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MichaelandChari · 08-08-2015, 21:58

Planning to sail a Gulf Star 41' from Texas to Panama.
Approximate departure date September 1st, 2015.
Looking for route recommendations or any experiences you can share with us.

BobKat2015 · 11-08-2015, 05:07

Surprised that you have not received any responses; just wanted to confirm that your post is visible.

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BobKat2015 · 11-08-2015, 05:10

Maybe you should post under "Sailor's Log and Cruising Plans".

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model 10 · 11-08-2015, 05:16

Maybe nobody wants to sail around during the worst part of hurricane season.

BobKat2015 · 11-08-2015, 05:22

Point well taken and one I made at the marina the other night when I recommended this site to Michael.

xeon_tsd · 11-08-2015, 06:38

Not only is is cane season still.. BUT it is into the wind and into the current most of the way. Some people choose to do this by going to FL 1st then down and around, or over to Cuba and then crossing from the south side of Cuba. There is a counter current closer to shore on the west side that helps.

RTB · 11-08-2015, 20:14

Risky business heading that way in September. Hurricanes form off the Yucatan peninsula quite often, and you won't have a decent place to bail out. It's a long, tough bash getting to Mexico from the Texas coast. The Bay of Campeche is often nasty. Running down the coast from there, getting around the tip Honduras/Nicaragua can be a challenge. At that point, you might want to stay well off (50 miles) the coast to avoid Pirate types.

Some Texas friends sailed to Panama and bought an island there. They left the Keys, went over to the Dry Tortugas, and crossed over to Isla Mujeres, and down to Panama.

A third option, which I have done, is leave S. Florida and head for the Windward Passage (between Cuba and Haiti). You can sail on the Great Bahama Bank for a day or two. Take a break and anchor at Nurse Cay, the Jumintos. Once around Cuba, the trade winds will carry you down to Panama. You can stop in Jamaica on the way and take a break, re-provision, get water, etc. This is a sensible route.

Have a great trip. Whichever route you take, I'm sure it will be an adventures one.

Here are a few videos of our trip -