An Epic Sailing Odyssey
San Diego, California → Genoa, Italy
Seven months. Three oceans. One unforgettable adventure across 10,000 nautical miles.
The Adventure Awaits
From the Pacific coast through the Panama Canal, across the Caribbean and Atlantic, to the Mediterranean—this is the journey of a lifetime aboard S/V Exhale, a Leopard 50 Catamaran.
The Route
Our adventure begins with the legendary Baja Ha-Ha Rally—a 750-mile cruise down Mexico's Pacific coast. After exploring Baja's stunning anchorages, we'll head south to Costa Rica before transiting the engineering marvel that is the Panama Canal.
The Caribbean beckons with turquoise waters and island hopping through the Caymans, Keys, and the Bahamas, before we set our sights on the ultimate challenge: the Atlantic crossing.
The Atlantic Crossing
The crown jewel of our journey: a 3,400+ nautical mile crossing from St. Maarten to the Mediterranean. We'll stop in Bermuda's pink sand paradise, explore the volcanic beauty of the Azores, and touch European soil in Portugal before our final push to Italy.
This is blue-water sailing at its finest—days at sea, star-filled nights, and the satisfaction of crossing an ocean under sail.
Culture & Cuisine
Every port is an invitation to discover. Taste the journey: from fresh fish tacos in Mexico and crispy conch fritters at a Caribbean beach shack, to delicate Portuguese custard tarts in the Azores.
Our voyage concludes in the Aegean, dropping anchor by a cliffside village to dine at a family-run taverna, sharing grilled octopus and Moussaka right by the water, surrounded by thousands of years of history. This is about collecting stories and friendships that span continents.
Our Vessel: Exhale, a Leopard 50 Catamaran—renowned for comfort, stability, and blue-water capability. Learn more →
The Crew
Beat Naef
Captain
Cynthia Ringo
First Mate
Ed Gogel
Crew
Bill Lard
Crew
Peaky
Mascot
About the Baja Ha-Ha
The Baja Ha-Ha is an annual sailing rally from San Diego, California to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Established in 1994, it's become the world's most popular cruising rally, bringing together hundreds of boats and thousands of sailors for an unforgettable 750-mile voyage down the Baja Peninsula.
The rally includes stops at:
- Turtle Bay - A protected anchorage with stunning natural beauty
- Bahía Santa María - Crystal-clear waters perfect for swimming and kayaking
- Cabo San Lucas - The famous Land's End, where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific
Each stop features organized beach parties, potlucks, and celebrations, creating a unique camaraderie among cruisers embarking on their Mexican adventures.
Learn More at Baja-Haha.com →What Makes It Special
The Baja Ha-Ha isn't just a race—it's a cruising rally that emphasizes fun, safety, and community. Daily radio check-ins keep everyone connected, and the organized social events create lifelong friendships among cruisers.
This will be the first leg of Exhale's journey, setting the tone for the incredible adventure that lies ahead. From the moment we depart San Diego on November 3rd, we'll be part of a grand tradition of sailors following their dreams south.
Mexican Highlights
Beyond the rally, Mexico offers incredible cuisine—fresh fish tacos, authentic moles, and locally-caught seafood. The Baja Peninsula is famous for its stunning desert landscapes meeting azure waters, world-class sport fishing, and warm, welcoming communities.
Transiting the Panama Canal
An Engineering Marvel
The Panama Canal, completed in 1914, remains one of humanity's greatest engineering achievements. Crossing it is a bucket-list experience for any blue-water cruiser.
The 50-nautical-mile transit takes 8-12 hours and involves:
- Gatún Locks - Three chambers lifting boats 85 feet to Gatún Lake
- Gatún Lake - A vast artificial lake through tropical rainforest
- Pedro Miguel & Miraflores Locks - Descending back to sea level
We'll enter at Balboa on the Pacific side and exit at Colón on the Caribbean side, completing one of sailing's most iconic passages.
The Experience
Small vessels like Exhale typically raft together with other boats during the transit, sharing line handlers and creating a unique camaraderie. The process requires careful coordination with canal pilots and line handlers.
Panama itself offers incredible biodiversity, indigenous cultures, and a fascinating blend of Spanish colonial history and modern development. The country serves as a crossroads of the Americas, with influences from throughout Latin America and beyond.
Beyond the Canal
After our transit, we'll provision in Colón before setting out for the beautiful waters of the western Caribbean, where coral reefs, tropical islands, and turquoise seas await.
The Atlantic Crossing
The Passage
Crossing the Atlantic Ocean is the ultimate achievement for any cruising sailor. Our route will take us from St. Maarten through Bermuda to the Azores, then onward to Portugal and finally Italy.
This 3,400+ nautical mile passage will take us through some of the world's most storied cruising grounds. Bermuda's pink sand beaches and British charm, the Azores' dramatic volcanic landscapes and warm hospitality, and Portugal's historic maritime cities all await.
The journey culminates on the Mediterranean shores of Italy, where centuries of maritime history, world-class cuisine, and la dolce vita welcome sailors who've completed this incredible ocean passage.
Through the Bermuda Triangle
Our passage from St. Maarten to Bermuda takes us directly through the legendary Bermuda Triangle—the region bounded by Miami, Bermuda, and Puerto Rico that has captured imaginations for decades.
While popular culture has mythologized this area with tales of mysterious disappearances, experienced sailors know it as simply another stretch of open ocean. The Triangle's reputation stems from its heavy traffic, unpredictable weather patterns, and the Gulf Stream's strong currents—all perfectly navigable with modern equipment and proper seamanship.
Thousands of vessels transit these waters safely every year, and we'll navigate this 1,600-nautical-mile leg with GPS, radar, satellite weather forecasting, and experienced crew. The real adventure lies not in mystery, but in the thrill of blue-water sailing across open ocean.
Follow Our Journey
Track our progress in real-time, read daily journal entries, and view photos from along the way.