Rather than dissing the HaHa-ers like Gary did, I found the experience very interesting compared to going it alone on someone elses boat. There was a tremendous range of applicable experience, but nearly everyone managed a 750 nm trip with few stops without doing a lot of damage. The parties are fun, but a lot of what you get at the stops is just meeting other people, and also getting immediate help with problems. Partying is really pretty mild, although a few people do seem to get stranded by the surf at Bahia Santa Maria every year. Help I saw was everything from replacing/repairing a starter motor, to finding someone with SplashZone to make sure a boat didn't sink before it got to Cabo to radio repairs to advice on downwind sailing and a host of other things. Even a few crew splitups. And the legs are (hopefully) boring in the middle of the night, and I think many felt more comfortable being able to reach out to another boat on VHF. But if you consider the learning experience: Most everyone on the HaHa ends up with a longest leg of at least 350 miles, including standing 24 hour watches. They manage to navigate their way to Turtle Bay, in spite of the options/obstacles along the way. A number actually sail all the way from SD to Cabo, although most do some motoring. One of the "sail all the way"s from the trip I made just rounded Cape Horn and back, got written up (Sailors Run). They learn how get weather, maintain a radio watch, do all the other usual sailor things at least well enough. And managing to fix (and break) a whole load of things, often with help. Learn about their capacity for seasickness, fear of the ocean, sleeplessness, ... And probably a whole lot of other stuff I haven't thought of. When I went, the split was more for Mazatlan' than just La Paz and PV, possibly due to early Northers in the Sea and a late season Hurricane near Manzanillo. And at least they figured out they should think about these things. Listening to the long range weather and watching the phases of the moon was a new skill for many. But those exploring the Baja Coast miss the long leg at sea to Turtle, the semi-competitive nature of the sailing, and the cameraderie that develops. Even on deliveries the longest leg is usually TB to Ensenada, a half day shorter than the Ha-Ha. I can contrast another trip South watching lightning storms off of Pta Colnett with the other two crew asleep below and no one within radio range with listening to the radio chatter on the HaHa as an example where some may have a preference. Besides, I don't go anyplace else where there are 350 miles between stops or more than one overnight. :)