"What is the one thing that you’d never be able to sell in the market? Common sense! Those who have it wouldn’t need to buy it. Those who don’t have it wouldn’t know what to do with it.”
Jimmy Cornell ― 200,000 Miles: A Life of Adventure
TOP NEWS
Beautiful Sky, Fresh Caught Fish and Friends: Pretty Much says it all
Upcoming Panama Posse Events
Snowbird Moon 🌕 Photos from Along the Route 🇲🇽 🇨🇷 🇵🇦
Season 7 Award Entries: Picture of the Year & Most Unwanted Guest
Sailing and Cruising Legend Jimmy Cornell surveys the Global Yachting Status
Posse Perk: Team sailing the Guatemalan Coast 🇬🇹
The Harpy Eagle: the National Bird of Panama 🇵🇦
Good Nautical: Urraca Island AKA Monkey Island, Panama 🇵🇦
Meet the Fleet: SV ZORBA
Safety Alert: Have a Plan and Ways to Harden your Vessel Entry Points
BAHAMAS and BEYOND CORRUPTION MAP
MUST SEE: Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica 🇨🇷
News from Other Oceans
🇲🇽 🇧🇿 🇨🇷 🇳🇮 🇨🇴 🇨🇺 🇪🇨 🇸🇻 🇵🇦 🇩🇴 🇭🇳 🇯🇲 🇧🇸 🇹🇨 🇰🇾 🇬🇹
268 Yachts are signed up From 23 Ensigns
1) PICTURES OF THE WEEK
BEAUTIFUL SKY, FRESH FISH, AND FRIENDS...
PRETTY MUCH SAYS IT ALL
Fluffy cloud looking like a crocodile over Golfito, Costa Rica 🇨🇷
(and there are crocs here!)
SY BOUNDLESS 🇺🇸 Daniel & Naiby - Shannon 43′
Entry into biggest fish caught
Catching Keepers in Mexican Waters. 🇲🇽
SY VOYAGER 🇺🇸 Ed & Liz - Hylas 54'
Cruising at it's best!
Glenn
on C-Ya, Ed and Steve from Voyager and Robin and Tad from Bisou. Ed
supplied the freshly caught mahi mahi ( see photo above), Tad grilled
the fish and Robin prepared salad, focaccia and chocolate cake! All
washed down with a Chilean Malbec!
SY BISOU 🇦🇺 Robin and Tad - Fountaine Pajot 44′
SY C-YA 🇺🇸 Glenn – Island Packet 38.8’
2) JOIN THIS NEXT OCEAN POSSE EVENT IN BELIZE
PANAMA POSSE 🇧🇿 BELIZE YACHT FEST
@ PLACENCIA YACHT CLUB
Saturday April 6, 2024
16:00 – 21:30
16° 30.471’N 088° 21.7216′ W
PANAMA POSSE 🇧🇿 BELIZE YACHT FEST @ PLACENCIA YACHT CLUB
BELIZE PLACENCIA YACHT FEST 🇧🇿 Placencia Yacht Club
Beat, Caroline, dogs & Heyson Garcia - YES PLACENCIA YACHT CLUB IS UBER DOG FRIENDLY
>
We,
Caroline Imfeld and Beat Rettich are running this place since January
2021. We moved from Switzerland to Belize in 2019 and found this
treasure while looking for a dock for our yacht.
Simplicity on a high level is our aim and to make our guests happy. Bring cash - yacht club does not accept credit cards
FOR RESERVATIONS AND MOORINGS @ PLACENCIA YACHT CLUB
(2) PANAMA POSSE AWARDSFUN ACTIVITIES, GOLF, POOL, DJ LOUNGE, + MARINE EXPO
SAT. MAY 11 '24 BUENAVENTURA MARINA 🇵🇦 PANAMA
This is a very exclusive signature event in the Hamptons of Panama.
The upscale resort Buenaventura is just 80 minutes west of Panama City
and is one of the most charming and reserved places on the Pacific coast
of Panama. Only 60 nm from the Las Perlas.
Sailboat turning off the ocean and into into Zihuatenejo Bay, Mexico 🇲🇽 at sunset.
Photo by Panama Posse member SV Lost Pearl
Cruising
World Magazine just published an interesting article by Jimmy Cornell
about the global movement of cruising vessels. Jimmy Cornell has a
passion for data. He has conducted multiple surveys for almost 40
years to get a sense of how many boats are out cruising, where boats
are cruising, and what kinds of boats are cruising.
Some
may find aspects of his report surprising, others may find his report
exactly as expected. Nonetheless, the numbers are interesting to
consider. He looks at hotspots in three different Oceans: the
Atlantic, the Pacific, and the Indian. He shares numbers of boats
that checked into various hotspots in 2022 as compared to 2010 and 2016.
In
the Pacific Ocean one of the Cornell's datapoints is the number of
boats going through the Panama Canal from the north and the south.
Many Panama Posse boats are among the boats going through the
Canal this season. SV COURAGE will be one of the northbound boats in the Panama Canal this season. For now they are enjoying sailing in Panama Bay.
Jimmy
Cornell has been a remarkable influence and inspiration in the
Bluewater Cruising world for decades. He has published over a
dozen boos on the subject, circumnavigated the globe multiple times, and
inspired countless people to taste the salt in the air and the freedom
on the water themselves.
In
a conversation with Helen Fretter in 2021, Jimmy shared a bit more
about the freedom that he found on the ocean and what it means to him:
“I
grew up behind the Iron Curtain under a dictatorship in a communist
regime, my father died in prison as a political prisoner, when I was 19 I
tried to escape but I was shot. I couldn’t get out of the country.
“What
is liberty? What is freedom? We really only know what it is when we
lose it. Once you’ve tasted freedom – and I hadn’t tasted freedom when I
was young – but once I had, I realized that a career is not what
matters in life. In life what matters is to take advantage of that hard
won freedom. And it’s what I’ve done for the rest of my life.
“I’ve
given up things, but I don’t care because I always wanted to be free to
do whatever I wanted. I did not want to take freedom for granted.”
In 1975 Jimmy Cornell set out on a 6 year blue water adventure with his wife and two kids aboard their vessel SV ADVENTURA.
He was a reporter for the BBC World Service and shared his
observations with the world over the course of their adventures.
Jimmy Cornell and his son Ivan taking a noonsight (circa 1975?)
Jimmy Cornell's various global voyages
To
this day, Jimmy Cornell says the very best cruising was when his entire
family was aboard. Together they could all be themselves.
When he and his family set sail in the 70’s there were far few
cruising yachts much less cruising families. In his recently
published Cruising World article he compares the data from his recent
survey of cruising boats to previous surveys. The amount of
cruising families is among the data points he looks at across his
surveys.
Cruising
has changed and is changing. The same can be said about access to
information and the weather. Jimmy is a data collector and
approaches the topic of 'change' with numbers and facts.
the bible or quintessential dream board for cruising sailors WORLD CRUISING ROUTES
7) YOUR WANDERING SOUL lies at the heart 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.
SY YO-D-YO at sunset in Starfish beach, Panama 🇵🇦
Thank you for Sharing your Adventures on the water !
8) POSSE PERK: 🎁
HAVING A TEAM
Mini Power Posse having piña colada’s on MV Muirgen with Summer Breeze and Splinters. 🇲🇽 🇸🇻 🇬🇹
Eric and Kim about MV SPLINTERS reports on the Posse perk of Having a Team:
We
had an easy trip and good seas from Chiapas to El Salvador…and an
exciting but nice ride into the bay. While in Guatemala we met many Long
Line pangas…one came close to say hello and stayed by our side videoing
and taking pics. Then left and came back again for several more
minutes. We were traveling with Muirgen, Summer Breeze and Tidings of
Joy and we were so thankful for the caravan support. Nothing happened
but an exchange of smiles and photos, but was great to have boats on the
radio that were ready to come to our aid if needed! Thank you Panama
Posse team for making this lifestyle a lot more safe and comfortable.-
Visiting panga off the coast of Guatemala 🇬🇹
MV SPLINTERS 🇺🇸 Eric & Kim - American Marine Grand Banks 42′
9) 🇲🇽 MARINA Y CLUB DE YATES ISLA CORTÉS SPONSORS THE PANAMA POSSE
Nice to greet you, and thank you for contacting us.
We will gladly assist the Panama Posse at the Marina & Club de Yates Isla Cortés.
Responding to your email we can give you a 10% discount on our rate,
CONTACT
Marina y Club de Yates Isla Cortés
Altata Navolato, Sinaloa
+52 667 324 0446
comercialmcortes@gmail.com
Restaurant phone:+52 (672) 122 9908
North
from Mazatlan and only 45 minutes from Culiacán, Sinaloa´s Capital, you
can find a heavenly landscape with dunes and beautiful beaches bathed
by Mar de Cortés called Bahía de Altata.
AMENITIES
40 spaces to house boats up to 150 feet
Draft of 2.3 meters
Electricity of 50 and 30 amps
Water
Restaurant
Bar
Bathrooms
Showers
Wi fi.
75 Marinas sponsor the Panama Posse
10) THE HARPY EAGLE:
THE NATIONAL BIRD OF PANAMA 🇵🇦
by Russell Descheemaeker, age 13
The
Harpy Eagle is a majestic and powerful bird. Its legs are as big
as a human wrist. The female is bigger than the male and its claws
are as big as a grizzly bear's claws. A harpy eagle once knocked a
BBC cameraman unconscious. It would have killed him if not for
the bulletproof vest he had on.
They
are very smart hunters. For example, the harpy eagle will reveal
itself to monkeys to see how the monkeys responds. If the monkey
is defending a pack, the monkeys will group up and taunt the harpy to
come closer so that they can rip the eagle apart together. The
wiser Harpy eagle with fly away to find easier food. If the
monkey runs in terror the eagle will pursue it's prey and attack.
The
harpy eagles' range is from Peru to Mexico. However, due to
deforestation they are now only seen in South America and Panama.
They live near and around jungles and they make their nest in the
tallest tree in their area. Their range from their nest is 10km.
They patrol this range mercilessly. They mate fore life and
do not share their range with any other harpy eagles...if they can help
it.
🇵🇦 URRACA ISLAND – MONKEY REFUGE – ECO RESORT – PANAMA 🇵🇦
Set
out at sea, Urraca is a mangrove island with no actual land, where
every structure has been built on stilts over the water. The
island is located in the most pristine and secluded area of the Bocas
del Toro archipelago, on the northern Caribbean coast of Panama, and is
accessible via a 35 minute boat ride from Isla Colon.
The
island is 100% powered by solar panels and solar lights. The eco-resort
collects their freshwater resources through a rain catchment system. To
avoid the use of plastic only stainless steel straws are available, and
we provide guests with unlimited drinking water in reusable glass
bottles. To conserve our resources bedding and towels are changed upon
request.
Elevated walkways on the island
In
2013, Francine and Toutie moved to Urraca Private Island, where they
built a beautiful home among the mangroves. They went on to build
Urraca Luxury Private Island with a love for nature. She wishes to share
her passion for the environment and the monkeys with those who come to
visit the island. She also wishes to give back to the land, and the
native Ngäbe by providing jobs for them and letting them be a part of
her dream. Her dream is to live a simple life with nothing other
than her beloved monkeys, a plate of fresh lobster, and a cold glass of
rum.
Over
the years, Francine has adopted additional monkeys who were either
abandoned by their pet owners, or found orphaned due to habitat loss or
hunting in the wild. Now, all these monkeys belong to a troop where they
can socialize, groom, and play with other monkeys every day.
Ocean
World is located on Cofresi beach, near town of Puerto Plata. With an
abundance of hotel rooms and recreation opportunities that include,
golf, fishing, scuba diving, horseback riding, and even white water
rafting, Puerto Plata is already celebrated as an affordable Caribbean
vacation playground. Puerto Plata’s airport (POP) is a 30 minute drive,
and has daily flights from Miami, NYC and cities in Europe. Ocean World
Marina, now the only full-service marina located between the heavily
traveled Florida/Bahamas area and the Puerto Rico/Eastern Caribbean
region.
The Bay from above
Colorful shops along the Beach of Puerto Plata
Impressive breakwaters along Dominican Republics north coast
13) MEET THE FLEET
SV ZORBA 🧑🏼🤝🧑🏼 Limor & Tomer
We are Limor(48) & Tomer(51) from sailing yacht Zorba- Tayana 48DS 2007
We have retired 7/2022(both pharmacists), and started cruising full time.
Limor
is what I call a reluctant sailor but loves this way of life....so we
keep on a ratio of 5% sailing time....the rest on anchor.
I am sailing for 30 years with plenty of pauses in between....
In my past I was a sailing instructor, a tugboat captain , a chase boat captain, a dredger cooperator and a delivery skipper.
Most of my experience is in the Mediterranean
Before
buying the Zorba (Tayana 48) we lived onboard an Oceanis 35 for 16
years...without sailing much, besides once in a while for a few
hours....
At
2015 we cruised 8 months on a gulfstar 50 from Key West up to the BVI's
(Bahamas, Puerto Rico, USVI, BVI) and back to Florida.
We
began at Alameda where we found the boat, and after cruising the Baja
& the Sea Of Cortez, we are now on our way South⛵️ the plan is a
long stay at Costa Rica
2025 we plan sailing south to Panama and probably cross East to the Caribbean side.
Have a Plan 🥷🏻 How to Harden Your Vessel's Access points
Stainless Steel Bars across over hatch entries
This
past week there have been alarming and heartbreaking incidents on both
ends of the Panama Posse route. It is with deep sadness that we
learn of mariners being accosted and others disappearing for the moment
without resolution.
Both incidents and others in between are stark reminders that it is important to have an emergency plan and consider how to harden access points to you vessel. There will be many different plans and that's fine...just having one is the most important part.
Below is a compilation of security systems that different mariners employ to keep their vessel and crew safe at anchor.
PLEASE EMAIL US YOUR BEST PRACTICES TO SAFEGUARD ENTRY TO YOUR VESSEL editor@panamaposse.com
Deny entry to your vessel’s companion way with removable stainless steel bars
Motion Sensor Detects and records any Human Movement day and night – and stores it in the cloud for later review
Remote keychain for Audible alarms and sirens
LED STROBE LIGHTS FOR YACHTS
LED Marine Flood Lights & Spreader Lights
A proper 12 Volt ⚡
fence charger hooked up to the house bank and rigged across yacht
Yacht Stanchions will create an electrifying welcome at night
Dogs that bark ( and wake up ) can be a deterrent.
take pictures of every small local vessels near your vessels – use a flash so they know you are taking pictures of them …
Tack Mat with Spikes Deterrent Outdoor makes transom boarding painful –
just ask Joshua Slocum
NERF tactical laser attachment – paintball filled with chlorine – maybe spray paint NERF black
Bear spray GEL (which is more targeted than spray) part of the boats security toolkit - not just in Alaska.
We are only starting to scratch the surface of corruption in the Bahamas - please review the map
38+ CORRUPTION REPORTS 🇧🇸 BAHAMAS
"Great
Inagua 2x-Mar-2x 1x:1x We arrived march 2x from DR and launched our
dinghy at 1 PM (I have a photo because the water was amazing). We
tied up in the harbour and walked to the C&I offices in 2 separate
locations. Approximately a 20 min walk. A fellow cruiser who
had cleared in at this location told me to bring $80 in cash because
extra fees would be charged. We started with customs who charged us a $40
processing fee to be paid in cash only. See receipt. The
receipt looks official and even states a VAT is charged. Then we went to
immigration who charged us a $40 fee as well. The receipt
states it’s an overtime fee, however we clearly arrived on a weekday at
approx 2 pm in the afternoon. We finished both procedures by 3 pm
and were out of pocket $80 USD. Unfortunately the names of the officers
are not displaced on the receipts. However the customs agent was
male and the immigration agent female."
EARLY WARNING 🇵🇦 PANAMA
in
presidential election years in Panama Port captains and Immigration
officials are notorious for adding new cash fees to zarpes and entry and
exit procedures - if you encounter them please report them here ->
yes you can report anonymously https://panamaposse.com/corruption#form
16) MUST SEE:
CORCOVADO NATIONAL PARK 🇨🇷 COSTA RICA –
OSA PENINSULA –
PANAMA POSSE CENTRAL AMERICAN ROUTE
Formation of the Peninsula
The
history of the Osa Peninsula is steeped in geological mystery.
The Osa Peninsula is part of the tectonic plates collision of the
land bridge between North and South America that rose above the surface
of the water. The land bridge between these continents is in large part
responsible for the incredibly high biodiversity found in this area. The
Corcovado National Park within the peninsula is 4,178 hectares (10,324
acres) and park ranges in elevation from sea level to 745
meters
(0
– 2,444 feet). The Corcovado Park exemplifies the tropical rain forest,
with a abundance of species, spectacular buttresses, large woody vines
and abundant growth and trees and contains the complete tropical insect
ecosystem from Mexico to Panama. It has 23 miles of rugged beaches with
dense rain forest dropping into the Pacific Ocean.
Corcovado National Park is a land and sea Park
HUMANS ARRIVE
Native
tribes arrived on Osa Peninsula as far back as 6,000 BC, and various
indigenous groups such as the Chiriquí and Borucas hunted in the area.
The
nearby Isla del Caño has a history of being struck by lightning
more than any other place in Central America. This is thought by locals
to be because Caño Island was a Pre-Columbian cemetery and the land is
believed to be sacred. Exceptional round Diquis stones have left behind
by a long lost civilization and several Panama Posse Boats have been on
the island to explore and dive via operators from Drake Bay.
EXPLORERS AND PIRATES ARRIVE
In
March 1579, during his circumnavigation of the globe in the Golden
Hind, Sir Francis Drake visited the shores of the Osa and eventually
based his entourage from his name sake bay Bahía Drake a small bay
on the north side of the Osa Peninsula. It was used by Drake
during his raids on the Spanish Main in the 16th century and the
location of one of the British pirate’s fabled hidden treasures.
The
Area is best approached via the Drake Bay Anchorage on the Panama Posse
route from the NW entrance to the park which provides a spectacular
anchorage and a coastal hiking trail towards the park. In addition
several tour operators which are also based in Drake Bay for exceptional
exploring. Access to the Park can also be made from Gulfo Dulce
to the south.
This
national park provides the exclusive habitat for Costa Rica’s shyest
and most endangered inhabitants. Baird’s Tapirs, Jaguars, Scarlet
Macaws, Harpy Eagles, Red-backed squirrel monkeys and White-lipped
Peccaries. It is wet, remote and rugged, but the trails are decent and
features several camping areas near ranger stations. It is a tropical
rain forest in the purest sense with waterfalls and pools.
Small waterfall in Corcovado National Park
Over
40 species of frogs including red-eyed tree, rain, glass, dink, and
poison arrow varieties, with dozens of snakes including a variety of
poisonous and Boas and the dreaded bushmaster, as well as 28 species of
lizards.
More
than 100 species of butterflies, 400 species of birds including 16
different hummingbirds and the largest number of scarlet macaws and ~
10,000 other insects species are native to the area
The
modern day history also pits the era of the gold-rush, banana
plantations, banana corporations, rebels and geopolitics against it each
other after 90+ years of human exploitation the jungle won and the park
constitutes the birthplace of Costa Rica’s ecotourism -> Follow the
link below to find out more about everything from the Park to it’s
controversial modern day history.
Chalk
Sound National Park is nearly landlocked, yet a winding channel does
connect it to the ocean and Caicos Banks off the south of
Providenciales.
Because
of Chalk Sound’s protected status as a national park, powered
watercraft use is prohibited. The main attraction for most visitors is
sightseeing by road on the southern side, or as a kayaking and paddle
boarding destination.
19) 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
20) 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.
"...
in 1944 when Einstein's boat struck a rock, filled with water and capsized while sailing on Saranac Lake in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York. Einstein was trapped under a sail with a rope tangled around his leg. Despite not being able to swim, he somehow managed to
free himself and find his way to the surface to be eventually rescued by a motorboat...
yachting.com
TOP NEWS
Pictures of the Week 🇵🇦 🇨🇷 🇲🇽
Shelter Bay Ocean Posse Event 🇵🇦
Micro Posse Meet ups 🇲🇽
Award entries
Season 7 Posse Seminars and Events coming up
2 separate groups sail from different ports through a calm Papagayo window 🇨🇷 🇳🇮 🇸🇻 🇲🇽
Rain squalls at sunset crossing from Costa Rican waters to Panamanian waters 🇨🇷 🇵🇦
SY COURAGE 🇺🇸 John & Kristine – Tartan 4100
Cutter Rig Day!
SY SERENITY 🇺🇸 Mark & Kathryn – Antares 44′
2) REPORT ON OCEAN POSSE EVENT IN
SHELTER BAY MARINA 🇵🇦
A GREAT SUCCESS
The
annual Shelter Bay event was a huge success. There were
informative seminars and trade show displays. There were
attendants from all three posses, guests contemplating joining,
and mariners passing through. Many guests were there with their
boats and several arrived by car from the Pacific side. The seminars
were followed by an open Flor de Caña rum bar, a Panamanian traditional
dance performance, a feast, great music and a next day Mexican train
competition.
A highlight of the event was the young traditional Panamanian dance performance.
Of course there was a great spread of Potluck dishes
Joyful long time Posse members ( notice the covid icon between 2019 * 2020 )
Shelter Bay Marina, Panama Posse sponsor and event host, at sunset.
"Thanks
to all who attended, and special thanks to our sponsors and Juanjo and
the team at SBM for their support. Over $440.00 was raised to support
the children’s dance program that came out to perform for us and they
were ecstatic!"
Rob from SY AVANT
SY AVANT 🇨🇦 Rob & Debra – Beneteau 43.5
′
3) MICRO PANAMA POSSE MEET UPs
IN MEXICO THIS WEEK 🇲🇽
Weebles, Martini and Pause enjoying a night out in Barra de Navidad, Maxico.
MY WEEBLES 🇺🇸 Peter & Cheryll – Willard Marine 36′
MV MARTINI 🇺🇸 Mary & Bryan - Nordhavn 64′
MV PAUSE 🇺🇸 Beth & Larry - Nordhavn 55′
Great company, great food, especially schnitzels!
SY FIN 🇺🇸 Michael & Susan- Lagoon 450F 45′
SY LONG WINDID 🇺🇸 Dan & Marla - Jeanneau 42′
SY QUE VENDRA 🇺🇸 Olena & Maciek – Outbound 46’
Tamale Feast at Marina Chiapas Mexico
4) SEASON 7 AWARD NOMINATIONS:
ONE NEW BIGGEST FISH CAUGHT ENTRY
A nice dorado as big as Lexi!
Lexi
caught this giant dorado on her own. While she was setting the line out
it hit and ran hard. She asks “Can the lure be this heavy?!”. She then
reeled it in all by herself!
MY NEXT CHAPTER 🇺🇸 Chris & Shawna & crew - Selene 59′
(2) PANAMA POSSE AWARDSFUN ACTIVITIES, GOLF, POOL, DJ LOUNGE, + MARINE EXPO
SAT. MAY 11 '24 BUENAVENTURA MARINA 🇵🇦 PANAMA
This is a very exclusive signature event in the Hamptons of Panama.
The upscale resort Buenaventura is just 80 minutes west of Panama City
and is one of the most charming and reserved places on the Pacific coast
of Panama. Only 60 nm from the Las Perlas.
Beat, Caroline, dogs & Heyson Garcia - YES PLACENCIA YACHT CLUB IS UBER DOG FRIENDLY
We,
Caroline Imfeld and Beat Rettich are running this place since January
2021. We moved from Switzerland to Belize in 2019 and found this
treasure while looking for a dock for our yacht.
Simplicity on a high level is our aim and to make our guests happy.
FOR RESERVATIONS AND MOORINGS @ PLACENCIA YACHT CLUB
Nothing like sundowners with friends after crossing the Pacific Nicaraguan Coast
A group of boats left Bahia Del Sol, El Salvador and made their way to
Bahia Santa Elena, Costa Rica. This micro Posse consisted of SY
Fickle, SY Crackerjack, SY Serenity. Meanwhile, another group of
boats, having seen the same window left Chiapas days earlier bound for
the same Bay in northern Costa Rica. This micro posse consisted of
MV Serenity, MV Next Chapter, SV Courage, SV Boundless.
SY FICKLE reports:
We all took the same weather window when we saw a long awaited lull in the Papagayo winds. We on SY Fickle
wanted a “boring” passage after seeing another boat arrive to Bahia Del
Sol with ripped sails from their sail north through the Papagayos.
Knowing that we, SV Serenity, and MV Crackerjack were all taking the
same weather window going to the same place, I quickly started a
WhatsApp group thread. It was so much fun texting each other nonstop for
the entire 2ish days. We joked the entire way. It was refreshing to
know that we weren’t out there alone in the big blue ocean. To our
delight, 4 other Posse boats arrived from Chiapas within hours of our
arrival into Santa Elena. I think it’s safe to say that we were all very
happy to arrive amongst each other onboard SV Serenity, the always
gracious hosts, after enduring rough seas in the beginning that
eventually ended in flat seas.
Strong words of caution : Santa Elena bay has crocodiles and the hiking trails
are infested with ticks. Most that went to visit the tiny 4 foot tall
waterfall brought home ticks.
Otherwise, Santa Elena is a beautiful, calm, and serene pit stop that is bursting
with nature. I’m so glad that we decided to stop!
Ticks in the toes.
Editors note: Last May our vessel, SY WHIRLWIND,
anchored in the same beautiful bay and did the same hike. We saw
no crocodiles and zero ticks. Interesting to note the different
observations at different times of year. Nonetheless, it is good
to know what to look out for. Bahia Santa Elena is located in the
heart of the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica which is their 'dry forest'
region. Hence the ticks.
Bahia Santa Elena, Costa Rica is a peaceful, serence, and beautiful anchorage.
SY Serenity. MV Serenity,
SY BOUNDLESS 🇺🇸 Daniel & Naiby - Shannon 43′
SY COURAGE 🇺🇸 John & Kristine – Tartan 4100
MV CRACKERJACK 🇬🇧 David & Nancy- King Yacht 47′
SY FICKLE 🇺🇸 Ben & Muranda - Hunter 42'
MY NEXT CHAPTER 🇺🇸 Chris & Shawna & crew - Selene 59′
SY SERENITY 🇺🇸 Mark & Kathryn – Antares 44′
Thank you for Sharing your Adventures on the water !
7) WANDERLUST 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.
Landing the dinghy at Playa de Coco, Costa Rica to self check into the country...
This is all part of the adventure!
8) POSSE PERK: INTEL
RESTORATION OF SERVICES IN ACAPULCO 🇲🇽
REPORT FROM MY MUIRGEN:
We
are on Vicentes mooring ball in Acapulco. We had to stop here
because we are waiting for our offshore insurance to get bound. It
was supposed to be bound Friday, but there was a delay. Anyway...
he was great. We are the only ones here. Definitely would
encourage anyone to use his services if you need them.
MY MUIRGEN 🇺🇸 Scot & Laura - Beebe 50′
>
9) FLAMENCO MARINA PANAMA 🇵🇦
SPONSORS THE PANAMA POSSE
08° 54.8466′ N 079°31.2383′ W
Captains and Skippers,
We
are going to offer you a 5% discount on our rate for temporary stays.
Each participant must identify themselves in our office as part of their
team.
Our rates are subject to change. Stays must be prepaid. Does not apply discount for any other service of the marina.
Stays must be reserved and are subject to dock availability.
Customs offices, migration quarantine and Maritime Authority from Panama
10) CULTURE: THE FEAST OF SANTA MARIA CANDELARIA
CELEBRATED IN TUXTLA CHICA, CHIAPAS 🇲🇽
Marina Chiapas is a sponsor of the Panama Posse and a fabulous host to all
vessels in the southernmost port of Mexico. Visiting vessels have
the opportunity to meet local guides Tony and Miguel to learn about the
history and culture of the region. Last week, the crews of MV SUMMERBREEZE, MY SPLINTER, & SY EVER AFTER,
took the opportunity to join Tony and Miguel on a short trip to the
nearby town of Tuxtla Chico to experience the Feast of Santa Maria
Candaleria. This catholic celebration that happens once a year.
Celebrations include music, dancing, fireworks, and artistry.
MV SUMMERBREEZETrip Report:
On February 2nd of every year the Feast of Santa Maria Candelaria
(is celebrated) in the town of Tuxtla Chico. During the festivities of
this traditional fair entire families of many generations congregate in
the streets of the city to make artistic 'carpets' made out of sawdust
of different colors. (Designs include) flowers, corozo, and
cascabillo and other natural elements that are combined on the streets
of this town to make miles long carpets for a procession to go down.
At about 8 o’clock they come out of the chapel and carry the Virgin Maria
statue through the streets, with an elaborate procession behind them.
Each intersection they come to they shoot off fireworks to let you know
where the Virgin Maria is. It’s quite elaborate. I would say that there
had to be at least 100,000 to 200,000 people in this little town during
this event. I’ve never seen anything like it ever before. Anywhere. A
whole video could be made of this event. Unfortunately, it rained for
about 20 minutes rather hard and washed away a lot of the hard work that
people had done. But not much. Because, like I said, there were miles
of the streets covered with this sawdust carpet.
It was incredible.
The 'carpets' are made of sawdust.
Each 'carpet' is a work of art carefully executed.
The celebration is so colorful
Upon completion the streets are 'carpeted' with unique and beautiful art
The Catholic Church in Tuxtla Chico.
The Virgin Statue is brought through the streets.
Three Vessels and two fabulous tour guides shared this special experience.
SY EVER AFTER 🇺🇸 Andrew & Laura - Jeanneau 44′
MV SPLINTERS 🇺🇸 Eric & Kim - American Marine Grand Banks 42′
MV SUMMERBREEZE 🇺🇸 Kurtis - Bestway 46'
11) POSSE PERK: PANAMA POSSE SPONSOR
MARINA CHIAPAS 🇲🇽 MEXICO
HOSTS PERIODIC TAMALE FEAST
Special Thank you Marina Chiapas & especially Rolf for a great Panama Posse Tamale party.
Every
boat at the marina was invited so there were posse crews and non posse
crews. All boaters enjoying a festive afternoon with marina staff
(from ground keepers to the office manager). Plenty of food for
all. Great hosts.
The tamale feast is held poolside under a shady open air gazebo.
Kurtis and Marina Manager Rolf standing beside a mountain of tamales.
Marina Chiapas did us well.
12) GOOD NAUTICAL: WATER PIG ANCHORAGE
Great Exuma Island - Peace & Plenty Anchorage
EXUMA, BAHAMAS
Uninvited visitors - swimming pigs in the Bahamas
SY FREEDOM says:
The pigs are much bigger than expected. Definitely a tourist spot!
Found a couple amazing anchorages while exploring on the dinghy.
We
are not full time cruisers, but take advantage of time when we find it.
We spent 10 days in Abaco's, mostly Hopetown in early December. The
Combustion Music Festival with singer songwriters, mostly from
Nashville, were amazing. Late January we headed out again. A couple days
in Chub Cay...which is a beautiful resort and marina. Easy check in at
the airport. You can also anchor out front. From there we headed to the
Exumas. A few nights in Highbourne Cay on anchor and beach time at the
resort. Staniel Cay, known for the swimming pigs, was a beautiful
anchorage and easy access to the Staniel Cay Yacht Club for fun with
fellow boaters. We met some great new friends and took the dingy to
several other neighboring Cays. Amazing sandbars and additional
anchorages we will be back too. One in particular of Sampson's Cay (a
private island) was serene and quiet with access to great beaches and
sandbars by dinghy. We had agreed to meet our Florida neighbors in
Dunmore Town Eleuthera, so we had to shorten our stay and head back
north. Spanish Wells stop over was a favorite on the trip. Beautiful
water, friendly people and great food at Wreckers, the marina bar. The
water is as clear as drinking water everywhere. We arrived in the
Valentine's Marina a day ahead of schedule, due to forecasted heavy
winds. A very expensive marina, but considering the weather we had this
week, we were very happy to be tied to a dock! Registered over 41 knots
between 1-2am. Not much sleep that night. To get to Dunmore Town, you
need to cross the Devil's Backbone from Spanish Wells. It was highly
recommended we hire a pilot to drive us through the very shallow, coral
laden area, very close to shore. The current Navionics charts were quite
accurate, but we did hire a captain to get us through the first time.
With the winds this week coming from the north, the Devil's Backbone is
not passable. We will be here a few extra days waiting for the wind to
shift and swells to calm down. Heading back to the Berry Islands for a
few days on our way back to Florida next week. Takeaways from this
trip...we will pick one area to explore for a 3-4 week period, not try
to cover 3, since we are not full time cruisers, I would like to come
back when the weather and water temps are warmer. I envy those who can
spend years exploring all these beautiful islands. We will be exploring
much more in the future, in 3-4 week increments.
We are very happy to hear that you are moving the PP once again !!!
Fortunately we never had to close the Bocas Marina and we are at full power!
We already have some previous PP members living in the marina and we are ready for new visitors
For that we are offering 20% off on our daily & monthly rates.
Not valid for longer term fees.
Also, our boatyard with Travel Lift 60 Ton capacity will offer 20% off in the travel lift rates.
Hope you guys are having a great time and looking forward to meet you all in person
Luis Fabian – General Manager”
email: bocasyachtclub@yahoo.com
Bocas Marina – 9°20.140’N – 82°14.819’W
+50766166000″
Bocas Marina – 9°20.140’N – 82°14.819’W
Bocas del Toro – Rep. of Panama
www.bocasmarina.com
www.bocasboatyard.com – Mr. Luso +50766195601- 60 ton travel lift
www.facebook.com/bocasmarina/
Land Phone: (507) 757-9800
15) MEET THE FLEET
SV CIRCUITOUS
Jess and Matt
Ahoy, Adventurers! We are SY CIRCUITOUS, Matt and Jess. Accompanied by our furry companions, we set sail with the ambitious goal of circumnavigating the globe.
Our
story began over a decade ago in a small town in North Eastern
Pennsylvania, where we first crossed paths. Fueled by a shared desire to
break free from the constraints of small town living, we envisioned a
life of extensive travel. Dissatisfied with the conventional, one or
two-week vacation model, we yearned for something more exhilarating – a
life untethered by the mundane.
Initially captivated by the idea of RVing, the turning point came when
Matt stumbled upon the inspiring tale of Tania Aebi in the book "Maiden
Voyage." The seed of a grander adventure was planted – why limit
ourselves to land when we could embrace the vastness of the seas,
sailing across oceans and exploring numerous countries?
Despite initial reservations from Jess about floating on the open
ocean, the fire in Matt's eyes ignited a passion for sailing. Over Ten
years of dedication and perseverance, we secured the boat that felt like
home. With vows exchanged, we embarked on an extended honeymoon, and we
are now three years deep into our maritime odyssey.
This
life on the waves has proven to be nothing short of extraordinary.
Meeting diverse and fascinating people, forging lasting friendships, and
accumulating a treasure trove of experiences. Matt and Jess find each
moment at sea worth the adventure. Living our dream, we wouldn't trade
this exhilarating life for anything else!
Produce
pests know no borders, but every country does. In fact, every
country the world over has unique and explicit guidelines regarding what
can and cannot come into their country. Recently vessels entering
Mexico from the south have met strict produce enforcement because of
produce pests that the Mexican Government do not want hitchhiking into
their country. Please see the link below for complete list of
restrictions. Be aware that anything brought into Mexico that is
restricted can be taken from your vessel upon entrance.
Shelter
Bay Marina is a great location for exploring the mouth of the Rio
Chagres and tapping into the long standing history of trade moving
through the region from the Atlantic to the Pacific. El Castillo
de San Lorenzo is a UNESCO World Heritage site. This
historic Spanish Fort is a short 10 minute drive from the marina.
The Castle was built as a fort by the Spanish and ransacked by
pirates several times over many many years in an effort to control the
access to and the movement of goods (treasures and gold). We,
aboard SV WHIRLWIND had a fascinating trip into the site after the Ocean Posse Party.
Mike and Maurisa with the Spanish fort in the background
The
Castillo de San Lorenzo overlooks a bay leading into the river Chagres
some 100 feet down a cliff. The river leads inland about 2/3 of the way
across Panama to Panama City. A dam was built as part of the canal
construction around 100 years ago. This created a big inland lake (Lake
Gatun). The Panama Canal locks are used to lift boats up into this lake,
sail across to the other side and then through a 7 mile long trench in
the rock to the locks on the Pacific side where the boats go back down.
The Fort is on a cliff overlooking the mouth of the Rio Chagres.
By
1534, the Monarchy of Spain had, following its conquest of Peru,
established a rainy-season gold route over the isthmus of Panama —Camino
Real de Cruces— using mule trains and the Chagres River.
The
trail connected the Pacific port of Panama City to the mouth of the
Chagres, from whence Peru’s plunder would sail to Spain’s storehouses in
the leading Atlantic ports of the isthmus: Nombre de Dios, at first;
and, later, Portobelo. The dry-season, overland route—the Camino
Real—connected Panama City with those ports directly. Attracted to the
treasure, pirates began attacking Panama’s coast around 1560.
The site is a UNESCO heritage site and well signed to learn about the history in both Spanish and English.
The fort was well protected...and yet the pirates ransacked it a number of times.
Captain
Morgan the pirate came along about 300 years ago and captured the fort
from the Spanish. He then took his boats and men inland as far as he
could. He then found 500 mules and transported guns and canons and
supplies another 7 miles to Panama City where he plundered all the gold
for himself and men that the Spanish had plundered from local Indians.
It is hard to tell who was the bad guy here.
Canons sat on carts
Gunman protected the perimeter from these corner posts
The Spanish officers has quarters in the middle of the fort that are being restored.
The fort was surrounded by a moat.
To learn more and see more pictures of the fort as it is and as it was click the link below.
21) 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
22) 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 Amazing 🇨🇰 Cook Islands just a quick sail west from French Polynesia
South Pacific Posse burgees available now in Panama & soon in FP
American Samoa
Nawi Island Event August 31 2024 - come party and mingle with the Cruising Fleet
"Tattooed Marquesan Warrior." Engraving
of Noukahiwa in N. Dally's Customs and Costumes of the Peoples of the
World, T urin, 1845. Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris.
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
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