LATEST INFORMATION Archives - Page 31 of 34

FLEET UPDATE 2019-01-19

1) Palenque, MX

Five day trip to Palenque and San Cristobal with Luis Sanchez

Day 1

10 hour drive to Palenque. Beautiful trip, partly through the mountains.
Luis is a very good driver. No difficulties on the road. Spend the evening in Palenque

Day 2
In the morning visit the museum and the Mayan ruins in Palenque, very impressive.
Heard howler monkeys. Nice lunch with grilled mojarra.
Lots of rain in the afternoon during our visit to Misol-Ha waterfall. Spend the night in Palenque.

Day 3
Visit Centro Ecoturistico Cascadas de Aqua Azul with huge waterfalls. Because of the rain aqua is not azul but café. Drive to San Cristobal through Sierra Madre, beautiful trip. Visit Jade Museum and Chocolate Museum. Nice evening with life music in San Cristobal.

Day 4
Visit the indigenous Mayan villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan. In the church we watch Mayan people having their rituals with sjamaans. We visit a woman who shows us how to make tablecloths and embroideries on clothing. Very special. Visit Parque Ecoturistico Grutas de Rancho Nuevo and Amber Museum. Spend the evening in former Zapatista headquarters with life Latin American music.

Day 5
Make a tour by panga through the Canyon de Sumidero. Saw crocodile and spider monkeys.
On our way back to Marina Chiapas we have a nice lunch in Palapa Quetzal.

Luis is a very pleasant guy. Because we were only the two of us, he joined us for all meals. He was very informative about everything and liked to explain about the culture, the food, the politics in Mexico. We knew nothing of this country, so we appreciated this very much. He took us to nice places which were very affordable (hotels, restaurants). Everywhere he met people he knew and we noticed he is very popular. He always checked if we liked what we were doing. As said, he is an excellent driver, which is important because we traveled a lot since distances are long. We really felt safe. It was obvious he was enjoying the tour too.
We can fully recommend this tour. It is worth every penny.

Luis Sanchez
+529622166611 luis86same@gmail.com

Huibert & Maikee

MADELEINE

2) PICTURE OF THE WEEK

Slow Dancer showing off the burgee in warm water

Kenneth & Dale

SLOW DANCER

3) Ports of entry & exit info in Costa Rica

These Good Nautical links below will provide you detailed Check-in and Check-out procedures for Costa Rica including exact LAT and LONG for all required offices and past commentary.

If you follow these instructions your total entry and exit fees for Costa Rica will be $ 25-50 and 1/2 days time for each to check in and out
but if you use an agent or marina - expect to pay $500 - 800 for them to do it for you. You can stay up to 90 days following these instructions.

http://www.goodnautical.com/costa-rica/port-of-entry/playas-del-coco

http://www.goodnautical.com/costa-rica/port-of-entry/golfito

4) Watertaxi @ Playa Cocos, Costa Rica - and ALWAYS LOCK YOU VESSEL Water taxi in Playa de Cocos fisherman, Henry and his son, to provide water taxi services,
delivery of water fuel and laundry. He charges 2,000 colones
(His number is +506 8849 1607 Spanish only but his son speaks English and it takes about 30 minutes
if he is not around for him to pick you up.

Always lock your dinghy - especially if you go on shore.
Tie it to a sturdy pole or tree and remove any valuables.

Thieves are opportunists may swim out to cut your dinghy's painter and
then use rocks on the beach to break off locks.
Please use a (PAD) lock with a difficult point of attack and a heavy chain

or re-in-forced stainless steel wire - see a sample lock below.

5) "Get out of the Papagayos" Anchorage - Costa Rica
After the howling Papagayo winds and whipping gusts of Nicaragua and Northern Costa Rica here is a very nice and calm anchorage.

Your first remedy is: Isla Cedros - WAnchorage ⌖ 09° 50.5418´ N, 084° 53.0998´ W ~ 14 feet

A few miles down is a cruiser friendly resort is heaven on earth ...

Droneshot by Apape @ Punta Naranjo Anchorage @ 09° 56.3297 N 084° 57.9058 W

with a dock a nice pool and cold beers -

Brenda & Dietmar in the Pool at Oasis Resort (3,000 colones access fee x day)

Rick & Brenda

DAD'S DREAM

6) The2018-2019 Panama Posse has surpassed last season's posse.
We just hit the 84 vessels milestone !
Thank you to everyone for signing up and participation in this journey.
What a good looking group !

(note: If you do not see yourself in the gorgeous panama posse mosaic please email us your picture)

7) Marina Puerto de la Navidad, Barra de Navidad, MX

Renovations are underway !
We are pleased to inform you that mayor improvements are taking place throughout the resort.

During 2019 we plan to continue with much needed improvements and we will keep you updated as soon as they are completed.

Harbormaster Secundino Alvarez

Marina Puerto de la Navidad https://panamaposse.com/start

8) WEEKLY 2018-2019 PANAMA POSSE FLEET CHECK IN and MORNING NET on MONDAY'S at 16:00 UTC via LINE

It's a new way of doing things - please download and install LINE https://line.me/en-US/
Works on Android / ios / Windows / MAC OS

- Register using your vessel name as the USERNAME ie SV SEAGLUB

- Next search for panamaposse or SV Carinthia or Seaglub and befriend us -

- wait and accept your PANAMAPOSSE GROUP INVITE

Next call on Monday January 21th, 2018 at 16:00 UTC

We have over 59 vessels in LINE and the calls are great and very efficient and SEAGLUB does a full route weather summary !

TIP Use your status to indicate your current location and drop a pin to share your actual location (+) menu in the chat room

9) CROSSROADS ( from last season )
SAFETY/SECURITY TELEPHONE NUMBERS (Diane last season actually called every number)

U.S. COAST GUARD RESCUE COORDINATION CENTER
Rescue Coordination Center: (510) 437-3701. This is the number for group receiving EPIRB emergency beacon distress signals. They will coordinate with local country Coast Guards if boater is outside of the U.S. and they have translators, as the numbers at the local country Coast Guards in Central America will speak Spanish. They said it would be ok to call them in emergency.

CENTRAL AMERICA COUNTRY COAST GUARD CONTACT NUMBERS
    These numbers were given to me by the U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Center. The individuals from these local Coast Guards will speak Spanish when you call them. If you cannot communicate with them, the Rescue Coordination Center can call them, but that will take more time.

El Salvadore Coast Guard: (505) 22500210,   Extension 5103
    Nicaragua Coast Guard:      (504)22342507
    Costa Rica Coast Guard:      (506) 22314924
    Panama Coast Guard:           (507) 60451197

CALIFORNIA COAST GUARD OFFICES WHO COULD BE called if you cannot reach rescue coordination center, however the local coast guards will likely just go through the Rescue Center:
Coast Guard Sector LA/Long Beach: 310 521-3815
Channel Islands office: 805 985-9822

VHF EMERGENCY CHANNEL FOR MAYDAY: 16

U.S. COAST GUARD EMERGENCY SSB CHANNELS
MHZ                     UTC time
4.125        2300-11
6.125        24 hr.
8.290        24 hr.
12.290        1100-2300

HAM SSB NETS

World wide emergency Ham net: 14.313 24 hr.
Pacific Seafares Net 14300 @ 0300 UTC
Central America Ham net: 7.083 UTC time 1300

CENTRAL AMERICA EMBASSY CONTACT INFORMATION. Go to www.usembassy.gov/ for further information. For Central America embassies, emergency number is +1-202-501-4444, and press “0”, from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. EST. When dialing embassy numbers below probably start with “ +” depending on phone service.

    COSTA RICA
    +506 2519 2000
    Calle 98 Via 104, Pavas,     San Jose, Costa Rico

    EL SALVADOR
    +503 2501 2999
    Final Blvd. Santa Elena,     Antiguo Cuseatlan, La Libertad,     San Salvador

    GUATEMALA
    +502 2326 4000
    Avenida Reforma 7-01, Zona 10, Guatemala Cuidad, Guatemala

    HONDURAS
    +504 2238 5114 (after hours X4100)
    +504 2236 9320 (per embassy website, but not communications received: 011-504 2236 9320)
    Avenida La Paz,     Tegucigalpa MDC, Honduras

    MEXICO
    +52 55 5080-2000
    Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtenoc,     06500 Mexico, DF

    NICARGUA
    +505 2252-7100
    Kilometer 5.5 Carreter Sur, Managua, Nicagagua

    PANAMA
    +507 317 5000
    Bldg 783, Demetrio Basilio Lakas Ave, Clayton, Panama

REPORT U.S. CITIZEN MISSING ABROAD: 1-888-407-4747

GLOBAL MARINE DISTRESS SAFETY SYSTEM: 1-888-407-4747, press “0” for overseas citizen emergency services.

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION MARITIME ADMINISTATION, OFFICE OF MARITIME SECURITY.

They provide information on piracy and safety and security, and you can sign up for alerts by going online.
Emergency: 1-202-501-4444 (8-8 EST, M-F)

Stan & Diane

10) HAPPY SAILING Please reply to this email with any
updates and we'll include it in the next Fleet Updates.
Please take pictures of your celebrations and excursions

Dietmar & Suzanne
SV Carinthia

11) Opt-out from Fleet Updates simply reply with "REMOVE"

by OCEANPOSSE

FLEET UPDATE 2019-01-14

1) Paradisea Anchorage, Marina Chahue, MX PANAMA POSSE NAMING RIGHTS !!! Thanks to Bob from Paradisea we have the location for a new anchorage outside the Marina Chahue and we have aptly named it
the Paradisea Anchorage - so as you need to wait for your weather window to jot across the Tehuantepc to Chiapas - here is the link
http://www.goodnautical.com/mexico-pacific/anchorage/paradisea-anchorage

(note A big thank you from all of those who will follow in your wake)

The Marina Chahue is closed to new sailboats because of flooding.
But, harbormaster Ezekiel is helpful. We dinghy into the marina to dump trash, park dinghy to eat in town. Local worker Tito brought out diesel and LP gas, cleaned bottoms, laundry. Anchorage remains rolly & windy afternoons. No other anchorage with marina access & internet connection ( via Skyroam). Day trips waiting for WX window...limited. Bob

Bob & Maureen

PARADISEA

2) Tangolunda Bay - Toccata Anchorage, MX PANAMA POSSE NAMING RIGHTS !!!

And not to be outdone around the corner is the newly named Tangolunda Bay - Toccata Anchorage

So depending on your needs / wind and swell conditions you now have 2 choices !

http://www.goodnautical.com/mexico-pacific/anchorage/tangolunda-bay-toccata-anchorage

(note A big thank you from all of those who will follow in your wake !)

"we anchored in Tongalunda, the bay east of the marina lined with high end resorts. We never went ashore, we did however notice buses and shuttles headed that direction when we were in the marina. The area on the west side was sheltered from the swell when we were there."

Steven & Marilyn

TOCCATA3) Bahia Samara, Costa Rica

Happy Dance is currently anchored in Bahia Samara, and will be sailing to Bahia Ballena in the morning (Sunday the 13th). We are happy, HAPPY to be past the papagayos and enjoying some calm anchorages. After checking in to Costa Rica in Playas del Coco (which was not an easy process for us due to closures), we spent a few days having some boat work done while anchored on the north end of the gusty bay. After finally getting our papers stamped we enjoyed a few peaceful nights anchored off of Playa Iguanita listening to the howler monkeys and the birds. Then we went a few miles south to Playa Guacamaya and really enjoyed it there, walking the long beach, snorkeling, and playing in the water. It felt like we were finally back into cruise mode after fighting winds and gusty anchorages for so long. For those of you heading south, we recommend Guacamaya!

Here's a photo our friends took of Happy Dance in the sunset next to Isla Chora.
http://www.goodnautical.com/costa-rica/anchorage/bahia-guacamaya

Sue & Marty

HAPPY DANCE

4) Punta Cabeza, MX - Acapulco, MX
Punta Cabeza Negra South – 18 35.352 N 103 41.892 W – 35 feet in sand/mud. This anchorage doesn’t offer much other than turning the trip to Z-Wat into a few day trips versus an overnight. Again, great weather conditions but very rolly and I didn’t want to deploy a stern anchor or flopper stoppers in the event we needed to make a quick exit if the weather changed on us because the anchorage was fairly small. Both C-Map and Navionics charts were not accurate at this location.

Caleta de Campos – 18 04.337 N 102 44.905 W – 35’ in sand. This was a very nice anchorage, both scenic and interesting. We had one other boat with us and this spot could have probably fit another 2 or 3. We didn’t go ashore but there is a small, very active beach town, with what appeared to primarily consist of locals. It would be a great beach to stretch the legs on and probably a pretty easy landing with the dinghy to the north.
Zihuatenejo – no need to provided anchorage info as it is well covered. This was our first time visiting and we liked the town a lot. Local info can be found on facebook and www.porlosninos.com . We ate at a place called Tentaciones which has fantastic views of the bay and first class food. Set menu and a little pricey but well worth the cost. Probably in the top three restaurants I’ve been to in all of Mexico.
Playa Escondido – 17 16.073 N 101 03 .357 W – 35 feet in sand. We tried anchoring in the town to the north (2 times / Bahia Papanoa) and in each case we couldn’t get the anchor to set in what appeared to be a rock shelf without anything to catch the hook on so we went around the corner to the southern anchorage and the anchor set hard and fast. This was a great anchorage although a little rolly. We could have deployed a stern anchor or flopper stopper to mitigate this but it was fine enough conditions for the people we had on board. Decided to stay and extra day here as it was a great bay to boogie board, kayak and walk the beach. A number of palapa restaurants, ate at one, nothing to write home about but the setting was fantastic and the beer was cold. Bonus, we had the entire anchorage to ourselves.
Acapulco – Acapulco Yacht Club docks – this was a very difficult marina to get a hold of prior to arrival and nobody we have met on site speaks any English, so with our limited Spanish it makes it even more difficult to communicate other than face to face with Google Translate. We decided to just show up and if they didn’t have room we’d drop the hook or see if Vincent had a ball that could accommodate our size. I was able to hail them on 16 but due to my limited Spanish, all we understood was gas dock so we went and docked there. It is about 120’ long, and is a fixed concrete dock. The office gal Mary was out of the office so we arranged to stay on the gas dock for the evening without power. The next morning we talked with Mary, checked in (Mary takes care of signing you in and out of the Port also) and moved to a side tie floating dock at a rate of 1.50 per ft plus power and water. Fantastic facility with all the normal yacht club amenities eg restaurant, pool, locker room with showers, spa, tennis court, gift shop and small tienda with a few grocery stores within a couple of miles. We’ve been here a couple of days, saw the divers which was worth the effort to get there, went to Puerto Marques by cab to check out the marina but the office was closed and no one was available to answer any question on rate or availability for transients. Our take away is that this is a great stop over for transiting north or south but we wouldn’t consider it a destination stop.

Our plan is to stay at the YC until tomorrow, move to the Puerto Marques anchorage, then head south to the Huatulco area on Monday via overnight trip in order to catch a T-Pec window currently forecast for this coming Friday/Saturday. FYI – the zip line in Puerto Marques is so high there is zero chance that even the largest sailboat would have to worry about striking it and we hope to see a few people cross when we are over there because none of us are brave enough to try it ourselves!

Cheers,

FLOATING STONES

Bryan & Cheryl

(note - Bryan's excellent reports have been added to Good Nautical and are now geo referenced accordingly)

http://www.goodnautical.com/mexico-pacific/anchorage/playa-escondido

http://www.goodnautical.com/mexico-pacific/anchorage/caleta-de-campos-0

http://www.goodnautical.com/mexico-pacific/anchorage/punta-cabeza-negra-south

5) Near Acapulco, MX
PICTURE OF THE WEEK

"Schooner Winds of the World finally escaped from Barra de Navidad!! Crew members Mike Talotta and Curtis Davies are a great help.Had good sailing conditions to
Ixtapa with the typical light winds at night and in the morning; a bit blistery during afternoon and evening. We plan to continue on the 17th to Huatulco, with a brief afternoon stopover in Puerto Marques (Acapulco)"
Dan, Mike & Curtis

WINDS OF THE WORLD

6) THE BURGEES ARE FLYING

YOSHAN has their burgee !!!

BANDIT has their burgee

7) Pie del Gigante, Nicaragua

Safely anchored in Pie de Gigante. We got up at 4:30. It was blowing about 10 knots. No real gusts.
We were up anchor and going by 5. Out of the bay and down the coast 10 miles. We saw some gusts but short lived.

We have observed it’s often calmest from about 4 am to 8:30 am.
That is our best window for this windy windy Place !

Also often calm around sunset
Jim & Suzy

OCTUPUS GARDEN

8) Puerto Quetzal -GUATEMALA - UPDATE
Has any one have comments on Puerto Quetzal- Guatemala ?
(note from Carinthia
~ 500 usd + to clear in and only stop in Guatemala so most of us have cruised on by or
visited Mayan sites from Chiapas Mx. If you do go we'd love a detailed report .
Marina Pez Vela email is edonis02@gmail.com vhf 71 to clear in and out)

(note from RAVEN
You can get a Anclaje Permiso for around $100, but no shore landings are permitted. Really only worth it in cases of fatigue or emergency)

Argan & Gloria

MAI THAI

9) FLEET POSITION UPDATES
as of Mon Jan 14th 2019 from our weekly LINE call at 16:00 UTC

CHARLY - anchored at La Cruz, MX

SLOW DANCER - Tenecatita, MX SINGLE D - Barra de Navidad, MX
FIGMENT - Barra de Navidad, MX
...when you've a chance would really like to know your routing. Bahia del Sol to Gulf of Fonseca then SE or direct or ???
Answer by Sprezzatura
From Bahia Del Sol went straight across to Puesta del Sol. Pretty rough out from Fonseca. Took a ($$ costly) one day break in Puesta del Sol and would only stop if you need the break or want to stay for some time to explore NIC or leave boat for some time.
Then did a foot on the beach to B Santa Elena. Mostly pretty easy but last 8 hours pretty tough again. Santa Elena , Costa Rica was a fantastic anchorage.

FIREFLY - Barra de Navidad, MX
LIQUID - Barra de Navidad, MX
SEA GLUB - Barra de Navidad, MX but heading to the anchorages nearby tomorrow for a few weeks

DESTINATION - departing - Barra de Navidad, MX fro Ixtapa

JASINA - Zihuatanejo, MX

NILAYA - Zihuatanejo, MX
MAI TAI - 4 hours before arriving at Acapulco, club de Yates - I am heading to Huatulco Sunday for the crossing, what was the date of your pin drop I assume is the bay where the marina is? In navigating the tpeck what was your guidance on distance from shore, like did you stay 3 mi off or 1 mi off or always in 10’ of water or 100’ of water and how close did you get to Salina Cruz and what obstacles should I be aware of

(note check Carinthia's 2018 route in Good Nautical
double click anywhere to get LAT & LONG for WAYPOINTS
http://www.goodnautical.com/route/marina-chahue-marina-chiapas-gulf-tehuantepec

FLOATING STONES - en route to Huatulco, MX
MADELEINE - back in marina Chiapas, MX after a fantastisch 5 day tour with Luis to Palenque and San Cristobal
PARADISEA - Chiapas, MX
AVANT - Bahia del Sol, El Salvador
RAVEN - Bahia del Sol, El Salvador

TOCCATA - Bahia del Sol, El Salvador
FREE SPIRIT - San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua

SPREZZATURA - Playa de Cocos, Costa Rica

HAPPY DANCE - Bahia Ballena, Costa Rica

CARINTHIA - Vista Mar Marina, Panama
SEA GLASS - Vista Mar Marina, Panama
KNOT RIGHT - Vista Mar Marina, Panama
DAD'S DREAM - Vista Mar Marina, Panama

10) The Panama Posse is now 83 vessels strong and growing
and on the move with 7 flag states flying the Panama Posse burgee !

we had 83 last year by MAY so we are well on our way to our goal of 100

11) WEEKLY 2018-2019 PANAMA POSSE FLEET CHECK IN and MORNING NET on MONDAY'S at 16:00 UTC via LINE
We have over 57+ vessels in LINE and the calls are great and very efficient and the Chatroom is open 24/7
It's a new way of doing things - please download and install LINE https://line.me/en-US/
Works on Android / ios / Windows / MAC OS

How to use it ....

- Register using your vessel name as the USERNAME ie SV SEAGLUB
- Search for panamaposse or SV Carinthia or Seaglub and befriend us -
- wait and accept your PANAMAPOSSE GROUP INVITE
- join the group chat - it's awesome !

12) Please reply to this email with ... anything really

- your updates
- contenders for picture of the week - links to your favorite SONGS
- relevant blog posts - and of course your valuable suggestions

and we'll include it in the next FLEET UPDATE

13) Keep em 'coming

- we are currently dog sitting OPAL from Secret Water - T minus 3 days for generator FIX
Dietmar & Suzanne

CARINTHIA

14) opt-out from the Fleet Updates simply reply with "REMOVE"

by OCEANPOSSE

FLEET UPDATE 2019-01-06

1) Costalegre, MX

Chamela, December 23, 2018. Anchored at 19 35. 081 N & 105 07. 885 W in twenty feet. A small amount or roll during a S. W. swell.
Tenacatita, December 26, 2018. Anchored at 19 18. 072 N & 104 50. 086 W. in twenty five feet. Good holding, slightly rolly. About 26 boats there but a large anchorage with much room.
Santiago, December 29, 2018. Anchored at 19 06. 597 N & 104 23. 673 W. This was just West of the wreck noted in the cruising guide. There is a 2nd wreck marked by buoys just South and East of the listed wreck. A large well protected anchorage, good holding, very little swell but would not recommend entering this anchorage in bad visibility conditions. A large amount of tourists in a variety of Personal Water Crafts.
Manzanillo, December 30, 2018, Anchored at Las Hadas anchorage, 19 06. 131 N & 104 20. 695W in 15 feet. Good holding, very little swell. The cruising Guide advised we could dinghy into the marina and tie up at the dinghy dock. We did so but the charge to do this is 250 pesos. We went ashore one night using a mix of bus and taxi. Both very affordable. On page 166 of the crushing guide they have a photo of the Bar Social which looked interesting. After a long search we found it had closed up about four years ago. There are many small boats here pulling water skiers along with a lot of tourists on jet skis making the anchorage a little rough and loud. That's all we have for now.

Jim & Laura

NILAYA

2) Tehuantepec, MX

We had a very good trip crossing the Gulf of Tehuantepec. In the last night, 1/1, we anchored out just along the shore. It was a beautiful evening, quiet weather. We enjoyed it very much. We did not want to enter Chiapas in the dark. Anchored at 14 59.97 N 92 47.82 W in 8.1 m depth, good holding in sand. Near La Encrucyado. Next morning fishermen came to check if we had problems! Very attentive.

As soon as Rolf from the marina heard us calling the port captain on the VHF to ask permission to enter the harbor, he called us on the VHF and said he had a slip waiting for us and men on the dock to take our lines. The day before we had sent Memo an email to tell him we were on our way to his marina. We felt very welcome! Same night we met Luis and today we did the Chocolate tour with him. We like him and he is very enthusiastic. So we arranged the 5day Palenque tour with him for next week, very much looking forward to that! We are enjoying Mexico very much and the Posse really ads to it, because of all the information and the back up.
Thanks for that! Kind regards,

Huib & Maaike

MADELEINE

3) LINE updates & Check ins !
Weekly PanamaPosse group call on Mondays at 16:00 UTC and the chatroom is open 24/7

Sirena - Tenecatita, MX

Mai Tai - Barra de Navidad, MX

Sea Glub - Barra de Navidad, MX

Sans Cles - Zihuatanejo, MX

Wine n Down - Chiapas, MX

Madeleine - Chiapas, MX

Coquette - Bahia Del Sol, El Salvador
Sprezzatura - Bahia Del Sol, El Salvador

Xenia - Las Perlas, El Salvador

Carinthia - Vista Mar Marina, Panama

Knot Right - Vista Mar Marina, Panama

4) Medical / Vaccinations
Jan & I met with an infectious disease specialist in early Dec at the Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans to address vaccination needs related to our travels. Bottom line – no Yellow Fever in the parts of Panama and CR that we plan to visit -coastal areas and San Blas. The guidance document provided for Panama Yellow Fever says: Vaccination “recommended for travelers aged >= 9 months; all mainland areas east of the Canal Zone. Transmission does not occur on the San Blas Islands, but it is necessary to transit areas with known transmission risk en route to the islands. Daytime insect precautions are essential for unvaccinated travelers.” I take that to presume travel by land to San Blas. The document further says, “Not recommended: itineraries limited to Panama City, the Canal Zone, areas west of the Canal Zone (see map) or the Pearl Islands.” I presume (with all associated risks) that YF west of the Canal Zone would likely extend into CR.
For what it is worth – we were advised to use anti-Malarial meds during our planned visit to San Blas Islands. I can provide the document citations if anyone is interested.

FIGMENT
Don & Jan

(note: each country's requirement and relevant statistics has been diligently compiled for review on the official Panama Posse website by Tammy from SV RAVEN )

https://panamaposse.com/mexico
https://panamaposse.com/guatemala
https://panamaposse.com/el-salvador
https://panamaposse.com/honduras
https://panamaposse.com/nicaragua
https://panamaposse.com/costa-rica
https://panamaposse.com/panama

5) Oaxaca, MX

Music festivals in Guerrero, Oaxaca - source mexiconewsdaily.com

Tequila Blues Explosion is in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo and Blues on the Beach is in Huatulco It will soon be festival time in two Pacific coast resort destinations, both of which will celebrate blues and other music.

The second annual Tequila Blues Explosion Festival returns to Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo after a successful start in January last year.

The festival’s purpose is to build community and provide a world-class experience for tourists, visitors and locals alike.
This year, the festival will be a fundraising event for the Talita Cumi orphanage near Zihuatanejo by helping to give them better facilities to enable them to serve more children.

A lineup of performers from Canada, the United States and Mexico, including two local bands, will present blues, blues-rock, jazz and reggae at the three-day festival, which kicks off January 10 with concerts at the Ixtapa Event Center.
A Blues Brothers Tribute Show kicks things off on the first day, bringing two hours of soul, rhythm and blues and blues music and comedy all based on the 1980 cult status movie The Blues Brothers.

To close off the weekend, the festival will present the Blues Kruise 4Kids Blues At Sea fundraising cruise on the catamaran Picante on Sunday, with festival performers entertaining on board and all-inclusive food and beverages.

Farther south, Blues On The Beach returns to Huatulco, Oaxaca, for its ninth year with concerts on January 17 and February 14.
Dawn Tyler Watson, dubbed Montreal’s “Queen of the Blues,” and Toronto harmonica player David Rotundo are the headliners at the January show; Rotundo will return with harmonica legend Lee Oskar for the second event.

Like last year, both shows will be held at Chahue beach but at a new, larger venue called the Sea Soul beach club.

The festival is a fundraiser for Un Nuevo Amanecer (UNA), a charity that helps disabled children.

The organization receives little government funding and most families of the 100 children who benefit can ill afford to pay for the help they receive.

Rob & Debra

AVANAT

6) Electricity - tech request - please reply

Here in Mexico we often see wide differences in voltage when in the marinas.

Currently the marina we're in regularly has voltage in the range of 135-138.

What are some ways we can protect the boat from this ?

Are there devices we can buy to diffuse the voltage somewhat before entering the boat ?

SEAGLUB Chris, Monica & Penny

( note: http://www.electrical-installation.org/enwiki/Connection_of_Surge_Protection_Device )

7) Acapulco, MX A large fire at the yacht club in Acapulco, Mexico broke out on Saturday (Dec 29, 2018) morning, injuring two men with second- and third-degree burns.
Authorities say that both men, who were also bruised in the incident, are being treated at a local hospital.

A statement from the Secretary of Civil Protection for Guerrero revealed that the fire, which started at 8 a.m. local time was caused when fuel sparked after one of the boats refueled without turning on their blowers - The fire then spread to a neighboring boat and a fuel pump.

(note - Diesel pump was not affected and things a are cleaned up as of Jan 3rd, 2019 )

8) Herradura Bay, Costa Rica

- Marine Electronics - propane info from last season

Carinthia met with CR Marine Supply - nice chandlery walk-able from the bus stop
Kensy Chaves +506 2637 7419 Ocean Plaza 50m North of los Suenos kensey.chaves@grupomontecristo.com

International Marine Electronics - Kerry Monteleone can get parts from Florida - +506 6011 - 2300 email: international.me.cr@gmail.com

. Bus stop at 09 38.873 N 084 39.3760 W where you will hang out for bus to Jaco ( 240 colones )
- or up the street to the auto supermercado and Laundry lady

- visit the local bar with a new Jersey bartender

and get propane picked up and delivered by this guy !
Jaco Gas and he will meet you at the Bus off the main beach
stop and fill your tanks ( takes ~ 3 days ) call +506 2637 6161
2 tanks for 8000 Colones

note - USE A STERN ANCHOR in HERRADURA BAY - point the bow of your vessel SW - SSW - lot's of swell here.

Rick & Brenda

DAD'S DREAM

9) Additional long term planning dates

Mayan Adventures & Pot Lucks                               Marina Chiapas MX (Dec-Apr)
Bar Crossing Celebrations                                       Bahia del Sol, El Salvador (Dec-Apr)
Flor de Caña Rum Tours                                          Puesta del Sol, Nicaragua - (Dec-Apr)
Papagayo Survivors Party                                        Coconutz , Playa Cocos, CR (Early Feb’19)
Golfito Marina Village an IGY Destination              Golfito, Costa Rica May 1st ’19)
Rally Completion Award Event                                Vista Mar Panama (mid May’19)

Suzanne toasting @ Golfito Marina Village an IGY Destination – Costa Rica

10) FREE GOOD NAUTICAL MEMBERSHIP

All of last season's knowledge and fleet updates have been compiled into
Good Nautical the official 501(c)3 non-profit umbrella organization.

All Fleet Update contributors will of course have access to all the shared data from Mexico through Panama.
Fuel docks, Anchorages, Marinas, National Parks, Routes, a.m.o.
Please email us to get your free login credentials and tutorial.

11) PANAMA POSSE HOWLER MONKEY MARKETING and PROMOTIONPlease help us promote the Panama Posse with sailors, marinas, yachtclubs and chandleries
- if you are currently near a marina please print out this PDF in color and post it on the wall.
For extra fun (we did this last year) print it out and take a selfie with it on your vessel !

http://route.panamaposse.com/artwork/NOTICE_OF_A_RALLY_l.pdf

The Official Panama Posse Press Release - please forward it to your contacts and friends in the media

https://panamaposse.com/for-immediate-release-2018

12) Please reply to this email with any updates - your vessel location -
contenders for picture of the week - your favorite song for our list -
and we'll include it in the next Fleet Update

Dietmar & Suzanne
SV Carinthia

13) opt-out from the Fleet Updates simply reply with "REMOVE"

by OCEANPOSSE

FLEET UPDATE 2019-01-01

1) Puerto Pedregral, Panama
We entered Panama in Puerto Pedregal. We crossed the bar at high tide Friday morning 28-Dec at Boca de San Pedro. Using the Navionics charts in my e95 Raymarine, we slowly maneuvered the winding river for almost 2 hours. Not something that I enjoyed. When we located the Port Captain, he was very helpful. But without someone who speaks more than passable Spanish, I would be here for another 5 days. First and foremost he indicated we did not notify him of our arrival 48 hours in advance, we can be fined $1,000 each. But he would not do that to us this time. He gave us his email to send that information retroactively, so he would have it in case someone else asked him for it (hmm). moises.rios@amp.gob.pa The customs office is one block away, the agent there was in the US for many years. He doesn’t have much to do there, so he was very helpful and talkative. We needed to get a Sim card, and he drove us to the Mercado. Immigration came (probably from the airport in David) and his process was extremely easy, he meet us in the Customs office. Also the Health department meet us there. It was just myself and Geri, my Spanish speaking crew member. All of this great service was because of the Port Captain making some phone calls. We showed up in the morning and wanted to leave by high tide that night. He did roll his eyes when we mentioned two dogs. The greased wheels came to a halt when we needed to get the cruising permit. It was now noon, we were told to come back at 2 because the gentlemen was not there, when we returned, there was a line waiting for him and he still wasn’t there. It was 3:30 before we were done. Total fees for Health, Immigration, customs and cruising permit for the 4 of us was $307 ($185 for the annual permit). All in all, this was better than expected for the last business day of the year. Since we did not want to traverse that river again and the bar crossing at night, we are staying overnight until the morning tide. Wish us luck. BTW, for the dogs, we had a copy of the Panamian request for home quarantine, and an email to the appropriate Panaimaian department three days earlier of the same document. We also had an international health certificate from the States, their rabies certifications, and more Vet certifications from Mexico and El Salvador. They took a copy of each and did not give us anything in return. When asked, they said, you have all of the proper documentation you need for them. ---
Walt & Jeariene

KNOT RIGHT

(note - please always save your tracks in and out and share them in any format- for future review with dietmar@goodnautical.com )

2) Barra de Navidad, MX
Schooner Winds of the Worlds may be leaving Barre de Navidad, January 5th to head for Acapulco, from there continue around January 16 to Puerto Escondido and Chiapas at the end of the month.This is all assuming that crews show up and stay the course; that has been a struggle.Are you familiar with Marina Cabo Marques in Acapulco?
Thanks, Happy New Year.
Dan

WINDS OF THE WORLD3) Panama Posse Christmas, Holiday and New Years

Norwegian New Year's eve preparation
Finn & May Linn

LA MUSTACHE II
4) Bahia del Sol, El Salvador

Wine n Down heading in over the Bar to enter the El Salvador Rally party grounds. It's like hotel California in there and very hard to leave ...

Steve & Keri

WINE N DOWN

5) Below are some of the more intriguing New Years eve rituals from PANAMA

Eat 12 grapes at midnight as you eat each one, make a wish. 12 wishes for the New Year.

They also say that the grapes will predict how your year will be.
For instance, if your 2nd grape is sour, then February will be a bad month.
But if you get a sweet grape, that month will be a sweet experience. Spit out the grape seeds and count the number of seeds.
You use the number of discarded seeds to determine your lucky lottery numbers.
The lottery is very popular in Panama.

Burn a “stuffed man” in effigy at midnight the traditions is that of the Muñecos.
These life sized effigies are an old Panamanian tradition Muñecos or Judas Dolls

They are then stuffed with firecrackers and are lit and beaten at the stroke of midnight.
According to folklore, by beating and setting the effigies aflame, the sins and evil spirits of the old year are destroyed.
Making way for good fortune in the new year. The fire crackers are said to help drive the evil forces away, since ghosts are afraid of light and noise.
The Muñecos are usually made to look like well-known politicians or movie stars from the outgoing year....

6) Puerto Vallarta, MX
Hello All, I have a close friend/cruiser that recently had a heart attack while in Puerto Vallarta. His 42 Beneteau "Set Me Free" is still there. It has ended his cruising career so I have offered to move his boat back to San Diego where he will sell it. I hope to sail around Feb. 1 and of course, weather dependent, will bash north. If anybody is interested in helping let me know. ( captainstrickley@yahoo.com )
Otherwise have a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

DAD’S DREAM

Rick & Brenda
7) Where is the 2018-2019 Panama Posse Fleet as of Jan 1 2019 ? ( to check in use your status message in LINE ) Mariah - La Paz, MX
Slow Dancer- Marina Vallarta
Nilaya - Manzanillo / Barra
Mai Tai - Tenecatita anchorage 26’ 19 18.121N 104 50.156W 28 boats here
Sea Glub - Barra - with MANY Pananam Posse Vessels
Simple Life - Ixtapa, MX
Epiphany anchored in Zihuatanejo MX at N17 38.2 W101 33.3 in 18'
Madeleine - TPec crossing en route to Chipas, MX
Sprezzatura - Marina Chiapas, MX
Coquette - Between Chiapas and Bahia del Sol El Salvador
La Mustache II - left Huatulco for Chiapas
Wine N Down - Bahia del Sol EL Salvador Toccata -Bahia del Sol, El Salvador Avant - Bahia del Sol, El Salvador
Shearwater - Amapala, Honduras
Octopus Garden - Marina Puesta el Sol, Nicaragua
Knot Right - Vista Mar Marina, Panama Dad's Dream - Vista Mar Marina, Panama Carinthia - Vista Mar Marina, Panama - waiting for genset repair to start
Secret Water - Vista Mar Marina, Panama

8) Approaching the Entrance of Bahia del Sol - El Salvador

As the southern swells start to build in late winter and approach this coastline they can break heavily on the shores. Approaching from the sea, the channel is not visible. The sight of the breaking waves can be intimidating; however there is a channel which is about 10 to 12 feet deep at high tide.
Do not try to cross this bar without a guide. The bar shifts often and local knowledge is required for a successful transit. Also there are two channels that can be used depending on the swell direction. Notify the rally in advance of your arrival. Call “Bill And Jean” on VHF 16 about 3 miles out from the approach waypoint and they will advise you if the conditions are safe and the time when high tide occurs
(about +40 minutes from the La Libertad tide station; try free WXTide32 http://wxtide32.com - doesn’t work on Windows Vista).
Try to time your arrival with calm swells. Sometimes the entrance is so calm boats have entered under sail. Other times...

Reminder to boats in Chiapas coming to Bahia del Sol. Check in with Bill & Jean in El Salvador in advance. He may ask you to bring down from Mexico (paid cargo, not a a gift). He will give you valuable information on when to arrive and will arrange the pilot for the bar, customs an immigration for your arrival, and inform you of expected conditions for the crossing. Contact via email elsalvadorrally@aol.com .

Rob & Debra

AVANT

9) Pictures of the Week - SHEARWATER

Volcano Cauldron- Santa Ana - El Salvador

Amapala - Honduras

Pati & Eric SHEARWATER

10) Marina Chiapas, Mexico

Beautiful marina, nice, helpful Manager and personnel. Fantastic restaurant that was packed for late Sunday brunch.
Would not recommend coming in to Marina in dark. Channel marking lights are inadequate. Be prepared for lots of Government attention for checking in immediately when you tie up. All very courteous and professional including the dog brought on board looking for the usual and stowaways.

Intel update. Luis was a driver for a transportation company owned by Miguel who arranged for Dietmar’s van excursion last year. Luis joined another tour company that doesn’t have federally licensed vehicles and federally licensed drivers. And Luis charges more. I just spent 2 hours with Miguel (after spending 5 hours with Luis 2 days ago) and recommend using Miguel. +52 (962) 133 6820
toursdiscioverchiapas@hotmail.com
No problems with Luis, I just think Miguel is better.

There is a John Deere tractor dealer in town that has JD oil, antifreeze and diesel fuel lubricity additive needed for older Diesel engines.
Heading to Palenque and San Cristóbal for the week with Miguel transport there and return $90/2 people each way. Bus is about $30/person.
Leaving in one week for El Salvador.

Eric

SPREZZATURA

11) Security Update - Chiapas, Mexico

Thieves attack tourists traveling by bus in state of Chiapas

Six armed men stopped the vehicle and stole passengers' belongings

Friday, December 28, 2018

A bus carrying tourists from Puebla was attacked by thieves yesterday in Chiapas.
Police said the bus was traveling on the Ocosingo-Palenque highway when six balaclava-clad individuals carrying firearms forced it to stop.
Four of them boarded the bus and began shattering windows and threatening the passengers with their guns.
They took their phones, cameras and cash and fled the scene.
The tourists reported the theft upon their arrival in San Cristóbal de las Casas.
They had planned to spend three days traveling around the state but changed their mind after the incident, cutting their trip short and heading back home.
The highway is known for such attacks. Tour companies began traveling in convoys during Holy Week last year after 25 German tourists and their guides were robbed.

(note from Carinthia Last season we went on that road and got "stopped" by what seemed liked the entire local town with our tourguide luis swating bullets. All cars and tour buses going through this lawless town are forced to stop - a gate keeper puts down a traffic cone - and in this one small town - we "donated" 20 USD x person and all was fine - it's considered a road tax and pays for safe passage - this area is not run by the MX govt or local or federal police - so they use a road tax to fund their local needs. Sort of a Robin Hood situation - pleasant - as long as you are pleasant ... big tour buses small cars all pay a tax - my buest guess is someone om that tour bus did not want to pay that tax and things escalated ..)

(note from Octopus Garden: That’s very common in Chiapas, but’s it’s matter of luck, we didn’t have any issues. Tapachula, where the marina is, i would say is ok to go shopping.)

Chris & Monica

SEAGLUB

12) HIP HIP HOORAY
the Panama Posse Fleet is at 76 vessels and 8 Flag States

13) WEEKLY 2018-2019 PANAMA POSSE FLEET CHECK IN and MORNING NET on MONDAY'S at 16:00 UTC via LINE

Please download and install LINE https://line.me/en-US/
Works on Android / ios / Windows / MAC OS

- Register using your vessel name as the USERNAME ie MY CROSSROADS

- Next search for panamaposse and befriend us -

- wait and accept your PANAMAPOSSE GROUP INVITE

Connect every Monday at 16:00 UTC and send us your position via the message
system and listen to the vessel check ins (all free as long you have IP connectivity
which we now know is pretty much all along the coast)
The LINE system allows for up to 200 live conference call participants.

14) Please reply to this email with any updates - your vessel location -
contenders for picture of the week - your favorite song for our list -
and we'll include it in the next Fleet Update

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!

Dietmar & Suzanne
SV Carinthia

15) opt-out from the Fleet Updates simply reply with "REMOVE"

by OCEANPOSSE

FLEET UPDATE 2018-12-28

1) Bahia del Sol, EL SALVADOR

Toccata remains in Bahia Del Sol, has become a base for inland travel. After trips to Guatemala and Rivera Maya Mexico, the admiral has decided we should do land travel to Nicaragua and Costa Rica before heading for Panama. We will probably not arrive Panama until late March. I have to admit Bahia Del Sol is a great base of operations for Central American land travel. Will also give the Papagayos to soften.

Steven & Marilyn

TOCCATA

2) Golfito, COSTA RICA

Knot Right left Marina Papagaya CR on Friday 12/21 after refueling, traveled a whole 5 nm to Bahia Hermosa. Anchored, and dinghy to shore for an early dinner with friends who are local in Cocos. With 4 people, dinghy wheels and only a 9.9 HP engine, we were a little slow. It also didn’t help that we choose the wrong wave. Yes we got wet, but didn’t loose the boat. We still had an enjoyable time.

We left the next afternoon to head for Isla Tortuga, After we rounded the corner, we had a beam reach until 10 PM, with the Jib only, we exceeded my theoretical top speed of 8.8, we actually hit 10 at one time. Later that night and the next morning we had a wind and current on the nose. The period was less that 5 seconds, so we did take a beating.

We arrived at Isla Tortuga at 9 AM and motored around to find a go spot to anchor. We wanted to stay away from the human onslaught from the mainland to the island. We found 20 ft at low tide at 9 46.7147n 84 53.8016w. Calm evening, but some rolling in the AM (I think the workers for the party goers are coming ashore and it felt like the wakes of their transports). Did some snorkelling, not very clear. Heading to Golfito at 8 AM on 12/26.

Got to Golfito early, had to motor all the way. Went to the fuel docks (at IGY) and refueled, from there they permitted us to stay while we went to Customs, Immigration and the bank (don’t push it though).

There is also a Super (not so big) Mega for some provisioning. The customs office is 1 KM to SE walking distance, but very humid. Have three copies of everything, but if not he might be helpful to copy some papers. I think there is a copying place across the street. The Immigration is in the other direction about 2 (total 3) KM. Take a cab from customs to Immigration (anywhere $2-4). Immigration and the National Bank (third stop) is the duty free shopping area. If you want to buy anything here, I believe you need to stand in line to purchase a prepaid card of some sort. Didn’t bother because we wanted to hustle out of here. We purchased our wine when we got our provisions at the Supermega half way between Fuel Dock and Customs. The last stop is the port captain, his Zarpe did not list the personnel, so I asked and he gave me a stamped copy of my crew list (not taking any chances). The fuel dock charges for water and trash, but Posse people pay about half of that charge. Heading out to Pedregal Panama tonight 27-Dec at 4 PM, need to get to the mouth of the river just before high tide tomorrow at 7.

Walt & Jeariene

KNOT RIGHT

Note: Clearing in and Out of Costa Rica while time consuming and paperwork laden has been documented with detailed steps and all exact Lat and long of all government offices inside of Good Nautical

Here are the links for Playas del Coco
http://www.goodnautical.com/costa-rica/port-of-entry/playas-del-coco

and Golfito http://www.goodnautical.com/costa-rica/port-of-entry/golfito

3) The Panama Posse is now 76 vessels strong
Well on our way to the goal of 100 for this season - please help spread the word !

4) Here are the latest check ins from thePanama Posse 18-19 LINE Group Members

SPREZZATURA - Huatulco, MX

FOOTLOOSE - Leaving Acapulco, MX

WINE N DOWN - Approaching Bahia del Sol, El Salvador

KNOT RIGHT - Checking out of Golfito, Costa Rica

EPIPHANY - Heading south from Barra de Navidad, MX - see long line alert below

SANS CLES - Chiapas, MX - reporting plenty of room in the Marina

SLOW DANCER - Marina Vallarta, MX - discount confirmed but only pablo@marina-vallarta.com.mx has the info
MARIAH - La Paz

LIQUID - Barra de Navidad, MX

COQUETTE - Leaving Acapulco, MX

NILAYA - Leaving Puerto Vallarta
MAI TAI - Mazatlan heading to PV by the 26th and Barra after New Years
MADELEINE - Leaving Acapulco

AVANT - Bahia del Sol, El Salvador

FLOATING STONES - Barra de Navidad, MX
PARADISEA - Leaving Zihuatanejo for Acapulco, MX
FIREFLY - Barra de Navidad, MX
SEAGLUB - Barra de Navidad, MX

XENIA - Las Perlas, Panama

CARINTHIA - Vista Mar Marina, Panama

FLEET CHECK IN and MORNING NET on MONDAY'S at 16:00 UTC via LINE 5) Huatulco Marine Park & Tehuantepec, MX

We are currently (Fri Dec 28th, 4.30 pm) in Chachacual Cove (La India), Huatulco.
How beautiful it is here! We were thinking of crossing the Gulf of Tehuantepec starting on Sunday Dec 30th.

We based our decision on Saildocs and Windy. Can you confirm Chris if that is a good time? If you please would answer in Sailmail as well as in Line that would be great. Both SSB and internet via Telcel are difficult here. We are sometimes successfull with one, and sometimes with the other system. We left Acapulco Sunday dec 23rd. Had a beautiful trip to Huatulco. 1/3 was sailing. Nights with full moon. Calm weather. Beautiful coast. Dec 25th we arrived in Puerto Sacrificios (San Agustin), Anchored 15 41.36 N 96 13.98 W in 9.6 meter, good holding, sand. Beautiful bay, much tourism during the day, restless water. Maybe not so nice for monohulls. Tried to reach the beach by dinghy, but too much swell, was no success. We left today for Chachacual, also very very beautiful and much quieter. More protected. All tourists left at 3 pm. Anchored at 15 42.61 N 96 12.18 W, in 7.1 meter. Sand, good holding.

Thanks,

Maaike & Huib

MADELEINE

5) Long Line alert - Mexico

Long Line at 19° 04.435' N, 104° 42.369 W

EPIPHANY

George & Suzanne

6) Fuel in Huatulco, MX

Due to the silting of the channel Marina Chahue is closed until further notice -

But you can use your dinghy to get it from the marina or approach the
commercial fuel dock in the next bay with lot's of fenders.

The location below has the working fuel dock

Eric

SPREZZATURA

7) Bahia del Sol - EL SALVADOR
Picture of the Week from El Salvador Rally - FISH VISCOUS exiting over the bar

Doug & Nancy

FISH VICIOUS

8) The Panama Posse 2018-2019 burgees are flying -
please take pictures for next weeks update of your new years celebrations !

SIMPLIFY - Robert

HALF MOON - Elizabeth & ?

CHARLY - André-Philippe & Sylvie

ARGUS - Bryan & Stephanie

Mattias and Regina of JASINA after a delightful Christmas dinner prepared by
Patrice of SONOMARA aboard FOOTLOOSE with PARADISEA