The Millards and Aaron Fenton returned to the Shellback Club to describe their 2100 nautical mile trip from El Salvador to Puerto Penasco, bringing their boat "Valeda" back to Canada. The aim was to eventually return their boat to Canada via Chicago by trailer. Among other things, the trip entailed engine troubles that led them into Topolobampo at night against shallow waters and unreliable depth sounder. Judith was forced to take a 22 hour bus from Puetro Penasco to meet them. The trip up to Puerto Penasco in the Gulf of Mexico was less difficult, with a couple of small mishaps, but with accompanying dolphins as compensation. Eventually news of the COVID-19 pandemic caught up with their travels. The border closed, so Valeda remains on the hard on Puerto Penasco. "Go Home Part 2" should detail the travel from Chicago to the North Channel, when that's possible. About Aubrey and Judith Millard
Aubrey, a retired teacher and navy officer, got his his navigation experience with his watch keeping certificate with the Royal Canadian Navy. Aubrey is also a past Commodore of the Toronto Hydroplane and Sailing Club. Judith, a retired dentist, got her navigation experience with the Canadian Power and Sail Squadron, and has also been an instructor with the Squadron for many years. Aubrey and Judith set off sailing in 1998 and have been liveaboards on their Ontario 32, Valeda IV, since that time. Valeda has been back to Canada once only in those 22 years although Judith and Aubrey have returned periodically. After time cruising the west coast from B.C. to Alaska they sailed down the west coast of the USA and down to Mexico, the Baja, the Sea of Cortez, and Central America to Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Costa Rica. Currently living in Elliot Lake, Ontario they have enjoyed sailing a 1974 Grampian 30 with the North Channel Yacht Club, and plan to bring Valeda IV back to the North Channel Yacht Club for 2021. About Aaron Fenton Aaron Fenton is at the National Yacht Club in Toronto. He races weekly on a Bruckman C&C 33. Aaron has crewed for deliveries of 40 to 55’ boats, between the eastern USA and the Abacos, Bahamas, and Florida. He has also chartered monohulls and catamarans in the BVI, the Grenadines, and the North Channel. He and his wife Patricia have owned boats of 25, 34, and 37’ and he now skims on a Sunfish. Judy Millard was his first research student many years ago at the University of Toronto, and they have kept in touch. On January 21, 2020 Aubrey emailed to ask for crew to assist in delivering Veleda IV from El Salvador 2300 nm north to Puerto Penasco, Mexico. January 30, Aaron flew Avianca from Pearson direct to San Salvador. Aaron is delighted to assist Aubrey in chronicling this adventure for the Shellback Club.
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