Cruisers Forum
 


Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on Cruisers Forums. Advertise Here
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 15-12-2023, 09:25   #1
Moderator
 
carstenb's Avatar

Community Sponsor
Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: May 2012
Location: At sea somewhere in the Caribbean
Boat: Jeanneau Sun Fast 40.3
Posts: 6,502
Images: 1
Panama to Caribbean Islands in May/June

Hi all,

So we are planning our return to Europe and it looks like we will transit the Canal sometime in early May. Thereafter we want to get over to the islands (safely), spend a year in the caribbean then cross the Atlantic west east in May/June 2025.

What is the best route. We have looked at the following:

1- Sail east along Panama/Columbia until we get to Santa Marta, wait for a weather window that allows rounding Punta Vela without getting beaten to death, then run for Aruba and points east. Apparently, once at Aruba, the sail eastward to SV&G/Grenada is fairly straightforward. Hang out there wile the hurricanes pass through further north.

2- Sail eastward until we get to Santa Marta, wait for a weather window then make for Dominican Republic, curve eastward to Puerto Rico/BVI, then take whatever weather windows we can find to get to the south (Grenada) and hang out while the hurricanes pass through further north.

3- Sail eastward, then bite the bullet and tack our way across the caribbean reaching someplace like Antigua. Then head south for Grenada.

Of course there is also the possibility of going east then north to Jamaica then east - although we have not heard anyone who enjoyed this trip.


Informed comments please - we do know how to use the wind charts etc. we are moderately experienced cruisers have been at sea for almost 8 years now.

We would prefer NOT to get beaten to death by sailing upwind for a week or two.
__________________


https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=carsten...ref=nb_sb_noss

Our books have gotten 5 star reviews on Amazon. Several readers have written "I never thought I would go on a circumnavigation, but when I read these books, I was right there in the cockpit with Vinni and Carsten"
carstenb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15-12-2023, 10:50   #2
Registered User

Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: W Carib
Boat: Wildcat 35, Hobie 33
Posts: 13,489
Re: Panama to Caribbean Islands in May/June

Have you considered a Westward circumnavigation route?

That aside, the direct eastward route is very arduous. I know a few who have done it and said "never again". Also a few who attempted it and bailed out early.

If you start from as far east as possible in Panama (like the San Blas islands) then you can make Jamaica with the right weather window. From there to Florida/Bahamas, then the usual routes into the E Carib.

If you are interested in cruising the W Carib, then you can also follow the typical route up through the W Carib, then to Florida from Isla Mujeres and onward.

Re jumping off the Colombian coast. Be sure and factor in the effect of the Colombian Low....the seas can get quite nasty off the Colombia coast due to the intereaction of the Colombian Low and the seasonal Trade Winds.
belizesailor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15-12-2023, 12:13   #3
Marine Service Provider

Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Working in St Augustine
Boat: Woods Vardo 34 Cat
Posts: 3,870
Re: Panama to Caribbean Islands in May/June

It is sometimes (most years) at some point in August or Sept to sail E along columbia coast and Vez after the passage of a hurricane with westerly winds. Friend has done this twice in last 3 years
__________________
@mojomarine1
Boatguy30 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15-12-2023, 16:30   #4
always in motion is the future
 
s/v Jedi's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: in paradise
Boat: Sundeer 64
Posts: 19,534
Re: Panama to Caribbean Islands in May/June

Quote:
Originally Posted by carstenb View Post
Hi all,

So we are planning our return to Europe and it looks like we will transit the Canal sometime in early May. Thereafter we want to get over to the islands (safely), spend a year in the caribbean then cross the Atlantic west east in May/June 2025.

What is the best route. We have looked at the following:

1- Sail east along Panama/Columbia until we get to Santa Marta, wait for a weather window that allows rounding Punta Vela without getting beaten to death, then run for Aruba and points east. Apparently, once at Aruba, the sail eastward to SV&G/Grenada is fairly straightforward. Hang out there wile the hurricanes pass through further north.

2- Sail eastward until we get to Santa Marta, wait for a weather window then make for Dominican Republic, curve eastward to Puerto Rico/BVI, then take whatever weather windows we can find to get to the south (Grenada) and hang out while the hurricanes pass through further north.

3- Sail eastward, then bite the bullet and tack our way across the caribbean reaching someplace like Antigua. Then head south for Grenada.

Of course there is also the possibility of going east then north to Jamaica then east - although we have not heard anyone who enjoyed this trip.


Informed comments please - we do know how to use the wind charts etc. we are moderately experienced cruisers have been at sea for almost 8 years now.

We would prefer NOT to get beaten to death by sailing upwind for a week or two.
We have spent the past 20 years in the Caribbean of which 10 years in/around Panama. I see you have a 40’ monohull.

We sailed from Portobelo to Jamaica but we’re a 64’ boat. Most boats, up to 70’ get beaten up even from Santa Martha to Jamaica so do not underestimate these passages, they are brutal. I read books where they call this the 5th worst passage in the world.

So I recommend you don’t do it. Come through the canal, go into Shelter Bay Marina and do the tours to supermarkets to stock up and have fun with the cruisers, then go sail to the San Blas and enjoy yourself, it’s as good as anything in the world, especially when you go closer towards Colombia. Snug Harbour is a favorite. When you’re ready, sail west to Bocas del Toro and enjoy that. It’s a large area where you can spend years and there’s no hurricanes.

Now while in Bocas, start watching Windy and look for periods of west winds. They will come, they come every year. When there’s a good window, set sail and blast straight to Curacao. It’s cheating but it’s the way.

From Curacao you have to be careful with piracy from Venezuela. I recommend you find a weather window, anchor in Santa Cruz to see ifthe window comes through, then set off towards Puerto Rico (need US visa). From there work your way East along the south coast towards the Virgin Islands. We did a 24-hour sail from Virgin Gorda to Guadeloupe. Now you’re almost there.
__________________
“It’s a trap!” - Admiral Ackbar.

s/v Jedi is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 15-12-2023, 18:43   #5
Marine Service Provider
 
Snore's Avatar

Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: St. Petersburg, FL
Boat: Retired Delivery Capt
Posts: 3,713
Send a message via Skype™ to Snore
Re: Panama to Caribbean Islands in May/June

Let me start with there are no hard rules. Murphy ensures the weather will not be ‘normal’ when you go through the Caribbean. Assuming no burning need to go to Grenada, etc.- I would route as follows.

If you are leaving Panama in May, consider using diesel to get as much as eating as you can. The N/S Caribbean run can be a tad bouncy, but it sounds like you are conservative- so not a gear breaker. Head north and try for Puerto Rico, then USVI/BVI. From there shoot up to Bermuda and across. Or, you can go west of Cuba and ride the Gulf Stream to Bermuda.

With a smidge of luck, you can be home by early August, before the hurricane season heats up.
__________________
"Whenever...it requires a strong moral principle to prevent me from deliberately stepping into the street, and methodically knocking people's hats off- then, I account it high time to get to sea..." Ishmael
Snore is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 16-12-2023, 15:46   #6
Registered User

Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: W Carib
Boat: Wildcat 35, Hobie 33
Posts: 13,489
Re: Panama to Caribbean Islands in May/June

Quote:
Originally Posted by Boatguy30 View Post
It is sometimes (most years) at some point in August or Sept to sail E along columbia coast and Vez after the passage of a hurricane with westerly winds. Friend has done this twice in last 3 years
Interesting strategy. The coast of Honduras can be run using a similar strategy. Will watch the weather charts for this.
belizesailor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 16-12-2023, 16:01   #7
Moderator
 
carstenb's Avatar

Community Sponsor
Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: May 2012
Location: At sea somewhere in the Caribbean
Boat: Jeanneau Sun Fast 40.3
Posts: 6,502
Images: 1
Re: Panama to Caribbean Islands in May/June

Quote:
Originally Posted by s/v Jedi View Post
We have spent the past 20 years in the Caribbean of which 10 years in/around Panama. I see you have a 40’ monohull.

We sailed from Portobelo to Jamaica but we’re a 64’ boat. Most boats, up to 70’ get beaten up even from Santa Martha to Jamaica so do not underestimate these passages, they are brutal. I read books where they call this the 5th worst passage in the world.

So I recommend you don’t do it. Come through the canal, go into Shelter Bay Marina and do the tours to supermarkets to stock up and have fun with the cruisers, then go sail to the San Blas and enjoy yourself, it’s as good as anything in the world, especially when you go closer towards Colombia. Snug Harbour is a favorite. When you’re ready, sail west to Bocas del Toro and enjoy that. It’s a large area where you can spend years and there’s no hurricanes.

Now while in Bocas, start watching Windy and look for periods of west winds. They will come, they come every year. When there’s a good window, set sail and blast straight to Curacao. It’s cheating but it’s the way.

From Curacao you have to be careful with piracy from Venezuela. I recommend you find a weather window, anchor in Santa Cruz to see ifthe window comes through, then set off towards Puerto Rico (need US visa). From there work your way East along the south coast towards the Virgin Islands. We did a 24-hour sail from Virgin Gorda to Guadeloupe. Now you’re almost there.
Hi Nick

We can easily agree re
, San Blas - we spent 3 weeks there a few years ago. How often do the westerly winds come at Punta Vela? If all goes according to plan, we should be through the Canal sometime early-mid May.

If we can weather Punta Vela with westerlies and lie in at the ABCs, how is the ride from there direct towards Grenada SV&G or Martinique?

carsten
__________________


https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=carsten...ref=nb_sb_noss

Our books have gotten 5 star reviews on Amazon. Several readers have written "I never thought I would go on a circumnavigation, but when I read these books, I was right there in the cockpit with Vinni and Carsten"
carstenb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 16-12-2023, 21:09   #8
always in motion is the future
 
s/v Jedi's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: in paradise
Boat: Sundeer 64
Posts: 19,534
Re: Panama to Caribbean Islands in May/June

Quote:
Originally Posted by carstenb View Post
Hi Nick

We can easily agree re
, San Blas - we spent 3 weeks there a few years ago. How often do the westerly winds come at Punta Vela? If all goes according to plan, we should be through the Canal sometime early-mid May.

If we can weather Punta Vela with westerlies and lie in at the ABCs, how is the ride from there direct towards Grenada SV&G or Martinique?

carsten
You sail the west winds from del Toro all the way to Curacao. Stay well north of Punta Vela! This west wind happens when tropical systems disturb normal patterns so you have plenty of time to get to Bocas. The trick is that you are south of the storm tracks.

From Curacao you can’t sail east to Grenada-Martinique. You wait for the winds to turn E instead of NE, then sail NNE as good as you can while keeping speed up and see where you end up. When that is PR or the Virgins, you can work your way east there. Or you wait for the wind to go NE again and tack down but make sure to stay very far away from Venezuela, especially when going to Grenada or Trinidad.
__________________
“It’s a trap!” - Admiral Ackbar.

s/v Jedi is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 17-12-2023, 00:07   #9
Registered User

Join Date: Nov 2022
Posts: 73
Re: Panama to Caribbean Islands in May/June

Or don’t go to Grenada/Trinidad for hurricane season. Stay in Curacao, Bonaire, Aruba. For many insurers you are out of the zone and you don’t have to do the risk and hard work to get to Trinidad/Grenada. When ready to go to Europe, sail up to SXM and depart from there
Sailingallday is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 17-12-2023, 04:58   #10
Registered User

Join Date: Nov 2020
Posts: 203
Re: Panama to Caribbean Islands in May/June

I can vividly recall sitting at the bar at the Cartagena Yacht Club, day after day, contemplating the 70 foot yacht lying at the quay. She had just returned after an unsuccessful attempt to sail from Columbia to the Eastern Caribbean islands. She was beat to hell. Shredded sails, parted standing rigging, deck swept clean of ventilators, deck lockers, dinghy, etc. we were one of three boats planning to make the same passage. Stone and Hayes in their venerable “Cruising Guide to the Caribbean”, recommended putting our boats on the deck of an east bound freighter. Whew! Well we finally went for it and also got our ass kicked. We fetched up in the Dominican Republic, so damaged that we had to put into a naval base to effect repairs. I like the suggest that you go to Europe by sailing west.
Chris Cringle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 17-12-2023, 05:54   #11
Moderator
 
carstenb's Avatar

Community Sponsor
Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: May 2012
Location: At sea somewhere in the Caribbean
Boat: Jeanneau Sun Fast 40.3
Posts: 6,502
Images: 1
Re: Panama to Caribbean Islands in May/June

Quote:
Originally Posted by s/v Jedi View Post
You sail the west winds from del Toro all the way to Curacao. Stay well north of Punta Vela! This west wind happens when tropical systems disturb normal patterns so you have plenty of time to get to Bocas. The trick is that you are south of the storm tracks.

From Curacao you can’t sail east to Grenada-Martinique. You wait for the winds to turn E instead of NE, then sail NNE as good as you can while keeping speed up and see where you end up. When that is PR or the Virgins, you can work your way east there. Or you wait for the wind to go NE again and tack down but make sure to stay very far away from Venezuela, especially when going to Grenada or Trinidad.
nick

you lost me-I can't find del Toro on teh maps nor Bocas. A little help please
__________________


https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=carsten...ref=nb_sb_noss

Our books have gotten 5 star reviews on Amazon. Several readers have written "I never thought I would go on a circumnavigation, but when I read these books, I was right there in the cockpit with Vinni and Carsten"
carstenb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 17-12-2023, 07:16   #12
Registered User
 
TeddyDiver's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Arctic Ocean
Boat: Under construction 35' ketch (and +3 smaller)
Posts: 2,847
Images: 2
Re: Panama to Caribbean Islands in May/June

I, without a doupt, would go eventually north. Sailing east agains prevailing winds further from Santa Martha is beating against the winds and currents. While I like ABC's it not worth the trouble and if wanted there rather sail to Bonaire from Dominican and go A and C downwind from there. Then back to north..
TeddyDiver is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 17-12-2023, 07:40   #13
always in motion is the future
 
s/v Jedi's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: in paradise
Boat: Sundeer 64
Posts: 19,534
Re: Panama to Caribbean Islands in May/June

Quote:
Originally Posted by carstenb View Post
nick

you lost me-I can't find del Toro on teh maps nor Bocas. A little help please
Look for Almirante or Bahia Almirante. It is a huge sailors paradise in Panama at the Costa Rica border. Thousands of islands, marinas, boatyards, ex-pat etc.
__________________
“It’s a trap!” - Admiral Ackbar.

s/v Jedi is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 17-12-2023, 09:47   #14
Registered User

Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: W Carib
Boat: Wildcat 35, Hobie 33
Posts: 13,489
Re: Panama to Caribbean Islands in May/June

Quote:
Originally Posted by carstenb View Post
nick

you lost me-I can't find del Toro on teh maps nor Bocas. A little help please
09°20'20.87"N, 082°14'34.49"W is the approx location of Bocas Town, the main population center of the archipeligo.

As Jedi posted, The Bocas Archipeligo is a great little cruising ground all on its own.

We have cruised the area a lot. Our boat is currently stored there at Bocas Marina.

Google Earth shot attached:
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	Clipboard03.jpg
Views:	77
Size:	409.6 KB
ID:	284514  
belizesailor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 17-12-2023, 13:45   #15
Registered User
 
Kettlewell's Avatar

Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Massachusetts
Boat: Finnsailer 38
Posts: 5,823
Re: Panama to Caribbean Islands in May/June

Another possible route is to go north via the Colombian islands, Honduras, Guatemala, Belize, and Mexico. Then hop over to either Cuba or the Florida Keys, then the Bahamas and work your way down the islands. Of course, easting from the southern Bahamas or the Turks and Caicos is not a pleasure trip either, but you can wait for calms and motorsail like crazy to the east and then get to the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, the Virgins, etc. Passages South by Bruce Van Sant documented his thoughts on how to do it. I've done the passage from Panama up to Florida (and vice versa) and it is reasonably straightforward, though of course you have to play the currents between Mexico and the Keys.
__________________
JJKettlewell
"Go small, Go simple, Go now"
Kettlewell is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
Caribbean, Panama, rib

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Crew Wanted: Windward Islands Caribbean December thru May Builder G. Crew Positions: Wanted & Available 15 10-11-2017 04:30
Crew Available: Fiji/islands In May/June Volunteer Crew JeremyFowler Crew Positions: Wanted & Available 0 27-04-2017 17:01
Crew Wanted: Caribbean in April , May and June stens Crew Archives 4 15-06-2012 18:08
Crew Wanted: St Maarten ( leave 14th May) or Panama (late May) to Tahiti or Cooks DebF Crew Archives 6 03-05-2012 09:55
Tw Crew Wanted For Trans-Atlantic Passage, Caribbean To Azores, May/June, 42' Catama Octopus Crew Archives 3 08-05-2008 11:53

Advertise Here


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 08:00.


Google+
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Social Knowledge Networks
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.

ShowCase vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.