Deep-Sixed the Guns off Mexico...

[ripcurlksm]

Mexico

I live an hour north of mexico, been there once. its great but it gives me the heeby jeebies although so many people come and go there everyday. When you are going there and are EXPECTING corruption from officials you need to rethink your trip. I have been to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic 2x and love it, no worries. but wouldnt do mex again... well maybe once more for the thrill but srsly its a shakedown all for what? Nothin! If anything I could see going down to mainland mex or something but up near the border, they expect americans to be there so they crack down extra hard to squeeze it out of you.

From what I've heard its good to always have an extra 60 dollars on your person, they love bottled water and sad to say it here on THR but they love playboy magazines all used for bribes. And to me, its worth it to ensure a safe trip, IF i decide to go again.

 

[redneck2]

I heard that there is no spanish translation for "due process"

 

[pedaldude]

Anyone with critical comments about sailing and whatnot most likely has little experience other than a sailing dinghy if that. With the time and money invested in building your own boat anyone would hopefully be cautious. Yes plenty of boats have sailed around the world w/o engines of any kind, it also used to be pretty common for boats to run aground and get thrashed to pieces on rocky shores. The decision was sound and reasonable. I'd like to hear more about the boat and the voyage.

Also were there any other boats around or with you that could have held the firearms, or traded for rum, gifted? I guess that you didn't want to broadcast that for anyone to know but I've read many stories and questions of firearms on boating forums. It seems that regardless the political leanings once you read X amoount of pirate stories you'll want to pack something. Another reason for the buddy system, one boat can get supplies while another can stay in international waters with the verboten items.

Also many civilized countries will provide for visiting boats firearms storage if you call ahead first. I've read of people doing just that and happy when their goodies get returned unmolested and in there original packaging.

many attacks it seems though occur in port or at anchor during nighttime or early morning hours using small rowboats with a motor attached for a quick getaway. haven't heard of too many full on pirate stories but there are enough that you need to be prepared one way or another.

 

[Jerry Morris]

Travis McGee wrote:

First, if any of you have not crossed oceans in sailboats, you don't have a clue. You might as well give advice to astronauts on how to jury rig rockets during a space walk. Really, it is the height of hubris to second guess someone with 30,000 ocean crossing miles (6,000 solo) on such a decision when it comes to sails/engines/gales etc. I just about laugh out loud. It's like being a mountaineer in Nepal who has turned back at 25,000 feet in a storm, and getting armchair advice from someone who has never left Ohio in his life.

It would seem you directed this at me, now who is jumping to conclusions? I imagine I have never gotten past the city limits? Rough seas and you are playing games with the guns before you deep six them? I have seen rough water and I had no desire to do experiments with hot rifle barrels. I would have been getting my butt and those with me into sheltered waters as fast as I could. This is what leads me to believe it was not as rough as you say.

I am sort of beginning to giggle myself. Let's just say you made your decisions? I likely would have made altogether different ones. Maybe from day one (hint). A sailboat is a beautiful thing. It is made for sailing. My own preference for the motor is to make power for utilities like charging batteries for lighting, potable water making and comm equipment. Fuel lasts a lot longer when you run under sail. Why have sails and run it like a stink pot? Surely, you didn't leave port under the same conditions? I think you knew what you were doing, I do not think you too foolish. If you have those miles (and I will believe that), you know the sometimes wicked ways of blue water and what they do to plans. I will say this, I would not have thrown those guns over the side. Going the way you did, I likely would have left them back at home. If they are not important enough to try to keep for the return trip, they likely were not needed for the way down. Guns will get you into deep stuff, in many ports. Some of them here in the U.S.A.

Ah well, each to his own.

Jerry

 

[geim druth]

I for one would like to hear more about shooting from a boat in the open ocean. Are there any particular tips for technique or accuracy?

 

[ready4shtf]

wow, is it really that deep? I thought most of the gulf of mexico was like 80-150 feet....

 

[Travis McGee]

Tell me about your ocean crossing voyages aboard small boats Jerry, and we'll talk some more.

 

[Owen]

ready, wrong Gulf. He was on the Pacific side.

 

[wildburp]

Great Story!

I did not wade through the rest of the thread (will check it out later), but I wish I could tell a story (read write that well) and fit into those pants!

wb

 

[R-Tex12]

Great story, Travis M -

Glad it all worked out well. OK, now that you're back and (presumably) rested, get to work on the third book.

I mean, anyone who's both a John D. MacDonald and a Beach Boys fan should take at least a little pity on his deprived audience!

Seriously, I'm really glad it turned out well & welcome home!

(Oh, and Happy New Year!)

Rick

 

[jrhines]

TM - The beer is on me....

...another long night at another Shot Show?? I've got a couple of new sandbox stories and I want the details of the trip. Did you bring the gang? Hope so...
In any case, see what you get for mentioning anything here? It's like the time I said I didn't think Les Baer guns were all that red-hot. Momma-frog, I didn't know it was possible to step on that many toes at once...
The kid & I will be in on the 10th, pm me a cell number and I'll return mine.
Safe travels...

And you never told me you was rich $$$$$$$$

 

[wooderson]

And it just makes you wonder about how people who protect the elegals that make it here,

I am utterly confused as to how Mexican gun laws and corruption relate to "protecting illegals" here.

 

[Dave R]

I'd rather dump the guns than try to bribe Mexican officials. Then you may lose your guns, your money, and still wind up in jail.

I can't believe no one has said it yet.

The bright side is, now you get to buy new guns!

 

[HiroProX]

More proof of the criminality of the mexican government. Of course the mexican police are going to dictate nothing more than a .22, they ARE the biggest criminal syndicate so why would they want to make their job robbing the people blind more hazardous?

 

[zinj]

That boatings gets expensive doesn't it.

 

[S_O_Laban]

Great story, Matt. Thanks for sharing.

I would love to make a trip like the one you described, problems and all.

Glad to hear Divine Providence has shined on you and your family with a safe return to the great state of Florida.

 

[Jerry Morris]

Travis McGee:

Tell me about your ocean crossing voyages aboard small boats Jerry, and we'll talk some more.

It wasn't my boat, it was a might bigger than yours, 120 foot without sails. It was the Atlantic. It cured me of my blue water boat buying dreams. When you spend more than one full day on an "express-elevator" that does the 10 to 15 foot yo-yo, you tend to re-evaluate your desires.

Now, I never said I had your mileage and you seem just a little too touchy about my point. I won't deep six a thousand dollars of property, unless there is no way around it. This falls into the overall planning, not just getting caught in a storm. You obviously made your plans and allowed for it to happen. I won't do that. Especially to be down around Mexico. This old miser has more use for a thousand dollars.

Jerry

 

[0007]

Good to know you made it (mostly) OK. Stuck in China at the moment.

 

[hagar]

Somebody needs to invent a device that you could use to dump stuff overboard, and then later inflate with a radio signal or a timer.

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

Ahhh Mexico "federales'....
Whilst in the Merchant Marine I was at a..dance hall in Manzanillo,La Rosa was the name...anyway,the raucus show and surrounding tables became VERY quiet when the uniformed and well armed patrol showed up that night.Everyone avoided eye contact and kept their hands on the table till the "cops" left....
There is a reason why the Third World is still "third".
Good story tho,thanks for sharing it.

 

[Fly320s]

One point that has been overlooked...

TM dropped those guns in deep water in the Pacific Ocean. He is now living in northeastern Florida. Even if he had been able to cache the weapons there for future retrieval, the cost of the trip to get them would be more than the replacement cost of the guns.

Remember, TM didn't want to drop the guns overboard, but considering his circumstances, that was his best option. That was made obvious when the Mexican coast guard/navy came aboard his boat to inspect it. If the Mexicans had found guns on his boat in Mexican water, then TM wouldn't be here to tell the tale.

So, help him get his guns replaced by buying a copy of his new book. I'm ordering mine right now.

 

[roscoe]

We are ragging on the Mexicans - but I still want to know what happens if a foreign boater shows up in an American harbor with a Mini-14.

 

[JCF]

We are ragging on the Mexicans - but I still want to know what happens if a foreign boater shows up in an American harbor with a Mini-14.

LOL...

I always get a kick out of it when folks begin getting indignant about other countries limiting their ability to cross with a gun. Before I moved to the United States (from Canada) I had to sell every firearm I owned - handguns and long-guns. I could get permission to move to the United States, work in the United States, purchase a home... but not bring in my guns.

While I certainly don't agree with Mexico's gun laws, it certainly stands to reason that they are enforced by Mexican law enforcement. Going on about welfare, "shooting the wrong direction", illegal immigration, etc. in response to Travis' post is just plain sad, and just plain offensive.

Travis McGee obviously enjoys travelling and adventure, and his decision to protect himself and his shipmates from legal trouble in Mexico was laudable; admirable judgement in my opinion.

And FWIW: When I moved to the United States, I caught a significant amount of flack from ignorant Canadians who felt that there was "nothing in the USA worth seeing". I have travelled, to and through, Mexico. It has some rough areas, plenty of beautiful ones, some great people, and some pathetically ignorant ones... just like the USA.

 

[sigarette]

I have done some blue water sailing of the Atlantic and I have had to deal with some nasty weather way offshore. I can say, without reservation, that Travis did the most prudent thing he could do given the circumstances. Only a fool would have continued on into territory known for bad weather, with few chances to make for a port, and with low fuel reserves. To take that chance for $1K worth of firearms, would be plain idiocy.

Jerry seems to have the idea that Travis got himself into this bind through poor planning. Read Travis' account Jerry. They had light winds and had to motor alot on the way down from CA. They were trying to make headway in a current with poor winds. He was using fuel becasue he had to. Hautulco was on of the few spots available before moving into notoriously stormy waters. Who wouldn't stop to refill their fuel tank in this situation? Besides ol' Cap'n Jerry.

 

[Apple a Day]

Glad you made it TM and big hello from Poquoson, Virginia.
I don't blame you. You never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never go out without a backup. Only someone with a deathwish would go out on the water and count on one means of getting home... and a 35k pound boat is too d@mned big to paddle around.
Reading about your boat takes me back to refurbishing a 20' motorboat with my dad to use out on the Chesapeake Bay. When we got it the thing was a fiberglass hull full of rotten wood. I hated it most of the time we had it and cussed it plenty but now I miss it. Ain't that the way with boats? Post more pictures!!!
I just happened to be re-reading your second book and remember you describing an Mini-14 as a "crummy" rifle given to the D-Camp guards probably because they were the cheapest contract the government could get. Does this change your image of the Ruger?