TrawlerFest Guides You From Pacific NW to Mexico and Beyond (Gallery)

Capt. Pat Rains Shares Her Formulas for 'Commuter Cruising' and Buddy Boating

By Peter Swanson

February 12, 2019

The latest buzzword in cruising is “commuter cruising,” defined as leaving your boat somewhere while you return home, then returning to your boat and getting underway again.

Cruising guide author Patricia Rains, expert in all things Mexico and Central America, will take attendees at TrawlerFest in Seattle through several south-of-the-border scenarios.

In one seminar, “Commuter Cruising: Three Mexico Itineraries,” Rains shares route plans that hit the best destinations at just the right seasons–good marinas, fuel and air connections–yet avoid hurricanes. Similarly, in “Commuter Cruising: Two Central America Itineraries,” she offers up two Central America itineraries that accomplish the same thing. Both seminars offer options depending on how much time cruisers have to get away.

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A third seminar, “Lessons Learned from CUBAR Power Boat Rallies,” takes attendees on a typical organized group cruise down the Baja peninsula to the magical sea of Cortez. Some of the lessons learned are about buddy boating in general.

Her discussion of compatibility issues addresses boats’ seakeeping abilities, duplicate electronics or shared, skipper and crew experience levels, budget levels, sense of adventure versus risk aversion. Lifestyle similarities: social drinking, physical fitness, shore excursions and bed time.

BEST VALUE: Every seminar except the diesel course and “Boat Handling on the Water” are part of our VIP package. Being a four- or five-day VIP gives attendees access to their choice of 24 other seminars. The cost is $449 for a four-day VIP pass and $549 for the five-day pass. Visit our ticketing site and do some math. You’ll see how being a VIP maximizes your seminar buying power.