Preparing for Mexico: Hatteras SHAKEDOWN | SF to Berkeley

Welcome to the channel, where the dream of blue water is finally becoming a reality! We aren't just cruising the San Francisco Bay for leisure anymore; we are officially in Mexico Prep Mode. Every mile we sail now is a lesson learned before we point the bow south. We’re in our seventh day of our Winter Shakedown Cruise. Today we’re leaving the breakwater docks of the Marina Greens to see how the boat (and the crew of 7) handles the heavy winter air on a run to Berkeley Marina as we push this 1976 60’ Hatteras through the frigid rough San Francisco Bay, San Pablo Bay and beyond. The Bay was in a mood today, giving us exactly the kind of "test" we were looking for. As we cleared the San Francisco shoreline, the city began to fade, and the reality of our upcoming expedition set in. We aren't just sailors anymore; we’re students of the sea, using these cold winter winds to find the weak points on our Hatteras before we hit the open Pacific. Crossing the "Slot" toward the East Bay, the Golden Gate stood as a silent reminder of the gateway we'll eventually pass through on our way to the Tropics. But today, the kiss of warm sun is far in the distance. The journey across to Berkeley wasn't just about the destination—it was about the shakedown. We’re checking the seals, testing the heater, and getting comfortable with the boat’s motion in the chop. You will see we have a steering helm problem. Is it seal? As the Berkeley Marina masts came into view, the sense of accomplishment was real. It’s one more chapter closed, one more dock mastered, and one step closer to the white sands and warm waters of Mexico. The countdown is on, and the work has just begun. This is the raw, unfiltered reality of getting a boat ready for the voyage of a lifetime. From the gusty Marina Greens in San Francisco to the quiet slips of Berkeley, we’re proving that the best way to prepare for the big blue is to master the grey winter days right here at home in the San Francisco Bay area. Come aboard with us on this winter SHAKEDOWN cruise. We’re visiting multiple marinas and encountering a multitude of varying weather. Start with my FREE boat buying toolkit here: ▶ Free Boat Buying Toolkit: https://h5oh8v.subscribepage.io And if you’re seriously shopping boats in the $50K–$250K range, check out The Real Used Yacht Buying Blueprint here: ▶ Real Used Yacht Buying Blueprint ($497): https://renkster6.gumroad.com/l/oxtehp Come aboard and let’s go boating! #SailingMexico #BoatLife #WinterShakedown