FLEET UPDATE 2023-11-19

PANAMA POSSE 
 
FLEET UPDATE 

NOVEMBER 19, 2023

“Live your life by a compass, not a clock.”

— Stephen Covey
 

TOP NEWS  

• Pictures Of The Week
• Meet The Fleet 🇬🇧 Teulu  Tribe
• RSVP For Kick-off Weekend In Barra De Navidad
• Fish On !
• Picture Of The Year Nomination
• Panama Posse Events
• On The Water In Bocas Del Toro  🇵🇦  
• Solarte Marina 🇵🇦
• Barra De Navidad 🇲🇽 Mexico  Resource Guide  
• 🦃 Thanksgiving On A Boat
• Marina Portobello 🇨🇴 Colombia
• Belize  🇧🇿 The Garifuna Culture
• Good Nautical Los Frailes  🇲🇽 Mexico
• Culture Of The Caribbean 🇨🇺 Cuban Cigars Aka El Habano
• Marine Weather Center ☁️ Chris Parker  
• Meet The Fleet Steve And Susan On Sy Oz
• Barrel of Hope
• Panama Posse Swag
• Offshore Medical Kit
• Actun Tunichil Muknal (Atm) 🇧🇿  Belize
• Boats For Sale
• 75+ Panama Posse Marina Sponsors
• More Posse News From Around The Oceans
• South Pacific Posse Season 4 

217 yachts are signed up from 22 ensigns – JOIN THE POSSE 

1)  PICTURES OF THE WEEK

MY TIDINGS OF JOY and SY SERENITY meet up in Bahia Tenacatita 🇲🇽 Mexico

MY TIDINGS OF JOY 🇺🇸 Jeff & Joy – DeFever 52′

SY SERENITY  🇺🇸 Mark & Kathryn – Antares 44′

Pool Party in Marina Chiapas

SY YO-D-YO 🇺🇸 David & Mary – Hunter 45’ 

Egg Island 🇧🇸  The Bahamas

Marsh Harbor 🇧🇸  the Bahamas 

MV CELT 🇺🇸 Gerry & Angela – Nordhavn 43′

2)  MEET THE FLEET 🇬🇧 TEULU  TRIBE 

SY TEULU 🇬🇧 Becka & Zach –   Colvic  40′  joins the posse this year

Buying a boat and sailing around the world was such a distant dream for so long, but, a little naivety and a lot of determination later, we are now doing it, *correction*, bloody doing it!  https://www.teulutribe.com/

3) PANAMA POSSE SEASON 7  

5,500 nm 
550 ⚓ 
75+ marinas
17 countries
8 months
pure fun 
no schedules 

Panama Posse Mini Burgees  ▲  are a great way to enhance your pictures

⚓ in Paradise

40+ UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES 
ALONG THIS ROUTE 

Great Blue Hole 🇧🇿 Belize

4) RSVP FOR PANAMA POSSE

KICK-OFF WEEKEND IN BARRA DE NAVIDAD

RSVP FOR THE DEC 7 – 10 MEXICO KICK OFF WEEKEND HERE >>

There will be plenty of monkey business in Barra de Navidad !

The open bar on Friday night !

FULL DETAILS & RSVP HERE >>

⚓  in the Barra de Navidad Lagoon 🇲🇽 MX 

5) MORE PICTURES OF THE WEEK

FISH ON!

Nice Tuna Jim!

MY MOCEAN SICKNESS 🇺🇸 Jim & Lynda – Med Yacht 50′  

Nice Mahi John!

SY COURAGE 🇺🇸 John & Kristine – Tartan 4100

Nice Mahi Larry

MV PAUSE 🇺🇸 Beth & Larry – Nordhavn 55′

6) SEASON 7 🏆 AWARDS

PANAMA POSSE AWARDS INCLUDE:

• BIGGEST FISH CAUGHT*
• PICTURE OF THE YEAR
• 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
• BOAT YOGA POSE OF THE YEAR
• COURAGE AWARD

Nominate yourself, a crew member, or another boat   

SUBMIT ENTRIES ON THE LINE AP OR EMAIL TO EDITOR@PANAMAPOSSE.COM

Share the adventure

7) PICTURE OF THE YEAR NOMINATION

Picture Perfect beach, Cayo Zapatilla, in Bocas del Toro, 🇵🇦 Panama

SY JUBEL 🇨🇦 Leah & Kyle – Gulfstar 44′

 
8) SEASON 7 PANAMA POSSE EVENTS 

wherever 2 or more Panama Posse burgees meet  ▲ ▼ 
it becomes a PANAMA POSSE PARTY 🎉

(1) PANAMA POSSE 
KICK OFF WEEKEND
DEC 7 – 10, ’23
BARRA DE NAVIDAD 🇲🇽 MX 

Secundino Alvarez – Harbor Master
Vessels Must be  registered with the Panama Posse  prior to Oct 31st to receive Posse discounts at Marina Puerto de la Navidad.

FOR RESERVATIONS CONTACT:

harbormaster@islaresort.com.mx

TEL +52 (314) 337 9014

(2) CLUB DE PESCA 
YACHT FEST 
SAT, JAN 13 ’24 CARTAGENA 🇨🇴 CO

Ileana Stevenson Covo  – GM
For those coming from the lesser Antilles this will be the first event in full on Latin style in Colombia – come celebrate the great food and culture that is Colombia in it’s premier yacht club. 

FOR RESERVATIONS CONTACT:

gerencia@clubdepescadecartagena.com

TEL  +57 (5)  660 6615

(3) OCEAN POSSE PARTY PANAMA + SOUTH PACIFIC POSSE 

FLEET MEET UP

SAT. FEB 3 ’24
SHELTER BAY MARINA 
🇵🇦  PANAMA

IMPORTANT: This event is in the middle of high season.  The Shelter Bay Marina will be near capacity  so make reservations early.  Additionally, we are also going to organize a shuttle bus to get folks to this event from alternate locations.

FOR RESERVATIONS CONTACT: 

Juanjo Boschetti – GM juanjo@shelterbaymarina.com
Tel (+507) 433-3581

(4) 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.

FOR RESERVATIONS CONTACT:

Emilio Lau – Marina Manager
emilio@bv-marina.com 
Tel: +507-6616-7531  

SAVE THE DATE 
 PANAMA POSSE BELIZE YACHT FEST 
APRIL 6 2024

https://oceanposse.com/events/belize-placencia-yacht-fest/

PANAMA POSSE 🇧🇿 BELIZE YACHT FEST 
@ PLACENCIA YACHT CLUB

BELIZE PLACENCIA YACHT FEST 🇧🇿 Placencia Yacht Club

Saturday April 6, 2024

16:00 – 21:30

Placencia Yacht Club

16° 30.471’N 088° 21.7216′ W

>> RSVP HERE <<

CONTACT

 Beat,  Caroline, dogs & Heyson Garcia – 
YES PLACENCIA YACHT CLUB IS UBER DOG FREINDLY 

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

info@clearwaterexploring.com

www.placencia-yacht-club.com

T: +501 639 8555

Whatsapp   +41 78 605 5181

VHF 68

SAFE APPROACH 

SAVE APPROACH   @ 16° 29.9333′ N 088° 20.9266′ W

 9) ON THE WATER IN

BOCAS DEL TORO  🇵🇦 PANAMA

Amongst the reefs and mangroves, the colors are spectacular.

Bocas del Toro is a charming archipelago on the Caribbean side of Panama.   Bocas is a young backpackers mecca, a destination for surfers, and has something for everyone who has a soft spot for paradise.  As a private vessel one can explore the islands and anchor out in solitude, go to an island to a little cafe, or stay near the big island Colon where Bocas Town is and enjoy the small town that’s very walkable with its stores, restaurants and night life.  There are multiple marinas and resorts to choose from as well.  There is an airport in Bocas with flights twice a day to Panama City making Bocas a great place for family and friends to come visit cruisers.

SY JUBEL on anchor in Bocas del Toro.

The water is so clear.

The beaches are great for relaxing.

This floating bar serves cocktails in the main Anchorage in Bocas town. 

Common Green Snake found on the beach in Bocas

Bocas is pretty awesome. It’s cool being in amongst all the reefs and mangroves. All the anchorages are super protected, except escudo de veraguas ( which is also the prettiest). You can get anything you want while you’re there, and if you can’t find it there, it can be easily imported. All the anchorages are close to bocas town, and most of the time the water is really clear.

SY JUBEL 🇨🇦 Leah & Kyle – Gulfstar 44′

Thank you for Sharing your Adventures SY JUBEL!

Lot’s of anchorages in Bocas del Toro are in Good Nautical

10)  SHARING YOUR ADVENTURES  
is the heart and soul of the Panama Posse 

Please share pictures of your adventures, your award entries, 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. 

11) SOLARTE MARINA 🇵🇦 

SPONSORS THE PANAMA POSSE

09° 18.5983′ N 082° 11.8233′ W 

Marina Solarte is located in Bocas del Toro.  

We are excited to sponsor the Panama Posse with a 15 % discount for visiting vessels and a special 4 days for the price of 3 discount.

https://panamaposse.com/solarte-marina

CONTACT

Bocas del Toro. Panamá

Dominik Hasala

CEO

ahoy@marinasolarte.com

+507 6565-1324

Marina Solarte is protected among the mangroves.

AMENITIES

• NUMBER OF SLIPS  37
• ​LENGTH OVERALL   20′ – 80′
• MAX BEAM   45′
• MAX DRAFT   15′
• Pet Friendly
• Laundry
• Showers
• Toilets
• Year-Round Wet Slip Storage
• 24/7 Security and Staff Available
• Provisioning, US shipping address,
• Vessel Maintenance
• 30 amp electrical services (soon)
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Pump-out (soon)
• Our Photovoltaic system – connected and functional
• Our LiFePO4 batteries (30kWh) – connected and functional
• Free Filtered rainwater is available on the whole dock (people love to use it for cleaning their boats or refill the tanks)
• Free Starlink internet for all guests of our Marina
• Cold drinks available in the Marina Office
• Pathways on two islands connected to the Marina
• Boat brokerage and sailboats for sale
• Hull polishing, stainless steel work, carpentry, marine electrician, generator repairs, and other services are available
• We are hosting potluck BBQs every Friday starting at 4 PM (more and more sailors are joining, even anchoring in front of the Marina just to join)

Weekly Potlucks are always fun!

12) BARRA DE NAVIDAD 🇲🇽 MEXICO 

RESOURCE GUIDE  

Sculpture on the malecon at the entrance to Barra de Navidad

Barra de Navidad is home to the annual Panama Posse kick off event. As such many cruisers have spent many, many moons cumulatively over the years.  We have put together a resource guide that is by no means exhaustive BUT is certainly thorough and vetted.  If you are in Barra or heading there, check out this guide to acquaint yourself with this special place.  On the dock Pancho (whatsapp +52 315.104.3289 )  is the go-to guy for all boat issues and has lot’s of resources.  There is also an active Facebook group: Isla Navidad Cruiser Group (started by Panama Posse members) that has up to date information and active, helpful participants which can help identify resource and service availability.

Posse Ambassador, Nicole, sharing a cold brew with Barra ambassador, Pancho.

link to guide: https://oceanposse.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/documents/mexico/Barra_Resourse_Guide_V1222.pdf

Frigate taking off in the lagoon.

Swing in to Barra, you will love it!

13) THANKSGIVING ON A BOAT
🦃&⛵

Thanksgiving onboard; lots to be grateful for!

All the fixin’s.

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

Many Panama Posse members enjoy celebrating Thanksgiving on their boat.  They may be at a marina or on the hook in Mexico, Costa Rica, or Panama where Thanksgiving is not a local tradition.  For active cruisers:

 Home is where we drop our anchor

& our traditions go with us wherever we go. 

May making a feast among fellow mariners prove quite joyful and heartwarming.  

Wherever you are this Thanksgiving 

May you find much to be thankful for and friends to celebrate with.  

14) MARINA PORTOBELLO 🇨🇴 COLOMBIA 

SPONSORS THE PANAMA POSSE

10° 23.2066′ N   075° 31.0866′ W

Portobello Haul-out

SY OZ in the slings at their recent and successful haul out at Marina Portobello

Recently SY OZ went to Marina Portobello.  Their experience and comments are below:

Captain Dietmar thank you for the recommendation and for working out a special with Marina Portobello, Cartagena,  🇨🇴 Columbia.  Overall, I my experience at Marina Portobello was positive:

Initial communication and coordination: Vilmaida was responsive and concise. [used google translate]

Cost Estimates: All estimates go through Luis, Director of Operations. Luis was very easy to work with.  He speaks English, but for business, we used google translate most of the time. Nothing gets done without signed approval from both the customer and Luis. There were no hidden surprises, and no final invoices were more than the estimates.  

Haul out/Yard: The lift looks brand new. The operators were professional and thoughtful about the process. Vladamir dove the boat to ensure the lifting straps were in the correct position. The yard is very clean, and the lift had plenty of room to maneuver.  

Majority of work: I had the bottom sanded, primed, and painted. In addition, we needed some fiberglass, painting and gel coat work done, among other things. Diego, owner of Marine Plus Services took the lead on these projects. Diego comes with over a decade of marine industry service in Ft. Lauderdale. He speaks excellent English and is very responsive. He is very engaging, walking the yard from project to project. I am happy with the final product – good as new!

The Crew: Hard workers and good customer service.

Saildrive maintenance: Carlos Garcia was excellent. Great mechanic and knew Yanmar and Cummins very well.  I actually used him after I spashed to clean out my heat exchanger on my Onan. He charged $60 for 2-hours of work.

Billing/Finance: Professional and responsive. Invoices were clear and payment was easy – I was able to use my credit card through a system called – Wompi.  

Splash: As good as the haul out. I was able to take my time and check engines, bilges, etc. Easy backing out of the slings – plenty of room.

Conclusion: I would definitely use them again. Oz looks as good as new. I’m currently underway and all systems are ‘green’. 

The Yard at Portobello is well maintained and clean.

CONTACT

Luis Carrasquilla

directoroperaciones@marinaportobello.com

Cartagena de Indias – Colombia

servicioalcliente@marinaportobello.com

+57 324 303 3138

SERVICES

PAINT HULL / TOP AND BOTTOM

ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC SERVICE

ENGINE  SERVICE & REPAIR

PROPULSION  MAINTENANCE & REPAIR

SEALING AND POLISHING

SPARE PARTS AND LOGISTICS

CARPENTRY

15) BELIZE 🇧🇿

THE GARIFUNA CULTURE

Belize Miss Earth 2021 in Garifuna gift shop

Belize is truly a hidden paradise in the Caribbean. Its ancient Mayan cities, lush jungles, indomitable barrier reef, and sandy beaches kissed by turquoise waters make it the envy of the world.

Whether you are tempted to sail Belize’s coastline, trek its Mayan Mountains or explore the marvels of its caves while floating on a tube- there is something for everyone to do in Belize.

But despite its natural allure, it is the diverse cultures that are woven into the colorful tapestry of Belizean identity that makes the experience even more warm and worthwhile.

These diverse cultures are a personification of the audacity of hope which was evident when the Garifuna people fled slavery in St. Vincent and migrated to Belize in the 1800s.

They brought their vibrant culture, delectable cuisine, language, and powerful music as they settled in the Stann Creek District and formed the town of “Dangriga” which is translated to mean “standing waters.”

Every year in November, Belize celebrates ‘Garifuna Settlement Day’ to commemorate this infusion that has redefined what it means to be a Belizean. It is a time of festivity.

Attending a Garifuna Settlement Day celebration should be on your bucket list! On November 19, there are huge celebrations across the country with storytelling, dancing, and reenactments of the arrival of the Garinagu in Belize.

Traditional music created by the Garifuna is on full display with colorful costumes and performed throughout the streets of Belize. It is a great time to immerse yourself in the street dances and enjoy Garifuna dishes like ‘hudut’ (fish cooked in coconut milk) and ‘ereba’ (cassava bread).

Traditional Hudut (fish cooked in coconut milk)

Belize Street Festivities in November

Garifuna drummers

While a national holiday, you are sure to get a better experience in Dangriga, Seine Bight, Hopkins, and Punta Gorda. With the biggest celebration in Dangriga Town, you just have to make your way to the southeast coast of Belize.

You’ll have to be on the beach at the crack of dawn to experience the reenactment of the arrival of the Garifuna on the shores of Dangriga. The group will arrive in canoes filled with traditional drums and lively singing and dancing.

Once they arrive, the celebration will continue on the beach followed by an exciting parade through the main streets. Here you will meet the famous ‘jankunu dancers’ with unique masks and costumes performing the most unique dance you may ever witness.

Dangriga is also home to the origin of Punta Rock and home to many cultural musical bands. The town offers visitors an opportunity to join in the festivities with live drumming, indulging in unique cultural foods, and dancing.

Migration re-enactment

Belize Minister of Tourism in Dangringa in traditional Garifuna clothing

You can further explore the Garifuna culture by visiting the ‘Gulisi Garifuna Museum’ which exhibits the migration and the legendary Thomas Vincent Ramos.

Dangriga is also a mainland access point to many popular cayes in southern Belize such as South Water Caye and Tobacco Caye.

Hopkins, a 30-minute drive from Dangriga, is a village you should visit when in southern Belize.

Upon entering the quaint village, you will be able to indulge in the picturesque scenery of birds and other wildlife basking in the marshes that extend to the entrance.

It is a delightful and friendly village on the coast of Belize with a mix of eco-friendly stays and beachfront luxury rooms to suit your aesthetic. The beach nightlife in Hopkins boasts small huts on the beach with an open-air vibe for dining and a blissful atmosphere to unwind after a long day of adventure.

The village lifestyle features more laidback with great beaches that spread along the coastline. The village is bustling with locals selling art, and cultural food and offering unique cultural experiences such as drum lessons and cooking traditional dishes. Much like Dangriga, Hopkins is also one of the best places to join in the festivities on November 19th. Here you will get to experience villagers celebrating to the beat of the drums and going house to house greeting one another and sharing food and locally made drinks. The festivities continue into the night where you can find several beach parties to enjoy.

In Hopkins, you can also find some of the best fishing spots and further out you can visit the South Water Marine Reserve and go for an adventurous dive.

Nightlife in Hopkins

Dangringa entrance

Did You Know:

1. The Garifuna people have their own flag, which is made of three horizontal stripes: black, white, and yellow.

2. The Garifuna language and culture achieved official recognition by UNESCO in 2001.

Exploring further south…

Further south is Punta Gorda (PG), which translates to Fat Point, a unique coastal town that is a mixture of Mayan, East Indian, and Garifuna people. Although it is the smallest and southernmost town in Belize, Punta Gorda offers excellent fishing experiences, river trips, birding, and ancient Mayan temples.

There is nothing better than to wake up to a calm beachfront with the sun casting shimmers on the glorious Mayan mountains that can be seen in the morning before the tide rises.

While in PG, be sure to visit the street market for local spices, souvenirs, and food. You can also explore the Garifuna culture in PG and take some cooking lessons or drumming lessons at the Warasa Drumming School to brag to your friends back home.  

From Punta Gorda, you can take a 2.5-hour trip to the southernmost marine reserve, the Sapodilla Cayes which boasts over 38 thousand acres of pristine mangrove islands and beaches. This reserve serves as a habitat for threatened species such as corals, marine turtles, and numerous types of fish. Sapodilla Cayes is also considered a world-class sportfishing destination and is well known for the grand slam (bonefish, tarpon, and permit). Here you can also choose to scuba dive or snorkel and experience the unique aquatic life such as parrotfish, angelfish, turtles, dolphins, rays, and other underwater life. It is considered to be the most remote part of the Barrier Reef system.

Another option down south is the Sarstoon-Temash National Park which is home to exotic wildlife such as the white-face capuchin monkey and over 200 species of birds. If you are more daring you can take a boat tour to the most remote national park in the country!

Whether you choose to stay underwater or on the beaches, it is worth the trip. Take a chance to sail in Belize in the calm seas protected by the Barrier Reef and get a chance to scuba dive or snorkel the pristine waters. Or take a break to immerse yourself in the culture, food and people this November!

A tasty spin on the traditional Hudut.

Sources

Belize.com

Belize Hub

National Today

The Blonde Abroad

Travel Belize

M.Goodin

16) PANAMA POSSE 🦃 THANKSGIVING 

This Thanksgiving there are a many things to be grateful for. The open seas, remote anchorages, coves, beaches and oceans are still the best source of fresh air and wellness for explorers and seafarers alike. We reflect on all the things to be grateful for —friends, family loved ones and a well charted course are things to be cherished We want to thank you for being part of this group of exceptional individuals who look at the horizon each day and say “where to next ?”

We are thankful to the 75 Marinas partners and sponsors who will host us and help us to re-provision, refuel and rest so that we can get underway again.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you, admirals, captains, skippers, quartermasters and crew.

Happy Thanksgiving to all !

SY Carinthia

17) GOOD NAUTICAL:

  LOS FRAILES  🇲🇽 Mexico

Bahia Frailes on the Seaside of the southern Baja Peninsula is a very welcome break after rounding Punta Gorda and beating northwards up the east coast towards Punta Arena. Although Cabo Los Frailes is only a minor headland the bay is wide enough for a dozen boats to find shelter close to the north shore and wait for a more favorable wind.

Snorkeling amongst the fissures and boulders at the base of Cabo Los Frailes is surprisingly satisfying and hiking up the steep rugged path to the top of the granite headland is a good workout. The view along the coast and into the inland hills is fantastic.

https://goodnautical.com/mexico-pacific/anchorage/los-frailes

Anchorage

Tuck in close the cliff on the north side of the bay and drop the anchor in 8m on a sandy bottom. Holding is good but watch out for rocks at the foot of the cliff. The bay is open to the south and east and can be rolly in a NE wind. Surf on the beach so taking the dinghy in can sometimes be a bit of an adventure.

Recent report from SY COURAGE: 18 boats in the anchorage with plenty of room

SY COURAGE  🇺🇸 John & Kristine – Tartan 4100

18) CULTURE OF THE CARRIBEAN 🇨🇺

CUBAN CIGARS AKA EL HABANO

The soil and environmental conditions that the Cuban tobacco grow in are unique 

The Pinar del Rio province is the most important for tobacco cultivation in Cuba. It is located at the western end of the island .

Tobacco framing in Vinales

To those that seek great cigars Cuban cigars are among the world’s most flavorful because of the soil the tobacco is grown in.  Specifically, the Vuelta Abajo region, Semi Vuelta, as well as in farms in the Viñales region in Cuba have the perfect climate and soil for rolling Cuban Cigars.  These cigars have three main components: the filler, the binder, and the wrapping tobacco.  Some cigars get their flavor from the outer wrapper.  Cuban cigars get their flavor from the inside – out.  These cigars are so sought after for their flavor that they represent one quarter of the value of the island nations exports.

Fully hand-made cigars are highly sought after and usually rolled by women

The Cuban cigar is an icon of the island nation.

Historically the growing, harvesting, drying, and rolling of tobacco may go back as far as Mayan times in the earlier centuries of AD.  Uses may have been recreational, medicinal, or spiritual. Some say, the Spanish were introduced to this herb in the 15th century when ships full of explorers made landfall on what is now the island nation of Cuba.  This land was, in time claimed by the Spanish crown.  Early explorer went ashore and began meeting and trading with indigenous people.  They discovered an herb that was smoked and had a relaxing effect.  As trade began to flow back and forth across the Atlantic, tobacco was among the cargo shipped to Europe.  Popularity spread and eventually it was determined that the best way to bring the tobacco over was rolled in cigars.  The Spanish crown then set up their first cigar factory in Cuba in the mid 1500’s.  Cuban cigars made their way around the world over the next 500 years gaining favor, losing favor, and gaining favor once more.  

In the early 1960’s a two events had a dramatic impact on the Cuban cigar and the rise of the non-Cuban cigar: 

1) Fidel Castro nationalized the industry.  With Cuban nationalization came a concentration of resources and the elimination of brands.   

2) The United States imposed an embargo on Cuba.  On February 7 1962, United States President John F. Kennedy, after some say he made a large personal procurement on his favored Cuban cigars, imposed a trade embargo on Cuba to sanction Fidel Castro’s communist government.  This embargo made it illegal for American citizens and manufacturers to buy and/or import Cuban products including tobacco.  

The combination of these two events became an opportunity for other nearby island nations such as Jamaica, Canary Islands (Spain), the Dominican Republic (D.R.), Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua to take strains of tobacco from Cuba, replant them in similar environments and begin their own tobacco growing ventures.  Tobacco growing and processing for cigars has become a successful business in many countries.  

That said, for the 8 years of the Obama administration there was an easing of restrictions against the Cuban Cigar.  For this brief period Americans were allowed to buy Cubans outside of the US and bring them back to the states for personal consumption.  In 2020, Trump removed this easing and it is currently, again, illegal to bring a Cuban Cigar into the USA.

Among cigar aficionados the true Cuban Cigar still holds a distinct allure.  Perhaps because it has now long been a forbidden fruit or perhaps because the soil and environment really, truly is perfect for the best tasting cigar tobacco to grow.  

MV HO’OKIPA shares their experience encountering Cuban tobacco between the Western US and Panama:

“We rarely smoke Cubans anymore as we have found better cigars elsewhere for a lot less.  This is due to Cuban seeds being planted in other countries (like Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, to name a few) by Cubans who left during the Revolution and Cuban rollers who left too.  We found this in Nicaragua where we visited a small cigar maker on a road trip to the north.  We had a guide who helped arrange an appointment at this place that had about 50 rollers, some Cuban, and saw them make cigars womb to tomb.  It was so fun to watch them in action.  We’ve had excellent cigars made in Mexico and Panama too.  (In Panama City at a cigar club we heard about a good cigar place in Penonome, Panama.  We were on a driving trip and went there and found it was this old woman.  Not sure if she owned it but she was in charge.  She had two woman rollers who worked in a little room making cigars and she kept the bundles of rolled cigars in an old metal barrel.  She only rolled one size, like a corona.  They were about $2.50 a stick (compare to Cohiba that is around $25 a stick) They were so good.  Great cigars.  We bought two bundles and when they were gone we were so sad.  Haven’t found cigars anywhere in Bocas Del Toro.  Another time, several years ago,  in a major city in Canada,  we learned of a man who imports Cuban leaf from Cuba and has 3 rollers who are Cuban roll his cigars and puts his Canadian label on them and ships his “Canadian” cigars to American.  We saw his small operation and sampled them.  They’re delicious.  Had a few boxes sent to us in Los Angeles.”

MV  HO’OKIPA 🇺🇸 Lisa & Lucky Chucky – Selene 43′

19)  MARINE WEATHER CENTER ☁️ CHRIS PARKER  
SPONSORS THE PANAMA POSSE

CHRIS PARKER – MARINE WEATHER CENTER ☁️ SPONSORS THE PANAMA POSSE

Panama Posse Weather Package Discounts 10- 35 % off 

CONTACT

Chris Parker

Weather Forecasting & Vessel Routing

www.mwxc.com

Marine Weather & Communications LLC (and dba Marine Weather Center)

5130 Medulla Rd

Lakeland FL 33811

all voice calls 863-248-2702

cell for text only 941-915-7608

 20) MEET THE FLEET:

STEVE AND SUSAN ON SY OZ

Steve and I have lived and have traveled all around the globe on planes✈️, trains🚉, and automobiles 🚘with our three daughters. They are adults now, so the timing was perfect for the two of us to continue our adventure, but this time on a boat.⛵️

We started our adventure in Seattle, ‘The Emerald City’, aboard Oz. She is a 2019 4.1 Bali Catamaran. In August 2022, we joined the Coho Hoho rally from Seattle to San Francisco. Then on Halloween 2022 we joined the Baja Haha Rally. At the same time, thanks to Dietmar’s outreach in San Diego, we joined Panama Posse. We are now enjoying our second season.

Thus far we have made 125 stops at marinas, anchorages, mooring balls, and roadstead anchorages, visiting six countries.

We crossed the Panama Canal on September 16th, 2023. Oz is now in the Caribbean for the first time; made it to San Blas! Oz will make her way to Columbia and eventually head towards Florida (we think?). We have met so many good-crazy (you know who you are), helpful, adventurous, and fun people.  But, most of all, meeting boat dogs and cats has been extra special!

Steve & I are grateful for the wonderful friends we made and know we will make many more as we continue our adventure. Thank you Panama Posse!

Cheers!

Susan and Steve

SY OZ  🇺🇸 Sue & Steve – Catana 40′

21) BARREL OF HOPE  IN SHELTER BAY 

Catch and sign the barrel of hope in Shelter Bay Marina with Juanjo 

22) POSSE SWAG

 

23)  SAFETY AT SEA: 

WHAT IS IN YOUR OFFSHORE MEDICAL KIT ?

FIRST AID KIT(S) FOR CRUISING BY ROB MURRAY

When we prepared Avant for offshore six years ago,  we looked carefully at what we would pack for first aid preparedness. We could easily imagine a wide range of scenarios where one or the other of us, or another cruiser or local, was injured (grievously), and needed first aid in an inconvenient, remote location. You know, unconscious bleeding from a compound fracture surrounded by crocodiles while darkness falls in some mangrove swamp, or something like that. We determined that:

• We needed to be able to react to a broad variety of potential medical emergencies quickly and comprehensively;
• We would likely be short handed in responding (so the response would have to be easily transported by one person);
• The emergency may happen aboard Avant, aboard another vessel, or ashore so we would need to be able to move the appropriate materials for response to the injured person, and then move the injured person from the site of the incident back to Avant or from the site of the incident to another place for treatment or evacuation;
• We would be at least hours, and might be days or even weeks from professional medical facilities and professional medical help (so we would need enough supplies to treat issues for a prolonged period with instructions on how to use them);
• There were ‘levels’ of response that would be appropriate, so segregating supplies into appropriate kits suited to different levels of response would make sense; and
• We would need reference materials suited to the kind of ‘medicine’ we would be practicing.

Before you carry on reading, please note that we’re over prepared. Period!

First, we looked for organizations that had worked systematically to solve this set of problems so we could emulate their methods and techniques. The military immediately came to mind, as they have applied science and rigor to responding to emergency medical situations in rustic locations (although they admittedly seem to focus on gunshot wounds and extreme blunt force trauma as the primary sources of injury). We also read up on mountaineering and other wilderness response experiences, and found the ‘prepper’ community had many guidelines, tips and resources that seemed useful. The Ministry of Transport in the UK also had relevant resources. While many sources suggested that buying supplies separately would be cheaper than buying a kit, we found the reverse to be true, and that the kits we looked at offered value as well as convenience.

So after our obsessive research, we equipped ourselves with a simple ‘boo-boo kit’ for day to day stuff.

The full and detailed continuation of this article with kit lists can be found at the following link:

https://panamaposse.com/offshore-medical-kit

In addition to the nitty gritty supplies in an offshore medical kit, it is imperative to outfit the medical kit with medicine.  Medicines that are already taken by specific crew and emergency medicines that may be necessary to take if you are on a passage or too distant from definitive care to get proper medical attention.  

Medicines one may add to their offshore kit include: 

• An assortment of antibiotics, and infection fighting herbs and medications.  Think ears, eyes, skin, internal organs (high and midline). 
• Extreme pain meds that will work in a pinch (tramodol is available OTC in Mexico)
• Cold and/or flu medication
• Allergy medicine (cream, liquid antihistamine, epi-pen)
• Burn Cream
• Medicine for diarrhea and constipation
• Parasite elimination medication
• Seasickness oral medication (ie meclizine, dramamine)

24)  MUST SEE: 

 ACTUN TUNICHIL MUKNAL (ATM) 🇧🇿  BELIZE

(the Cave of the Crystal Sepulchre)

Today, modern day Belize sits where a major hub of the Maya Empire once thrived.  This makes the land of Belize one of the critical spiritual sites for one of the most prominent cultures in Mesoamerican history.  Many Mayan sites have been discovered in Belize.

Belize Mayan Ruin Map

An Entry and and Exit: A portal between worlds

Th Maya believed there were three layers to the cosmos: 

1. The Sky (the upper world)
2. The Earth (the middle world)
3. The Caves (the underworld)

These caves are particularly fascinating as they offer a window into a time and place when Mayan performed rituals and spiritual ceremonies over 1000 years ago.

Water drips contantly from Stalagtites

Exploring the cave may only be done with professional guides. 

There are artifacts and ancient pottery in the cave.

Perhaps the most enigmatic, significant, & exceptional is this preserved skeleton.

Most of the remaining skeletons are found in a part of the cave that opens up to an area as big as two football fields with stalactites and stalagmites that are 30 and 40 columns of calcium.  There are as many as 15 skeletons in the cave that have been found.  Many are young people (still over 1000 years old).  A small room further in the cave is where the most preserved skeleton remains: the Chrystal Maiden.  Some are now questioning whether this is indeed a man.  Regardless of the gender the intact crystalline skeleton in a wonder to see.  National Geographic named this cave the # 1 most sacred cave in the world.

FOLLOW THIS LINK TO A VIRTUAL TOUR OF THE CAVE AND MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE ATM CAVE IN BELIZE:

https://belizing.com/ATM-Cave-Belize/

The Chrystal Maiden 600 – 900 AD

 

25)  PANAMA POSSE BOATS FOR SALE

SV ARROW 1973 CARTER 37 

FULLY EQUIPPED & READY TO GO ANYWHERE

SY ARROW flying her spinnaker in the Sea of Cortez 🇲🇽  Mexico

*37′ Performance Cruiser for sale by owner*

Arrow is Fully Equipped and ready to go cruising self sufficiently: water maker, solar and wind power, well insulated fridge, navigation system with radar, GPS chartplotter, AIS, depth sounder and speedo, a quiver of sails for a variety of wind conditions, 10′ dinghy with 6hp motor, safety gear including life raft, EPIRB, satellite system, ditchbag, lee cloths for all main salon sea bunks, lots of custom shade and rain awnings/enclosures, topside barbeque, equipped galley down below.  Fully equipped to sail, adventure, and cruise coastwise or offshore.  

Ready for her next adventure; Arrow is a sweet sailing, seaworthy, live-aboard, performance cruiser from a classic period in yachting history. She is a Carter 37 and has been upgraded and maintained to be an excellent, well prepared, self-sufficient yacht with lots of extras.  As her owners we are standing by ready to show Arrow and pass her off to her next Owners/ Sailors/ Adventurers.  

Arrow was designed by Dick Carter and built in Greece. She is a masthead sloop with removable inner forestay. Her large fin keel with lead ballast and skeg hung rudder provide a safe platform for coastal and offshore adventures alike. With a moderate ballast to displacement ratio, Arrow is a great light air boat while at the same time maintains a kind motion in a seaway.

For questions, specs and details contact rockcairn@gmail.com.

$34,000 US OBO

Located in Vista Mar, Panama A DAYSAIL TO THE PERLAS ARCHIPELAGO

SY ARROW on anchor in paradise.

Asking 34k USD

 

26)  75+ PANAMA POSSE MARINA SPONSORS 

🇺🇸 Safe Harbor South Bay – Chula Vista, USA

🇺🇸 Safe Harbor Ventura Isle –  Ventura, USA

🇲🇽 Cruise Port Village – Mexico

🇲🇽 IGY Marina Cabo San Lucas  – Mexico  

🇲🇽 Marina Puerto Escondido – Mexico

🇲🇽 Marina Palmira Topolobampo – Mexico

🇲🇽 Marina y Club de Yates Isla Cortes – Mexico

🇲🇽 Marina el Cid – Mazatlan – Mexico

🇲🇽 Marina Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta – Mexico  

🇲🇽 PANAMA POSSE HQ  – Marina Puerto de La Navidad – Mexico  

🇲🇽 Marina Ixtapa, Ixtapa – Mexico 

🇲🇽 La Marina Acapulco, Acapulco – Mexico  

🇲🇽 Vicente’s Moorings, Acapulco – Mexico 

🇲🇽 Marina Chiapas – Mexico  

🇬🇹 Marina Pez Vela – Guatemala  

🇸🇻 Marina Bahia del Sol – El Salvador  

🇸🇻 La Palma Moorings – Bahia del Sol – El Salvador

🇳🇮 Marina Puesta del Sol – Nicaragua  

🇨🇷 Marina Papagayo – Costa Rica  

🇨🇷 Banana Bay Marina – Costa Rica  

🇪🇨 Marina Puerto Amistad – Ecuador  

🇵🇦 Buenaventura Marina – Panama 

🇵🇦 PANAMA POSSE PACIFIC HQ Vista Mar Marina – Panama 

🇵🇦 Shelter Bay Marina – Panama  

🇵🇦 Bocas Marina – Panama 

🇵🇦 Linton Bay Marina – Panama 

🇵🇦 La Playita Marina – Panama

🇵🇦 Flamenco Marina – Panama

🇵🇦 Solarte  Marina – Panama

🇵🇦 Turtle Cay Marina – Panama

🇨🇴 ClubNautico Cartagena – Colombia 

🇨🇴 Club de Pesca Marina Cartagena – Colombia 

🇨🇴 Manzanillo Marina Club – Colombia

🇨🇴 Marina Puerto Velero – Colombia

🇨🇴 IGY Marina Santa Marta – Colombia 

🇯🇲 Royal Jamaica Yacht Club – Jamaica 

🇯🇲 Errol Flynn Marina – Jamaica  

🇯🇲 Montego Bay Yacht Club –Jamaica 

🇰🇾 The Barcadere Marina –Cayman Islands 

🇭🇳 Barefoot Cay Marina – Roatan – Honduras 

🇭🇳 Fantasy Island Marina – Roatan – Honduras

🇭🇳 Jonesville Point Marina -Roatan – Honduras  

🇬🇹 Marina Nana Juana Resort & Boatyard – Guatemala 

🇧🇿 Thunderbirds Marine – Placencia – Belize 

🇧🇿 Placencia Yacht Club – Belize 

🇲🇽 Marina Makax – Isla Mujeres – Mexico 

🇲🇽 Marina V&V – Quintana Roo – Mexico 

🇲🇽 Marina El Cid – Cancún – Riviera Maya – Mexico  

🇨🇺 Marina Marlin Nautica Cayo Largo – Cuba 

🇹🇨 South Bank Marina & Boatyard – Turks and Caicos  

🇧🇸 Romora Bay Resort and Marina – Bahamas  

🇧🇸 Elizabeth on the Bay Marina – Bahamas 

🇧🇸 Great Harbour Cay Marina – Bahamas

🇧🇸 Blue Marlin Cove Resort & Marina – Bahamas  

🇩🇴 Ocean World Marina – Dominican Republic

🇩🇴 Marina Puerto Bahia – Dominican Republic    

🇺🇸 Marathon Marina – Marathon Keys 

🇺🇸 Pier 66  Hotel & Marina – Ft. Lauderdale, USA

🇺🇸 IGY Marina at Ortega Landing – Jacksonville, FL , USA 

🇺🇸 Oasis Marinas at Fernandina Harbor Marina – FL , USA  

🇺🇸 Morningstar Marinas Golden Isles St. Simons Isl. – Georgia, USA  

🇺🇸 Windmill Harbour Marina – Hilton Head South Carolina , USA  

🇺🇸 Coffee Bluff Marina – Savannah Georgia , USA  

🇺🇸 Hazzard Marine – Gerogetown, North Carolina , USA  

🇺🇸 Holden Beach  – Town Dock, North Carolina , USA 

🇺🇸 Portside Marina – Morehead City, North Carolina USA  

🇺🇸 Tideawater Yacht Marina – Portsmouth,  USA  

🇺🇸 Ocean Yacht Marina, Portsmouth, USA  

🇺🇸 Yorktown Riverwalk Landing – Virginia USA  

🇺🇸 Regatta Point Marina – Deltaville, Virginia USA 

🇺🇸 Regent Point Marina – Topping, Virginia USA 

MONTEGO BAY YACHT CLUB 🇯🇲 JAMAICA 

27)  PANAMA POSSE SPONSORS 

• BELIZE TOURISM
• CHRIS PARKER – MARINE WEATHER CENTER
• DELTA MIKE MARINE SUPPLY PANAMA
• DOWNWIND MARINE
• FLOR DE CAÑA
• HERTZ RENTAL CARS  MEXICO
• HOME DEPOT PRO MEXICO
• LATITUDES AND ATTITUDES  
• PANAMA YACHT BROKER
• PREDICT WIND
• SAFE HARBOR SOUTH BAY MARINA EVENT CENTER  
• SAILMAIL 
• SAN DIEGO MARINE EXCHANGE
• SEVENSTAR YACHT TRANSPORT
• WAYPOINT YACHT SERVICES
• WESTMARINE PRO
• YACHT AGENTS GALAPAGOS  
   

https://safe-xplore.com/welcome

28) 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

29) 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.

 Contact us today through panama@waypointyacht.com

Thanks and best regards,

Marcus Santana
General Manager
Marcus.Santana@waypointyacht.com

International Business Park Building 3855, office 201 Panama Pacifico / Panama

Phone: +507-310 9891 ext.206
AOH: +507-310 9892 (24/7)
Mob: +507 6427-8099

 Panama Canal  & downtown Panama

30) STRATEGIC PARTNERS

 

SSCA

Park Avenue Villas – San Juan del Sur – Nicaragua

Coconutz – Playa Cocos – Costa Rica

Abernathy – Chandlery – Panama

Pacific Posse 

Atlantic Posse

Advertising Partners – Las Vegas

Coconutz Sports Bar & Restaurant, Playas del Coco Costa Rica

31) MORE POSSE NEWS FROM 
AROUND THE OCEANS

ATLANTIC POSSE  
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voyage between  Mediterranean  Spain and  the Caribbean 

32) SOUTH PACIFIC POSSE SEASON 4 

REGISTRATION OPENS DEC. 1 2024 

South Pacific Posse burgees available after January 15  

Sunset Alert

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