Advice on moving to Baja

Check compression on motor, if good, rebuild carbs, replace all fluids, filters, belts, and hoses, and water pump (not too expensive if you can do yourself). Motor should be fine after that. Replace and pack all bearings on trailer and be sure tires are in good condition, also check trailer brakes if equiped. Carry extra spares for both trailer and tow vehicle as well as filters, fluids, hoses, and plugs.
After you make the journey south, hire a panga the first time out. This will teach you a lot about the area, which will save you time and fuel $$ trying to find structure on your own as well as teaching you about the Tides wich can be massive in some areas.
Sounds like a great journey, wish I could join you, but my wife would explode.
Safe travels,
;0)

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FWIW, my work partner just got back from a 3 week midlife crisis motorcycle trip down there. He said the gas is American gas now and not the rot gut shit it used to be.

If it were me, I'd head to Montana.

Check compression on motor, if good, rebuild carbs, replace all fluids, filters, belts, and hoses, and water pump (not too expensive if you can do yourself). Motor should be fine after that. Replace and pack all bearings on trailer and be sure tires are in good condition, also check trailer brakes if equiped. Carry extra spares for both trailer and tow vehicle as well as filters, fluids, hoses, and plugs.
After you make the journey south, hire a panga the first time out. This will teach you a lot about the area, which will save you time and fuel $$ trying to find structure on your own as well as teaching you about the Tides wich can be massive in some areas.
Sounds like a great journey, wish I could join you, but my wife would explode.
Safe travels,
;0)

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Thanks. I'm having a shop give it a look and check that out next week. I'll see about replacing all that, and if it's already in good shape just bring an extra of each. No need for a panga. Been there a couple times already. Familiar with the area and have been corresponding with the guy that runs Sea Sniper down there.

If it were me, I'd head to Montana.

Are the Wahoo and YT running there right now?

Everything Yakhopper said +1. Especially on checking the compression.  That will tell you a LOT about the health of the motor.  After rebuild on carbs, have them synched or else you'll have a poor running engine again.

Make sure you have a good internet connection and post up here as much as possible.
Good on you for taking up the adventure.

Life Insurance. 
Life raft.
Ditch bag with water and food.
Radio
Backup radio
Backup backup radio
Epirb
PLB


In that order.

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Don't forget the linguistic skills to operate the radio

Driving at night in Baja-- the problem is that there is no reliable emergency medical system.  And bad things happen more at night down there...

Driving at night in Baja-- the problem is that there is no reliable emergency medical system.  And bad things happen more at night down there...

Not worried about medical services too much. More worried about what the danger increase realistically is. I was told common sense should keep me safe (don't stop for stranded seniorita on the side of the road at night...)


Really bummed they have such strict gun laws. Going to be weird traveling unarmed.

Did my master's thesis in Baja many years ago.  Never mind the senorita at night... the kinds of things you will encounter are a row of 8" rocks across the road (unlit) marking road construction ahead, or a cow (also unlit) walking across the road at night, or a can of motor oil with a single wick burning (think candle) to mark that the road is washed out... all of these I have seen.. The senorita.. not s'much....
We always got great (and cheap) mechanical services locally, but parts can be a challenge. If you bring a few likely spares (water pump, spark plugs, carb rebuild kit, maybe even a set of rings) the mechanics know what they are doing. Older motors better, as anything like an integrated circuit board is difficult to replace quickly.  Did do some boat shopping locally (can do via internet)?  we found on mainland side many ex pats that dragged a boat down there and were ready to sell cheap so they didn't have to drag it back to the states...they have craigslist in La Paz, too y'know....

My advice is leave us your address so when we're on Vaca we can crash at your place

Thanks guys. Will get the spare parts and filters you mentioned. Forgot how bad the gas was.

Engines not running that great now. Trying to decide weather to take it in to a shop or just sell it for what I can get and try and buy one that's a little newer and more reliable. Motor is a 1980s. And it's 10hp over the hull limit so getting a different one might be good


Any advice on the fish finder? Can I use one on the boat then switch it to a yak fairly easy?

No offense but I'd ditch the boat altogether and bring the yak instead for easier transport less breakdowns etc. etc. That boat looks like you will spend more time wrenching on it than running it.

Use the money from the boat for panga trips and you will be better off. If you're there for a while you could meet some people doing the same thing and chip in for gas.

Or bite the bullet and buy something reliable.

Good luck with your trip!

-Eliot

No freakin way I'd take a kayak 10-20 miles out where I need to get.

Going out on a panga every day would cost a fortune. If it didn't I wouldn't even screw with a boat. I hate them.  I wish it was as simple as a yak but that's just not feasible for going far out and bluewater spearfishing.

No freaking way would I take that boat out 10-20 miles every day!

Those older johnsons are good motors but anything that age will have lots of little quirks. I just repowered my boat that had a 94 Johnson 90hp. My motor ran great except for when it didn't and you never knew when it was going to quit on you. Nothing worse than an engine that won't start on the salt. No biggie in a lake but in the salt with tides, wind etc. you don't want to mess around.

You asked for advice and I'm giving it to you based on real world experience. I hope you have a great trip and please post some reports for the rest of us!

-Eliot

I recommend going out with others you trust and stay near their boats.......just in case.

Eliot your old motor never gave you that much trouble right? There was the time it started shooting gas out of the little red thing on top and would not start...but that was in the marina so it worked out. Unfortunately not everyone can just go out and buy a brand new motor so that is one more reason a kayak may be best for many of us. Good boats are not cheap (even smaller simple ones) 

WM looking forward to the reports and very envious of your trip.

Everything Yakhopper said +1. Especially on checking the compression.  That will tell you a LOT about the health of the motor.  After rebuild on carbs, have them synched or else you'll have a poor running engine again.

If it is an old evinrude, they can be brought up to snuff fairly easy, if it is a merc, sell it.  Trailer axle should be inspected, bearing repacked, wiring harness checked to the trailer. If you are worried about theft, take the spare tires and one or both of the tires off of it and install locking lugnuts on the hub, just don't loose the key.  Won't stop anyone but it will slow them down.

Thanks for the advice.


When I say 10-20 miles out I mean from launch, not straight out. Isla ceralvo is still close to dive spots so.... Theoretically I'm still not that far from land... But with the currents that still might not help.

Thanks guys. Will get the spare parts and filters you mentioned. Forgot how bad the gas was.

Engines not running that great now. Trying to decide weather to take it in to a shop or just sell it for what I can get and try and buy one that's a little newer and more reliable. Motor is a 1980s. And it's 10hp over the hull limit so getting a different one might be good


Any advice on the fish finder? Can I use one on the boat then switch it to a yak fairly easy?

No offense but I'd ditch the boat altogether and bring the yak instead for easier transport less breakdowns etc. etc. That boat looks like you will spend more time wrenching on it than running it.

Use the money from the boat for panga trips and you will be better off. If you're there for a while you could meet some people doing the same thing and chip in for gas.

Or bite the bullet and buy something reliable.

Good luck with your trip!

-Eliot

No freakin way I'd take a kayak 10-20 miles out where I need to get.

Going out on a panga every day would cost a fortune. If it didn't I wouldn't even screw with a boat. I hate them.  I wish it was as simple as a yak but that's just not feasible for going far out and bluewater spearfishing.

Since you bought the boat already, it's a moot point but you have to figure that you may not get in the water everyday.  Conditions, health, and mechanical issues may keep you on shore.  I had friends with boats in the area and they went out far less than they thought.  Also, BW diving alone poses challenges.  Diving everyday also poses unique affects on the body. 

Ceralvo looks close but I think the closest straight line from the launch is like 16 miles.  To get to the BW spots, it's further. 

Also, how do you plan to dive BW by yourself?  if you tag a big fish, what's your game plan? 

Sounds like a great adventure, and also looking forward to the reports.

Nate