Panama to Cartegena

[belizesailor]

We've been cruising the Atlantic side of Panama for a couple of seasons and will likely head over to Cartegena this season or next. Looking at GRIB and Pilot Charts looks like this is slog to windward most of the time.

Looking for suggestions on route and seasonal timing from those who have made this run. ?

[colemj]

We haven't made the run in that direction, but have spent 2 years in the San Blas after arriving from Colombia. In the winter, it is truly an uncomfortable slog upwind and waves, but in the summer, you can actually get Westerly winds often. Most likely in the summer, though, you will have very light and variable winds for weeks at a time. This means motoring in calms, but it is only an overnight trip. Even in spring, there are usually many days of really calm weather.

Mark

[belizesailor]

Well, putting across in calmer conditions still beats a long unpleasant slog to windward.