HI to Panama - Best Time & Route ?

[gwaite]

I may need to move a 380 Lagoon from Honolulu to Florida via the Panama Canal. I am looking for advice on the best time of year and the best route to get to the Panama Canal. I and my crew have done coastal cruising but this will be the first water sailing">blue water sailing we'll do. So, what is the best time of year and route?

[Freerider]

According to Cornell the best time is late October or November.

Page 291 of his book describes the route....

World Cruising Routes: 1,000 Routes from the South Seas to the Arctic | Cornell Sailing Books

[highseas]

Freerider,hows the boat coming? You coming to Mex. this winter?That's a tough route to Panama,might want to hit the coast further north then drop down to Panama.

[barnakiel]

According to Pub. 136 you depart on N course later gradually working thru NE and E course. How far to go N and how early/much to turn E depends on the time of the year. This is basically similar to Hawaii - Frisco route, above the high later joining the Frisco - Panama route.

All details and approx turning points in Pub 136. routes 10.83 thru 10.85. My passages are the fourth edition.

Remember the hurricane season and look up the expected hurricane tracks - and sail accordingly. If sailing now you will be more exposed to tropical systems risk, if sailing later then wx up N will be your bigger worry.

Make sure your wx awarness onboard is top notch, esp. if sailing during the hurricane season or in the winter.

If you are not comfortable with your wx skills, get a wx aware shore based person to support you during the passage.

If you do not have Ocean Passages, drop me a PM and I can post the relevant passage to you.

Cheers,
b.

[highseas]

Met a guy a couple of years ago ,sailed his modern Trimaran from Hawaii to Puerto Vallarta straight shot,in December.I think it took him 23 days.

[gwaite]

Thank you for your replies. I won't be making this passage this year. I have a feeling I need to learn a lot more about ocean sailing, equipment, wx, and communications before I take on that adventure.

Thanks,
gwaite