Mooring suggestions Rio Dulce to Panama

[B_B]

Good Day!
We've a boat in Rio Dulce Guatemala slowly making our way through Panama to the PNW. We're looking for recommendations for a marina or moorage with care to leave our boat, 5'6" draft, in southern Honduras, northern Nicaracuaga, for a year or so. We're paying US$300 a month right now for moorage and cleaning and would prefer something in that price range, or lower, somewhat easily accessible from a major airport (i.e. a single bus ride, no more than 10 hrs in duration, give or take).

Anyone on here have any recommendations or ideas? We're thinking Rio to Panama in two long hops (we get four weeks vacation at a time, need a week at the outset, a week at the end, to commission and decommission, boat travels, on average 3.5knots so no more than 700 nautical mile hops given margin of error and desire to not stress).

Thank you in advance for any suggestions!

[model 10]

That plan is not going to work. The only place would be San Andres, Colombia and I think you need to be a citizen of Colombia to leave your boat there and you wouldn't want to anyway. You need to get all the way to Bocas Del Toro, Panama

[B_B]

Originally Posted by Guy

That plan is not going to work. The only place would be San Andres, Colombia and I think you need to be a citizen of Colombia to leave your boat there and you wouldn't want to anyway. You need to get all the way to Bocas Del Toro, Panama

The difference between Bocas and Colon is only about 40 miles from Livingston, depending on route chosen, what's the point of stopping in Bocas? Rather just head right into Colon! Or, if time permits, go past Colon and spend a few days in San Blas then back up to Colon?

[Thumbs Up]

Roatan

[model 10]

Your schedule sounds tight and leaving the boat in Bocas is going to be a lot less $$ than at Shelter Bay in Colon.
Taking the shortcut from the Bay Islands near the coast to San Andres might be dangerous. Sailing out to the Vivarillos and then south is the safe route.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by B_B

...in southern Honduras, northern Nicaracuaga, ...

By "southern Honduras", I assume you actually mean the northern/Caribbean coast and Bay Islands?

Both the coastlines of Honduras and Nicaragua should be avoided by a VERY wide margin. Especially the area near Punta Sal, Honduras. See www.noonsite.com for specifics. Note that there have unfortunately also been some security issues on the Nicaraguan Banks in recent years (damn shame, I would really like to explore more), again see NoonSite for details.

My suggestion is to sail down to the Bay Islands from as far N in Belize as practical. This route keeps you well off the Honduran mainland.

There are several marinas on Roatan where you could leave your boat.

My 2c on this route in general:

"
Getting east against prevailing Trades is a significant inconvenience on this route. Historically running close along the Honduran coast was a way to avoid bashing into the Trades. But, given the security problems in recent years along the Honduran coast, especially near Punta Sal, including boats underway off the coast being boarded and robbed, I would give that area a very wide berth (like out of visual range based on mast height). An easy way to do this is cruise up to Belize and then down to the Bay Islands.

The PITA part is getting far enough E to then turn & sail S. The usual drill is to hole up in the Bay Islands and wait for a weather window then make for the next island or all the way to Vivarillos, depending on the length of your widow. We caught a sailable window all the way to Providencia a few years ago, but that's unusual. We waited for a shift, and had NNW winds all the way from Bay Islands to near Vivarillos, winds then slowly started to shift back ENE and build (Trades filling back in), we had less than a day of beating before we could turn S for Providencia...then a lovely downwind sail almost to Providencia. But, we patiently cruised the Bay Islands for over a month waiting for it...tough gig.
"

[vivabob]

All the above is true. You're SOL between the Rio and Bocas. The Bay Islands can get hurricanes, Providencia has no moorings or marinas, and San Andreas is not a good choice for safety and financial reasons. As said above, Bocas is a lot better than Shelter Pay Marina in aptly named Colon. You'll likely need a full month from the Rio to Bocas because you're going to want to wait for a good weather window. You'll be going against the wind and waves. Sorry, but that's the truth.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by B_B

The difference between Bocas and Colon is only about 40 miles from Livingston, depending on route chosen, what's the point of stopping in Bocas? Rather just head right into Colon! Or, if time permits, go past Colon and spend a few days in San Blas then back up to Colon?

OP: When do you anticipate making the jump from Providencia to Panamá?

The reason I ask is that trade winds are seasonal in Panamá and only fill from about Colon to the East from about Dec-May...then go light again for rainy season.

By contrast winds are light and variable almost all the time in W Panamá.

If you head directly from Providencia to Bocas del Toro, then you will likely lose wind as you get S of 11N. From that point on it will likely be a motorsail (at best) all the way into Bocas.

By contrast if you go directly from Providencia to Colon, at the right time, then you can sail all the way (works both ways too). Today for example is not a good window (take a look at winds off N Panamá).

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by vivabob

...Bocas is a lot better than Shelter Pay Marina in aptly named Colon. ...

A bit further E in Linton there is now Linton Bay Marina or PanaMarina. Both a bit less expensive than Shelter Pay, but they have been steadily creeping their rates up. Neither have the amenities of Shelter Pay, but they are also currently a bit less expensive.

[model 10]

Most boats only go as far north as the Sapodilla Cays if that, and then over to the Bay Islands, like 2 days. If you had 3 weeks left in your vacation, you should be able to make Panama.
Bocas has a lot to offer and the airport is a 5 min walk.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by Guy

Most boats only go as far north as the Sapodilla Cays if that, and then over to the Bay Islands, like 2 days. If you had 3 weeks left in your vacation, you should be able to make Panama.
Bocas has a lot to offer and the airport is a 5 min walk.

From about Ranguana Pass, S to the Honduran mainland the winds are typically light and the seas small, due to the land effect of the mountainous Honduran mainland. Between here and Puerto Cortez is normally calm and settled. This light wind zone typically encompasses Utila also. This is the reason that historically Belizean fishermen used this route and why the power boats that run to Puerto Cortez from Placencia still do.

Whether you run directly from the Rio and then close along the Honduran coast or jump off from the Belizean reef from Ranguana or points further S, you can normally count on settled conditions. Ive made this run many times in years past, and it sure beats bashing into the Trades, but these days it gets too close to the Hondruan mainland for me.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by B_B

...We're paying US$300 a month right now for moorage and cleaning and would prefer something in that price range, or lower, somewhat easily accessible from a major airport (i.e. a single bus ride, no more than 10 hrs in duration, give or take).

...

Typically dockage is more expensive than that in Panamá. PanaMarina is one of the less expensive options and their monthly minimum for a monohull is $275...most cruising boats will pencil out to more than that. Most other marinas are more expensive with Shelter Bay topping the chart on the Atlantic side. Rates are even higher on the Pacific side.

Re Airport access. As posted, Bocas is the easiest...a short cab ride or even a moderate walk. You can connect to Panama City, David, or San Jose CR from Bocas. For all other marinas, there are no nearby airports, so its off to Panama City (Tocumen for International flights, Albrook for in country). From Shelter Bay its about an hour drive. From Linton Bay, Turtle Bay, or PanaMarina its at least 2 hours driving. For all the marinas in the NE end of the country, Colon is the nearest major bus terminal and is where you typically catch a bus to Panamá City.

[B_B]

Thanks everyone for your input; Roatan is a little too close (i.e. it doesn't materially shorten the second leg enough to compensate for the difficulty and cost in getting off, and back to, the island).
Currently we plan to be in the Rio this December and are weighing options with regard to staying for another year or shoving off south as that is our longer term goal. Sapodilla Cays are lovely and I have no issues returning there for a couple weeks again this year, then shoving south next year...

[model 10]

Seems like Dec would be a good month to sail east. The northers seem weaker that far south but strong enough to move you east. The Vivarillos are a great place to hang out. The fishermen stay for cat 1 hurricanes. Then another weekly norther could push you to Low Cay and Providencia, etc. If you needed fuel, Providencia would be with a jerry can and dinghy and then in San Andres you can back down on a fuel dock.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by Guy

Seems like Dec would be a good month to sail east. The northers seem weaker that far south but strong enough to move you east. The Vivarillos are a great place to hang out. The fishermen stay for cat 1 hurricanes. Then another weekly norther could push you to Low Cay and Providencia, etc. If you needed fuel, Providencia would be with a jerry can and dinghy and then in San Andres you can back down on a fuel dock.

Catching a front to get around the "corner" is a good strategy, but it can take a while for the right one to blow in...or not. Aha! : "the most dangerous thing on a boat is a schedule"...there lies the root cause issue.

I think the OP has reached the right conclusion: wait till next year when he has more time...its not like the Rio and cruising Belize are bad options (just ask Triumphant!)...shame to rush thru this area as there are some great stops. In 2012, we took 3 months to get from the Rio to Panamá!

Our route was Rio - Utila - Roatan - detour to Cayos Cochinos (awesome!) - Roatan - Guanaja - Providencia (good window so skipped Vivarillos) - San Andreas - Cayos Albuquerque - Bocas del Toro.

This was before the rash of offshore boardings off Punta Sal, but after the tragically stoopid murder of a cruiser anchored near there, so we passed Punta Sal well offshore and with a bit of anxiety.