Buddy boat for March 2018 Pacific crossing

[double u]

Originally Posted by SVTatia

++ 1

[SV Babelfish]

Hi candyman

We have a boat ( Najad 511) in Charlston SC at the moment and planing to sail to Panama around November and from there sail through the pacific back Home to NZ. So will be planing to leave Panama around January/ February. If we can met or catch up that be awesome

Cheers
Nigel D
SV Babelfish

[Candyman]

Hey there Nigel,

WOW,,sounds like a good possibility ,,if your a little flexible on the crossing time. We expect to leave the Gallopogo's around Mid- late March. We are thinking it maybe a good Idea crossing the same time the ARC does and their will be lots of boats in the same route? And its most likely they have researched the weather and choose this time as best. They do it every yr, so lots of experience.

If you have more experience and insight,,we would love to hear it.

Cheers
Paul & Sandy
Leopard 45

[Paul L]

Timing your crossing to go at the same time as the ARC means you will end up in the small, crowded anchorages with a ton of other boats. The check-in anchorage in Hiva Oa is notorious for needing bow and stern anchors and being packed at ARC time.
The beautiful and deep anchorage in Fatu Hiva is not so quint with a crowd.

[savoir]

It would be a good idea to rethink your dates. You should not be sailing in the South Pacific in either February or March. By all means leave Panama at that time but don't go past Marquesas before 1 May. ARC arrive there in early April.

There was a huge cyclone in Australia just a few weeks ago. In recent years there have also been major cyclones in Vanuatu March 2015 and Fiji February 2016. You don't want to see your pride and joy turned into toothpicks.

At the other end you want to get yourself into New Zealand or Australia before 1 December.

. . . . and while I'm here, you won't be averaging 8 knots. It will be less.