New Coho Ho Ho rally aims to get cruisers to Baja Ha-Ha
Jan 22 2013 in Announcements, Currents by Deborah Bach
If you’re planning to do the Baja Ha-Ha, you might first want to join the Coho Ho Ho.
The what, you ask?
The Coho Ho Ho, to be held for the first time this year, is a rally scheduled to depart Seattle in late summer and travel down the coast to San Diego to connect with cruisers leaving on the annual Baja Ha-Ha rally to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
The idea is to provide support, camaraderie — and a party or two along the way — for cruisers as they make the notoriously difficult passage between Seattle and San Francisco, noted for its high winds, waves and fog.
“The Washington and Oregon coast can be challenging and dangerous,” said sailor Doug Lombard. “People need the support to get down there.”
Lombard and fellow boater Karl Christopher came up with the idea for the rally after crewing on a 47-foot Cheoy Lee sailboat that left Seattle and headed for the Baja Ha-Ha last summer. During conversations with the boat’s owners during the trip, they realized there was a need to provide support for other cruisers sailing from Seattle to San Francisco.
They returned to Seattle and recruited sailor Gary Peterson to start organizing the inaugural Ho Ho, as it’s likely to become known. The trio held its first meeting last week to discuss possible dates and itineraries for the trip. They decided that Seattle should be the official kick-off point, then boaters will meet in Port Angeles to connect with cruisers coming from points north.
The rally would then make its way down the coast, with numerous rest/provisioning stops and one or more party stops. The itinerary and details are still in the planning stages, but likely stopping points include Grays Harbor; Newport, Oregon; and Eureka and Bodega Bay in California before reaching San Francisco.
Additional time would be built in at each stopping point to allow slower boats to catch up, and there would be daily radio check-ins to keep tabs on the boats. From San Francisco, the boats may continue on to San Diego together or split off, depending on interest.
But the priority would be ensuring that all boats make it safely to San Diego. Peterson has been in contact with the Ha-Ha organizers in the hope of bringing the two rallies together in San Diego.
Registration for the Ho Ho would likely be around the same as the Ha-Ha, which costs $375 per boat, and organizers are hoping to organize a series of informational seminars on weather and other topics leading up to the rally. They’re looking for sponsors and volunteers, and have set up a website and Facebook page to help get the word out.
Though the project is only a few weeks old, the group says they’re already starting to hear buzz about it. And if the Ha-Ha is any indication, the Ho Ho seems to have potential to become a popular annual event. Since its launch in 1994, the Ha-Ha has attracted close to 2,500 boats and around 9,000 participants. Last year’s fleet alone included 147 boats.
“If [the Ho Ho] has legs like the Baja Ha-Ha has had, it will be a real neat opportunity to help people get out and try bluewater sailing,” Lombard said. “Being at sea is an incredible experience.”
Cruisingscotts said on February 9, 2013
Sounds like fun! I’m sure the layover Ports will be very supportive as they rarely see a influx of Cruisers. Have made the Trip twice nasty WX both times, I would suggest a very open dept itinerary that tightens up on the end to coinside with the Ha Ha. Cape Mendicino does not play fair when it comes to schedules. Also AIS is fairly reliable for this entire trip. Would be a good idea to ensure all participants have it on board, work with a vendor for discounts etc.
Jake Burgandy Violet and Nemo the cat
Schooner Sassafrass
Sean Munger said on January 26, 2013
I felt like I was laughing the whole time I was reading this article… hahahoho… An awesome concept!
SV Beulah Mae
T R Jones said on January 26, 2013
I had the good fortune to crew aboard the schooner Destiny in the 2012 Ha Ha. My first Ha Ha and also first time off shore. I was really impressed how well organized the rally was. I had a great time.
I was also fortunate that I wasn’t aboard on the Puget Sound to Santa Barbara leg, as they ran into some ugly water off Southern Oregon-Northern California.
The Ho Ho is an interesting idea and I think having other boats on the same heading and destination helps take some of the fear and anxiety out of blue water first-timers minds and adds an element of safety.
Going down the Washington-Oregon-California coast and stopping for a break means bar crossings, so weather becomes a crucial go-no-go factor in a northern Ha Ha style rally. Would need to pad in some extra time for waiting out the weather.
I’d like to do the Ha Ha again, but I don’t have an offshore cruising boat, and I really don’t want to crew again. I do have a nice power boat, but it isn’t blue water capable.
I like the Sea of Cortez enough to consider trucking my boat down there and hanging out with all the Ha Ha’ers down there. I met a few people in La Paz who said they came down in the 02 Ha Ha and never left! Also impressed how many families with kids out blue water cruising!
Ho Ho interesting idea. Entry fee (as proposed) is well worth the $$ spent..
Good Luck with it…………
Capt Tim Jones
SamThayer said on January 26, 2013
I LIKE IT! Count me in for 2014; and definitely have this sent to the Cruising Outpost (Bob Bitchin’).
Sam
33 Hans Christian “Pegasus”
Olympia, WA
John said on January 26, 2013
JUST SPENT 20 MINUTES COMMENTING ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT MY RESPONSE TO THE CAPTCHA CODE WAS WRONG. AN INCORRECT CAPTCHA CODE RESPONSE SHOULD BE MADE KNOWN BEFORE, NOT AFTER, COMMENTING
Marty McOmber said on January 26, 2013
very sorry about John! it is a new system for us and we will take a look to see if that issue can be fixed. thanks for bringing it to our attention and very sorry about the frustrating experience. our apologies
TiFou said on January 25, 2013
I agree with Rick, SAFETY should not be your main reason for joining. Having an itinerary to go down the this coast is the opposite of SAFETY.
TJ Durnan said on January 23, 2013
Hi guys, we are sponsors of the ha-ha, and think that this is a fantastic idea to organize something like this. No problem at all with a small entry fee. The logistics are substantial, and it takes some money to get it all done. Good luck with it. We’ll be bringing our new boat down to Mexico from Oregon, maybe we’ll catch up with the fleet in SF or elsewhere.
TJ and Jenny, SV ‘Rocket Science’, and the owners of Vallarta Yachts.
Jim Lussier said on January 22, 2013
I think it is a great idea. It is a way to meet and start a friendship with others before the Ha-Ha. I am IN! I am heading for the 2013 Ha-Ha also.
Thanks for the starting of the idea and I hope it works out for all of us!
Doug said on January 23, 2013
Welcome to the Coho Ho Ho Jim. We will be gathering likely particapants ideas in a survey at the website Cohohoho.com soon. You are welcome to follow facebook form as well…
Rick said on January 22, 2013
Personally I think if the concern is for the “safety” of fellow cruisers then organize a Free rally, jump up or what ever you want to call it. But if the desire is the “need to provide support for other cruisers sailing from Seattle to San Francisco” then don’t charge for it like a Pirate.
Doug said on January 23, 2013
We are modeling the 20 year success of the Baha Ha-Ha. As you may have already guessed, it takes some money to organize and sustain a rally. We hope to bring informative speakers, sponsors representing eqiupment and services, in addition to group of boats commuicating together while at sea. Our goals include some fun, food and music too.