CaboColnett

Entry/exit Colnett is rather straightforward, other than Charlie's comments the author can only add that indeed a swell can round the cape and into the anchorage and thus, an offshore wind blowing out of the gorge will place the boat beam to the swell making for a very uncomfortable anchorage and in some if not most cases lasting all night. The author on various occasions has had one cup coffee tossed off the dinette table onto the settee and on two other occasions, two glasses of wine tossed off the dinette table onto the settee. Fortunately, the upholstery is stain proof and all were washed out with salt water.

On three occasions, the author has rounded the cape northbound after hauling anchor at 6:00 A.M. only to be met with high seas and wind stopping forward progress. Rather than starting the tacking routine, a passage was started up the beach line standing off for about a mile and the 30 ft. line, motor sailing with just the main set since the wind was too high for sailing. Gradually the wind and swell piped down making for an interesting passage since the countryside is more settled with more rainfall, villages, condos and hotels.  Almost every time at around noon, the wind again piped up to about 20 kts. or so requiring the tacking routine and an after dark arrival at Puerto Santo Tomas.