Marina Papagayo Costa Rica proves and excellent spot to leave the boat and explore
Exploring Costa Rica: Sunset over Monteverde Highlands, Costa Rica
MV TIDINGS OF JOY 🇺🇸 Jeff & Joy - DeFever 52′
GOOD NOTE:Additional discount
for Panama Posse participants that are considering staying here in
Papagayo for the hurricane season. $32 per foot for monthly stays.
This is a discount of nearly 17% off the current monthly rate of
$38.50 per foot. Please note this rate is not retroactive for
boats currently here as this rate will apply effective May 1st,
2024
MY NEXT CHAPTER 🇺🇸 Chris & Shawna & crew - Selene 59′
2) RSVP FOR THIS EVENT :
PANAMA YACHT FEST
& SEASON FINALE AWARD CEREMONY
MAY 11 BUENAVENTURA MARINA 🇵🇦 PANAMA
MAY 11, 2024
Welcome to our amazing Buenaventura Marina !
We
welcome the participants of the Panama Posse with an outstanding offer
and a free first night if you have never been here before – we know you
may never leave
Watch this use case video of why and how to use Satellite Charts with OpenCPN
6) ISLA COIBA 🇵🇦 A GEM IN WESTERN PANAMA
DELIGHT IN THIS TREASURE
The pristing water surrounding Isla Coiba National Park
SY EVER AFTER shares:
Andy
and I just left Coiba Island. Spent 4 days there. Worth every penny.
First anchorage we’ve paid for since Carayes, Mx. Clear water,
isolated,peaceful, beautiful sea life.
Season 6 Posse boat SV LADY SLIPPER on Anchor at Isla Coiba
07° 26.2716' N 081°43.5533' W location of hotsprings on the island of Coiba
September 2023 SY SALACIA & SY JUBEL scoped out the hot springs
Sitting by the Isla Coiba Hot Springs.
SY EVER AFTER 🇺🇸 Andrew & Laura - Jeanneau 44′
SY JUBEL 🇨🇦 Leah & Kyle - Gulfstar 44'
SY SALACIA Peter and Donna – Santa Cruz 50’
Thank you for Sharing your Adventures on the water !
7) SHARING YOUR ADVENTURES is the heart and soul of the Panama Posse
Please
share pictures of your adventures, your award entries/nominations, your
breathtaking sunsets, and picturesque anchorages on our group
communications platform for others to enjoy in real time and/or email
Maurisa at editor@panamaposse.com
to share in the upcoming newsletter. Maurisa is a sailor among
us. She is part of the Ocean Posse crew and enjoys writing fun and
helpful updates to the Panama Posse.
One of the few docks in Golfo de Nicoya 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
8) POSSE PERK:
SUNSETS OVER THE OCEAN
SY COURAGE enjoys this sunset while underway from Panama to Florida
SY COURAGE 🇺🇸 John & Kristine – Tartan 4100
9) OASIS MARINAS
AT FERNANDINA HARBOR MARINA 🇺🇸
SPONSORS THE PANAMA POSSE
30° 40.3067 ‘ N 081° 27.95’W
We are pleased to sponsor the Panama Posse and offer
10 % discount off our docking rate
5 cent x gallon discount on fuel
Please
let the Posse know that dockage reservations may be made directly
through our website, or by giving us a call at (904) 310-3300 and
choosing the reservation line.
In
addition if you join Marina Life Cruising Club there are hundreds of
participating marinas all over the country where boater’s can receive
additional discounts
Taylor Fitzsimmons | General Manager
Phone: (904)310-3300
Email: fernandinaharbor@oasismarinas.com
Hail on VHF 16
Fernandina Harbor Marina | 3 S. Front Street | Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Oasis Marinas at Fernandina Harbor is your gateway to Amelia Island’s rich history and attractions.
Amelia
Island is part of the Sea Islands chain of barrier islands, on
Florida’s Atlantic coast. It has a history of Spanish, French, British
and American rule. Today it’s a popular destination known for its luxury
resorts, golf courses an sandy beaches.
Conveniently
located on the Intracoastal Waterway Fernandina Harbor Marina has the
services and amenities you need when traveling the ICW.
AMENITIES
4,000 ft of alongside dockage
Mooring balls on site
Deep water, roughly 25ft
Laundry
Bait & Tackle
Restaurant on-site
Floating concrete docks
Boaters Lounge with Television
WiFi Internet Access
10) LAND TRIP NORTHERN 🇨🇷 COSTA RICA
A
week ago, we rented a car and went on a tour of northern Costa Rica. We
visited three main areas: Monteverde and the Cloud Forest there, the
Arenal region with the Lake and Volcano Arenal, and Rincon de la Vieja
park. Each was different, and we enjoyed them all.
A few general observations:
Driving
- we rented a car through Marina Papagayo, which was very convenient.
The car got delivered to the marina. We asked for a 4x4 and got an
upgrade to a bigger car, which proved to be very useful. The roads in
Costa Rica are of very varied quality. The main roads are good (CR1, for
example), but any side roads, especially in the mountains, can be
anything - pavement with holes, no pavement, huge potholes, gravel,
partially washed-out roads, anything goes. Some roads are pretty steep,
especially between Lake Arenal and Rincon. Assume a max of 30mph as a
traveling speed. We were told to use the Waze App for navigation, which
worked better than Google Maps.
Weather - the
amazing thing about Costa Rica is that you can drive for 1-2 hours and
be in a different climate zone. The climate does not change here
seasonally. Instead, it changes with elevation. Monteverde area was the
coolest, with average daily temp in the 70s (20s C) and nights cooler.
It was very windy, and mostly cloudy, with some rain. Around Arenal, it
was cloudy and rainy as well, but we also got some sunny days, and the
temperatures were a bit higher but still manageable. It was more humid
there as well. Rincon de la Vieja was the warmest, in the high 80s (30s
C), but dry and windy, and with cooler nights.
Sightseeing - everywhere
you go in Costa Rica, you have to pay a fee to see anything. There are
entrance fees even to the smallest waterfalls. Just be prepared for
that. When visiting rainforests or cloud forests, we think having a
guide is best. Otherwise, it is hard to find all the birds and animals.
Sometimes, they are close, but often, they hide high in the trees. The
guides know where to look and have scopes to help us see the animals.
Places we visited:
Monteverde - We
stayed in Santa Elena town, which was a great base for us. It is a
small town, but it has a lot of restaurants and a proper grocery store.
We stayed at Silvios' AirBnB (Opas and Omas houses), which was in the
middle of the town but very private, quiet, and on a huge property. We
could walk to town for coffee, dinner, etc. From there, we had a
15-minute drive to the main attractions - all the Cloud Forest reserves
(there are multiple). We took a guided hike through Monteverde Cloud
Forest with Michael (WhatsApp +506 8814 4988), and really enjoyed
it.
He
was there just with us and found all sorts of animals and birds,
including the Resplendid Quetzal. We also visited the Orchid Garden - a
small place but very enjoyable. Tons of flowers and very passionate
guides walking you through. We took a hike in Children's Eternal Forest,
more for the hike; it was nice and different from Cloud Forest. We also
did a Night Tour with Kinkajou Tours - not recommended. It was
hilarious, but we did not see much. Better take Michael for a night
walk, but it will cost more.
For
food in Santa Elena, I recommend Open Kitchen and a pizza place next to
Tico y Rico. If you like beer, that area has a lot of local brewers.
And Zuccaro Coffee for great coffee.
Arenal -
we drove from Santa Elena around Lake Arenal. Incredible scenic drive
and lots of places to stop for lunch around the lake, with great views.
We stayed in La Fortuna, at La Fortuna Lodge hotel. It was a clean hotel
with good staff. Breakfast was included, although it was bare. From La
Fortuna, we took hikes at Arenal Volcano National Park, first through
the main volcano trails, where we saw no volcano because it was cloudy.
Still, we saw a lot of birds (tucans!) and a nice forest. Then we went
to the peninsula area, where we hiked to the shore of Arenal Lake, and
from there, we saw the volcano as the clouds just cleared out. Never
give up :smile:
After the hikes, we soaked in the Arenal River at Choyin Rio Termal (https://maps.app.goo.gl/jRXM3sVr8kd6DdJ46).
This place we highly recommend. It is new, it just opened 2 months ago
and has not yet been discovered. It is across the street from the
well-known Tabacon resort. At Choyin, you get to use the same river, and
they provide super nice restrooms, showers, lockers, and a thermal pool
if you get tired of sitting in the river. There is an onsite restaurant
that has very tasty meals. It is 1/3 the price of Tabacon.
We
did more tours in this area, but the best was Sloth Territory, which
Larry and Beth from s/v Pause recommended. We saw many sloths, some very
close, and also frogs, lizards, and birds.
Rincon
de la Vieja - we started and ended our trip in that park. It is a good
place to visit on a day trip from Marina Papagayo, as it is only a 1-1.5
h drive from here. Our first stop was La Leona waterfall (https://maps.app.goo.gl/CEfMaWMSL3cjbnMq7),
booked through Trip Advisor. It was a fantastic hike and a
waterfall—really good on a hot day! There are sections where you have to
go through deep water, but there are ropes to hold on to, and they
provide life jackets. The waterfall was amazing.
On
the way back, we rented an Airbnb on a farm near Rincon, around the San
Jorge area. It was very peaceful. We spent a day at Rio Negro Hot
Springs, where you can soak in spring water pools of varying
temperatures (some were too hot for us) and get a mud bath/spa as well.
You can cool off in the Rio Negro's cool waters. Then we hiked to
multiple Rio Negro waterfalls, where we swam as well. There is a small
resort next to it, Hacienda Guachipelin, where we had lunch. Overall,
this was a super relaxing day and a good wrap-up of our trip.
QUE VENDRA 🇺🇸 Olena and Maciek - Outbound 46′
11) BYE BYE 🇲🇽 MEXICO EXIT CHIAPAS
Sunrise from the Tehuantepec over Chiapas, Mexico
All vessels are inspected upon entering and exiting the Port of Chiapas.
Everyone’s
very tired but happy to be here! And we got to meet the cute
inspection dog. He really is as clumsy as described. Did not like our
steps 😝 They brought the dog up to our boat. It walked up the stairs,
into the back and immediately turned around and walked back down the
stairs
SY TIAMAT 🇺🇸 Stephanie & Owen – Fountaine Pajot 44’
12) NAVAL SAILDRONE 🛰️ SPOTTED
The
US Navy has begun operating unmanned surface vessels (USV's) to collect
ocean data. Read more about this program here:
NOTE: These
unmanned surface vessels are typically transmitting a signal over AIS.
Additionally, they are much smaller than other vessels out at see.
Kepp a keen lookout when underway.
SY FRENCH KISSING LIFE spots a USV: well equipped yet not your typical marina neighbor.
Saildrone Explorer Technical specifications:
Length: 7m
Height: 5m
Draft: 2m
Propulsion: wind (Saildrone wing)
Average speed: 3 knots
Endurance 12+ months
Range: unlimited
SY FRENCH KISSING LIFE 🇺🇸 Tess&John – Bavaria 45’
13) GOOD NAUTICAL: PAPANOA 🇲🇽 MEXICO
Papanoa is north of Acapulco, Mexico. Dropped it in 30’ over sand bottom at 17’ 16.070 N 101’ 3.356 W. Fairly rolly but totally tolerable.
All prices are effective from Dec 1st 2020 to April 30th 2021
All prices are subject to change without notice at sole discretion of MPS.
Prices are in American dollars and do not include tax (I.V.A @ 15%)
RATES < 30 days 30 – 90 days 90 days+
First two days 1.25 1.25 1.25
3-30 Days
< 36′ 0.75 0.60 0.45
< 60 ‘ 0.80 0.65 0.50
60 ‘ + 1.00 0.80 0.60
MARINA SERVICES
POWER ( not full time ) 0.45 per KWh
TRANSPORT 12.00 pp 5 p min
WIFI 2.0 x day x device
WATER .04 x liter
BOTTOM CLEANING 1.00 x foot
Jeff's view from his slip
MY SUNDOWNER 🇺🇸 Jeffrey & Lynn - Californian 50'
15) POSSE SPONSOR:
SHARK SHAFT DOES IT'S JOB
Cruising vessels travelling north or south along the Panama Posse route will be hard pressed not to come in contact with a long line. SY TIAMAT installed a Shark Shaft befor heading south and recently reported:
We
cut a line somewhere between Barra and Papanoa, probably at night.
Shaft shark did its job, I removed the remnants (A few meters of wrapped
up line) from the shaft by hand
Ahoy Panama Posse
For an order thru your Panama Posse group we can offer your group a special discount of below trade –
We
both grew up with boats then shortly after meeting in 1999 we
discovered our common love for them. Living in San Diego we did
typical land lubber things - worked, exercised, spent time with friends
and family.
What's on your bucket list for this Season ?
Transit the Panama Canal
After
transiting the Canal we plan to cruise the entire Caribbean up to the
east coast of the United States then cruise north and then head to
Europe either on our own bottom or by shipping the boat.
2016-present:
Own, operate and live aboard a 52’ Defever trawler.
2016-17 My life partner (Joy Dornick) and I took our Defever on the Great Loop,
a circumnavigation around the eastern 1/3 of the United States. With
side trips to the Bahamas and in the Long Island Sound to Nantucket this
14 month trip was over 8000 miles. We cruised lakes, rivers, canals,
three of the Great Lakes, 100’s of locks, the Gulf Coast and Atlantic
coast ICW, twice crossed the Gulf Stream and many open ocean passages.
Since
shipping the DeFever from Florida to Ensenada in late 2017 we have
cruised all around Southern California including circumnavigating
Catalina Island on a trip which lasted a month and included 20 nights at
anchor and a 550 mile trip last summer from San Diego to Santa Barbara
with stays in the Channel Islands, Catalina and several other ports as
well.
June 2020-November 2020
Joy Dornick and I cruised up the west coast from San Diego to the Puget
Sound with no additional crew. Upon arriving we cruised the San Juan
Island and the Upper, Central and Lower Puget Sound extensively. We
continued to live aboard in Seattle for the Winter.
April 2021-November 2021
Joy Dornick and I cruised, with no additional crew, from Seattle to
Alaska where we cruised extensively in Southeast Alaska for 4 months. We
returned to the Puget Sound September 2021. This trip was well over
2000 miles. We continued to cruise the north, south and central Puget
Sound until November 1 when we docked at our winter slip at Elliott Bay
Marina in Seattle for the winter.
April 2022-September 2022 Joy
Dornick and I cruised, with no additional crew, from Seattle to The
Broughtons, British Columbia. After cruising all around southern British
Columbia until July we cruised down the west coast to San Diego, CA.
November 2022-June 2023 Joy
Dornick and I cruised, with no additional crew, from San Diego, down
the coast of Baja California to Cabo San Lucas, then up into the north
end of the Sea of Cortez. From there we cruised down the mainland side
of the Sea to Puerto Vallarta where we will be until November 2023. To
date Joy and I have cruised the Tidings of Joy over 23,000 nautical
miles.
MY TIDINGS OF JOY 🇺🇸 Jeff & Joy - DeFever 52′
Panama Posse Fleet Tracking courtesy of Predict Wind
17) FESTIVAL DEL CRISTO NEGRO PORTOBELLO 🇵🇦 PANAMA
Portobelo is renowned throughout The Black Christ is bathed in legend, some of which describe it being marooned in Portobelo by sailors while en route to Colombia.
Another legend says that on October 21, 1821
the residents of Portobelo prayed to the Black Christ to be spared from
a cholera epidemic that was sweeping Panama—and they were spared.
The
Festival del Cristo Negro which takes place on October 21. During this
festival, thousands of Panamanians travel to Portobelo and head to the
Church of San Felipe, which houses the life-size wooden sculpture of the
Black Christ.
Festival de Diablos y Congos
It’s
a festival of celebration and rebellion: Every year in February, the
port city of Portobelo, Panama holds the “Festival de Diablos y Congos.”
It’s a unique local take on the widespread Carnival tradition, a
five-day party with no shortage of loudspeakers, dancing — and devils
wielding whips.
The
Casa de la Cultura Congo is an open public space that hosts workshops
and the creation of arts and crafts. Focusing on Congo art, the mission
of the Casa de la Cultura Congo is to exalt and express the importance
of the colonial Latin and African legacy in Portobelo, by bringing those
traditions to life through different creative expressions.
REVILLAGIGEDO ISLANDS 🇲🇽
are an archipelago in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 235 nm SSW of
the tip of the Baja California peninsula and 300 nm WSW of Cape
Corrientes off Mexico’s Pacific Coast. The islands are
administered by Colima state, Mexico. Covering an area of 320 square
miles. The archipelago consists of numerous volcanic islands.
Soccoro Island
The
largest, Socorro, which rises to an elevation of 3,707 feet (1,130 m).
Soccoro Island is 24 miles (39 km) long and 9 miles (14 km) wide.
San Benedicto, 40 miles (64 km) north of Socorro, and Clarión, 250 miles
(400 km) west of Socorro, are the two other large islands; small
islands include Roca Partida, 60 miles (100 km) west of Socorro, and
Roca Oneal, just off the northwestern coast of Socorro.
Volcanic Islands
In
1957 an outpost was established on long-uninhabited Socorro, and trees
were planted for timber and fruit. The expedition found about 8,000
sheep on the island, the residue of a temporary Australian settlement of
the mid-1800s. The Revillagigedo Islands are rich in sulfur, fish, and
guano.
In
July 2016, the Revillagigedo Archipelago was inscribed as a UNESCO
World Heritage Site, and in November 2017 they were declared to be a
marine reserve and a national park of Mexico. Some of the volcanoes are
active, with the last eruption of Volcán Bárcena in 1953, and Socorro in
1993. A small military airstrip exists on Socorro.
No
evidence of human habitation on any of the islands exists before their
discovery by Spanish explorers. Hernando de Grijalva and his crew
discovered an uninhabited island on 19 December 1533, and named it Santo
Tomás (Socorro Island) and on 28 December they discovered Isla de los
Inocentes (San Benedicto) which owed its name to having been found on
the day of the Holy Innocents.
These
islands offer divers reliable encounters with giant manta rays, whale
sharks, dolphins, humpback whales, tuna, pelagic fish and many other
shark species.
Swimming with sharks.
A divers paradise: swimming with hammerhead sharks.
Giant manta Ray
Humpback Whales
The
Revillagigedo Islands are home to many endemic plant and animal
species, and are sometimes called Mexico’s “little Hawaii”. They are
recognized as a distinct terrestrial eco region, part of the Neotropical
realm.
Socorro
is the most diverse in flora, fauna, and topography. The Mexican
Government established the islands as a Biosphere Reserve on June 4,
1994. Oceanographic Magazine stated in 2020 that, “Its remoteness,
protection and peculiar oceanography makes it one of the most bio
diverse and exciting marine destinations on earth.”
Thank you for choosing to visit our marina, Manzanillo Marina Club.
We
would like to offer a special discount to all members of your company’s
Panama Posse program. We are providing a 15% discount on mooring fees
for up to two months, a 10% discount on travel lift maneuvers, and a 15%
discount on land parking for up to two weeks. Additionally, we can
offer a 10% discount on in-water hull cleaning.
We
pride ourselves on providing top-notch facilities and service to our
guests. We appreciate the opportunity to earn your business and hope
that you will consider us for future visits.
Panama Posse Weather Package Discounts 10- 35 % off
22) PANAMA CANAL AGENT CENTENARIO CONSULTING ERICK GALVEZ
To
arrange for transit with the Panama Canal Authority please contact Eric
Galvez our dedicated Panama Canal agent and sponsor of the Panama Posse
and the Pacific Posse
Erick Gálvez
info@centenarioconsulting.com
www.centenarioconsulting.com
Cellphone +507 6676-1376
WhatsApp +507 6676-1376
23) WAYPOINT YACHT SERVICES
“Our
vision is to provide a top tier service to our customers while covering
every potential need they may have when approaching shore.
Small
yachts (up to 38.1 meters LOA) are expected to experience substantial
delays, and in the meantime, we will be able and willing to help you
mitigate this impact and serve you.
The New Caledonian
lagoon, with a total area of 24,000 square kilometres (9,300 sq mi) is
one of the largest lagoons in the world. The lagoon and the surrounding
New Caledonia Barrier Reef was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in
2008 for its exceptional beauty and marine biodiversity
South Pacific Posse burgees available in 🇵🇫 French Polynesia
Fiji 🇫🇯 Yasawa Islands
RSVP REQUIRED PLEASE FILL OUT THE FORM BELOW
09:00 – 12:00 SWAP MEET / TREASURES OF THE BILGE ( FJ$ 2 DONATION FOR LOCAL CHARITY )
12:00 – 18:00 MARINE EXPO & trade show
14:00 – WEATHER SEMINAR
15:00 – SAILING TO NZ
16:00 – VANUATU / NEW CALEDONIA
17:00 – OPEN SUNSET RUM BAR
18:00 – DINNER & BRING A DISH TO SHARE + WIN A DELUXE BOTTLE OF RUM
( if you do not bring a dish to share you do not get to taste the food )
20:00 – MEXICAN TRAIN / TEXAS HOLDEM TOURNAMENT + WIN A DELUXE BOTTLE OF RUM
FREE FOR SOUTH PACIFIC POSSE PARTICIPANTS AND MARINA GUESTS
FJ$ 50 PP for those anchored out
Nawi Island 🇫🇯 FIJI Come and join this event August 31 2024
Come party, mix and mingle with the South Pacific Cruising Fleet
WE OPERATE UNDER INTERNATIONAL MARITIME LAW
YOUR VESSEL · YOUR CREW · YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
OUR MISSION
Make traveling for yacht owners easier, transparent and better informed.
Generate group buying power with discounts in marinas and with service providers
Pass on relevant information to help fellow participants in a timely manner without personal opinions
Identify, document and reduce risks
Allow for flexibility and reduce pressures due to schedules
Posse perk: going snorkeling in new places with new friends
Some places are too good to be kept a secret. SY COURAGE continued
adventure in Holandes Cay meeting another boat that took them to a
snorkeling spot they may not have otherwise found in the San Blas,
Panama.
TRIP REPORT:
What we wanted to follow up with is the great snorkeling we were taken to by Bob and Joan of SY GREENFLASH yesterday
morning. it is to the west of the swimming pool and a dinghy ride up a
deeper water channel to the deeper water inner side of the coral break
wall along the north of the island. The picture below has two dots where
the channel begins and ends and two fish symbols where we spent a few
hours admiring underwater life (rays, sharks, coral of all kinds, fish
of all kinds). and a brief video so you can see water conditions out in
the swell and water conditions in the deeper water on the inside of
break wall. We would rank these spots as very good, but west Holandes
Cay remains our favorite.
This snorkelers treasure map is marked with fish instead of an 'X'
SY COURAGE 🇺🇸 John & Kristine – Tartan 4100
SY GREEN FLASH 🇺🇸 Bob & Joan – Beneteau 35’
Thank you for Sharing your Adventures on the water !
7) SHARING YOUR ADVENTURES is the heart and soul of the Panama Posse
Please
share pictures of your adventures, your award entries/nominations, your
breathtaking sunsets, and picturesque anchorages on our group
communications platform for others to enjoy in real time and/or email
Maurisa at editor@panamaposse.com
to share in the upcoming newsletter. Maurisa is a sailor among
us. She is part of the Ocean Posse crew and enjoys writing fun and
helpful updates to the Panama Posse.
Sloth hanging out at the Gamboa Sloth Sanctuary in Panama 🇵🇦
8) POSSE PERK:
SHARING TRACKS & INSPIRING ONE ANOTHER
SONG OF THE SEA makes landfall in the Marquesas THEY ARE NOW PART OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC POSSE !
9) OPEN CPN TUTORIAL
📍 TURN ON TRACKING
SHARE TRACKS 🔗
OpenCPN
is an excellent navigational tool and Panama Posse members have access
to many resources and tutorials to better understand and use the program
effectively.
For those that have OpenCPN here is a quick tutorial on how to use tracking and share tracking with Open CPN:
Once connected to GPS or NMEA – please enable tracking
Once you are tracking the yellow line will show your track right click on it and select properties
You can then save this track or import another one …
To manage routes click on the Route and Mark Manager Icon on the left
Next
Navigate to the GPX file you wish to import
Next activate the track in the ROUTE TAB
Next ACTIVATE THE ROUTE and VOILA
To import GPX tracks from Good Nautical look for the tracks shared on the right bar and download to your device
Review route details
Download the GPX and import into Open CPN as outlined above
AND DISPLAY THE ROUTE IN OPEN CPN WITH A SEQUENCE OF SAVE WAYPOINTS
BONUS: CEVICHE 🧑🍳
SAMPLE ALONG THE ROUTE
Ceviche
has it's roots in the northwestern region of South America that are now
known as Ecuador and Peru. Overtime the dish has spread
throughout Central America with each country, each region, each family
adding their own touch of individuality. Ceviche is the result of
fish and/or other seafood, like shrimp, conch, or Octopus being
submerged in salt and lime juice. The chemical process that occurs
is similar to fish getting 'cooked' in which the flesh turns opaque and
gets firm...although the fish is not truly cooked.
A colorful bowl of shrimp ceviche
The
additional ingredients, the presentation, the size, and the
accompaniments vary greatly. For instance, along the Gold Coast in
Mexico ceviche is commonly a mix of fish or mixed seafood with
tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, and cilantro served on a large platter with
a basket overflowing with various large corn disks called tostados.
Further south, in Panama, ceviche is commonly served in small
individual servings with diced onions and lots of juice. They are
both DELICIOUS ....just different....and sampling ceviche along the
route is highly recommended.
My
favorite ceviche as of late was a new twist that I encountered sailing
to the southernmost island in the Perlas. The base of the ceviche
is still the same: fish submerged in salt and lime juice making the
flesh firm and opaque. The twist that was a taste bud sensation
was in the additional ingredients, namely coconut. Suddenly,
ceviche was a fusion of flavors. It was still crisp and fresh, and
now rich and creamy. I was in heaven!
Fresh caught Corvina is a choice fish for Ceviche
In
my galley, the variation on my ceviche has a lot to do with what I have
so it is often not the same twice. That said, I do have a general
process.
So far my process:
Step 1: Fresh caught corvina, snapper, or dorado, diced, and put in a bowl.
Step 2: Sprinkle with salt and cover with fresh squeezed lime juice. Place in the fridge. Let sit about 30 min.
Step 3:
Dice what fresh additions I have that sound good. Ideally, onion
(purple is pretty), jalapeno, tomato, and a leafy green (either cilantro
or culantro ).
Step 4: When
I am ready to serve, I mix everything together. Lately, if I want
to try the coconut variation I add in some coconut milk and either a
dash of fish sauce or soy sauce. I sample and add salt to taste.
Step 5: Serve with chips or tostadas.
SY WHIRLWIND 🇺🇸 Maurisa, Mike, Russell & Josea – Alajuela 48’
10) MARINA PAPAGAYO 🇨🇷 COSTA RICA
SPONSORS THE PANAMA POSSE
Marina
Papagayo is proud to continue our sponsorship of the Panama Posse fleet
for the 2020/21 season. Our dockage discount for Posse members
is:
Stay three nights pay for two
Stay for a week and pay for five days
Stay for a month and pay the annual monthly rate
Complimentary drink coupons for the Dive bar on arrival
We look forward to welcoming you to Marina Papagayo.
Situated
below the hurricane line and sheltered from the northern Papagayo
winds, Marina Papagayo’s naturally protected harbor offers a year-round
safe haven in a yachting paradise, just 30 minutes from an international
airport. An idyllic stop-off point and staging area for epic diving and
underwater adventures in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Seascape. Malpelo
Island, Isla del Coco, Coiba and the Galápagos are all close by.
A FULL SERVICE DEEP SEA PORT
Marina
Papagayo offers 180 fully serviced berths for yachts up to 250 feet
LOA, with both single & 3-phase electrical service, grey & black
water disposal and wireless broadband. All complimented by a wide range
of services and amenities, including mooring assistance, 24/7
monitoring, yacht assist, on-site provisioning, fuel bunkering and
dockside concierge service. From airport transfer, shuttle service, car
rentals, dining reservations and activities for captains and crew
members, the marina concierge team is at your service.
WHERE CAPTAIN IS KING
While
staying at Marina Papagayo, captains and crew enjoy access to select
facilities and amenities on Peninsula Papagayo. Including seven
spectacular beaches, the Arnold Palmer Signature golf course, Andaz
Costa Rica Resort Beach House and miles of hiking and biking trails. For
insider access to nature unleashed, check out Papagayo Explorers Club.
Their expert guides, naturalists and translators are available for crew
expeditions off the beaten path.
VESSELS OF ALL SHAPES AND SIZES
Among
its ultra-wide, custom-designed floating dock system, 180 owner and
guest slips can accommodate a wide variety of watercraft. From
superyachts and luxury cruisers to schooners and sportfishing vessels.
Ultimately, 350 slips will fill the marina, making it the largest and
most advanced in Costa Rica.
MARINA SUITES
The
village at Marina Papagayo is undergoing a metamorphosis, offering new
and enhanced amenities for owners and guests. A refreshed seaside
apartment hotel offers studio, 1- and 2-bedroom suites with daily
housekeeping, pool, gym, lounge and meeting rooms.
Panama Posse Party Papagayo Costa Rica
(7) Posse boats all together for Easter dinner! Was a great time and wonderful food.
MVPAUSE:
I would like to give a shout out to Dan and his team at Marina Papaguayo, CR.
There are 7 PP boats here now and we mentioned that we would like
to have a get together on Easter. Dan provided a place for the
party, drove across the peninsula to borrow a grill for us , bought 3
bags of charcoal and donated 2 cases of beer for our party. That
is going above and beyond. Thanks Dan!
SV BRIGADOON, SV QUE VENDRA, SV PERCEPTION, SV FIREFLY, MV SERENITY, MV PAUSE, MV MARTINI
11) PREDICTWIND SPONSORS THE PANAMA POSSE:
TAKE A DEEP DIVE INTO TRACKING & WAVE POLARS
PREDICTWIND offers mariners powerful tools to advance their safety and weather routing capabilities
We
support the Panama Posse with free tracking and a Discount 20% off
>> 499/year for Pro, 249 for 3 months, 249/year Standard , 99 for 3
months.
To claim your discount please login and email support@predictwind.com with your vessel name and email address
There are multiple ways to take advantage of the tracking offered by Predictwind:
Sign up for PredictWind Pro package using the Posse 20% Discount and tracking will be automatic through your PredictWind Pro account.
Sign up for PredictWind Standard package using the 20% Discount and you can link to a PredictWind tracking page using Datahub automatically
Tracking is also available for Panama Posse members without a PredictWind Subscription using Garmin Inreach URL link which will link automatically
PredictWind also offers Posse members a tracking page that can be managedmanually. This method is a bit more cumbersome, but do'able. See the link and article below for explanation.
Note: Starlink customers will require a Datahub to get automated tracking. It cannot track without it.
PredictWind Pro Subscribtions get access to PredictWind advance Weather Routing Features. Highlighted here are WAVE POLARS
Boats respond to waves in their own unique manner based on boat specifications
With
PredictWind Weather Routing, you can set your Wave Polar not only to
define the performance of your boat in various wave conditions but also
to view the Roll, Vertical accelerations and Slamming Incidence that
your boat will experience through the route.
Setting
up the Wave polar can only be done on the PredictWind Website at
https://forecast.predictwind.com; once set up, all the PredictWind Apps
will use these settings saved on your account. The Apps (PredictWind App
and Offshore App) cannot modify the Wave polar settings. They can only
turn it ON or OFF.
To set up Wave polar:
Go to the weather routing page, then click Routing Preferences.
Press the Wave Polar button in the Routing Settings section
You will first need to turn ON Wave polar
Next, turn OFF Advanced Wave Polar (if it isn't already. We will explain Advanced Wave polar at the bottom of this article)
If
you use a Predefined Polar, make sure the checkbox indicating "Use
Predefined Boat Dimensions" is ticked. The boat dimensions of our
Predefined Polars will be automatically defined using this setting,
saving you the effort of looking them up.
If
you're not using a Predefined Polar or think the values given are
incorrect, uncheck the box, then fill out the fields, Displacement, LWL,
Beam and Draught. If you're unsure what these values mean, click on the
link: "What are Displacement, LWL, Beam and Draught?" The image below
will be shown on screen.
The router will use these supplied dimensions to alter the performance of your boat based on the influence of wave conditions.
Note:
For sailboats the the roll damping effect of the mainsail is accounted
for. The mainsail forms a large part (around 40 – 60%) of the roll
damping. So, resonant roll motions may be approximately doubled with no
sails up.
If motoring, it has been assumed that the mainsail is hoisted.
Roll, Vertical Acceleration & Slamming Incidence
(Only available on the Professional Subscription.)
There are three new data points output by the router at each route point: Roll, Vertical Acceleration and Slamming Incidence.
Roll
is the root-mean-square (RMS) roll amplitude in degrees. When roll
motions are large, moving around the boat and performing tasks becomes
difficult. Objects not strapped down are likely to move. A roll RMS
limit of 4 degrees is often used to move around the boat and complete
tasks safely. Roll tends to be the largest in beam seas. For sailing
yachts, which have a heel angle, the roll is the change in heel angle
due to the waves.
There
are three new graphs on the graphs tab of the route results, one for
each new variable; the data is also given in a tabular format on the
wave tab.
Vertical acceleration is
pitching or a vessel's up and down motion. This is characterized by the
rising and falling of the bow and stern. Vertical acceleration is the
root-mean-square vertical acceleration in 'g's' (1.0 = Earth's gravity
9.81 m/s^2). Vertical acceleration is a good indicator of the potential
for the crew to get seasick. The algorithm considers the primary,
secondary and tertiary swells to calculate the overall vertical
acceleration for the boat. The higher the acceleration, the more likely
the crew will get seasick.
A vertical acceleration limit of 0.2g is often used for safely performing tasks and avoiding seasickness.
Vertical Acceleration Graph
"Slamming Incidence”
is the likelihood of experiencing at least one slamming event per
minute. For monohulls, slamming is measured near the bow (10% LWL from
the forward extent of the waterline). When this part of the boat emerges
clear of the water and then impacts the water with a high relative
vertical velocity, it is called a slamming event. For sailing
catamarans, slamming is measured at the cross-deck structure (bridge
deck), and again is based on relative vertical velocity. For either
monohulls or catamarans, a slamming incidence of 50% is considered
excessive and may lead to hull damage or injuries to the crew.
Slamming Incidence graph
To
continue learning more about the Wave Polar Features on PredictWinds
Pro Subscription see the link below. This article sets it out
well.
Golfo
Dulce, Costa Rica (north end) – Near Pargos Cove there some underwater
geothermal hot springs where the water temp goes from a balmy 82 degrees
to a hot 106 degrees.
GPS coordinates at 08° 43.730 N 083° 23.314 W
Visually, vector the small island sea cave with the slightly offshore rock formation and that’s where the thermals are.
Registration for Panama Posse Season 8 starts May 15th - or to simply rollover to next season send an email to registration@panamaposse.com with the words "RENEW"
We are please to sponsor the Panama Posse with a 20 % discount on our slip fees
CONTACT
Beat, Caroline, dogs & Heyson Garcia
PLACENCIA YACHT CLUB
info@clearwaterexploring.com
www.placencia-yacht-club.com
T: +501 639 8555
Whatsapp +41 78 605 5181
VHF 68
RATES
4bzd/2usd/ x ft 20% off
Potable Water free
Metered Electricty
Placencia Yacht Club
14) LATITUDES AND ATTITUDES
& PANAMA POSSE
“The Journey is the Destination”
PANAMA POSSE PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE:
$5.00 off per subscription
Hello, Please use the coupon code upon checkout : panamaposse
The
#1 Cruising Lifestyle publication on the planet just keeps getting
bigger and better! Incredible destination articles and features by the
cruisers themselves, including how-to’s, DIY and exciting new products!
15) MEET THE FLEET
SV MARIA NOA
Hans-Joerg & Brigitta
Hannes and Brigitta with Maria Noa in the background
Our
sailing Catamaran MariaNoa , a Lagoon40 has been our home for the past 3
year. Because of a special incident in our life we decided to leave our
hometown Hamburg/Germany to sail around the world on a boat.
We,
that’s Hannes, the skipper and Brigitta, sailor and head chef, started
in Les Sables d’Olonnes/France in February 2021, in the middle of the
Covid time. After traveling the Canary Islands for 7 months, we sailed
across the Atlantic to Barbados via Capo Verde.
For
2 years we enjoyed traveling the Caribbean, with Martinique, St.Vincent
and the Grenadines, Grenada and back north with several stopovers to
the British Virgin Islands.
The first hurricane season we spent on the ABC Islands and Colombia.
The
following year we focused on the Western Caribbean with Dominican
Republic, Turks and Caicos, Bahamas, Florida, Cuba and Mexico. Last year
our Hurricane Hole was the Rio Dulce/Guatemala after we had been to
Belize. Because of a lightning strike in the Rio Dulce in July
2023, we had to stay much longer in Guatemala than intended to get our
ship repaired.
Now
the boat is fit again, and we have been enjoying the San Blas Islands
in Panama since January. A few days ago, we arrived in the Pacific
through the Panama Canal and are now preparing for the Galapagos Islands
and French Polynesia.
Eventually
Kiribati in the South Seas is one of Hannes’ dream destinations.
Afterwards we slowly drift towards Australia and see where the wind
blows us next.
In
Germany Hannes was very engaged as a volunteer in Plan International,
which is a humanitarian organization that advances children's rights and
equality for girls. We have different sponsored children in various 3rd
World countries on are sailing route which we try to visit and see what
Plan is doing for them and the communities. So far, we have been doing
this in the Dominican Republic, Guatemala and Honduras.
Hope to see and meet one or the other in the pacific
SV MARIA NOA 🇩🇪 Hans-Joerg & Brigitta - Lagoon 40′
Historically, flares have been recommended in mariners ditchbags and safety kits.
BEWARE: Safety of flares is being called into question.
Yachting Monthly reports: "The
RYA is urging the MCA to recognise that modern technology is safer and
now able to provide reliable, accurate and timely rescue alerts and
location information"
Over
the years there have been multiple incidents in which mariners have
been injured or even killed by accidents caused by flares. This
has caused some orginazations to fervently urge authorities to
re-evaluate flare requirements aboard vessels. See this article
below from Yachting monthly to learn more about what has happened and
what to consider when stocking your ditch bag.
What safety items are in your Ditch Bag on on your Grab List?
18) MUST SEE:
BELIZE BARRIER REEF RESERVE SYSTEM
UNESCO
designated The Belize Barrier Reef System a World Heritage site in
1996. UNESCO describes the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System as:
The
coastal area of Belize is an outstanding natural system consisting of
the largest barrier reef in the northern hemisphere, offshore atolls,
several hundred sand cays, mangrove forests, coastal lagoons and
estuaries. The system’s seven sites illustrate the evolutionary history
of reef development and are a significant habitat for threatened
species, including marine turtles, manatees and the American marine
crocodile.
Belize Barrier Reef
Belize's Barrier reef is the second largest reef system in the world & the largest living reef system in the world.
The
Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System (BBRRS) stands as a natural wonder
of unparalleled beauty and ecological significance. Comprising seven
protected areas, this UNESCO World Heritage Site represents the
second-largest reef system in the world, making it a global treasure.
This remarkable reef complex is lauded for its pristine condition,
hosting adiversity of marine life and serving as a vital habitat for
numerous threatened species. From majestic creatures like the West
Indian manatee and green turtle to vibrant coral reefs teeming with fish
and other marine organisms, the BBRRS is a haven for biodiversity.
Beyond
its ecological importance, the BBRRS holds cultural and historical
significance, as evidenced by Charles Darwin's admiration of its beauty
and diversity. Its atolls and cayes are not only home to diverse flora
and fauna but also serve as breeding grounds for endemic and migratory
birds, making it a haven for avian enthusiasts.
Belize's commitment to safeguarding this invaluable natural heritage.
Belize
is committed to safeguarding their natural heritage through collective
efforts, including government legislation, individual actions, and
organizational initiatives. Mother nature’s best best-kept secret
remains intact for future generations and visitors to cherish and enjoy.
Sail to Belize and get inspired by the tiny world leader today!
22) PANAMA CANAL AGENT CENTENARIO CONSULTING ERICK GALVEZ
To
arrange for transit with the Panama Canal Authority please contact Eric
Galvez our dedicated Panama Canal agent and sponsor of the Panama Posse
and the Pacific Posse
Erick Gálvez
info@centenarioconsulting.com
www.centenarioconsulting.com
Cellphone +507 6676-1376
WhatsApp +507 6676-1376
23) WAYPOINT YACHT SERVICES
“Our
vision is to provide a top tier service to our customers while covering
every potential need they may have when approaching shore.
Small
yachts (up to 38.1 meters LOA) are expected to experience substantial
delays, and in the meantime, we will be able and willing to help you
mitigate this impact and serve you.
Dorado circling bait ball underwater off the coast of Magdelena Bay, Mexico 🇲🇽
MV DRAGON 🇺🇸 John & Erin - Nordhavn 68′
2024 Solar Eclipe viewing in the Sea of Cortez, Mexico 🇲🇽
SY DO THE THING 🇺🇸 Andrew & Laura - Jeanneau 44′
Poolside with boat on anchor through the trees in Costa Rica 🇨🇷
Capuchin or White Faced Monkey also Poolside in Costa Rica 🇨🇷
MY TIDINGS OF JOY 🇺🇸 Jeff & Joy - DeFever 52′
2) OCEAN POSSE 🦺 INSURANCE SEMINAR
Marine
Insurance can be challenging with the appearance of few to no options
available at times, policies riddled with exceptions, and most insurance
agents simply not having solutions. We are going to have a zoom
meeting with an Marine Insurance Specialist Steve Bonner who not
only has 33 years of experience in writing marine insurance for
worldwide sailors but Steve also has two circumnavigations to his
credit.
Because of his background with both mariners and insurance carrier he can bridge the gap perfectly between insured and carrier.
Join the call with questions or watch it later
OCEAN POSSE is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Note * Billfish is excluded from Biggest Fish Award BUT THE CATCH IS STILL IMPRESSIVE
Chad says:
Here
is my big fish entry. It was welcomed aboard SV Ohana and
immediately released. I put a tape measure over the deck of where
the fish laid and it was 7’ or so. It was our first sail fish and
our second big fish of the passage (first above).
Pro
tip - make sure to reel in all lines before backing down on the fish.
I got the opportunity to verify water temp and clarity. Both
were excellent!!!!
Fortitude X caught sailfish crossing the Tehuantepec 🇲🇽
Note * Billfish is excluded from Biggest Fish Award BUT THE CATCH IS STILL IMPRESSIVE
SY DO THE THING 🇨🇦 Marjolaine & Francois - Dufour 43'
🧘+ ⛵ BOAT YOGA POSE OF THE YEAR ENTRY
One must be brave and nimble in the lazarette looking for loose wires!
SY ROXXY 🇺🇸 Dennis & Kelly – Beneteau 52’
ONE NEW "CAPTAIN RON OF THE YEAR" 🤪 AWARD ENTRY
Charred Chart Plotter
ROLLING THUNDER Pro
Tip: If you put your chart plotter in the oven to protect it during a
lightning event, put the knob in the oven or otherwise disable the stove
till you take it out.
MV ROLLING THUNDER 🇺🇸 Bruce, Janis & Rosa - Horizon 42’
We
left San Diego in early December on Dragon our Nordhavn 68 Forward
Pilothouse on a West Coast to East Coast mission which is the first
chapter in our West to East circumnavigation. We tapped the brakes for 5
days around Mag Bay to fish Marlin and Dorado and ultimately freedive
the bait schools on the banks around this pelagic wonderland. This would
become the most incredible wildlife experience of our lives.
Posse perk: MIND BLOWING AND MAGICAL underwater experiences
After
Mag Bay we headed south and stopped in La Cruz, Mexico for a bit to
prepare, provision, and obtain permits for a trip to the Revillagigedos
archipelago for a dive trip to the legendary world heritage group of
islands 290 nm West of Puerto Vallarta. The diving was amazing and (we had) regular
underwater sightings of Pacific Mantas, Bottle nosed dolphins and 5
different kinds of sharks as well as tuna and bonito. (The) weather kept us from visiting Roca Partida but with so many other dive sites we could hardly be disappointed.
Erin Scuba diving in the Revilagigedos
A
loop back to La Cruz and we headed south. We visited Tenecatita, Barra
de Navidad and Zihuatanejo for a few days each to walk each charming and
dusty town filling up on sites and fresh seafood.
We
checked out of Chahue without drama and grabbed a perfect window to
cross the often perilous Gulf of Tehuantepec which was glassy and full
pesky Sailfish instead of the Dorado we had hoped for. The weather held
amazingly well until Costa Rica where the Papagayo winds made the last
24 hours of our passage lumpy. Our insurance carrier declined to cover
us for stops between Mexico and Costa Rica so we bombed thru to the
beautiful and brand new Flamingo Marina where our check-in was prepped
and expertly managed by our chosen Costa Rica agent Bruce and Joaquin at
BB Seas. We stayed for 3 weeks. We surfed and rode our bikes down the
beach occasionally stopping in a shady spot where a massage therapist
had set up a table for what we came to call a $40 nap.
I
unloaded a KTM 890 adventure motorcycle that lives on Dragon and took a
multi day motorcycle ride up around the Rainforest and Volcano outside
Lake Arenal. The ride was filled with regular sightings of sloths, 2
kinds of monkeys and a curious creature called a Coati which looks like a
fuzzy anteater but is more closely related to a raccoon.
trailside Coati
We
hopped down the coast to Quepos and tied up at the Marina Pez Vela. We
have visited the Manuel Antonio National Park several times, surfed the
jetty outside the marina and done day trips to the Sailfish grounds
where we could find lots of Sails and small tuna to pull on.
Nice Haul! Bravo Zulu.
After
a few weeks our friends at BB Seas gave us the news that our permits to
visit and dive the Cocos Island Marine reserve were approved. The
diving there is fairly deep so we arranged to get some oxygen cylinders
delivered from Punta Arenas and mixed our own Nitrox with our on board
compressor. Cocos has long been a daydream and I never imagined taking
our own boat and mixing our own dive gas. I had been introduced to a
seasoned dive guide who had the required credentials to guide us by a
friend and truthfully our new friend and Dive Guide Chipopa was more
excited than anyone to get out there. Cocos is almost halfway between
Quepos and the Galapagos. It’s within the ITCZ and the wind never blew
more than 6 knots all week and although a few anchor spots were rollie
from the long period swell our Seakeepers kept the decks flat.
Cocos
is a tropical postcard. It’s simply beautiful. The water was 88 degrees
and the Island was covered by waterfalls and although it can rain for
weeks there we had not a drop in the week we were there. Average
visibility in the water was 75-100’. We saw sharks on every dive and at
times we saw walls of hammerheads. We glided thru massive clouds of
horse eyed jacks and had tuna and wahoo swim close enough to witness our
dumbfounded stares. The density and diversity of life there is beyond
measure. It’s mostly big water diving with fast currents and deep
ledges. We toured the well run Ranger Station and hiked the corner of
the island. We swam thru a small shore break on the island and swam in a
300’ tall waterfall pool that brought Erin to tears. It’s not a cheap
or short trip but if any of what I’ve described appeals to you...GO
THERE!
Sharks are very common to see under water at Isla Coco, Costa Rica
MV DRAGON 🇺🇸 John & Erin - Nordhavn 68′
Thank you for Sharing your Adventures on the water !
7) SHARING YOUR ADVENTURES is the heart and soul of the Panama Posse
Please
share pictures of your adventures, your award entries/nominations, your
breathtaking sunsets, and picturesque anchorages on our group
communications platform for others to enjoy in real time and/or email
Maurisa at editor@panamaposse.com
to share in the upcoming newsletter. Maurisa is a sailor among
us. She is part of the Ocean Posse crew and enjoys writing fun and
helpful updates to the Panama Posse.
Spring Festival at the mining ruins in Santa Rosalia, Mexico 🇲🇽
TRIP REPORT SV DAWN PATROL:
After
hearing so many sailors talk about how great Santa Rosalia is, we had
to see for ourselves. Marina Fonatur Santa Rosalia holds
approximately 20 boats, and the complex resembles all the other Fonatur
marinas in Mexico. On this occasion the Pool and Jacuzzi were both
drained. The marina is having issues with water and was out the
day we arrived but had a truck deliver water a couple days later.
We didn’t use any though giving the scarcity, even though Dawn
Patrol needed a bath! Being within easy walking distance of town
is a plus as we ventured in every day. The town has a French
influence as it was founded by a French company in 1884 when copper was
discovered and a large mining operation was established. The
remnant of the copper mill can be seen all over town along with
locomotives used for transport. We toured Museo el Boleo where
artifacts and pictures are displayed that gave a glimpse into the
workings of the mine. We also visited Las Minitas del Boleo,
underground mine with pictures of people who worked at the time.
The townspeople requested a church to be built so the director of
the mine located a metal church that’s said to be built by Mr Eiffel (
of Eiffel Tower) so he shipped it to Santa Rosalia in 1897 where it is
still standing today and is actively used for the catholic denomination.
We also visited the famous bakery, El Boleo, for some delicious
bread and pastries! The highlight was meeting Jose Caballero and his
family who run the brewery located just inside the marina gates called
Padre Santo Brewing! If your in the mood for a dark beer, their
Cacoa Stout can’t be beat. They, along with Mulege Brewing, were
sponsoring the Spring Festival that weekend as a benefit for the Santa
Rosalia nursing home. Live bands, great beer, wonderful venue
amongst the ruins by the waterfront what more could a person want!
Unfortunately it was a very cold, blustery day so participation was
limited but those who did brave the weather were treated to a sky show
in the evening, a Space X (Starlink satellites) rocket launch over the
city!
Proud owners and producers at Padre Santo Brewery
Brew process at the Santa Rosalia brewery inside the marina Fonatur gates
Santa Rosalia on the Baja in the Sea of Cortez is a Pueblo Magico
Famous Bakery in Santa Rosalia
Church of Santa Rosalia brought by the French
The Architecture around town is well preserved and reminiscent of the Northwest
SY DAWN PATROL 🇺🇸 Laney & Mark - Outbound 46’
9) LIGHTNING ⚡⚡⚡ By Rob Murray SV AV first published in Currents March 19,2022
Lightning
strikes fear into every sailor’s heart. You never feel more powerless
than you do when you hear and see a thundercloud filled with lightning
bearing down on your vessel. A ground strike, where two electrically
charged regions equalize, one in the atmosphere and one in the water or
on the ground, causes the instantaneous release of an average of one
gigajoule of energy. The heat and current can melt metal, cause wood to
explode, and will without failure strike fear in the heart of all living
things nearby. While (apparently) 90% of people struck by lightning
survive (at least according to Wikipedia), it still seems like something
one should avoid.
Short
of burying your boat in a pit, there is no sure-fire way to eliminate
the risk of a lightning strike, but here I discuss some of the ways you
can reduce the risk and reduce the potential damage in the event of a
strike.
So, what can you do? It is all about preparation and awareness.
How Can You Know It’s Coming?
There are real time lightning tracking services available. A notable free one is: Blitzortung.org.
Lightning as seen on Blitzortung
There
are also commercial websites like WeatherBug that track lightning and
integrate lightning reports with other weather data. Weatherbug also has
an App you can load on a smartphone that can be configured to give you
‘alerts’ (as long as you’re connected to the Internet).
Weatherbug lightning forecast
You
can also get hand held or portable lightning detectors like the
Accurite 2020. These work by detecting the Electro Magnetic Pulse (EMP)
of lightning strikes. Typically they have a range of ~25 miles, and will
tell you if the lightning is getting closer or further away. We don’t
have one, and we can usually see and or hear a vigorous lightning storm
when it’s within 25 miles, so we’re not planning on getting one.
These
systems are all ground-based (as opposed to satellite based) detection
systems and offer good short term warning for lightning events.
Ocean Posse's seminar about TALOS onboard lighting detection device
For long term safety, you can try to be in places with less lightning.
Where Can You Hide?
Well,
you really can’t ‘hide’ per se, but you can seek shelter. According to
Boat US insurance claims, catamarans are struck twice as frequently as
mono-hulls of similar length, so if you’re in a mono-hull, getting close
to a catamaran offers you some comfort in knowing that the catamaran is
more likely to be the target of any lightning strike. Lightning also
prefers taller targets, so getting close to a taller (larger) boat would
also be in your favor. This is also true of buildings, trees and
landforms in general, so moving the boat anywhere there is taller
‘stuff’ will offer some protection.
You
can also try to cruise (or lay up your boat) in areas where there is
less lightning, like the strategy cruisers use to avoid hurricanes.
While lightning (unlike hurricane tracks) is not on pilot charts, and is
only sporadically mentioned in cruising guides and pilot books (and
then only anecdotally without any real scale of comparison), there is
data available from satellites gathered over years and freely available
on the Internet.
Historical satellite data of lighning
For
16 years, the Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) on the Tropical Rainfall
Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite gathered data on lightning strikes
and the data is available to use on the internet. The data circles the
globe from about 40 north to 40 south. While the geographic precision of
the data isn’t great, it is certainly more than enough to paint a
picture of where lightning is terrible and where it is just bad. The
TRMM satellite has been retired and the new Geostationary Operational
Environmental Satellite (GOES) series satellites have even more
sensitive Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) instruments (since about
2017 or so), but the data is derived over a shorter period and has yet
to be collated in a readily available fashion.
According to the website:
“The
TRMM LIS 0.1 Degree Very High Resolution Gridded Climatology data
collection consists of a set of gridded climatologies constructed from
individual observations made by the Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) on
the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite (data also at
GHRC). Complex algorithms are used to estimate total flash rate density
(number of flashes per square kilometer per year) based on the flashes
observed by the instrument and the amount of time it viewed a given
area.
This
Very High Resolution (VHR) Gridded Lightning Climatology Collection
consists of five lightning climatologies (links to data products
provided below): the full climatological mean (VHRFC), monthly (VHRMC),
diurnal (VHRDC), annual cycle (VHRAC), and seasonal (VHRSC). These
gridded climatologies include annual mean flash rate density, mean
diurnal cycle of flash rate density, and the mean annual cycle of flash
rate density with daily, monthly, or seasonal resolution.”
Retrieved from GHRC on March 20, 2022
What
that means is you can see when and where in a given region the
lightning is better or worse, where it is absolutely terrible (the 500
hot spots), and what time of year it really begins to ‘heat up’.
What Can You Do To Prepare?
The primary preparation is ensuring your vessel is properly ‘grounded’. Grounding has two purposes:
1. to
ensure the electric potential of the vessel is the same as the
surrounding sea, so its not more attractive to lightning than the open
ocean
2. to ensure there is a path to ground for a lightning strike should one occur
Proper
lightning grounding should be done as follows (according to Stan Honey,
an electrical engineer and sailor geek extraordinaire):
“Lightning Grounds
Connect
a 4 AWG battery cable from the base of your aluminum mast to the
nearest keel bolt from external ballast. If you have internal ballast,
you should install a lightning ground plate. One square foot is
recommended for use in salt water; fresh water requires much more. Do
not rely on a thru-hull or a sintered bronze radio ground (e.g.
Dynaplate) for use as a lightning ground. For additional comfort, also
run a 6 AWG wire from your keel bolt or ground plate to the upper shroud
chainplates, and to your headstay chainplate. Don’t bother with the
backstay if it is interrupted with antenna insulators. Have each of the
cables that are used for lightning ground wires lead as directly as
possible to the same keel bolt, with any necessary bends being smooth
and gradual. Given that you have grounded your mast solidly to the
ocean, your mast will be at exactly the same electric potential as the
ocean.”
If
you can’t find cable as specified, try to find thicker cable (i.e.
lower number). Having your mast at the same potential as the surrounding
ocean theoretically makes it no more likely a target than the
surrounding ocean.
Because
you’re likely to be mixing copper, aluminum and stainless steel in the
wiring for this grounding, be sure to use plenty of dielectric gel and
keep the connections ‘clean’ with regular inspection. They will likely
be in the bilge, where moisture will further complicate cleanliness and
hasten their demise (see this article in Practical Sailor for more on
this)
Aboard SV AVANT, we go a step further when we lay the boat up and use jumper cables to increase the grounding.
If
in the water, we buy a set of cheap but thick jumper cables. Separate
into two wires. Remove one clamp from each wire, strip back a couple or
six inches of insulation and ‘fray’ the end (or keep the clamp and clamp
it to a 1’x1′ metal plate) to make a better ground connection with the
water. Attach remaining clamp to a top shroud or other bit of metal that
connects to near the masthead and throw the frayed/plated end in the
water. One cable port, one cable starboard.
Of
course, when your boat is hauled out, the grounding system stops
working because the keel and/or grounding plate is no longer in the
water (and in most yards is insulated from the ground by blocks of
wood). If we lay up on the hard, we separate the two cables and attach
one to the top shrouds and jack-stands on the port side, the other to
the same points on starboard.
Here
is a photo of a boat that was struck by lightning on the hard. You can
see the hole in the hull and the trail the lightning burned in the
bottom paint from the exit point in the hull to the jack stand and hence
to ground. By providing better grounding and a more direct alternate
path for the charge we hope to avoid this kind of damage.
Hole in the hull of a boat struck by lightning while on the hard.
In
either case, the cables will be trash at the end of the season, as they
are not designed for continuous outdoor use. Brushing clamps with wax,
Vaseline or any other topical protectant helps them rust less and look
better longer. Even if you think your boat might be/is well grounded,
these jumper cable tricks will ensure/increase it.
While
most experts say the bottle brush style ‘lightning dissipaters’ such as
the ‘Lightning Master™” by Forespar designed to go at the top of the
mast don’t work, we have one on Avant. I picked it up on a sale table
for less than $10, and I can attest that it does keep birds off the
masthead, and so far, we haven’t been struck by lightning. (For more
reading on them, you can see this article in Practical Sailor)
What Can You Do To Try To Mitigate Damage?
Aboard
Avant, when we hear a storm approaching, we gather up all portable and
easily de-mounted electronics (hand-held VHF and GPS units, EPIRBs, LED
flashlights, cell phones, tablets, computers, radios, etc.) and place
them in the oven as a kind of faraday cage. We disconnect all antennas
and power connections from easily unplugged items like Chartplotters,
AIS, VHF, etc. and leave them disconnected and just hanging loose to
disrupt possible paths for lightning.
We
also ensure all aboard stay away from the mast and rigging and any
chance of forming part of the ‘path to ground’ of a strike.
When
we lay up for the season, we do the same, and we also wrap portable
items first in paper towel and then in a double layer of aluminum foil
to make it a double faraday cage.
When
we store electronic spares aboard, we wrap them in paper towel and then
in a double layer of aluminum foil before they go in the spares locker.
In areas where lightning is endemic, we pray more frequently and sleep with a bible under our pillow.
There
is no way to make any vessel ‘lightning proof’. But you can take steps
to avoid more lightning prone areas, and to mitigate the effect of a
strike.
LIGHTNING DENSITY AUGUST
LIGHTNING DENSITY DECEMBER
SY AVANT 🇨🇦 Rob & Debra – Beneteau 43.5
′
10) PANAMA POSSE & PLACENCIA YACHT CLUB 🇧🇿 BELIZE YACHT FEST CLUB RECAP
Seasoned Cruisers waiting for their new Catamaran to be built
Marley from the Belize Tourism Board
Lucky Chucky winner of the GalleyGod award for his Roasted Red Beat and Walnut Salad holding court
Tasty and embarrassingly good food at the Placencia Yacht Club in🇧🇿 Belize
over 75 marinas sponsor the participants of the Panama Posse with discounts
11) MARINA IGY MARINA SANTA MARTA 🇨🇴
SPONSORS THE PANAMA POSSE
Hello PANAMA POSSE;
According
to what was discussed today, Marina Santa Marta we are excited to be a
Panama Posse Sponsors and being included as a destination within the
Rally
We will offer participants a 35% discount on the rate that we normally handle.
Let us know if you would need additional information from us.
Cordially
Juan Ernesto Gomez
comercial@marinasantamarta.com.co
msm@igymarinas.com
CONTACT
Tel: +57 5-436-3601
VHF: VHF Channel 16 & 72
Carrera 1 Calle 23 Esquina Santa Marta Magdalena
Santa Marta Colombia
Mon. – Fri. 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
Sat. & Sun. 9:00 am to 4:00
*** CURRENT PROMOTION BEING OFFERED ***
12) ARMADILLO
SPANISH FOR FAST SLOTH
By Russell Descheemaeker (age 13) of SV WHIRLWIND
The
armadillo is a very impressive animal. There are 21 types of
armadillos. Although it is rumored that all armadillos curl into balls,
the fact is only the three banded armadillo can actually curl into a
ball.
The
rest of the 20 species just lay on the ground hiding their head, arms,
and tail under their hard, armory shell. They are descended from
anteaters. In my opinion, they really look like anteaters popped into a
suit of iron man's armor and became armadillos. Their favorite
foods are termites, ants, and other insects.
"the armadillo range"
Armadillos
are exclusively New World mammals, originating in South America
millions of years ago when the Central American isthmus had yet to
form and the continent was cut off from North America. Starting about
three million years ago, the appearance of the isthmus made way for what
has been termed the "Great American Interchange" (GAI). During
the GAI is when various armadillo species migrated north (and, in turn,
other types of mammals migrated south and replaced or mixed with what
was then native South American fauna). Today, most armadillos live
exclusively in Central or South America. The only species whose range
spans the Americas is the nine-banded armadillo, which can also be found
in Texas, Florida, and Missouri.
Armadillo shells are used for instruments in some parts of South America
A
variant of the guitar, charangos, became popular among the indigenous
peoples of northwestern South America after the arrival of European
settlers. For hundreds of years, the the main body of the typical
charango was made from the shell of an armadillo. Some classic
charangos are still made out of armadillos, but wooden instruments are
now much more common.
Armadillo shells closeup
13) FREE ACCESS TO GOOD NAUTICAL:
DOMINGO'S ANCHORAGE
Bahia Honda, Panama 🇵🇦
Bahia Honda is located in Western Panama on the Pacific side.
"Domingo's Anchorage"
GPS anchorage coordinates at 07° 45.746 N 081° 31.812 W
Greetings
from Bahia Honda, Panama. Based on so many suggestions from fellow
Posse Peeps, we went out of our way to the anchorage outside Domingo's
home. We were greeted by Domingo, a grandson, then sons Kennedy and
Edwin. They so very much appreciated the clothes, notebooks, sunglasses,
fish hooks, and shoes we gave them. In exchange, they brought us fruits
and greens from their property (which we gave cash for). The anchorage
is super calm, surrounded by green hills and mountains. It's truly worth
a stop.
PLEASE
consider bringing the following items if you visit: L/XL mens shirts,
especially sunshirt (for Kennedy), size 14 laced shoes, school backpack,
sunscreen, AAA batteries. They asked we spead the word to fellow
cruisers in hope of their generosity. We wish we could spend more time
here. Thanks for including this in your planning, if possible! You won't
be dissapointed.
Mark and Kathryn
Glassy calm anchorage
SY SERENITY 🇺🇸 Mark & Kathryn – Antares 44′
PANAMA POSSE SEASON 8
Registration for Panama Posse Season 8 starts May 15th - or to simply rollover to next season send an email to registration@panamaposse.com with the words "RENEW SEASON 8"
Early
renewals give you the added benefit of lower costs and lower renewal
fees and uninterrupted perks and benefits including discounts at
marinas
EXTRA PERK
EARLY RENEWALS ALSO ARE AWARDED LOWER VESSEL REGISTRATION NUMBERS #
BENEFITS FOR YOU, YOUR YACHT & YOUR CREW
✔️ Up to date and verified information by fellow yachts
🌊 No schedules - go when the weather is good stop when it it's not
📊 Communications focused on facts, not opinions or unsolicited advice
💰 Save real money at 70+ Marinas with discounts *
🛰️ Free vessel and fleet tracking courtesy of Predict Wind
🚩 Free Burgee
💰 Save with service providers and chandleries
🕵️ dedicated, experienced and discounted Canal and clearing in agents
🗺️ Free aid to navigation 150 Gb OpenCPN satellite charts (mac/pc/android)
💰 Save Money on parts with a Westmarine Pro Discount
💰 Save Money with a Predict Wind Pro Discount
🗺️ Free Printable Reference Charts emergency backup to your electronics
📹 Free Video Seminars on destinations from those who are there
🌩️ Top weather routing avail by Marine Weather Center Chris Parker
⛵ Community of voyagers all are welcome, kids, single-handers, pets
⚓ Peer support in emergencies with escalation procedures
🛈 Fleet Updates via email – free & 100+ Prior Fleet Updates - he experience base
🏆 Fun Award Categories
📍 Free access to GOOD NAUTICAL Anchorage and danger reports
☎️ Free Weekly live calls on Mondays via dedicated LINE.me group
💬 Free 24/7 LINE group chat and zulip knowledge exchange
🌊 Benefit from the latest information and prior experience participants
🔭 Be part of a fleet of sensor for those who come behind you or meet
🚷 Always priority traffic – for boat owners by boatowners
Marina Puerto Escondido maintains a mooring field as well.
Photo Credit: SV Journey
15) LATITUDES AND ATTITUDES
& PANAMA POSSE
“The Journey is the Destination”
PANAMA POSSE PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE:
$5.00 off per subscription
Hello, Please use the coupon code upon checkout : panamaposse
The
#1 Cruising Lifestyle publication on the planet just keeps getting
bigger and better! Incredible destination articles and features by the
cruisers themselves, including how-to’s, DIY and exciting new products!
CALL FOR PANAMA POSSE ARTICLES:
Latitudes
and Attitudes is working on their new issue, deadline for materials is
10-May. They have space reserved for a Panama Posse branded
article.
Panama Posse members are welcome to submit directly to Latitudes and Attitudes at david@latsatts.com
16) MEET THE FLEET
SV OHANA
Chad, Nicole, Sam, Huntley, and dog JJ.
Hannes and Brigitta with Maria Noa in the background
We’re
S/V Ohana and our crew consists of Chad, Nicole, Sam, Huntley, and our
dog JJ. We started our adventure during the summer of 2022 in Florida.
We traveled up and down the east coast, down the Caribbean, through the
ABCs, and now up the west coast of Central America. We’re planning on
being in Puerto Peñasco, Mexico for hurricane season. Our daughter, Sam
(17), graduated a year early through online classes and is currently
taking online college classes. Our son, Huntley (14), is taking online
high school classes. Our last passage was 7 days from Panama City to
Chiapas, Mexico and we were fortunate enough to catch a tuna (yummy!)
and a sailfish, but we released the sailfish.
San Cristóbal de las Casas is a wonderful place. There are many cool
cultures to learn about around the vicinity and wonderful hikes to go
on. The food is scrumptious and you can get a lot of cool little
gifts for people if you want. Plus, if you like churches there are
a lot of amazingly cool churches in San Cristóbal. There also are
many pretty amazing bakeries that you can find in San Cristóbal.
My parents love the coffe there too. The temperature is much
cooler than Chiapas, Mexico. Comparatively, it gets pretty cold at
night so make sure to wrap up in a bunch of blankets and maybe even
light a fire if you want. I recommend not spending all your time
in one place because there's a lot of places to see to see in every part
of San Cristóbal. I hope you have a wonderful trip if you go to
San Cristóbal.
Decorated walking street lit up at night
the delightful Chiapanecan Coffee
There are many indigenous people living in and around San Christobal that sell their wares at the market and in the streets
San Cristóbal is located in the highlands of the state of Chiapas Mexico
20) YACHTS FOR SALE
Selling the legacy
Whether
you're seeking an upgrade or charting a new course, your yacht holds a
treasure trove of memories. But selling it can sometimes feel like
navigating uncharted waters. From appraising and showcasing its value to
dealing with tire kickers, we're here to be your compass on this
journey.
Selling
your yacht is about finding a committed buyer who shares your sense of
adventure and ensuring a gratifying return on investment. Let’s market
your boat better and make it a breeze together.
1. Setting a smart course
By
understanding market conditions and current trends, we align your
aspirations with the ideal asking price for your yacht. The sweet spot? A
price that neither undervalues your yacht nor deters potential buyers.
2. Crafting a compelling story
Every
yacht has its own unique story, and first impressions are pivotal.
We’re here to spotlight its charm with captivating ads and top-notch
visuals. These not only forge an emotional bond but also establish
trust. Our mission? To ensure your yacht’s tale reaches the right
audience.
3. From local docks to global shores
Whether
it’s bustling yachting events across the Americas or the vast digital
realm, we’ve got you covered. Personally overseeing showings and
surveys, we ensure your yacht shines in the spotlight. Online, we
strategically place your yacht on specialized platforms, setting the
stage for a swift and standout sale.
4. Navigating the deal
The
intricacies of yacht sales can be overwhelming. From addressing buyer
inquiries to orchestrating contracts, permits, and insurance, we aim for
a smooth sailing transaction. Committed to transparent governance, we
ensure you’re well-informed every step of the way.
5. Embarking on new horizons
With
the deal sealed, it’s time for a fresh start. And remember, whether
you’re dreaming of navigating to distant shores or just seeking
maintenance and management services for a new yacht, we’re always here,
ready to guide you in the vast world of yachting.
21) 75+ PANAMA POSSE MARINA SPONSORS
🇺🇸 Safe Harbor South Bay – Chula Vista, USA
🇺🇸 Safe Harbor Ventura Isle - Ventura, USA
🇲🇽 Cruise Port Village - Mexico
🇲🇽 IGY Marina Cabo San Lucas – Mexico
🇲🇽 Marina Puerto Escondido – Mexico
🇲🇽 Marina Palmira Topolobampo – Mexico
🇲🇽 Marina y Club de Yates Isla Cortes – Mexico
🇲🇽 Marina el Cid – Mazatlan – Mexico
🇲🇽 Marina Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta – Mexico
🇲🇽 PANAMA POSSE HQ – Marina Puerto de La Navidad – Mexico
🇲🇽 Marina Ixtapa, Ixtapa – Mexico
🇲🇽 La Marina Acapulco, Acapulco – Mexico
🇲🇽 Vicente’s Moorings, Acapulco – Mexico
🇲🇽 Marina Chiapas – Mexico
🇬🇹 Marina Pez Vela – Guatemala
🇸🇻 Marina Bahia del Sol – El Salvador
🇸🇻 La Palma Moorings – Bahia del Sol - El Salvador
🇳🇮 Marina Puesta del Sol – Nicaragua
🇨🇷 Marina Papagayo – Costa Rica
🇨🇷 Banana Bay Marina – Costa Rica
🇪🇨 Marina Puerto Amistad – Ecuador
🇵🇦 Buenaventura Marina – Panama
🇵🇦 PANAMA POSSE PACIFIC HQ Vista Mar Marina – Panama
We
are please to announce our special discount for the Panama Posse with a
15 / 20 and 25 % discount for active Panama Posse participants
Yanmar
Yamaha
Tohatsu
Suzuki
Quicksilver
Evenrude
Johnson
Mercury
Brp
W are an authorized Dealer, we offer engines, support and original products with factory warranty.
23) PANAMA CANAL AGENT CENTENARIO CONSULTING ERICK GALVEZ
To
arrange for transit with the Panama Canal Authority please contact Eric
Galvez our dedicated Panama Canal agent and sponsor of the Panama Posse
and the Pacific Posse
Erick Gálvez
info@centenarioconsulting.com
www.centenarioconsulting.com
Cellphone +507 6676-1376
WhatsApp +507 6676-1376
23) WAYPOINT YACHT SERVICES
“Our
vision is to provide a top tier service to our customers while covering
every potential need they may have when approaching shore.
Small yachts (up to 38.1 meters LOA) are expected to experience substantial
delays, and in the meantime, we will be able and willing to help you
mitigate this impact and serve you.
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