We were part of the 07 HaHa and loved it. For us it was a date to leave and one we could prepare for. We were also starting a cruise that would take us 1,000s of miles from home on a boat that hadn't cruised far in 3 years. It was a perfect time to have a shakedown because if something broke they're would be some support (that's just plain prudent).

The idea of being part of the HaHa was also just fun and only a 2 week of what would be a 4 year experience. We had a great time meeting people on the rally we would see 3 years later in Kuna Yala and the Western Caribbean sharing stories and reminiscing about boats and people that never made it past The Mexican Gold Coast.

Hmmmm? Why have you chosen to stay in the local waters of the Pacific Coast and the shelter of the Sea of Cortez never venturing into the real unknown? Cruising the Sea of Cortez, the California Coast and The Mexican Gold Coast is pretty darn close to going in a group to feel safe or at least could be taken as that. Hell, most of the time you have internet and cell phone coverage. Most of the people I met that stayed in that area weren't adventurers but more like vacationers not traveling south because of fear of the uncomfortableness of isolation or the unknown. They become afraid of more adventure staying comfortable with what they know and rationalize that where they've already been is fine and going further from home is something that's not needed. That's also traveling within your comfort zone to feel safe.

Don't mean to bust your chops but I think your statement is one that could pertain to you also.

Yes we participated in the HaHa and we had a very large vessel but we also ventured further than from San Francisco to Puerto Vallarta.

Then again, perhaps you didn't go further because your vessel was too small to voyage in. I don't consider myself a voyager by any means but a coastal cruiser. Why? perhaps I was afraid to cross oceans.