San Diego Yacht Club's 2019 CUBAR Odyssey: Seven ports in Baja California, Mexico

San Diego Yacht Club's 2019 CUBAR Odyssey © San Diego Yacht Club

The 2019 CUBAR Odyssey, a biennial powerboat cruise organized by San Diego Yacht Club was held October 30 - November 17, 2019. This year's event featured 24 powerboats cruising the coast of Baja California and visiting six Mexican ports along the way.

The idea behind CUBAR, Cruise Underway to Baja Rally, was originally conceived by Bruce Kessler, a member of Del Rey Yacht Club, in conjunction with California Yacht Club and San Diego Yacht Club in 2007. The cruise runs every two years and is now hosted permanently by San Diego Yacht Club.

CUBAR gives power boaters the opportunity to experience a long distance cruise to Mexico within the safety of a flotilla of boats, replete with mechanical and medical personnel. For some, it's the first time they're taking their boat cruising outside of the US. The organizers at San Diego Yacht Club host pre-event informational meetings, training sessions and registration, along with social events and activities throughout the cruise.

This year, one of the missions of the CUBAR Odyssey was a philanthropic effort to provide medical supplies to the volunteer ambulance services of Bahia de Tortugas. Participants of the 2019 CUBAR Odyssey planned ahead to collect financial donations and supplies to bring to Bahia de Tortugas. One of the major contributors was the Montecito Fire Department, who was able to provide a variety of uniforms and medical supplies no longer in use at their station which helped stock the ambulance and support the Bahia de Tortugas community.

In addition to their philanthropy on the water, CUBAR raised over $25,000 to benefit the Sea Scouts and San Diego Yacht Club Junior Sailing Program to encourage youth involvement in boating.

Along for the ride was Justin Edelman of Nobleman Sailing Media, who was there to document the 2019 CUBAR Odyssey along every stop. Enjoy the stories below produced during the cruise, and let the journey speak for itself! Please support Justin's efforts in documenting the stories of the sea by following his YouTube channel.

The next CUBAR Odyssey will be scheduled in 2021.

Thank you to Chairman Dave Abrams for all of his hard work and efforts to organize this year's CUBAR Odyssey.

Thank you to CUBAR sponsors Northern Lights, San Diego Marine Exchange, Marina Puerto Escondido, Training Resources Maritime Institute, Marina Puerto Los Cabos, Marina Costa Baja, Marina Coral, Bahia de Altata, Paradise Village Marina, E2 Yacht Services, Sevenstar Yacht Transport and Cabrales Boatyard.