We left Bahia Honda on Monday at about 6:30 am, bound for Isla Cebaco, only about 25 miles away. When we arrived, we saw that the anchorage was not protected especially with the strong south swell. We decided to keep going and try to make the next anchorage, Ensenada Naranjo before dark.
As we crossed the bay toward it, we were going about 4.5 to 5 knots and would barely make it in before sunset. Reading further, it appeared the holding there was not good. With our secondary anchor, we didn't want to risk it. The wind was from the south, and favorable so we changed course and headed to Ensenada Benao. It meant sailing overnight, but the guys were rested from the night before and wanted to do it.Eventually, the wind quit and we ended up motoring in the early morning hours. The previous overnight saw virtually no boat traffic. As we approach the canal, that is clearly changing. At about 4 am I woke up to the sound of Tom and Canaan actively engaged on deck. As it turned out we crossed a fishing net, even though we were at least three miles off the coast.
Canaan was on watch and he smartly but the boat in neutral to avoid fouling the prop with the net. I came up, flipped on the spreader lights and we were able to turn free of the net. It would be nice if they could mark the better somehow! The wind had shifted and was coming from the north - great a "norther", just what we DON'T want going around Punta Mala.
Ensenada Benao is supposed to be perfect for waiting out these nasty north winds. We saw up to 27 knots, but the holding here is good so we'll stay and leave at first light.