FLEET UPDATE 2022-05-08

May 08, 2022

PANAMA POSSE
FLEET UPDATE

Cindy on MY Delta Swizzler escorted by Dolphins

TOP NEWS THIS WEEK

1) SAN DIEGO MARINE EXCHANGE SPONSORS THE PANAMA POSSE

2) PANAMA POSSE WELCOMES OUR NEWEST MEMBERS # 377 & 378

3) HIGHEST WIND RECORDED TO DATE

4) ON JUNE 4th PARTY LIKE IT’S 2019

1) SAN DIEGO MARINE EXCHANGE
SPONSORS THE PANAMA POSSE

Quintessential Chandlery in San Diego

San Diego Marine Exchange
now Sponsors the Panama Posse

WITH a 15 % discount on most purchases

Specializing in an extensive inventory of hardware and maintenance

items to keep your motor yacht in top operating condition.

Details >>

2636 Shelter Island Dr. San Diego, CA 92106

Tel: (619) 223-7159

Thanks to the diligent work by SY MAISON DE SANTE and the Staff at San Diego Marine Exchange

SY MAISON DE SANTÉ 🇺🇸 Keenan & Nicole – Cal 46′

2) PANAMA POSSE
WELCOMES OUR NEWEST MEMBERS TO THE FLEET

# 377 SY CHARTWELL 🇺🇸 Andy, Paris Mo – Cheoy Lee 55′

# 378 SY SOUTHERN CROSS 🇺🇸 Tommy & Katelyn – Moody 45′

21·22 Panama Posse fleet tracking
Add your vessel to the tracking page >>

3) ENTRY INTO HIGHEST WIND RECORDED
+ TRACKING THE DEVILS BACKBONE
ELEUTHERA 🇧🇸 BAHAMAS

The highest wind recorded this season thus far has nit been a Papagayo burst or Tehantepecker – this is a micro burst with gusts close to 60 knots recorded in the Bahamas – currently the front runner in the highest wind recorded category

In addition they have also recorder their track into North Eleuthera / Harbour Island via the infamous Devil’s Backbone – now available in Good Nautical with 200 way-points – saving you hundreds of dollars in piloting fees

https://goodnautical.com/route/devils-backbone

SY SOLMATE Adam & Jen

4) DON’T MISS THE PARTY LIKE IT’S 2019

Please RSVP >>

Vista Mar Marina Sponsors the Panama Posse

5) SUCCESSFUL PANAMA 🇵🇦 CANAL PASSAGE
AND GUNA YALA CULTURAL TREASURES

Red Rover Exiting the Panama Canal at the Gatun Locks on the Caribbean Side and their way to San Blas

Red Rover at anchor in San Blas, Panama

Kevin & Alison – in Guna Yala territory aka San Blas

The region is a comarca indígena (indigenous province) in northeast Panama (Official Gazette of Panama). Guna Yala is home to the indigenous people known as the Gunas. It is bounded on the north by the Caribbean Sea, on the south by the Darién Province and Emberá-Wounaan, on the east by Colombia, and on the west by the province of Colón.

During the first twenty years of the independent country of Panama, the Guna had serious differences with national governments, because they tried to eradicate their culture and their customs.

Among the most important traditions of the Guna people there are:

Children between 4 and 5 take part in ceremony of “inna-suit” or Baptism. It’s involves their first haircut, which is attended by all the people in the community. The female is assigned a name in the Guna language. This name is next to the name given in the country’s official language.

“Ico-inna“, or “Feast of the Needle” in lack of a more accurate translation, is the feast of puberty where a young girl after her first menstruation participates in a party. The pubescent girl gets her septum pierced and a ring with coconut oil as an antiseptic is placed through it.

The Night Festival or “inna-mutiki” is a party where all the people get involved in the celebration of a wedding or a new marriage in the community. This festival usually lasts several days until the liquor stock garnered by the families is finished.

The governmental structure of Guna Yala is defined in Law 16 of 1953. The General Congress Guna is the highest political authority of Guna Yala. It consists of representatives of all communities in Guna Yala, and meets twice a year. Votes are taken by each sahila (elected leader) of the community. Guna Yala is politically subdivided into four corregimientos (districts), with a total of 51 comunidades 49 of which are located on islands of the San Blas Archipelago off the mainland coast.

Rudencio Garcia is the chief of the Holandesas islands area of Guna Yala. We have been so fortunate to get to know him and his 15 person family over the past four days. We have been filling their water jugs and giving them kitchen stores, and they have been supplying us with homemade bread (this morning), avocados, limes, lobster and of course, molas !

Kevin was invited into the chief’s home, to see the tribe’s way to cook fish. On his visit this morning he was seeking magazines. We don’t have any but we did give him a Nordhavn 2022 calendar!

365 islands and cays in the San Blas Islands

MY RED ROVER 🇺🇸 Kevin & Alison- Nordhavn 55′

6) MONTE ALBÁN 🇲🇽 OAXACA, MEXICO

Large pre-Columbian archaeological site situated atop an artificially leveled ridge. It has an elevation of about 6,400 ft above mean sea level and rises 1,300 ft from the valley floor, in an easily defensible location.

Besides being one of the earliest cities of Mesoamerica, Monte Albán was important for nearly one thousand years as the eminent Zapotec socio-political and economic center. Founded at around 500 BC

Visible from anywhere in the central part of the Valley of Oaxaca, the impressive ruins of Monte Albán attracted visitors and explorers throughout the colonial and modern eras.

Monte Alban is on the Panama Posee must see list

SY ANIMAL CRACKER Scott & Tami – Hunter 46′

7) MAY 12 2022 – NEW CREW LOUNGE PARTY

GOLFITO 🇨🇷 COSTA RICA

8) FREE UPDATES FROM THE
SOUTH PACIFIC POSSE

Panama Posse veterans SKY POND crossed the equator and are now part of South Pacific Posse Season 2

David on SY Dreamer sent in this Manta Ray Video

SY SKY POND track across the Pacific 🇺🇸 Joe, Kristen & Crew – Seawind 1160 38′

9) GOLFITO 🇨🇷 COSTA RICA
TO PUNTA BALSA 🇵🇦 PANAMA

Sunset at Banana Bay Marina, Golfito

David & Toni

David and the confiscated drug submarine near Capitania del Puerto Golfito, Costa Rica

Anchorage at Punta Balsa Panama

FROM PRIOR SEASON

After we left Golfito, we headed around Punta Burica for the elusive Punta Balsa . That was about a 65-mile leg. I say elusive because there wasn’t much of a punta to judge where the heck the anchorage was supposed to be. It is just a roadstead anchorage, and one that requires you to be pretty far off the shore due to shoal. We were pleasantly surprised to find it a decent anchorage, and we had a fairly pleasant night’s sleep, but it sure seemed strange. We anchored out front of a large hotel/estate that had an expansive low, orange wall all around the yard. Watch the depth finder as there’s some real shoal water about. We anchored at 08’04.643; 082’51.013, about 20 ft., about a quarter mile off shore, almost right on top of a little panga mooring. May want to give the mooring bouy more room, but it wasn’t in use and we didn’t get any middle of the night surprises. Our approach was somewhere near 08’03.40; 082’50.29. We really did some sniffing about until we found where to drop the anchor. Kind of weird, but not too rolly and not too windy.
8′ tide

MY SEA TRIAL 🇺🇸 David, Toni – Nordhavn 55′

Banana Bay Marina 🇨🇷 Costa Rica sponsors the Panama Posse

10) PUNTA MALA 🇵🇦 PANAMA
CAN BE QUITE CALM

Punta Mala Panama on a calm day in the summer / rainy season

If you stay very close to shore after punta mala, you may catch a counter current taking you up. ( from SY Outventure )

Punta Mala is no joke and earned it’s name. We encountered a trifecta of strong current, swell and wind against us. Rather than fighting it, we turned East and made a wide loop along Las Perlas. ( from SY Coddiwomple )

We had a good 4 hr sail last night from Isla Iguana. That was a quiet 1/3 of the passage. With the couple of sails during this passage from Golfito to Vista Mar and the lower RPMs we were able to make it all the way in 47 gal of fuel with about 4” in the tank to spare. Whew. One worry over.

Now to dive into the autopilot to see if I can figure out what failed. The reading and Raymarine tech support gave me some ideas on how to troubleshoot the issue. Based on a couple of electrical tests I did at Isla Iguana I was able to determine that the course computer was not the issue. I now believing it to be the clutch not engaging. It has power at the course computer, so I need to check at the clutch for power and a good connection. If those are good it will probably be that the clutch needs to be replaced. I’ve asked Raymarine if those are available as replacement parts. Finger’s crossed.

SY NO REGRETS 🇺🇸 Bruce & Lynette – Fast Passage 39′

Excerts fron the Sailing Directions for the West Coasts of Mexico and Central America

11) PICTURES OF THE WEEK

SAY HELLO TO THE CAPTAIN(S)

Congratulations to both Nian an Don on SY ENJOY for successfully getting their 100t captain’s license

SY ENJOY 🇺🇸 Captain Nina & Captain Don – Lagoon 42′

12) TRANSITION TO THE NEXT SEASON
PANAMA POSSE 6

Transition and renewal between seasons starts June 5th
New registration and renewals opens June 5th, 2022
All prior season access and benefits including discounts will expire July 4th, 2022
Early registration Starts June 5th 2022
Regular registration starts Nov 2022

NEW THIS SEASON

3 days and 3 nights of learning, fun and mingling at the first
Panama Posse and Pacific Posse “University”
Oct 25 – 27, 2022 San Diego, California
Limited to 75 Cruising Couples or 150 Individuals – stay tuned for details

A typical Panama Posse party at Bocas Marina w Delta Swizzler, Shearwater, Sava, Amakya, Sonamara. amo

13) PANCHO VILLA

Francisco Villa born José Doroteo Arango Arámbula was initially a bandit, who became a general in the Mexican Revolution. He was a key figure in the revolutionary violence that forced out President Porfirio Díaz and brought Francisco I. Madero to power in 1911. When Madero was ousted by a coup led by General Victoriano Huerta in February 1913, he led anti-Huerta forces in the Constitutionalist Army 1913–14. The commander of the coalition was civilian governor of Coahuila Venustiano Carranza. After the defeat and exile of Huerta in July 1914, Villa broke with Carranza. Villa dominated the meeting of revolutionary generals that excluded Carranza and helped create a coalition government that was weak and ineffective. Emiliano Zapata and Villa became formal allies in this period, but it was only in principle. Like Zapata, Villa was strongly in favor of land reform, but his plans were not implemented when he had power.

Villa with his staff in 1913. Villa is in gray suit in center. Villa and Fierro served in the Constitutionalist Army opposing Huerta.

Civil war broke out when Carranza challenged Villa. Villa was decisively defeated by Constitutionalist General Álvaro Obregón in summer 1915, and the U.S. aided Carranza directly against Villa in the Second Battle of Agua Prieta in November 1915. Much of Villa’s army left after Villa’s defeat on the battlefield and his lack of resources to buy arms and pay soldiers’ salaries. Angered at the U.S. aid to Carranza, Villa conducted a raid on the border town of Columbus, New Mexico to goad the U.S. to invade Mexico in 1916-17. Despite a major contingent of soldiers and the latest military technology, the U.S. failed to capture Villa. When President Carranza was ousted from power in 1920, Villa negotiated an amnesty with interim President Adolfo de la Huerta and was given a landed estate, on the condition he retire from politics. He was assassinated in 1923. Although his faction did not prevail in the Revolution, he is one of its most charismatic and prominent figures.

Me and Pancho planning our next move.

@Santa Catarina Lake Atitlan Guatemala.
Crew mate Transformation to typical local stand out(!)

SY KATMANDU 🇿🇦 Terry – Lagoon 42′

14) PANAMA POSSE

AWARD CATEGORIES

BIGGEST FISH CAUGHT*

PICTURE OF THE YEAR

PANAMA POSSE YODA OF THE YEAR

SPEEDY AWARD – SEVENSTAR AWARD

THE CAPTAIN RON AWARD

MOST UNWELCOME VISITOR ONBOARD

HIGHEST WIND RECORDED

SPIRIT OF EXPLORATION

GALLEY GOD(ESS)

GOOD SAMARITAN OF THE YEAR

NEWLY ADDED – BOAT YOGA POSE OF THE YEAR

only 3 WEEKS LEFT TO ENTER AND WIN
email registration@panamaposse.com with your entries

*no bill-fish entries

15) PARTICIPANT WEBSITES

With over 100 current and past participants website
there are lots of links to exciting stories for everyone
https://panamaposse.com/participant-websites

https://sailingsamadhi.com/2022/05/04/a-new-continent/

A New Continent

Cross Posted from sailingsamadhi

We had difficult passage from the San Blas Islands to Colombia. It is only 200 miles but the direction of the wind, current, and waves all make it more than a little uncomfortable. And then when you add a night full of lightning all around the boat, it becomes not only uncomfortable but terrifying. However, we got through it and after an afternoon, a full night, and then another full day of sailing we arrived in Colombia. We sailed to a small group of islands 20 miles west of Cartagena so that we would not have to enter the very busy port in the dark and, so much more importantly, not have another terrifying night of lightning. As we approached the coast of Colombia just after dark we were greeted by the Colombia Navy wishing to come aboard. We lowered the sails and turned on the motor to hold a steady course. The expertly brought their RIB next to the boat and two officers in full combat gear came aboard. They were immediately greeted by Ranger’s ferocious bark and they told us that if he tries to bite them they would shoot him. Not exactly the best introduction but totally understandable. I put Ranger in a position in the back of the boat where he could be seen and could see but out of everyone’s way. The officers quickly set about getting all of our information and relaying it to authorities on shore or on a larger ship that we did not see. I kept us slowing moving to the spot we planned to anchor for the night as Ashley and Victoria handled the paperwork and translations. The RIB that brought them stayed on our flank ready to jump into action if it was needed. I definitely felt many eyes on me as I held our course. After the paperwork section of our evening the officers informed us of and welcomed us to, the inspection part of the night’s events. They asked to go below, asked us to keep Ranger upstairs and after relaying to their team on the RIB they went below. As soon as they got into the salon area of the boat they went right for the dry stores. They pulled out all the sugar, flour and baking soda. They opened each container and taste tested or smelled everything. They knew right where to go on a sailboat and they knew right how to access it. This was clearly not their first time. After about an hour of searching and taste testing they finished up. They offered to help put everything back but Ashley, Victoria and Alexander refused and told them it was no problem. We offered them all sodas or cold waters and they gladly accepted as it was very hot and they were fully kitted out in combat fatigues, helmets, masks and body armor. They also were both carrying assault rifles and side arms. The inside of our boat was in the high 80’s and they even looked in the engine room where the temps had to be around 110+ degrees. As they guzzled their cold beverages we loaded them up with extras and a few for the crew of the RIB. They apologized for the inconvenience and welcomed us to Colombia.

The next day we made our way to Cartagena to get a quick look at the city, rest and provision for our passage north to Hispaniola or Jamaica. Our plan was only to stay in Colombia a few days and then continue on once the weather allows. We spent the next few days exploring the old walled city. We walked on the walls from the 1600’s. We toured the old military forts from the time the Spanish ruled the area. We learned all about the history of the city, Colombia and the colonization of the 1500-1900’s. We found some amazing restaurants and met some wonderful people. Two days before we were to leave we were invited over to another cruising family’s boat. We had dinner and talked about each family’s travels. They have an 11 year old boy and a 14 year old girl so our kids matched up OK. The parents informed us about the quality work that is done in Colombia and the more than fair pricing. That got Ashley and I thinking. They gave us the number to a Colombian man who specializes in fiberglass work. They very next day he was on our boat with a partner of his who specializes in stainless steel welding and just like that we are staying another month here in Colombia. More to come on the project, our further exploration of the city, Alexander and Victoria’s local basketball team and our trip into the Amazon Rainforest, the Amazon River and the Southern Hemisphere.

SY SAMADHI V 🇺🇸 Dan, Ashley, Victoria & Alexander – Tayana 55′

16) FORTIFICATIONS OF CARTAGENA 🇨🇴 COLOMBIA

The Castillo San Felipe de Barajas is the largest fortification and the crowning glory of the Spanish Empire’s defensive network in the city of Cartagena Colombia. The castle is located on the Hill of San Lázaro in a strategic location, dominating approaches to the city by land or sea. It was built by the Spanish starting in 1536 during the colonial era.

It is organized into 8 fortifications to defensively to protect against pirate and foreign power attacks.

Key features include the triangular Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas, surrounded by these batteries

• de Santa Barbara,
• de San Carlos y Los Apostles,
• Del Hornabeque
• de la Cruz
• de la Redencion
• de San Lazaro

Joining the Media Luna causeway was a caponniere.

PANAMA POSSE MUST SEE LIST >>