Best time Aruba to San Blas Panama

[anna8]

Any advice please on the best time to sail from ABCs to Panama.

[YARGO]

Jimmy Cornell's World Cruising a Routes says April to May is best, November to December is second best. I left on June 1st and had an excellent downwind run.


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[chuckr]

there is a similar thread going on this forum right now. You may want to check it as there is some sage advice there.

[TJ D]

Hi, the area off the Colombian coast can produce a lot more wind than you need, but the good news is that it's always downwind. It sort of depends on your comfort level. If you don't mind running in 30-40 knots, any time during the winter is fine. Otherwise, go with Cornell's advice, except I would disagree with December as a calmer month, particularly the latter half.

The worst pasting I ever had off that coast was in Feb, trying to get upwind from San Blas to Cartagena. We passed that way one November, and that was nice. Ditto for April.

Even though it's below almost all of the hurricane tracks, summer is probably a little too unsettled for most of us.

Hope that helps, have a good sail.

TJ

[northwestsailor]

We sailed Aruba to San Blas Islands in March 3 years ago in 3 1/2 days. It was fantastic sailing. Big winds, bigger seas and up to 14 kts surfing. Had only the head sail up, keel just barely out of the keel box for directional stability but not enough to trip on should we broach. Once we reached islands not much wind at all. My advice would be stay well off shore away from Colombian coast due to traffic, lightning, islands and river outflows. I used Cornell's waypoints pretty much.