Panama Canal or Strait of Magellan - Would You Take the Road Less Traveled ?

[atoll]

i belive the chilean navy have laid moorings in some of those anchorages.
100kt west winds not uncommon,so you would probably want a good engine to motor like hell to the next safe anchorage.........

mind you there is a third alternative,around the cape of good hope then freemantle,melborne,sydney,in may june july or
north to mozabique channel or reunion wait for nw monsoon arrive in darwin by november,this way you would either be down wind or reach and mostly in warm weather

[Geminidawn]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

Really, really.

That's like the past three days here, not a patch of blue,grey skies and horizontal rain.

[dpons]

Originally Posted by Geminidawn

Too well aware of the history, Ferdinand Magellan went on looking for the Spice Islands but found the Philippines,where he took a hundred of his men against a thousand angry natives and where he met his demise and also where my better half is from, hence the interest.
Fictionally where Blackthorne found his way to the Japans aboard the "Erasmus" in the first book I ever read "SHOGUN" hence the name of the monohull and of course St. Elmo.

A very good reading about Ferdinand Magellan (Fernão de Magalhães in Portuguese, Fernando de Magallanes in Spanish) is Conqueror of the Seas: The Story of Magellan by Stefan Zweig (1938). For sure is out of print, but is a must to read if you are interested in him.

[maxingout]

I would not sail on purpose anywhere cold. Sailing offshore in warm weather can sometimes be a real challenge. Sailing offshore in cold driving rain sounds like torture and misery to me.

[atoll]

Originally Posted by atoll

i belive the chilean navy have laid moorings in some of those anchorages.
100kt west winds not uncommon,so you would probably want a good engine to motor like hell to the next safe anchorage.........

mind you there is a third alternative,around the cape of good hope then freemantle,melborne,sydney in nov dec,jan or
north to mozabique channel or reunion wait for nw monsoon arrive in darwin by november,this way you would either be down wind or reach and mostly in warm weather

third alternative ,correction round cape town - freemantle nov dec jan

[imagine2frolic]

Originally Posted by Geminidawn

No, the Panama to me although safe seems too busy and less of an adventure.

This may be true, but at least you won't freeze. Your life will be in less danger, and it's hard to give up those 30 cent Panamanian ice cold beers........i2f

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by Geminidawn

No, the Panama to me although safe seems too busy and less of an adventure.

Panama is a WONDERFUL adventure!!!!!!!!!

Also its quite difficult to visit the Galapagos after doing southern routes. Most people head direct to Tahiti etc.

Of all the worlds must do's Galapagos is about the ultimate.

If going south it would be great to do the Antartic peninsulea. That would be terrific

[goboatingnow]

Galapagos is about the ultimate

prepared to be suprised by the beaurocacy and all the rules.

Dave

[S&S]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2dEl...layer_embedded

From what i've heard this is about as nice as it gets in the Straits. Note they never shook out that reef .

Personally, I'd rather deal with that than Panama.

[estarzinger]

Originally Posted by Geminidawn

Well Cape Horn is out of the question, so is the Northwest Passage. That leaves the Panama Canal and the Straits of Magellan which is still up for debate.
What's your experience?

Well, we have sailed all the alternatives.

If this is your first time, you should do Panama. It's by far the easiest and most pleasant.

If you want a challange and are up to the last pure wilderness cruising in the world, then the Beagle is the way to go.

The Magellan east to west just sucks - adverse winds and currents and not very attractive and lousy harbours.

Cape Horn offshore east to west is the ultimate sailing challange - but don't even consider it unless you know what you are doing - you will see 60kts and you will see big waves. A german boat sunk with all hands lost 150 miles from us when we did it.

[RainDog]

I also recommend the Beagle if you and your boat are prepared for it. I spent a week sailing there (in the winter no less) and you will never find a more beautiful piece of wilderness.

This recommendation is based purely on scenery and not at all on practicality! Also I flew in, which may be a better way to get there.

[Geminidawn]

What about cost? How much do you have to budget to navigate the Panama excluding beer?

[Astrid]

It's been a while, but I think it was around $1800 once you added up the tariffs, tolls, line handling fees, transit fee, buffer fee, inspection fee, etc.

[estarzinger]

Originally Posted by Geminidawn

What about cost? How much do you have to budget to navigate the Panama excluding beer?

depends on boat size but lets say $1500. Take a look at:

Noonsite: Panama

and

Panama Canal Authority - Official Site of the Panama Canal

[zeehag]

last year i looked it up-- for a 41 ft ketch which would n[ probably measure to 48 ft, i will have to pay 1850usd plus pilot,handlers,lines,etc. my boat is a ketch buti willsail thru canal as a sloop-- saving me 350 extra dollars for over 50 ft.