FIVE HA-HA YEARS LATER, WHAT ARE THEY UP TO?
Audrey and Bruce of Wild Orchid
Curious as to what the folks who did the 2018 Ha-Ha are up to, we emailed them. We received so many responses that we're dividing them into several segments. We think the information will be as interesting to those who did the 2018 or other Ha-Ha's, as well as those thinking about doing this year's Ha-Ha. Sign-ups for this fall's Baja Ha-Ha XXIX, which starts on October 30, begin on May 9.
Bruce and Audrey Toal
Wild Orchid, Beneteau Oceanis 58
San Diego
"Wild Orchid is currently in Australia. After the 2018 Baja Ha-Ha, we joined the Pacific Puddle Jump in 2019, departing Puerto Vallarta on March 15 and arriving in New Zealand on October 22. Then COVID hit and we stayed in New Zealand for 2.5 years before departing in April 2022 and sailing to Fiji and New Caledonia. We later cleared into Australia at Bundaberg in October of 2022. We enjoyed Christmas and New Year’s Eve in Sydney, and we are now in Southport (Brisbane) and will continue up to the Whitsunday Islands in May. Including the Baja Ha-Ha, we have cruised almost 17,000 nm so far.
"We got Starlink in Dec 2022 and are loving it!
Bruce McClean
Pacific Bear, Alaskan 66
West Vancouver, B.C.
"I'm still happily cruising Pacific Bear in the Pacific Northwest from Vancouver to Alaska. My advice to anyone considering joining the Ha-Ha? Do it!"
Robert Day
Daydream, J/122
Newport Beach
"We still live in Laguna Beach and sail out of Newport Beach. We did the 2001 Newport to Ensenada Race and won our class — thanks to Stan Gibbs. During the 2022 Ensenada Race, we hit something just north of San Diego that brought us to a full stop from 10 knots while under spinnaker. Exciting!
"We are planning on doing the Ha-Ha again this year. It will be our fifth or sixth.
"Suggestions for people considering it? Yes! Yes! and Yes! The Ha-Ha certainly got me started sailing long distances, and we have some incredible memories from each Ha-Ha. Fabulous event!"
Bill Thomas
Epiphany, Crealock 37
Seattle
"I've continued cruising after the 2018 Ha-Ha. After a year in Mexico, I sailed south through Central America, spending a few months enjoying El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. We hauled out in Panama, did some bottom work, and then explored Panama. Even crewed on a boat going through the Canal.
"We next sailed from Panama to the Galapagos and on to French Polynesia. Epiphany spent 18 months in French Polynesia before sailing to Fiji, where I spent all of 2022. She is currently in Vuda Marina waiting on engine parts. This summer I expect to sail to Vanuatu and then Australia's Gold Coast."
Perry and Patty Chrisler
C'est Si Bon, Beneteau 46
Scottsdale, Arizona
"We did three Ha-Ha's with C'est Si Bon before selling her in 2020. We did last year's Ha-Ha as crew. We've since purchased a new Beneteau 46-3, where she is now part of the Moorings/Sunsail fleet in St. Lucia. In essence, we now have access to 20 international bases for charters with up to 12 weeks of time. We are still actively sailing!
"Our Ha-Ha's were great experiences."
Lee Leonard
Mi Casa, Hunter Legend 40
San Diego
"Along with doing the Covid Nada Ha-Ha in 2020, I've done three Baja Ha-Ha's. I'm still cruising from California's Channel Islands to Barra Navidad, including the Sea of Cortez. I'm currently spending the season in Banderas Bay.
"From the good organization to the fun events, to the first-hand experience of sailing to a true destination, I highly recommend the Baja Ha-Ha. In fact, I hope to do it again this year. "
Pam and Howard Bean
Nomad, Jeanneau 49
Anacortes, Washington
"We were part of the fun groups for the 2016 and 2018 Ha-Ha's. After the 2016 Ha-Ha, we sailed to the Marquesas, the Tuamotus, Tahiti, Huahine, Moorea, Bora Bora, Hawaii, and back to Anacortes. In 2018 good friends wanted to experience the Ha-Ha, so we did it again! This time we shipped Nomad home from La Paz after enjoying the winter cruising Mexico.
"We had enjoyed Mexico so much that in 2019 we rented a condo, and then bought one in La Cruz overlooking the cruisers' anchorage. In 2022, after two seasons of being in Mexico without Nomad, we sailed her back down from Washington. We are keeping her in the Marina at La Cruz. Sailing in Mexico in the winter is awesome!"
George and Shirley Vallance
Sanderling II, Hylas 49
Vancouver B.C.
"After the 2018 Ha-Ha, Shirley and I returned to Vancouver in 2019, and a year later sold our Hylas 49 to a really nice couple from San Francisco. They immediately turned around and did the same trip. I think they were in the 2020 Ha-Ha as Mickey Jean. We were still living on Salt Spring Island at the time and purchased a 59-ft Selene trawler.
Family circumstances made us move back to Vancouver in 2021, and unable to find moorage for a large boat, we eventually sold the trawler last summer. We have now found a slip on False Creek where we live, and are actively looking for another boat, probably power as we want to spend time in northern waters over the next few years.
"We have great memories of the Ha-Ha and made some great friends. It's a terrific program."
Anne Alberg and Diana Trump
Arctic Loon, Jeanneau 45
Poulsbo, Washington
"The well-orchestrated 2018 Baja Ha-Ha was a great experience for us. We two co-captains had a crew of Jaqi Nadolny, Sue Drake, and Jean Sartou — all women.
Anne Allberg of Arctic Loon
"When Covid closed the South Pacific and New Zealand, Anne moved back to the Pacific Northwest. She currently lives in Bellingham where she is a sailing instructor and private captain."
Kendra Knoll
Jersey Girl, Irwin 65
San Diego
"After doing four Ha Ha’s and sitting through the pandemic, it became apparent that it was time for me to move on to new adventures! So I made the decision to sell my beloved Jersey Girl and move on. I did stay in La Paz, and only recently moved to Aspen, Colorado. I’m getting back into my corporate flying career. There’s been a few other changes, too. Such as my changing my gender, and being so totally happy loving my life as who I truly am! Love ya!"
Gregory and Susan Newman
Rapture, Caliber 40 LRC
Berkeley
"Yes, we are still cruising. Rapture is now in Australia while we're on an expedition vessel crossing the Drake Passage to Antártica. We'll return to Rapture in May of this year."
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