new to forum

[questmiller]

I just discovered this forum and am excited to take some time to explore it thoroughly. My husband and I are currently living aboard a 50' sloop in the Caribbean . We bought her in Turkey and are slowly sailing home to Juneau, Alaska. We got to the Caribbean two years ago and thought, what's the rush?
But now we are contemplating heading west through the Panama Canal and then swinging by the Galapagos, hitting the Marquesas and then Hawaii before heading to the Straits of Juan de Fuca. Can anyone tell me where I can go (besides Jimmy Cornell's book) to research the best passage times (least storms, best weather) of the year? Thanks, Louise

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha Louise,
Welcome aboard! Good to have you on the forum. The only book I have is Jimmy Cornell's. Hope others can answer your questions.
Kind Regards,
JohnL

[questmiller]

Thanks John

[Peregrinata]

Louise, we have cruised Panama, Ecuador, Galapagos and across the S Pacific. I have not done the passage North to Hawaii but have done Victoria, BC to Hawaii and back several times. Before I forget, the fol book is highly recommended for cruising around French Polynesia:

Guide to Navigation and Tourism in French Polynesia
by Patrick Bonnette (Author), Emmanual Deschamps (Author)

Jimmy Cornell's book is a good one to use for route planning. In planning your trip I would work backwards as the limiting factors are the N Pacific hurricane season, which starts in June and the S Pacific cylone season, which ends in April. We are in the middle of a moderate La Nina, which will keep the S Pacific cyclones further west (reducing the chance of them hitting F Poly) and will also keep the N Pacific hurricanes further east. Not a guarantee! In a normal season there is a low risk of a hurricane in June but by late July it starts increasing. I would recommend a departure from Hawaii to St of Juan de Fuca in mid July which means the central Pacific High is well established and it will give you some extra time cruising the Vancouver Island inside passage up to Alaska.
This is a bit long winded, I can provide more info if you would like.
Regards, Scott

[Hud3]

Hi, Louise.

Can't help with your Pacific questions, but I can relate to getting "stuck" in the eastern Caribbean . My wife, Lynne, and I came here to cruise four years ago and ended up selling our home in the States and moving to Nevis fulltime.

All the best, Hud

[questmiller]

This surely is a beautiful part of the world. We're just getting itchy feet to get back home to do some sailing in another beautiful part of the world -- just a tad bit cooler there, though. Thanks!
Louise