[Paddlewise] Currents, Isla Tiburon

In a message dated 12/18/2007 1:40:58 PM Pacific Standard Time,
silidriel_at_prodigy.net.mx writes:
Question.   Does anybody know where to find the water  speed predicition
near Isla
Tiburon in Baja Sea of Cortez, at high and low  tide?
Bet  Regards,
Rafael Mexico.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Rafael,

These sites may help out.

_http://gulfcal.cicese.mx/_ (http://gulfcal.cicese.mx/)

_http://gulfcal.cicese.mx/Docs /textoandFigs02Ago2007.doc_
(http://gulfcal.cicese.mx/Docs/textoandFigs02Ago2007.doc)
Cheers,  Rob G
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rafael,

Trying different points around I. Tiburon in the first URL  doesn't seem to
yield much difference in currents-so  I'm not too  sure how site specific
this model is.
  I have had good luck with this site for tides in the SOC, but  I see that
it is not updated for 2008 yet:
http://oceanografia.cicese.mx/predmar/calmen.htm

In General, after looking at the tides, I have looked at bottom profiles of
a channel to get  a sense of what to expect re currents.  The fish-n-map (
www.*fishnmap*.com/)  maps have  bottom contours.  You may have other charts
with soundings.   The  cruising guides like Cunninghams  _Cruising Guide to
the  Middle Gulf_  which devotes about ten pages to I. Tiburon may help.
You could post a question on the SOC sailboat cruising forum for local
info:  http://bbs.trailersailor.com/forums/cortez/index.cgi

Some of the best local knowledge re WX and  seas is from the pangeros who
fish in  the SOC every day.  They are usually friendly  and very helpful
with all kinds of  info.

Despite over 3000 nautical miles of kayaking In the SOC, I'm still learning
every time.  A big problem is winds that can oppose currents for a nasty
mix.   I  have used a small SSB shortwave (Kaito 1103) receiver to hear
some of the Ham radio weather nets  that sailboaters  use  to create
localized forecasts  for the SOC.   A simple long wire antenna oriented
perpendicular to the SOC seemed to work well in beach camps. (search the SOC
sailboat cruising forum for times and Freqs.)  Club Cruceros tries to keep
net info up to date see: http://clubcruceros.org/Radio.html

Isla Tiburon is one of the midriff islands, which  squeeze the water flow of
the  SOC  and creates  some very busy currents, tide rips and whirlpools, at
for example, the downstream ends of the islands.    A friend,  Richard
Adcock, from La Paz  would drive his 30 meter steel  live-aboard dive boat
into one of the whirlpools at the south end of  Isla de la Guardia on the
ebb tide.   He would then cut the diesels  to give his passengers a rotating
view of the island as the whole boat turned in the whirlpool.   Isla
salsipuedes and the channel of the same name have some obvious
implications.

I have kayaked from  Bahia de los Angeles  across the Canal de Ballenas and
around Isla de la Guardia to the west in the midriff islands.  I recall
hitting strong currents and rips on the crossings and  having to change
course to avoid too steep a ferry angle.  Then later,  it was easier to go
up along the coast where the currents could be dodged,  and  eddy currents
were more favorable   inshore.
I hope some of this is helpful; email if I can be of more help.
Wishing you a great Holiday,
Jay G
jaymtb_at_amigo.net
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