The Fox put to sea out of San Carlos a bit over an hour after our buddy-boat, Kia Ora, had set sail. We intended to make a 90-mile northern crossing of the Sea ending in a nighttime landing in the anchorage at Punta Pulpito. Although it is our policy to avoid nighttime arrivals, we knew that Pulpito is free of obstructions and can accommodate several boats, so we felt most variables were still in our favor.
During the day, breezes were generally WSW and less than 10 knots. After sunset, however, the breeze increased a bit; at one point we experienced a short-lived puff into the high teens. We double-reefed the main sail and used our staysail to alternate sailing and motor-sailing depending upon what the wind felt like doing; the seas stayed at about one foot of chop. We altered from a close reach to close-hauled as the night progressed. Periodically Kia Ora and we hailed each other on the VHF. All was well, which under their circumstances was good to hear.
Kia Ora stayed ahead of us and entered Punta Pulpito's anchorage ahead of us at about 0245 on November 27, 2016. Our travel time was 16 hours. Two other sailboats, both unlit, were already at anchor. We anchored The Fox well away from the other boats in about 32' depths, letting out 150' of chain. And so to bed…WITH OUR ANCHOR LIGHT ON, PEOPLE.
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