sailing from Phuket Thailand to San Diego Ca.

[Pelagic]

Originally Posted by mwmsea

Mike Reed 100,

Great information. Thank you.

Mike Reed's description is consistent with the 4 similar Yokohama to Seattle trips I have made at that time of year.

You will either get a family of Lows or the effects of an early Typhoon (June-Aug) which normally track further north towards Japan and recurves towards Alaska.

That can be a testing trip on boat and crew, whereas staying Low latitudes and following the chain of atolls and islands east ...offers a lot more refuge options and warmer conditions.

Remember, Typhoons form around Pohnpei, so are little more than a depression until they approach Palau longitude.

.As I said before, early ones (June-August) generally track north and recurve early, so if you are East and South of Palau by June, you are in good shape.

Also comparing the 2 options on heavy weather Sea States.
You have larger tides and stronger currents + shoal conditions on the North Route, making for steep square breaking seas whereas the Equatorial is in very deep water with far less current and long consistent swells.

You should factor those points into your decision making.

[Pelagic]

Another option to consider, if you are late getting away from Phuket, is to go east below Borneo, thru Indonesia, entering the Pacific just north of West Papua and well below the typhoon belt.
Study the Pilot Charts for June to September along that route and you will see the prevailing conditions

[mwmsea]

Pelagic,

Thank you for the information.

Mike

[mikereed100]

Mike,

You might check our blog for the dates around JuneJuly 2013 . We posted almost daily during our passage and it may give you an idea of the experience.

[mwmsea]

mikereed100,

Thank you for the information. I will take a look at it.

Mike