Log Book
- Port of departure: Bahia Portrero, Costa Rica
- Departure date and time: Wednesday, November 27, 2013 at 10:00am
- Port of arrival: Playa Tamarindo, Costa Rica
- Arrival date and time: Wednesday, November 27, 2013 at 3:00pm
- Total travel time: 5 hours
- Miles traveled: 15.1 nm
- Engine hours: 1165.4 begin – 1166.4 end – 1 hours
- Fuel consumption: 45.1 begin – 44.7 end – 0.4 gallons used
- Fuel economy: 38 mpg
- Weather: The forecast predicted NE wind from 8-12 knots and mild Papagayos off of the coast of Nicaragua.
Much like the previous passages, we decided to haul anchor when we felt enough breeze to sail by. The wind was coming right into the bay from the NW. We tacked out of bay and had 8-12 knots at our side as we headed SW. The passage itself was entirely uneventful. We sailed most of the way and Jeff dominated me in back to back to back games of Ascension (we need a new game).
As we approached Cabo Velas the wind died down to 2-4 knots. After bobbing along for 30 minutes or so we got the spinnaker out of hiding for her annual UV treatment. The spinnaker helped us eke out about 1.5 knots from the wind we had…plus we looked pretty cool. A bright red sailboat with a gigantic red and black spinnaker commands attention. A photo opp for the passing charter boats.
Once the charter boats were nearly out of sight we doused the spinnaker (we have an image to uphold as sailors) and finished the passage under motor. Like Playas del Coco, the anchorage at Playa Tamarindo is full of moorings. We anchored outside of the mooring field behind Isla Capitan in less than 20 feet. In anticipation of impending Papagayo winds we put down our heavyweight bruce anchor. Immediately after getting the anchor set the rain clouds swept in to rinse us off and reward us with multiple rainbows arching over bay. Thanks for the beautiful welcome, Tamarindo!
Beer and internet were in order, so we made our way to town and shopped for the cheapest option. It’s difficult if not impossible to find a bottle of national beer (think Budweiser) for less than $2 a pop. Some establishments charge up to $4 per beer. We miss the land of microbrews!