SIGHTINGS a cautionary tale about tips I have been dreaming of sailing the coast of Mexico since I was 12. That dream began on the waters of the Puget Sound and has been enhanced by many week-long visits to Mexico. That dream currently lies in pieces, simply because a previous owner of my boat did not file the correct paperwork when leaving Mexico. My wife and I bought our boat, Vela, two years ago. We have been working hard to make certain that she is seaworthy and that she will support our lifestyle. We have spent thousands on refits and equipment. We have sailed from Gig Harbor, Washington, through the Inside Passage to Juneau, Alaska. Along the way, we have visited glaciers, seen amazing wildlife, and enjoyed the splendor of Alaska and British Columbia. On July 25, we turned the boat south and started to make our way back through British Columbia, down the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California. We have faced mechanical issues and adverse sea and weather conditions. We have braved rapids and dangerous currents. But we have been stopped in San Diego by a simple mistake that others have made and a piece of paper called a TIP, or Temporary Import Permit, which is required by the Mexican government to bring a boat into Mexican waters. It is fairly reasonable — somewhere in the area of $50 to $60 USD — and in many ways, sensible. The TIP lasts for up to 10 years. A boat captain is required to obtain a TIP upon entering a Mexican port, and is
good jibes Maggard set about learning to sail Pamela, getting her rigged, and plotting his escape. Though not a sailor, his wife Pam decided to join, and took sailing lessons at OCSC in Berkeley to get up to speed. In 2013, the Maggards signed up for the Baja Ha-Ha, followed by the Pacific Puddle Jump. After spending their first nights at sea during the shakedown cruise to San Diego for the start of the Ha-Ha, the results were promising. They enjoyed the journey. The Ha-Ha began a three-year cruise through the South Pacific and on to New Zealand. After those voyages, Pam decided to return home home but Dennis was ready to try his hand at solo sailing for the return trip to San Francisco. With that under his belt, Maggard went on to singlehand multiple times. Though not a racer, Dennis has sailed alone to Hawaii ahead of the Singlehanded
BAJA HA-HA
What do all these boats, seen on the Baja Ha-Ha over the past five years, have in common? Presumably, their paperwork is in order. We also presume that any boats with previous owners canceled their Temporary Import Permits, or TIPS. Uncanceld — and apparently uncancellable — TIPS have become an infuriating problem for a group of sailors hoping to enter and cruise Mexico.
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