>am wondering,what about say a Nordic Tug 42 or similar >vessel for an extended coastal trip and liveaboard,Primarily >single-handed.Victoria to Sea of Cortez for the winter. Nordic Tugs and American Tugs are a common sight in Mexico, as well as just about any other boat imaginable. With proper planning and preparation the trip down to Mexico is fairly easy, especially going south in November/December. Heck, I know people who have made the trip south on jet skis, ribs, and open fishing skiffs. I wouldn't do it, but it is possible. I also know people who have made the trip south in a trawler single handed but it is extremely risky. There are only a few places along the Baja pennisula where you can pull in for a rest and some of those are hazardous. The two best places to pull in are Bahia Tortuga (Turtle Bay) about 3 days south of San Diego and Bahia Santa Maria (in the vicinity of Bahia Magdelena) about 2 days south of Bahia Tortuga. For Scott and others heading south to Mexico this fall - be particularly wary of the Mexican commercial fishing boats about 30 to 80 feet long, especially in the Ensenada area. You will see quite a few of them in certain locations along the coast at night. We left San Diego at 1600 and that put us around 8 or 10 miles off of Ensenada around midnight. They are usually lit up well with running lights but their maneuvering defies logic. They generally will not respond on the radio. We had a couple play "chicken" with us to the point where we had to make nearly a 180 to get out of their way. Perhaps they are just trying to protect their nets, I don't know. In one case we were giving one guy a 3 mile cushion and he still came after us. DO NOT INSIST ON THE RIGHT OF WAY! We had one boat come to within 100 yards of us. It is best to just give way to the direction they are trying to push you and be patient and keep your cool. If all else fails, come to a dead stop and let them clear the area. I don't know why this always happened in the middle of the night at oh dark thirty, but it never happened during daylight (most of the fishing is at night). Usually the situation sorts itself out in half an hour or less and you are only off track a couple of miles and you can be on your way. The first time it happens to you, it is unnerving. After that, you will know what is coming and consider it just part of the "fun" of cruising in a foreign land. But having now told you about the worst part of the trip, everything else is glorious! Wait till you pull into Bahia Tortuga the first time and walk the streets of the little village. If you aren't hooked on cruising in foreign lands, you will be then. The villagers are friendly and welcoming and grab a fish taco washed down with a Pacifico at one of the waterside "cafes". Purchase one of those large bags of wrapped candy at Costco. Kids will follow you like the Pied Piper. Cruising in Mexico is fabulous!