For us, the HaHa was a date. We were heading south and needed a hard date and the HaHa was it. Also, since the boat was going to travel many thousands of miles and had not been far from home for 3 years it seemed like a good shakedown with some support.

We also wanted the party. A going away,, or A going to, party.

I never understood those who said the HaHa was a waste and why would anyone want to travel with 170 other boats and 400 people you don't know. The HaHa is only two weeks and 800 miles. It's a short moment in time. You get a lot more than a T-shirt and a burgee. You get a life experience that doesn't come by often. We met new friends, some have moved on, some we stay in touch with and some we still occasionally share an anchorage with. In all our cruising the HaHa was a really fun experience that was different than all others.

Anyone who hasn't their expectations met on the HaHa is probably a loner with a depression problem.

IMHO

Link,, Tug of War, 2007 HaHa, Turtle Bay, Baja Mexico