FLEET UPDATE 2019-01-06
1) Costalegre, MX
Chamela, December 23, 2018. Anchored at 19 35. 081 N & 105 07. 885 W in twenty feet. A small amount or roll during a S. W. swell.
Tenacatita, December 26, 2018. Anchored at 19 18. 072 N & 104 50. 086 W. in twenty five feet. Good holding, slightly rolly. About 26 boats there but a large anchorage with much room.
Santiago, December 29, 2018. Anchored at 19 06. 597 N & 104 23. 673 W. This was just West of the wreck noted in the cruising guide. There is a 2nd wreck marked by buoys just South and East of the listed wreck. A large well protected anchorage, good holding, very little swell but would not recommend entering this anchorage in bad visibility conditions. A large amount of tourists in a variety of Personal Water Crafts.
Manzanillo, December 30, 2018, Anchored at Las Hadas anchorage, 19 06. 131 N & 104 20. 695W in 15 feet. Good holding, very little swell. The cruising Guide advised we could dinghy into the marina and tie up at the dinghy dock. We did so but the charge to do this is 250 pesos. We went ashore one night using a mix of bus and taxi. Both very affordable. On page 166 of the crushing guide they have a photo of the Bar Social which looked interesting. After a long search we found it had closed up about four years ago. There are many small boats here pulling water skiers along with a lot of tourists on jet skis making the anchorage a little rough and loud. That's all we have for now.
Jim & Laura
NILAYA
2) Tehuantepec, MX
We had a very good trip crossing the Gulf of Tehuantepec. In the last night, 1/1, we anchored out just along the shore. It was a beautiful evening, quiet weather. We enjoyed it very much. We did not want to enter Chiapas in the dark. Anchored at 14 59.97 N 92 47.82 W in 8.1 m depth, good holding in sand. Near La Encrucyado. Next morning fishermen came to check if we had problems! Very attentive.
As soon as Rolf from the marina heard us calling the port captain on the VHF to ask permission to enter the harbor, he called us on the VHF and said he had a slip waiting for us and men on the dock to take our lines. The day before we had sent Memo an email to tell him we were on our way to his marina. We felt very welcome! Same night we met Luis and today we did the Chocolate tour with him. We like him and he is very enthusiastic. So we arranged the 5day Palenque tour with him for next week, very much looking forward to that! We are enjoying Mexico very much and the Posse really ads to it, because of all the information and the back up.
Thanks for that! Kind regards,
Huib & Maaike
MADELEINE
3) LINE updates & Check ins !
Weekly PanamaPosse group call on Mondays at 16:00 UTC and the chatroom is open 24/7
Sirena - Tenecatita, MX
Mai Tai - Barra de Navidad, MX
Sea Glub - Barra de Navidad, MX
Sans Cles - Zihuatanejo, MX
Wine n Down - Chiapas, MX
Madeleine - Chiapas, MX
Coquette - Bahia Del Sol, El Salvador
Sprezzatura - Bahia Del Sol, El Salvador
Xenia - Las Perlas, El Salvador
Carinthia - Vista Mar Marina, Panama
Knot Right - Vista Mar Marina, Panama
4) Medical / Vaccinations
Jan & I met with an infectious disease specialist in early Dec at the Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans to address vaccination needs related to our travels. Bottom line – no Yellow Fever in the parts of Panama and CR that we plan to visit -coastal areas and San Blas. The guidance document provided for Panama Yellow Fever says: Vaccination “recommended for travelers aged >= 9 months; all mainland areas east of the Canal Zone. Transmission does not occur on the San Blas Islands, but it is necessary to transit areas with known transmission risk en route to the islands. Daytime insect precautions are essential for unvaccinated travelers.” I take that to presume travel by land to San Blas. The document further says, “Not recommended: itineraries limited to Panama City, the Canal Zone, areas west of the Canal Zone (see map) or the Pearl Islands.” I presume (with all associated risks) that YF west of the Canal Zone would likely extend into CR.
For what it is worth – we were advised to use anti-Malarial meds during our planned visit to San Blas Islands. I can provide the document citations if anyone is interested.
FIGMENT
Don & Jan
(note: each country's requirement and relevant statistics has been diligently compiled for review on the official Panama Posse website by Tammy from SV RAVEN )
https://panamaposse.com/mexico
https://panamaposse.com/guatemala
https://panamaposse.com/el-salvador
https://panamaposse.com/honduras
https://panamaposse.com/nicaragua
https://panamaposse.com/costa-rica
https://panamaposse.com/panama
5) Oaxaca, MX
Music festivals in Guerrero, Oaxaca - source mexiconewsdaily.com
Tequila Blues Explosion is in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo and Blues on the Beach is in Huatulco It will soon be festival time in two Pacific coast resort destinations, both of which will celebrate blues and other music.
The second annual Tequila Blues Explosion Festival returns to Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo after a successful start in January last year.
The festival’s purpose is to build community and provide a world-class experience for tourists, visitors and locals alike.
This year, the festival will be a fundraising event for the Talita Cumi orphanage near Zihuatanejo by helping to give them better facilities to enable them to serve more children.
A lineup of performers from Canada, the United States and Mexico, including two local bands, will present blues, blues-rock, jazz and reggae at the three-day festival, which kicks off January 10 with concerts at the Ixtapa Event Center.
A Blues Brothers Tribute Show kicks things off on the first day, bringing two hours of soul, rhythm and blues and blues music and comedy all based on the 1980 cult status movie The Blues Brothers.
To close off the weekend, the festival will present the Blues Kruise 4Kids Blues At Sea fundraising cruise on the catamaran Picante on Sunday, with festival performers entertaining on board and all-inclusive food and beverages.
Farther south, Blues On The Beach returns to Huatulco, Oaxaca, for its ninth year with concerts on January 17 and February 14.
Dawn Tyler Watson, dubbed Montreal’s “Queen of the Blues,” and Toronto harmonica player David Rotundo are the headliners at the January show; Rotundo will return with harmonica legend Lee Oskar for the second event.
Like last year, both shows will be held at Chahue beach but at a new, larger venue called the Sea Soul beach club.
The festival is a fundraiser for Un Nuevo Amanecer (UNA), a charity that helps disabled children.
The organization receives little government funding and most families of the 100 children who benefit can ill afford to pay for the help they receive.
Rob & Debra
AVANAT
6) Electricity - tech request - please reply
Here in Mexico we often see wide differences in voltage when in the marinas.
Currently the marina we're in regularly has voltage in the range of 135-138.
What are some ways we can protect the boat from this ?
Are there devices we can buy to diffuse the voltage somewhat before entering the boat ?
SEAGLUB Chris, Monica & Penny
( note: https://www.electrical-installation.org/enwiki/Connection_of_Surge_Protection_Device )
7) Acapulco, MX A large fire at the yacht club in Acapulco, Mexico broke out on Saturday (Dec 29, 2018) morning, injuring two men with second- and third-degree burns.
Authorities say that both men, who were also bruised in the incident, are being treated at a local hospital.
A statement from the Secretary of Civil Protection for Guerrero revealed that the fire, which started at 8 a.m. local time was caused when fuel sparked after one of the boats refueled without turning on their blowers - The fire then spread to a neighboring boat and a fuel pump.
(note - Diesel pump was not affected and things a are cleaned up as of Jan 3rd, 2019 )
8) Herradura Bay, Costa Rica
- Marine Electronics - propane info from last season
Carinthia met with CR Marine Supply - nice chandlery walk-able from the bus stop
Kensy Chaves +506 2637 7419 Ocean Plaza 50m North of los Suenos kensey.chaves@grupomontecristo.com
International Marine Electronics - Kerry Monteleone can get parts from Florida - +506 6011 - 2300 email: international.me.cr@gmail.com
. Bus stop at 09 38.873 N 084 39.3760 W where you will hang out for bus to Jaco ( 240 colones )
- or up the street to the auto supermercado and Laundry lady
- visit the local bar with a new Jersey bartender
and get propane picked up and delivered by this guy !
Jaco Gas and he will meet you at the Bus off the main beach
stop and fill your tanks ( takes ~ 3 days ) call +506 2637 6161
2 tanks for 8000 Colones
note - USE A STERN ANCHOR in HERRADURA BAY - point the bow of your vessel SW - SSW - lot's of swell here.
Rick & Brenda
DAD'S DREAM
9) Additional long term planning dates
Mayan Adventures & Pot Lucks Marina Chiapas MX (Dec-Apr)
Bar Crossing Celebrations Bahia del Sol, El Salvador (Dec-Apr)
Flor de Caña Rum Tours Puesta del Sol, Nicaragua - (Dec-Apr)
Papagayo Survivors Party Coconutz , Playa Cocos, CR (Early Feb’19)
Golfito Marina Village an IGY Destination Golfito, Costa Rica May 1st ’19)
Rally Completion Award Event Vista Mar Panama (mid May’19)
Suzanne toasting @ Golfito Marina Village an IGY Destination – Costa Rica
10) FREE GOOD NAUTICAL MEMBERSHIP
All of last season's knowledge and fleet updates have been compiled into
Good Nautical the official 501(c)3 non-profit umbrella organization.
All Fleet Update contributors will of course have access to all the shared data from Mexico through Panama.
Fuel docks, Anchorages, Marinas, National Parks, Routes, a.m.o.
Please email us to get your free login credentials and tutorial.
11) PANAMA POSSE HOWLER MONKEY MARKETING and PROMOTIONPlease help us promote the Panama Posse with sailors, marinas, yachtclubs and chandleries
- if you are currently near a marina please print out this PDF in color and post it on the wall.
For extra fun (we did this last year) print it out and take a selfie with it on your vessel !
https://route.panamaposse.com/artwork/NOTICE_OF_A_RALLY_l.pdf
The Official Panama Posse Press Release - please forward it to your contacts and friends in the media
https://panamaposse.com/for-immediate-release-2018
12) Please reply to this email with any updates - your vessel location -
contenders for picture of the week - your favorite song for our list -
and we'll include it in the next Fleet Update
Dietmar & Suzanne
SV Carinthia
13) opt-out from the Fleet Updates simply reply with "REMOVE"
FLEET UPDATE 2019-01-01
1) Puerto Pedregral, Panama
We entered Panama in Puerto Pedregal. We crossed the bar at high tide Friday morning 28-Dec at Boca de San Pedro. Using the Navionics charts in my e95 Raymarine, we slowly maneuvered the winding river for almost 2 hours. Not something that I enjoyed. When we located the Port Captain, he was very helpful. But without someone who speaks more than passable Spanish, I would be here for another 5 days. First and foremost he indicated we did not notify him of our arrival 48 hours in advance, we can be fined $1,000 each. But he would not do that to us this time. He gave us his email to send that information retroactively, so he would have it in case someone else asked him for it (hmm). moises.rios@amp.gob.pa The customs office is one block away, the agent there was in the US for many years. He doesn’t have much to do there, so he was very helpful and talkative. We needed to get a Sim card, and he drove us to the Mercado. Immigration came (probably from the airport in David) and his process was extremely easy, he meet us in the Customs office. Also the Health department meet us there. It was just myself and Geri, my Spanish speaking crew member. All of this great service was because of the Port Captain making some phone calls. We showed up in the morning and wanted to leave by high tide that night. He did roll his eyes when we mentioned two dogs. The greased wheels came to a halt when we needed to get the cruising permit. It was now noon, we were told to come back at 2 because the gentlemen was not there, when we returned, there was a line waiting for him and he still wasn’t there. It was 3:30 before we were done. Total fees for Health, Immigration, customs and cruising permit for the 4 of us was $307 ($185 for the annual permit). All in all, this was better than expected for the last business day of the year. Since we did not want to traverse that river again and the bar crossing at night, we are staying overnight until the morning tide. Wish us luck. BTW, for the dogs, we had a copy of the Panamian request for home quarantine, and an email to the appropriate Panaimaian department three days earlier of the same document. We also had an international health certificate from the States, their rabies certifications, and more Vet certifications from Mexico and El Salvador. They took a copy of each and did not give us anything in return. When asked, they said, you have all of the proper documentation you need for them. ---
Walt & Jeariene
KNOT RIGHT
(note - please always save your tracks in and out and share them in any format- for future review with dietmar@goodnautical.com )
2) Barra de Navidad, MX
Schooner Winds of the Worlds may be leaving Barre de Navidad, January 5th to head for Acapulco, from there continue around January 16 to Puerto Escondido and Chiapas at the end of the month.This is all assuming that crews show up and stay the course; that has been a struggle.Are you familiar with Marina Cabo Marques in Acapulco?
Thanks, Happy New Year.
Dan
WINDS OF THE WORLD3) Panama Posse Christmas, Holiday and New Years
Norwegian New Year's eve preparation
Finn & May Linn
LA MUSTACHE II
4) Bahia del Sol, El Salvador
Wine n Down heading in over the Bar to enter the El Salvador Rally party grounds. It's like hotel California in there and very hard to leave ...
Steve & Keri
WINE N DOWN
5) Below are some of the more intriguing New Years eve rituals from PANAMA
Eat 12 grapes at midnight as you eat each one, make a wish. 12 wishes for the New Year.
They also say that the grapes will predict how your year will be.
For instance, if your 2nd grape is sour, then February will be a bad month.
But if you get a sweet grape, that month will be a sweet experience. Spit out the grape seeds and count the number of seeds.
You use the number of discarded seeds to determine your lucky lottery numbers.
The lottery is very popular in Panama.
Burn a “stuffed man” in effigy at midnight the traditions is that of the Muñecos.
These life sized effigies are an old Panamanian tradition Muñecos or Judas Dolls
They are then stuffed with firecrackers and are lit and beaten at the stroke of midnight.
According to folklore, by beating and setting the effigies aflame, the sins and evil spirits of the old year are destroyed.
Making way for good fortune in the new year. The fire crackers are said to help drive the evil forces away, since ghosts are afraid of light and noise.
The Muñecos are usually made to look like well-known politicians or movie stars from the outgoing year....
6) Puerto Vallarta, MX
Hello All, I have a close friend/cruiser that recently had a heart attack while in Puerto Vallarta. His 42 Beneteau "Set Me Free" is still there. It has ended his cruising career so I have offered to move his boat back to San Diego where he will sell it. I hope to sail around Feb. 1 and of course, weather dependent, will bash north. If anybody is interested in helping let me know. ( captainstrickley@yahoo.com )
Otherwise have a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
DAD’S DREAM
Rick & Brenda
7) Where is the 2018-2019 Panama Posse Fleet as of Jan 1 2019 ? ( to check in use your status message in LINE ) Mariah - La Paz, MX
Slow Dancer- Marina Vallarta
Nilaya - Manzanillo / Barra
Mai Tai - Tenecatita anchorage 26’ 19 18.121N 104 50.156W 28 boats here
Sea Glub - Barra - with MANY Pananam Posse Vessels
Simple Life - Ixtapa, MX
Epiphany anchored in Zihuatanejo MX at N17 38.2 W101 33.3 in 18'
Madeleine - TPec crossing en route to Chipas, MX
Sprezzatura - Marina Chiapas, MX
Coquette - Between Chiapas and Bahia del Sol El Salvador
La Mustache II - left Huatulco for Chiapas
Wine N Down - Bahia del Sol EL Salvador Toccata -Bahia del Sol, El Salvador Avant - Bahia del Sol, El Salvador
Shearwater - Amapala, Honduras
Octopus Garden - Marina Puesta el Sol, Nicaragua
Knot Right - Vista Mar Marina, Panama Dad's Dream - Vista Mar Marina, Panama Carinthia - Vista Mar Marina, Panama - waiting for genset repair to start
Secret Water - Vista Mar Marina, Panama
8) Approaching the Entrance of Bahia del Sol - El Salvador
As the southern swells start to build in late winter and approach this coastline they can break heavily on the shores. Approaching from the sea, the channel is not visible. The sight of the breaking waves can be intimidating; however there is a channel which is about 10 to 12 feet deep at high tide.
Do not try to cross this bar without a guide. The bar shifts often and local knowledge is required for a successful transit. Also there are two channels that can be used depending on the swell direction. Notify the rally in advance of your arrival. Call “Bill And Jean” on VHF 16 about 3 miles out from the approach waypoint and they will advise you if the conditions are safe and the time when high tide occurs
(about +40 minutes from the La Libertad tide station; try free WXTide32 https://wxtide32.com - doesn’t work on Windows Vista).
Try to time your arrival with calm swells. Sometimes the entrance is so calm boats have entered under sail. Other times...
Reminder to boats in Chiapas coming to Bahia del Sol. Check in with Bill & Jean in El Salvador in advance. He may ask you to bring down from Mexico (paid cargo, not a a gift). He will give you valuable information on when to arrive and will arrange the pilot for the bar, customs an immigration for your arrival, and inform you of expected conditions for the crossing. Contact via email elsalvadorrally@aol.com .
Rob & Debra
AVANT
9) Pictures of the Week - SHEARWATER
Volcano Cauldron- Santa Ana - El Salvador
Amapala - Honduras
Pati & Eric SHEARWATER
10) Marina Chiapas, Mexico
Beautiful marina, nice, helpful Manager and personnel. Fantastic restaurant that was packed for late Sunday brunch.
Would not recommend coming in to Marina in dark. Channel marking lights are inadequate. Be prepared for lots of Government attention for checking in immediately when you tie up. All very courteous and professional including the dog brought on board looking for the usual and stowaways.
Intel update. Luis was a driver for a transportation company owned by Miguel who arranged for Dietmar’s van excursion last year. Luis joined another tour company that doesn’t have federally licensed vehicles and federally licensed drivers. And Luis charges more. I just spent 2 hours with Miguel (after spending 5 hours with Luis 2 days ago) and recommend using Miguel. +52 (962) 133 6820
toursdiscioverchiapas@hotmail.com
No problems with Luis, I just think Miguel is better.
There is a John Deere tractor dealer in town that has JD oil, antifreeze and diesel fuel lubricity additive needed for older Diesel engines.
Heading to Palenque and San Cristóbal for the week with Miguel transport there and return $90/2 people each way. Bus is about $30/person.
Leaving in one week for El Salvador.
Eric
SPREZZATURA
11) Security Update - Chiapas, Mexico
Thieves attack tourists traveling by bus in state of Chiapas
Six armed men stopped the vehicle and stole passengers' belongings
Friday, December 28, 2018
A bus carrying tourists from Puebla was attacked by thieves yesterday in Chiapas.
Police said the bus was traveling on the Ocosingo-Palenque highway when six balaclava-clad individuals carrying firearms forced it to stop.
Four of them boarded the bus and began shattering windows and threatening the passengers with their guns.
They took their phones, cameras and cash and fled the scene.
The tourists reported the theft upon their arrival in San Cristóbal de las Casas.
They had planned to spend three days traveling around the state but changed their mind after the incident, cutting their trip short and heading back home.
The highway is known for such attacks. Tour companies began traveling in convoys during Holy Week last year after 25 German tourists and their guides were robbed.
(note from Carinthia Last season we went on that road and got "stopped" by what seemed liked the entire local town with our tourguide luis swating bullets. All cars and tour buses going through this lawless town are forced to stop - a gate keeper puts down a traffic cone - and in this one small town - we "donated" 20 USD x person and all was fine - it's considered a road tax and pays for safe passage - this area is not run by the MX govt or local or federal police - so they use a road tax to fund their local needs. Sort of a Robin Hood situation - pleasant - as long as you are pleasant ... big tour buses small cars all pay a tax - my buest guess is someone om that tour bus did not want to pay that tax and things escalated ..)
(note from Octopus Garden: That’s very common in Chiapas, but’s it’s matter of luck, we didn’t have any issues. Tapachula, where the marina is, i would say is ok to go shopping.)
Chris & Monica
SEAGLUB
12) HIP HIP HOORAY
the Panama Posse Fleet is at 76 vessels and 8 Flag States
13) WEEKLY 2018-2019 PANAMA POSSE FLEET CHECK IN and MORNING NET on MONDAY'S at 16:00 UTC via LINE
Please download and install LINE https://line.me/en-US/
Works on Android / ios / Windows / MAC OS
- Register using your vessel name as the USERNAME ie MY CROSSROADS
- Next search for panamaposse and befriend us -
- wait and accept your PANAMAPOSSE GROUP INVITE
Connect every Monday at 16:00 UTC and send us your position via the message
system and listen to the vessel check ins (all free as long you have IP connectivity
which we now know is pretty much all along the coast)
The LINE system allows for up to 200 live conference call participants.
14) Please reply to this email with any updates - your vessel location -
contenders for picture of the week - your favorite song for our list -
and we'll include it in the next Fleet Update
HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!
Dietmar & Suzanne
SV Carinthia
15) opt-out from the Fleet Updates simply reply with "REMOVE"