MEXORC Pack-Up

March 22, 2012

While some of the California-bound MEXORC boats bash their way back on the water, at least two are making the trip in 50-knot apparent breeze on the nose – on land. The SoCal-based TP52 Rio may be a little big to be called a trailer sailer but the crew loaded her up and off she went. The hardest part of the trip so far was the first quarter-mile out of La Cruz down the narrow cobblestone main drag.

Rio has plenty of room to tack. Yeah. ©2012 Stephen Buckingham

On the other hand, the Wylie/Kernan 44 Ocelot was designed to be hauled by truck, and has a Wylie-built trailer that bolts to the keel sump and tilts. By doing this they don't need special road permits and can be pulled by an ordinary heavy-duty pickup truck. Not as easy as loading up a Catalina 22, but when was the last time you saw one of them doing the San Diego to Puerto Vallarta Race?

Ocelot hauls out. Oops, she left her keel behind. ©2012 Stephen Buckingham

Ocelot heels over to go upwind. ©2012 Stephen Buckingham