife, all illustrated by a generous supply of excellent photographs. As an experienced graphic designer, Shawn Breeding has produced scores of harbour plans as well as detailed chartlets, all matched to accurate GPS readings and accompanied by relevant waypoints. As the subtitle suggests, this is more than just a cruising guide as shore attractions and facilities are described in enough detail to provide a complete picture of what to see and do on land.

In their enthusiasm the authors have allowed a few inconsistencies to creep into the text, such as in the introduction to the chapter on Bahia Concepcion which is described as: “Boaters, RVers, kayakers, fisheremen and vacationers from around the world all come to Bahia Concepcion to sample its pristine, quiet beaches…” Unfortunately the accompanying photograph tells a different story, as what must have once been a pristine beach is now lined with a solid row of huts… its quietness obviously gone.

In the description of Puerto de Santa Rosalia, the text is accompanied by a warning that the wharves of the port were in poor condition (as reported in 1994), which can only mean that this is one place the authors had not visited themselves.

But these are minor criticisms of what is in every respect an excellent book that will undoubtedly satisfy both the sailor planning a voyage to this corner of the world as much as the armchair dreamer, and is a worthy successor and companion to John Steinbeck’s immortal “The Log from the Sea of Cortez”.

The book can be ordered directly from the publishers Blue Latitude Press