New Boat - trip around South America this week!

[toben]

Hi everybody! I just bought an older Hobie 16 and I want to head around cape horn with my wife and 2 kids. We leave tomorrow as I start a new job soon and need to hurry. I'm only taking a few days of food and water because I want to save weight and fly the hull as much as possible. I am going to try navigating by sextant for the first time! Anyone know if EPIBR batteries can last 20 years because I have a real old model I picked up on eBay for $1.00? I probably won't need it because Hobie cats are stable and easy to right if they do go over.

This is my route as I head down to Cuba (never been there) out around Brazil, down to some island then around the cape. On the way back I'm going to visit Peru before resupplying in Mexico, through the Panama Canal and back home.

[JohnRPollard]

Toben,

I see no problem with your plan except that all vessels are now required to MOTOR through the Panama Canal. Would you consider modifying your route and completing the circle via the now nearly ice-free Northwest Passage?

[toben]

The way I see it I have 2 choices.

1. Just keep heading south until I come out of the North down to Boston.
2. Use that old electric fishing motor I have in the shed.

[rewell6]

Vessels going thru the canal have to be able to maintain IIRC 5 knots. You might need 2 trolling motors. or you could add a paddle wheel driven by a stationary bike.

Don't forgot to stop by the Galapagos. If you don't have time to stop at least go past and look at them. Easter Island too. You could see the Moai (moe-eye) from the coast.

If you need any info on customs and/or piracy check noonsite.

Have fun

[dpST]

Originally Posted by toben

Hi everybody! I just bought an older Hobie 16 and I want to head around cape horn with my wife and 2 kids.

Hobie 16& cape horn??

Good luck!

[camaraderie]

dpst...he already did it in his Optimist dinghy but this time he wanted the wife and kids aboard! (g)

[joeybkcmo]

Sounds like a great trip, if you have any extra crew space, I can take a week off and join you. But Easter Island would be a must for me

[Baublesailor]

If you can manage a stopover in Hawaii, I'd be glad to go along and share expenses.

[Rockter]

You are on a wind-up, surely?
A wife and two children, around Cape Horn in a 16 ft catamaran?
Toben... you've got to be kidding.
Cape Horn is an awful place, even if remotely angry, and the rest of the route is likely to be too much for such a small ship.

[jackytdunaway]

Bigger boats require more maintenance and expence. Maybe you want to downsize from the 16' so you don't eat up your retirement dollars trying to keep it in good shape