CRUISING FOR THE SEASON IS NOT JUST ABOUT WHERE TO GO BUT WHEN

Timing a passage for good wind and smooth seas is ideal

Some cruisers just go when and where the wind blows, some cruisers study historic weather patterns, ocean currents and pilot charts to loosely plan their season in advance to get from Point A to Point B in a given amount of time, and some cruisers look at the time they have, where they want to go in that time and create a schedule.ย  Many cruisers plan their voyages somewhere in between a mix of all these methods.

Recently, members of the Ocean Posse LineApp group had a discussion that highlights different variables and considerations when cruising, how to think ahead and be prepared to be flexible once a voyage begins.ย  Cruising is not just about where we go, but when as well.ย  Concepts discussed are the seasonality of historic weather patterns, probability of weather windows, prevailing winds, and the fun/comfort factor that a vessel and her crew are after.

This conversation was beneficial and highlights a Perk of the Ocean Posse: ๐ŸŒŠ Benefit from the latest information and prior experience participants

Member A (first season in Panama):

Cruising plans for next cruising season.
Go through the canal in early December.
Early January to Roatan then cruise from there to Rio Dulce and Belize until end of April.
Beginning of May back down to Panama and cruise San Blas to Cartagena for May and June.
Next summer in Cartagena.
Does this seem like a reasonable itinerary?
If so weโ€™d love a buddy boat to cruise from Panama at least to Roatan. If anyone is even slightly interested in that please reach out to us. We are a power boat and cruise at 7-8 knots.

Member B (11th season cruising along Pacific Central American coast through to Caribbean Side of Panama):

Passage from Panama to Roatan can be pretty sporty in mid January. Plan to be sensitive to weather windows. The Christmas winds are usually full blown about then.

Member A :

If we get a window to get up there how will the cruising conditions be during those months?

Member B:

Have a look at the sources referenced in this article. Wave heights can be in the 8โ€™ range near roatan mid January, which puts (our) fun meter pretty deep in the red. YMMV.

Getting out of Panama is hard in the months you mention (December-March), other than getting to Cartagena Colombia (which can be done with reasonable ease any time of year). So maybe a Bocas del toro/ san blas islands/ trip to Cartagena would suit the time frame you mention. Optionally returning to Panama if you like, or staging from Cartagena for next season.

Member A :

Thanks for the feedback. Doesnโ€™t sound like the best itinerary.

The conversation went on with a few other members chiming in about their experiences (either their own or that of others they have know) cruising this stretch of coast previous seasons.ย  These added considerations led Member A to propose and alternate route/schedule for the upcoming season to which again Member B responded.

With a bit of back and forth everyone privy to the conversation had the opportunity to truly consider the importance of looking to the prevailing weather and the seasonality of cruising routes that have been used to the sailors advantage for centuries to plan for safety, comfort, and fun along the way.

SYย AVANTย ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฆ Rob & Debra โ€“ย Beneteau 43.5 & MY TIDINGS OF JOY ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ Jeff & Joy – DeFever 52โ€ฒ & SY MAISON DE SANTร‰ ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ Nicole & Keenan – ย Cal 46′

THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR IDEAS ON CRUISING PLANNING!