Caibbean Experience?

71Irwin32 · #1 (**permalink**) 08-11-2010

I've been working on a sail to Panama and have about 1 more year to get my boat ready.....she's ready for a bottom job....and I'm installing more batteries/electrical, solar....and a desalination system...more

I'm looking for some general info from people that've been to this area of the Caribbean. I'm starting from Corpus Christi and planning to head mostly straight to the Cancun area and then Panama from there.

Any route detail or other info is appreciated. I'll be single handing and even though my boat is pretty easy to single handing, anything I could do to make that better, I'd like to hear about.

Thanks!!

Zanshin · #2 (**permalink**) 08-12-2010

I'm curious as to why you won't go island hopping down the leewards and windwards as those are some of the prettiest locations in the world?

sailingdog · #3 (**permalink**) 08-12-2010

I'd point out that by going from Corpus Christi to Cancun then to Panama, you're basically skipping the heart of the Caribbean and just doing a nasty section of the Gulf of Mexico, which can have fairly vicious winds, nasty chop and such.

Also, it is an 800 nm passage from Corpus Christi to Cancun and across some of the less pleasant sailing areas there. Going from Corpus Christi, along the Gulf Coast of the United States and down into the Caribbean proper would be a far more interesting and enjoyable way to go IMHO.

Cancun to Panama is almost 1000 NM as the crow flies, and probably not the best choice of passages to make either.

71Irwin32 · #4 (**permalink**) 08-12-2010

I might lay over in Jamaica, but I have some time constraints. I would like to sail some of the other areas, but getting to Panama is a priority. I will try to find out what time of year would be best.

sailingdog · #5 (**permalink**) 08-12-2010

I would highly recommend getting Jimmy Cornell's World Cruising Routes, as it will have much of the information, including the best times of year to go, in it.

71Irwin32 · #6 (**permalink**) 08-12-2010

Jimmy Cornell's World Cruising Routes

Good idea.

Zanshin · #7 (**permalink**) 08-13-2010

If you don't have a copy, I can look it up this evening and post the recommendations. You can also download the pilot charts using the links given by TradeWindSailing on the following thread: NGA Pilot Charts posted by TradeWindSailing.

71Irwin32 · #8 (**permalink**) 08-13-2010

Thanks for the link...I downloaded them. I also found Cornell's website and found a lot of useful info there. I'm a bit discouraged about Panama. The info I've found really tells it's now a big tourist trap, specifically aimed at rich boat owners. All the best sailing areas have been turned into national parks and foreign vessels must pay a total of $50 per day to use and anchor in those ares. Lot's of paperwork and fees. Panama has become too popular and commercialized for my taste.

I might just as well go to the Virgin Is. and mostly stay in US territories.

killarney_sailor · #9 (**permalink**) 08-20-2010

Staying in US territories would mean that you would miss many of the best spots. If your goal is to go cruising rather than to to Panama for the canal I would also suggest the Eastern Caribbean. Find Van Sant's book on taking the Thorny Path (forget the title) - it will explain the technique for getting from Florida to the EC - remember that it is against the prevailing winds most of the way. Won't want to leave Florida until the end of the hurricane season. Our favorite spots were parts of the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, BVI (although very crowded and commercial), Guadeloupe, Martinique, Grenadines and Grenada.

svHyLyte · #10 (**permalink**) 08-20-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71Irwin32

I've been working on a sail to Panama and have about 1 more year to get my boat ready.....she's ready for a bottom job....and I'm installing more batteries/electrical, solar....and a desalination system...more

I'm looking for some general info from people that've been to this area of the Caribbean. I'm starting from Corpus Christi and planning to head mostly straight to the Cancun area and then Panama from there.

Any route detail or other info is appreciated. I'll be single handing and even though my boat is pretty easy to single handing, anything I could do to make that better, I'd like to hear about.

Thanks!!

It might be wise to spend a little time studying the Pilot Charts for the area between the Yucatan and Panama before deciding on a route, no? You may find you're biting of a bit more than you're ready to chew...