Panama-Marquesas

[mrybas]

Hey,
We're (crew of 3 on 40' sailboat) leaving for the Marquesas from Panama in the next couple weeks. Does anyone have any routing advice that is contrary to Jimmy Cornell's 'World Cruising Routes'? Anyone make this passage recently?

[Celestialsailor]

I don't have any experience doing that one but I'm hoping you post of the experience once you get there.

[bstreep]

We have friends in the middle of this trip, right now! Actually, they are about 1/3 of the way into a 28 day passage:

SailBlog

[donradcliffe]

You will note that bstreep's friends stopped in the Galapagos. While it is getting really expensive to check in there, you will probably be very low on fuel after 1000 miles of doldrums.

[msponer]

Oh, how wonderful, I'm a bit jealous. Have fun!

We left from Galapagos, and ... next time I will have more faith that the trade winds will eventually turn on. Last time I was overly cautious about using too much fuel in the beginning of the trip, and ended up frustrating ourselves by trying to sail too much through the ITCZ, blew out a spinnaker in a night squall, and etc, before giving up and just motoring due South about a hundred miles to find the first puffs of steady wind.

So, next time I will be more aggressive with the motor in the beginning, and not worry about using too much in the first couple hundred of 2600 (or whatever) miles. The wind started to turn on a couple degrees South of the equator, enough that we could ghost along at 3 knots with our working sails, and then over the next days gradually built to the beautifully orgasmic trades, and we didn't motor again until going through the passes in the Tuatmotus, I think. We were having so much fun with the steady trades that we sailed on and off the anchor in the Marquessas, and didn't, in fact, bother to refill the diesel tanks until Vanuatu, most of the way through the South Pacific.

So trust that the trade winds will come, and they'll be glorious.

[mrybas]

Originally Posted by donradcliffe

You will note that bstreep's friends stopped in the Galapagos. While it is getting really expensive to check in there, you will probably be very low on fuel after 1000 miles of doldrums.

Yes, that is a consideration, but it seems like an expensive fuel stop. From what I can figure, it will be $700 for a 'one island' stop. Once there, you are not permitted to do much without paying for tours.

[donradcliffe]

Depends on your range under power and your patience. Your Tashiba is not known for its light air sailingcapabilities, so you better plan on 1000 miles of motoring to get to the trades at about 4-5 degrees south, then 30 gallons to get to the Marquesas.

BTW, the Islas Encantadas are a magical place--we did a couple of cheap tours (probably bootleg), and its the only place I've ever been where a bird will perch a foot from you head and check you out with absolutely no fear. We also had a great time swimming with the baby sea lions, and they had a great time playing tug-of-war with the polypro rope we brought.

[GordMay]

Check out some earlier discussions of the Pacific Coconut Milk Run:
➥ Coconut Milk Run - Google Search

[boatman61]

Last year I passed N of Isla Isabella... motored 36 hrs directly for the Galapagos.. then picked up light S'lies that took us across the top of Isabella... 11 days...
then had to motor for 8hrs before picking up more S'lies..
Panama to Nuku Hiva 36 days in a Bruce Roberts 53ft steel ketch.

[Greg4cocokai]

Yes, Get south! We didn't get the trades til 6 degrees south. 19 days Galopagos to Fatu Hiva 007. The trades are nice. Have a good trip!

[Jim Cate]

FWIW,

Bob McDavitt of the NZ met service post a weekly "Weathergram" in which he addresses the current situations for that passage. Usually includes specific recommendations for getting to the wind and currents that you need.

May | 2013 | MetBob

He's a good bloke to provide this free service to us.

Cheers,
Jim

[mrybas]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

FWIW,

Bob McDavitt of the NZ met service post a weekly "Weathergram" in which he addresses the current situations for that passage. Usually includes specific recommendations for getting to the wind and currents that you need.

May | 2013 | MetBob

He's a good bloke to provide this free service to us.

Cheers,
Jim

A really helpful site. Thanks!