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warrenthames · 14-08-2018, 10:42

I am seeking advice as to the best sailing rout going from southwest Florida to Panama. Planning to depart Florida at the end of January. All experience and suggestions appreciated. Thank you.

model 10 · 14-08-2018, 11:22

I would go, Isla Mujeres, Belize, Bay Islands, San Andres and then Bocas del Toro. I would also go to the Rio Dulce even though it's out of the way. Or maybe skip Belize and go from southern MX to the Bay islands. You could check out of MX at Isla then sail down to the coast a ways and catch a good wind over to Roatan and save the time you would spend in Belize, which could be a while.

oldjags · 14-08-2018, 11:32

We came down from Mobile, AL to Panama in 2012, and I had the same question: do we go SE around Cuba, or take the western route and sail down the coast from Mexico, to Belize, then Rio Dulce, etc.

In the end, we decided to go the SE route around the tip of Cuba, through the Windward Passage, and then straight to Cartagena, Colombia. We spent 2 weeks there, and then 2 weeks in the San Blas Islands of Panama before heading through the canal to the Pacific side.

We picked Cartagena so we could do a little bit of touristy stuff on what was otherwise a straight boat delivery trip.

Once you get around Cuba you can easily just steer straight for Panama if you want to skip Cartagena. The winds are at a better angle than if you go the western route around the west end of Cuba. You don't want to sail too close to Nicaragua or Honduras, and that means beating back east into the winds or waiting for a front to get around the Nicaraguan rise.

The disadvantage of the eastern route around Cuba can be several days of motoring into the wind before you can make the turn south.

Our trip was early June, and we were worried about storms, so we elected to do the straight non-stop trip south as quickly as we could. In January, you can afford to take your time and in that case, seeing Mexico and the Rio Dulce might be a good route.

model 10 · 14-08-2018, 13:05

If one does go down into the Rio Dulce, the trip back east to Roatan has some problems. The usual anchorages in Honduras are not safe anymore. Most boats sail in a group or go back up into Belize and then down to the Bay Islands which keeps you well away from any trouble.
From the Bay Islands you need to get east to the Vivarillos Cays before you turn south. That keeps you well away from the trouble on that coast. There are calm days when you could motor over to the Vivarillos then sail south. It's not that far.

Sea Life · 14-08-2018, 13:32

GoIng to be a tough go in January. We left Key West January of 2015 enroute to Panama. Basically sat in Isla Mujeres for over a month waiting. We went straight to Bay islands from there, then nonstop to Providencia. No free lunch. Had friends go bay islands up to Caymans then down to Providencia for better angle and further off coast due to piracy.

Paul L · 14-08-2018, 13:44

You don't say if this is a cruise or a delivery. You are planning on doing this in peak trade wind time, so getting a better wind/seas angle is going to make it much more comfortable. Short hops out and down the Bahamas, then Windward passage down to Panama (or Cartegena) would give you better sailing and less motoring into crap.

belizesailor · 14-08-2018, 14:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul L

You don't say if this is a cruise or a delivery. You are planning on doing this in peak trade wind time, so getting a better wind/seas angle is going to make it much more comfortable. Short hops out and down the Bahamas, then Windward passage down to Panama (or Cartegena) would give you better sailing and less motoring into crap.

^^ This...do you just wanna get there or cruise?

warrenthames · 14-08-2018, 16:28

This is more of a delivery with some fun added in. The owner lives in fla. and is being transferred to California permanently. The owner will be on board. I am crew ( and a friend). Thank you for all advice and responses. We are not making a firm schedule for safety. At this point we are estimating 3 to 4 months to get to San Francisco. As always, it is a gift to be able to hear the experience of cruisers that have “ gone before.” Thank you all for your advice.

model 10 · 14-08-2018, 17:25

Holy cow, 3-4 months? Forget the coastal route. It takes that long to get to Guatemala.

AiniA · 17-08-2018, 13:55

At about that time of year we went to Panama via the Windward Passage and had a very nice sail. We went to the San Blas before going to Colon to make our canal arrangements. Had to wait for a week or so (we did push for an early transit. Went to Isla Linton to wait out the time before our transit reservation. Wonderful French restaurant on the island.

belizesailor · 17-08-2018, 14:15

Re late January departure: obviously you will be into cold front season by then and will need to plan accordingly. After you get S of Providenia/Andreas you will effectively be out of cold front range.

Since the W coast is your ultimate destination, I assume you plan to make land fall in Panama near Colon? (where makes a difference for weather routing).

warrenthames · 17-08-2018, 14:24

We are sailing a Gemini 105mc. Did you sail this in your wildcat 35?

belizesailor · 17-08-2018, 14:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldjags

We came down from Mobile, AL to Panama in 2012, and I had the same question: do we go SE around Cuba, or take the western route and sail down the coast from Mexico, to Belize, then Rio Dulce, etc.

In the end, we decided to go the SE route around the tip of Cuba, through the Windward Passage, and then straight to Cartagena, Colombia. We spent 2 weeks there, and then 2 weeks in the San Blas Islands of Panama before heading through the canal to the Pacific side.

We picked Cartagena so we could do a little bit of touristy stuff on what was otherwise a straight boat delivery trip.

Once you get around Cuba you can easily just steer straight for Panama if you want to skip Cartagena. The winds are at a better angle than if you go the western route around the west end of Cuba. You don't want to sail too close to Nicaragua or Honduras, and that means beating back east into the winds or waiting for a front to get around the Nicaraguan rise.

The disadvantage of the eastern route around Cuba can be several days of motoring into the wind before you can make the turn south.

Our trip was early June, and we were worried about storms, so we elected to do the straight non-stop trip south as quickly as we could. In January, you can afford to take your time and in that case, seeing Mexico and the Rio Dulce might be a good route.

A difference in June vs January for the Cartagena route is that ugly bit of ocean off the Colombian coast. The seasonal trade winds in the Colombia/E Panama area fill back in about January. Those combined w the Colombia Low can create some pretty sporty conditions off Colombia. The seasonal trades start laying down about April-May and so does the area off Colombia.

But, routing aside, Cartagena is a great stop.

Other cosiderations: what kind of boat? Experience level of owner & crew?