south pacific - safety

[bdwillard]

hello -
This is a very general question, but I was hoping that you could provide some insight to practical issues with cruising the South Pacific in Spring and Summer months.

For example, how long is the Pacific Cyclone season, and which regions should be avoided? Does a passage from Central America to South East Asia via French Polynesia present any unusual challenges?

I have nothing planned right now, but I am looking for opportunities for adventure, and to gain more blue water experience. I would appreciate any advice you can provide.

Thank you,
Danny

[shopkins]

Maybe you could find some good information on setsail.com. If what you''re looking for doesn''t reside on the website, they would probably answer an e-mail.

[kms]

Get a copy of "World Cruising Routes" by Jimmy Cornell. It contains very good information about cruising routes,and weather patterns around the world. Also get some books on ocean weather an weather patterns. I have done some sailing in the South Pacific. If you would like more info, e-mail me. I will help you if I can.

[moanasailing]

We cruised the South Pacific for many years and would be very weary about being in the cyclone belt during the "on" season. Fiji, Tonga and American Samoa all have "hurricane holes" where cruisers stay. We know several cruisers that hung around in these areas and had big scares. We would recommend hanging out in areas that traditionally don't get cyclones: Marquesas, Kiribati, Marshall Islands. They are all close to the equator and great places to cruise.

[chris_gee]

After 7 years he has probably learned.