FLEET UPDATE 2024-04-21

7) ON THE WATER THIS WEEK:

SAILING FROM PANAMA TO FLORIDA

Sunset in San Blas before departing for new horizons

SY COURAGE & SY MUIRGEN are buddy boating from San Blas, Panama to Sarasota this week.  

The Plan:

Our backup plan is Cayman islands if rounding Cuba looks less favorable as we go.

The Progress:

Day
1 of the caribbean sea crossing complete. 140 nm for first 24 hours .
Not too shabby for the confused state of seas coming out of San
Blas. Winds have yet to turn to beam, so our sailing avg speed of 5.8
knots is best we can do on a close haul with currents mostly not in our
favor.  Muirgen is 34 nm mostly east of us taking a more northerly
course due to motoring.  We hear they are having to address a cat
mutiny, but so far no meow maydays. We are still on the predictwind
ecmwf track. It continues to be very accurate with AI polars via
datahub. 

Kristine is pleased to see the weather reality in line with the forecast

SY COURAGE 🇺🇸 John & Kristine – Tartan 4100

MY MUIRGEN 🇺🇸 Scot & Laura – Beebe 50′

Thank you for Sharing your Adventures on the water !

Route A ~ 1,250 nm to Key West Classic Route via the Yucatan Channel using the Gulfstream
– or –
Route B ~ 1,550 nm threading the needle through the Windward Passage 

The Gulfstream provides a 2- 3 knot LIFT on Route A

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

Please
share pictures of your adventures, your award entries/nominations, your
breathtaking sunsets, and picturesque anchorages on our group
communications platform for others to enjoy in real time and/or email
Maurisa at editor@panamaposse.com
to share in the upcoming newsletter.  Maurisa is a sailor among
us.  She is part of the Ocean Posse crew and enjoys writing fun and
helpful updates to the Panama Posse. 

SV WHIRLWIND flying their kite out to the Perlas to write this week’s newsletter

 

9) LAYING UP OUR VESSEL

AS CRUISING SEASON IN THE EASTERN PACIFIC AND WESTERN CARIBBEAN WIND DOWN 

by Rob Murray SY AVANT  BENETEAU FIRST 435 SLOOP 

SY AVANT laying up for hurricane season.

We’ve
had Avant offshore for a few years now and have developed a routine for
laying her up for the off season. It’s a fair amount of work, but pays
dividends in letting us come back to a vessel that’s not suffering from
mold or mildew, and hasn’t degraded (much) from the weather when we’re
away. We have set Avant up to wait for us on the hard and in the water,
and each has its unique requirements.

Sailing
in Mexico and Central America we have rarely seen rain in the cruising
season (October to May) but we know the rainy season (June to September)
is a different story. We have never ‘enjoyed’ a storm aboard, but we
know that hurricane season will bring them in our absence. Preparing the
boat takes a few days, but the effort pays dividends on our return.

Mold

Mold
is perhaps the most pernicious hazard for a laid up boat in the
tropics. If it gets a foothold, the warm, moist interior of the boat is
the perfect environment for it to grow, and it will grow everywhere, on
any surface. To forestall its growth, we clean the interior aggressively
and then spray all surfaces with a mixture of straight vinegar mixed
with a drop of dish soap per litre/quart (the dish soap is a surfactant
and stops the vinegar from beading), wipe them with a cloth wet with the
same mixture and allow the vinegar to dry in place. The ph value of
vinegar is antithetical to mold growth, and it simply won’t start where
there is vinegar on the surface. The smell is overwhelming on
application, but fades in an hour or so, and is undetectable on our
return. We also mist curtains and cushions with the same mixture, spray
liberally in the bilge, and leave a few bowls filled with just vinegar
(no soap) in various places around the boat to evaporate while we’re
away. We use at least a couple for gallons for this process.

We
prop cushions on their sides/edges just before we go to allow maximum
air circulation, and leave all cupboard doors ajar as well. Clothing and
bedding is dried in the sun and then plastic bagged before stowing
below so it can’t get damp.

If
we’re on shore power, we leave a cheap 110 volt fan below to circulate
the air, and if not we leave our Nicro day/night solar vents running.
One year in El Salvador we were able to leave an air conditioner
running, which was great, and where Avant is now (Panama) we have a
dehumidifier running 24/7 to control the moisture.

If
you choose ‘electronic remediation’ (dehumidifier or air conditioning)
for mold control, you need to plan for power outages and recognize that
at the dockside or in the yard shore, power will likely be somewhat
unreliable and will suffer multiple outages over the season. Fancy new
style microprocessor controlled units will usually not restart after a
power outage or voltage drop; old style, bog-simple units with
mechanical switches usually will restart after an outage (and as a
bonus, they’re usually cheaper, too). A dehumidifier or stand alone AC
will need a drain point, such as a galley or head sink drain, while a
window style AC can be set up to drain overboard or through cockpit
drains.

Tarps

Tarps
are used for a couple of things: to keep sun off the decks and thus
control heat, and to keep the rain off portions of the deck. We use
them, but under the tarps we do get algae on deck. There are cheap tarps
and not so cheap tarps, and the cheap blue type last mere days or at
best weeks in the intense sun and can’t withstand summer squalls and
storms. We buy ‘good ones’ (usually they’re not blue, and sometimes are
silver on one or both sides), get them double the size we need, and put
them on doubled up. The side exposed to the sun will rot and fail in the
UV, but the second layer will usually last out the season. We don’t use
the grommets on the tarps, but instead gather the fabric of the tarp
around a ping pong ball and secure that with a constricting loop knot (a
topsail sheet bend tied back on the bight). The grommets are the first
point of failure. After a season, the tarps are garbage.

Run the tarps as low as possible so they have the lowest windage and cover the most deck area.

We
also have fitted sunshade material awnings that ride low to the decks
and are secured to the toe rails and cover the decks. They shade the
decks where we don’t have tarps, and where they ride over the traps they
add UV protection for the tarps. Sunshade material is widely available
at Home Depot and other DIY shops, usually in the garden department.
It’s easy to sew on any machine, and the plastic grommets they sell for
it are easy to apply and seem to last well. As with tarps, grommets are
the first potential point of failure, but as we have them every foot
along the edge, they spread the load well.

SY AVANT covers much of their boat to protect it from the heat and the dust.

Bugs

Of
course, we live in fear of a bug infestation of some sort while away.
We buy cockroach bait (apparently the kind that comes in a tube like
toothpaste is best) and roach hotels and place them around the boat. We
use the whole tube, as this is not the place for half measures. We have
found two dead roaches and no live ones aboard on our return in the 14
years we’ve been laying up. We shudder to think how many we might have
found without the poison set out.

Food

The
temperatures in the interior of the boat will be extreme: in the Sea of
Cortez, interior temperatures of 140°f/60°c are typically reached daily
for a boat on the hard for weeks at a time, and 120°f/49°c for a boat
in the water. We have had cans of food explode from the heat, and an
unopened bottle of ketchup left aboard cooked in the heat to turn the
rich dark brown color of bbq sauce. For unopened food we want to try to
keep, we get small plastic bin liner bags and after emptying and dosing
the interior of the lockers with their vinegar wipe-down, we double bag
the food in small batches and stow back in the lockers. If a can
explodes it will do so inside the bag and the mess will be contained to
the ½ dozen or so items sharing the bag with it.

Plastic

Items
made of plastic do not fare well. The heat and UV bake them. For items
below decks, we wet out a cloth with Armor All, Aerospace 303 or a
similar plastic treatment (easily found at auto stores) and wet wipe
them down. For items on deck that can’t be removed and brought below, we
treat them with protectant, wrap them in a layer of paper towel, wrap
aluminum foil over that (two layers of cheap tin foil seems to work
better than a single layer of thicker expensive stuff) and then secure
the tin foil with liberal amounts of duct tape (being very careful the
duct tape only adheres to the tin foil and not to anything under it). On
our return we find the duct tape has usually been reduced to a skeleton
of the reinforcement fabric and is easily removed.

We
also wrap winches, blocks and all other deck hardware in a similar
fashion. UV will destroy the ball bearings in ball bearing blocks.

Zippers and Snaps

Zippers
and snaps like to corrode shut while the boat is laid up. We rub them
with cheap dollar store Chapstick or lip balm (cheap lip balm is usually
a mix of waxes and petroleum oils like Vaseline) to increase the
chances they will work when we return.

Elastic

Elastic
will no longer be after a season of baking in the heat. Shock cords
should not be used to secure anything as they will perish. Elastic in
clothing and swimming suits may not be elastic on your return.

Lightning

Grounding.
Most vessels are poorly grounded, and their grounding is ineffective
when hauled (yes, you can be struck by lightning when on the hard). You
can ground your boat quickly and simply with a set of jumper cables (or
add these to increase the grounding)

If
in the water, we buy a set of cheap but fairly thick jumper cables.
Separate into two wires. Remove one clamp from each wire, strip back a
couple or six inches of insulation and ‘fray’ the end (or keep the clamp
and clamp it to a 1’x1’ metal plate) to make a better ground connection
with the water. We attach remaining clamp to a top shroud or other bit
of metal that connects to near the masthead and throw the frayed/plated
end in the water. One cable on the port side, one cable on the starboard
side.

If
on the hard, separate cables and attach one to the top shrouds and Jack
stands on the port side, the other to the same points on starboard

In
either case, the cables will be trash at the end of the season, as they
are not designed for continuous outdoor use. Brushing clamps with wax,
Vaseline or any other topical protectant helps them rust less and look
better longer. Even if you *think* your boat might be/is well grounded,
these jumper cable tricks will ensure/increase the protection.

We
gather up all portable and easily de-mounted electronics (hand held VHF
and GPS units, EPIRBS, led flashlights, portable radios, etc.) and wrap
them in paper towel, then in tin foil, then in plastic food wrap
(secured with masking tape), and then place them in the oven as a kind
of double faraday cage. We disconnect all antennas and easily unplugged
items like chartplotters, AIS, VHF, etc. and leave them disconnected and
just hanging to disrupt possible paths for lightning.

Batteries

Small
batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9V, silver cells like A76, CR2025 and CR2032,
etc.) are removed from whatever they are powering, gathered,
inventoried and given away. They won’t be any good when we come back,
and we need to know how many and of what type we will need to bring when
we return.

The
ships batteries (house and starting) we leave connected to our solar
array for charging while we’re away, to make sure power is available to
our bilge pumps. We disconnect (switch off at the panel) the shore side
charger as superfluous.

Bilge Pumps

We
inspect and test our bilge pumps. Avant will take on a bit of water
through the mast, and other leaks may appear over the season. We want a
bone-dry bilge to keep interior humidity down. We know of several
cruisers who have had a battery die due to bilge pump pumping, and
another couple who lost their boat to flooding while on the hard (their
cockpit drains blocked and water flooded in the companionway in a
tropical storm). If your boat has a garboard plug, you can leave it out
if you’re on the hard, and if it doesn’t and the concept works for your
hull form you can consider adding one.

Through Hulls

We
close all through hulls and tank vents and stuff stainless steel
scrubbies or rolled up green scrubbies in them if we’re on the hard. The
scrubbies prevent bugs from nesting in the holes. Some cruisers use
bromine tablets (for hot tubs) in their raw water strainers to
discourage growth there.

Head and Holding Tank

We
empty the holding tank and pump in 1 – 1½ gallons or so of vinegar and a
liberal amount of Pinõl or Lysol type cleanser. Better to have that
bake in the heat than what was in there before, and a completely dry
tank will form concrete-like deposits.

Sails and Canvas

Sails and canvas are removed, inspected, repaired, cleaned, and neatly folded to be stowed below.

Engine

Our
engine enjoys an oil change, fluid top up and wipe-down with an oily
rag before we go, and we leave the compartment door ajar so air can
circulate there too.  Many cruisers do a freshwater flush of the
exhaust as well, but we don’t bother.  Outboards are freshwater
flushed, given their annual service, and run dry of fuel before stowing
below.

Fuel Tanks

Diesel tanks are filled to the top and treated with biocide (BioBore or
similar). Gas tanks are emptied, the gasoline given away, and the
plastic tanks are treated with Armor All or similar. We don’t bother
trying to ‘stabilize’ gasoline for storage, the quantity doesn’t justify
it. Jerry cans are emptied and treated with Armor All or similar. The
empty jerry cans and gas tanks are stored below.

Propane

We simply shut off the propane at the tanks.

Water Tanks

Water
tanks are emptied. When we return, we treat them as if contaminated as
recommended in this article. The water pump (and all other breakers save
the bilge pumps) is shut off.

Mooring Lines and Fenders

If
we’re in the water, we double all mooring lines and add chafe guard (we
use fire hose) at all chafe points. We buy cheap children’s T-shirts
and slip them over our fenders as extra chafe guard/ UV protection,
securing them at the top end with small line or zip ties.

Even
if you have a hired ‘boat watcher’ they’re unlikely to be 100%
available to come to your aid in a storm. They may be looking after
multiple boats, or the roof may be blowing off of their house (or their
mother’s house) in the same storm that threatens your boat. You need to
be secured for a storm.

Dinghy

We
have a RIB inflatable dinghy, and some years we have been able to
secure covered storage for it at the marina or yard we’re at, which is
best. Other years we secured it to the deck upside down, inflated to
about ¾ normal pressure, spaced off the deck with dollar store pool
noodles and covered with a tarp. Protection from the sun while ensuring
its wrapping can’t hold water against the fabric are the keys to
success. If you can deflate yours and stow it below, that’s even better.

Bottom Cleaning

If
you store in the water, you will need to arrange for regular bottom
cleaning. The interval will be determined by local conditions. Make sure
the cleaner is reliable, has references, and sends pictures or other
proof the job is being done: we know cruisers who found their cleaners
simply cashed the payments and didn’t do any cleaning until just before
their return.

Contact Info

Post
a card in the window with local contact information for your
boat-watcher (if you have one) and your contact info back home: name,
email, phone numbers.

When
we return, we find Avant fresh and dirty, needing a good wash after we
enjoy a Christmas-like morning: like an unwrapping party of all her
tinfoiled appurtenances. After some reassembly, we’re ready to cruise
another season.

SY AVANT 🇨🇦 Rob & Debra – Beneteau 43.5′

′

 

10) PLANNING TO TRANSIT THE PANAMA CANAL?

AS RAINY SEASON APPROACHES

CANAL AUTHORITIES PLAN TO INCREASE DAILY TRANSITS

In
Panama there are two main seasons: Rainy season and dry season.
Rainy season is typically from May to October plus or minus and
dry season is from November to April plus or minus.  This wet
season in 2023 was unseasonably drier and cause a bit of alarm among the
authorities regulating canal transits.  Water levels in Lake Gatun
were low so transits were lessened in the second have of 2023 to insure
water levels would hold through dry season.  Now as a new wet
season approaches Canal Authorities are announcing plans to “Add Back
Daily Transits as Rainy Season Approaches”.  

The
water level in the canal is highly monitored for the sustained movement
of vessels from one side of the Isthmas that is Panama and the other
side. 

To read more about Canal Authorities decision click on this link:

https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/panama-canal-to-add-back-daily-transits-as-rainy-season-approaches

Ever
wondered what it would be like to go through the Panama Canal, or
dreamed of doing so one day?  Below is a time lapsed film of a
cruise ship transiting the Canal.  The Panama Canal is a fabulous
engineering feat that took hundreds of years and thousands upon
thousands of people to execute.  It has changed the course of
history for Panamanians, commerce for the world, and navigation
possibilities for the saltiest of mariners. 

LIGHTNING DENSITY DECEMBER

While
the ground was first broken by the French, the idea and the footpaths
across the isthmus were in place for hundreds of years prior to the
French Initiation.

′

 

11) QUICEAÑERA IN LATIN AMERICA

with help from Josea Descheemaeker, SV Whirlwind

A
Quinceañera is both the birthday and coming of age celebration for 15
year old Latin American girls.  A Quinceañera marks the time when a
girl becomes a woman in her family and her community.  Celebrating
this switch from girlhood to a womanhood is very common and important
in all of Latin America from Mexico all the way down to Panama.  It
is celebrated in the Caribbean and Latina families in the United
States.

The
tradition of honoring a child’s assent to adulthood can be observed in
different religions and cultures all over the world.  In the case
of the Quinceañera, the roots of this celebration can be traced back to
the Incas, the Mayas, the Toltecs and the Aztecs.  All of these
ancient civilizations had ceremonies to honor the movement of their
young adults into the roles of adulthood in their community.  With
the Spanish conquest came changes to the rituals in the Quinceañera
ceremonies. While the ceremonies and celebrations have evolved greatly
over the years the celebration continues to be of a great significance
into modern times reflecting the mindset of different eras and spiritual
influences. 

A Quinceañera in church 

 At
first Quinceañeras were adorned with flowers, dancing for, and making
offerings to gods and goddesses.  The Spanish Conquest brough
Catholicism and with that a change in certain rites and rituals that
merged into the church.  With modernity, while the ceremonies and
celebrations have evolved greatly and withing different communities the
honor is still a formal part on many young girls lives.

Girls often wear very fancy dresses with tafeta skirts today

Today, the party goers are often coordinated in their dress and dance

 Different
customs today include her dad Change her flat shoes to her 1st pair of
high heels or going to a catholic mass in her Quinceañera dress
Sometimes the church will be adorned with flowers or a red carpet.
The priest will bless some items that the Quinceañera girl brings
Such as Bible or She will wear a tiara

The White Duchess is a life sized oil-on-canvas painting by the Spanish artist Francisco Goya, completed in 1795

In
18th Century Spain, there’s documentation that the Duchess of Alba
threw a palace party and invited teenage girls to attend, dressing them
up in formal clothing for the very first time. The following century,
the Empress Carlotta of Mexico did the same for the teenage daughters in
her court, presenting them to society.

For
the Aztecs, the quinceañera ritual centered around the goddess
Xochiquetzal, whom represented love, beauty, and the arts. 

The ancient Mayans had a similar rite at age 15 to commemorate their journey into adulthood. Mayan “quinceañeras” offered thanks to the corn goddess Ixchel here seen with a rabbit .

12) CABRALES BOATYARD, PUERTO PEÑASCO, MEXICO

🇲🇽  SPONSORS THE PANAMA POSSE 🇲🇽

Cabrales
Boat Yard Sponsors the Panama PosseCabrales Boatyard is very excited to
support the voyages of all the participants of the Panama Posse with a
15 % discount of all services

Cabrales
Boatyard is a full service facility that offers Marine Travelift and
haul outs up to 150 tons.  They also have a large capacity dry
marina. Puerto Peñasco has historically been the safest harbor from
hurricanes in the Sea of Cortez. Enjoy proximity to major hubs like San
Diego, California, which is located to the Northwest 230 miles away or a
quick drive to Phoenix, Arizona is 170 miles due North.

CONTACT

Tel: +52(638)112-0204

email: scabrales@cabralescorp.com

Address: Astilleros Cabrales SA

Calle de las Rosas,

Recinto Portuario,

83554 Puerto Peñasco, Son., Mexico

13) SPINNER DOLPHINS

ACROBATS OF THE SEA

By Russell Descheemaeker of SV WHIRLWIND

Spinner
dolphins have a life span of about 20 years. They spend the night in
deep waters hunting for fish they spend the day playing and resting in
the shallows. if a spinner Dolphin goes fully to sleep it will drown so
they sleep with half of there brain asleep and half awake. they love to
play and have been known to push humans to the surface so they can
breath.  

They are also the kind of dolphin depicted in Minecraft. 

 even Minecraft features spinner dolphin  

We
don’t know why the spinner dolphin spins.  Some say they do this
to impress possible mates, other say to communicate certain emotions
such as anger, fear, and joy.  Still others say it is to rid
themselves of parasites.  

Mega Pods
Spinners travel in pods of 5 to 30 dolphins.  Sometimes pods will group into super pods of up to 1000 then super pods will group in to one mega pod
of 4000 or more. Many mariners have probably seen a super or even mega
pod because in a pod that big only 30 or 40 dolphins will be on the
surface at once.  The rest will be 100-200 feet underwater in
search of food.  On special occasions the whole pod will surface
for no apparent reason.  The is  an incredible spectacle.

Sometimes there are more dolphins of the pod swimming under water than visible from above.

14) GOOD NAUTICAL: 

Bahia Guacamaya 🇨🇷 Costa Rica  

Bahia
Guacamaya is located just north of Punta Zapotal about 8nm west of
Playas del Coco. The calm anchorage, secluded beaches and crystal clear
water make this a enjoyable spot to linger for a few days or shelter
from papagayos.

Approach

◬ 10° 31.4185 N 85° 47.7178 W

Depth

18.0 ft

5.7 m

Bottom Composition

S – Sand

https://goodnautical.com/costa-rica/anchorage/bahia-guacamaya

Great Anchorage: ‘X’ marks the spots

Approaches

Reefs
extend off the NW point at the entrance to Bahia Guacamaya and should
be given a wide berth. Enter the bay on the northeastern side to avoid a
reef reported in the center of the bay. The charts on both OpenCPN and
Navionics are reported to be inaccurate in this area.

Anchorage

The
western shore of the bay is rocky but tucking up in the NE corner of
offers protection from the wind and waves from almost all directions.
Anchor in 5.7m on a sandy bottom with good holding. Shore access by
dinghy to the beach.

SY MAISON DE SANTE REPORTS:

One
of our favorite hideouts from the wind was Guacamaya. Just a few miles
SW of coco. It doesn’t look sheltered until you get right into the
anchorage and then it’s very pleasant. Something to consider if you want
a reprieve. Should be a downwind sail from coco too. If conditions are
still nautical, sail just past the anchorage and then motor upwind to
set the hook so you don’t take it on the beam as you enter.

The
closer you get to the smaller beach to the east, the more protected it
gets. The bigger beach that faces north is mostly private property. The
owner actually keeps several fancy fishing boats at marina Papagayo.

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

Registration for Panama Posse Season 8 starts May 15th – or to simply rollover to next season send an email to registration@panamaposse.com with the words “RENEW SEASON 8” 

Early
renewals give you the added benefit of lower costs and lower renewal
fees and uninterrupted perks and benefits including discounts at
marinas 

EXTRA PERK 

EARLY RENEWALS ALSO ARE AWARDED 
LOWER VESSEL REGISTRATION NUMBERS # 

We’ll also be moving to a new unified website later this summer 
 OceanPosse  to make our information … flow and increase the reach and perks

15) FANTASY ISLAND MARINA ROATAN 🇭🇳 HONDURAS   WELCOMES THE PANAMA POSSE   

https://panamaposse.com/fantasy-island-marina

Hello Panama Posse !

Thanks for thinking of us as a stop on the “Panama Posse” route.

At FANTASY ISLAND MARINA, FRENCH HARBOR, ROATAN,

we
are able to accommodate about 30/40 vessels and would usually have
unoccupied side tie or Med mooring slips on 5 different docks (dinghy
assisted docking for the Med mooring).

Boats docked at the marina have:

• Full Access to the privately owned FANTASY ISLAND RESORT !
• Beautiful beaches
• Scuba dive facilities
• Dive courses on site
• Excellent reef snorkeling just off the beach,
• Internet in the hotel,
• Tiki palapa bar with
• Gas and charcoal BBQ facilities in the marina
• Weekly bus to ELDONS SUPERMARKET & ACE HARDWARE STORE
• Laundry pick up service
• Diesel delivered by truck to your boat,
• Propane top up in the marina,
• Daily cruisers net on Channel 71 (which is also the hailing channel for arriving boats)
• many other services.

Boats
docked at the marina will be offered a 20% discount on meals at the
hotel and also on dive courses and/or dives or exciting night dives.

The FANTASY ISLAND RESORT
is a privately owned island resort and would be a good place to get
family & friends to meet up with the “Posse” participants as the
resort offers fully inclusive packages with all that’s required for a
wonderful holiday and the marina is part of the hotel.

Vessels
using the French Harbor anchorage (but not our dock) are welcome to use
the marina facilities and Tiki bar but are not permitted onto the beach
or into the hotel.

Any
sailors needing to go to the Port Captain and Immigration Dept in Coxen
Hole would be able to use our friendly, English speaking taxi service,
who will take you to each office and stay with you for the whole
process. We have several contacts with air conditioned mini tour buses
who will tailor make your ideal tour.

Our docking fees are

• Daily US$0-90c per foot per day Plus 15% tax
• Weekly US$0-55c per foot per day Plus 15% tax
• Monthly US$8-00 per foot per month Plus 15% tax (1st November to 31st May)
• Low Season US$6-00 per foot per month Plus 15% tax (1st June to 31st October)

We  gladly welcome all the sailors and their families !

Tony & Robyn

FANTASY ISLAND MARINA

16° 21.4383′ N  086°26.3066′ W

+504 9944 1496

VHF Channel 71

dockmaster@roatanfantasy.com

http://www.fantasyislandresort.com/marina-en.html

16) LATITUDES AND ATTITUDES 

& PANAMA POSSE

“The Journey is the Destination”

PANAMA POSSE PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE: 

 $5.00 off per subscription

Hello, Please use the coupon code upon checkout : panamaposse

The
#1 Cruising Lifestyle publication on the planet just keeps getting
bigger and better! Incredible destination articles and features by the
cruisers themselves, including how-to’s, DIY and exciting new products!

CALL FOR PANAMA POSSE ARTICLES:

Latitudes
and Attitudes is working on their new issue, deadline for materials is
10-May.  They have space reserved for a Panama Posse branded
article. 

Panama Posse members are welcome to submit directly to Latitudes and Attitudes at david@latsatts.com

17) MEET THE FLEET  

SV DO THE THING

Marjolaine & Francois Charles, Victor (B13) and Paul (B9), and dog Chihiro

Doing their thing presently

More
than two years ago, we decided it was time to put in place our wishes
to take the kids out of their comfort zone and change our life! So, we
quit our jobs, sold our house and our two cars and all our winter stuff
in Montreal.  We moved down to Costa Rica where we fell in love
during our family vacations a while ago.

Therefore,
we found a house in CR, sent the boys at the local school where they
learned very well Spanish for a year and where actively looking for a
sailboat until we found one in Panama Shelter Bay marina. With our dog,
Chihiro, and two boys, Victor (B13) and Paul (B9), we started our
sailing adventure by crossing the Panama Canal with our Dufour Gib’sea
43. We sailed back to Costa Rica, prepared our liveaboard journey and
sailed north to Nicaragua, El Salvador, Mexico up to the Golfo of
California where we are now.  We are intent to reach Puerto Penasco
before the hurricane season (and the too hot weather).

In
every place we`ve visited, we`ve met generous local people, an
incredible kind sailing community and discovered magnificent landscapes
which combined all together will give us memories that will shape who we
are and will be forever.

Sailing
with the dog, doing “boat schooling” and living all together 24/7 comes
with some challenges, but will thigh up our family for good 😊. It
doesn’t seem to stop us making sailing plans because we intent to sail
back the Pacific Central America coast to visit places we missed or we
loved in 2025, enjoy Costa Rica for few months, and potentially cross
the South Pacific Ocean in Spring 2026.

Looking forward to continuing meeting some of you on our way and sharing this great voyage together!

A new boat calls for a Toast!

Victor at the helm

Paul playing his Violin in the Sea of Cortez

SY DO THE THING 🇨🇦 Marjolaine & Francois – Dufour 43′

18) POSSE SWAG

 

19)  SAFETY ALERT:

EMERGENCY NUMBERS 🇵🇦 IN PANAMA  🇵🇦 

108

FROM A NON PANAMANIAN PHONE / SIM CARD / VOIP

DIAL +507 520 6017 to SPEAK WITH AERONAVAL

FROM A PANAMANIAN PHONE / SIM CARD 🇵🇦

DIAL 108 to SPEAK WITH AERONAVAL

20)  MUST SEE:

PLACENCIA  🇧🇿   BELIZE 

Placencia
Village is truly a hidden gem tucked away in southern Belize. Its
stunning natural beauty, with the Caribbean Sea on one side and the
Placencia lagoon on the other, offers a diverse range of experiences for
visitors. The village has evolved from a fishing community to a vibrant
tourism destination while still maintaining its charm and authenticity.
The friendliness and warmth of the villagers add another layer of
allure to the place.

The
name “Placencia” itself, originating from the Spanish “Punta Placencia”
or “Pleasant Point,” adds a historical touch to the area, reminding
visitors of its colonial past. The small population of just over 3,000
people gives it a cozy, intimate feel, and is situated at the very tip
of the peninsula must offer breathtaking views of the surrounding
Caribbean Sea and Placencia Lagoon. And with neighboring beachfront
areas like Maya Beach and Seine Bight, visitors have even more options
for exploring and enjoying the coastal beauty of southern Belize.

Placencia
offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, adventure, and cultural
experiences, making it a paradise worth exploring. Placencia Village is
truly a unique destination with its narrow peninsula setting and vibrant
community. The fact that the main street is a sidewalk adds to its
charm and character, especially being recognized by the Guinness Book of
World Records as the narrowest street in the world!

It’s
fascinating how such a relatively small area can offer so much in terms
of natural beauty, culture, and community. Placencia is the kind of
place where visitors can truly immerse themselves in the laid-back
Caribbean lifestyle while experiencing the warmth and hospitality of the
residents.

The
art festival held in February also sounds like a fantastic event,
bringing together talented artists from all over Belize to showcase
their work along the picturesque Placencia sidewalk. It serves as a
treat for visitors to admire and purchase unique pieces of art while
soaking in the coastal atmosphere. Placencia’s festivals are vibrant
celebrations of both its culture and natural resources! The Placencia
Lobster Fest in June or July is an exciting time for locals and visitors
alike, celebrating the bounty of the sea with delicious lobster dishes
and lively entertainment. It’s wonderful to see communities come
together to honor their traditions and showcase the culinary delights of
the region.

Sidewalk Art

Placencia’s
role as the center of sustainable seaweed farming is impressive.
Seaweed farming not only provides economic opportunities for local
communities but also promotes environmental sustainability by harnessing
the nutritious benefits of seaweed as a superfood. Initiatives such as
these prioritize both economic development and environmental
conservation. Placencia’s festivals and initiatives highlight the rich
diversity and natural abundance of the region, making it a truly special
destination for cultural experiences and eco-friendly practices.

Placencia
Village is the epitome of laid-back Caribbean charm! You can choose to
spend a day leisurely wandering along the tiny sidewalks, taking in the
sights, sounds, and smells of life along the seaside. From beach bars to
gift shops, and taco stands to ice cream parlors and fine dining to art
galleries, there’s something for everyone in Placencia Village. The
perfect mix of attractions ensures that visitors can enjoy a diverse and
fulfilling experience as they explore the village at their own pace.
And what better way to take a break from wandering than to indulge in a
cup of coffee at one of the excellent coffee shops scattered throughout
the village? It is the ideal way to recharge and soak in the laid-back
atmosphere of Placencia.

Overall,
Placencia Village is the perfect destination for those seeking a
relaxed and authentic Caribbean experience, where every corner offers a
new delight to discover. It’s incredible to see how Placencia has
transformed from a sleepy fishing village into a bustling hub for sports
fishing and marine adventure! The opportunity to swim, kayak, snorkel,
or dive with giant whale sharks at the Gladden Spit Marine Reserve is an
unforgettable experience. The months of April to June are particularly
thrilling, as this is the prime time to encounter these magnificent
creatures. Locals and tourists alike are drawn to Placencia during this
time, seeking out the thrill of encountering whale sharks in their
natural habitat.The Gladden Spit Marine Reserve is a conservation
success story, providing a protected environment for whales and other
fish species. Placencia’s evolution into a world attraction for sports
fishing and marine adventure highlights the importance of sustainable
tourism practices and the preservation of natural ecosystems.

The
opportunity to dive alongside whale sharks near Gladden Spit and Silk
Caye Marine Reserve is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The
expertise and safety measures taken by dive operators ensure that
visitors can enjoy this incredible experience responsibly, while also
contributing to the conservation of these magnificent creatures and
their habitat. There is also an impressive range of activities and
educational opportunities available for visitors who may not be able to
dive during peak whale shark season. From PADI Whale Shark Specialty
courses to in-house seminars and local research projects, there are
plenty of ways for visitors to learn about and appreciate these majestic
animals.

Whale Shark 🇧🇿 Belize

Whale
Sharks aside, Silk Caye, also known as Queen Caye, offer a truly unique
and solitary experience amidst the vast expanse of the ocean. These
deserted islands, with their sugar-white beaches and occasional coconut
trees, provide visitors with a sense of serenity and seclusion unlike
any other. One of the highlights of visiting Silk Caye is the
opportunity to witness a vibrant underwater world teeming with life.
From vividly colored fish to eagle rays and stingrays, the waters
surrounding the caves are home to a diverse array of aquatic creatures.
Scuba divers and snorkelers will be particularly enchanted by the rings
of coral reefs, including varieties such as Staghorn, Fire, Star, and
Elkhorn, which offer a glimpse into the earth’s earliest natural aquatic
formations.

Silk Cayes 🇧🇿  Belize

Despite
its remote location, reaching Silk Caye is surprisingly accessible.
Located east of Placencia Village on the Placencia Peninsula,
approximately 20 nautical miles from shore, visitors can reach the caye
via a 45-minute boat ride. While there are no docks, boats can be
piloted directly onto the sandy beach, adding to the sense of adventure
and isolation. The best time to visit Silk Caye is whenever you’re ready
for an unforgettable adventure. Whether rain or shine, the beauty and
tranquility of the caye are sure to captivate visitors. For those
planning a visit during the rainy season, bringing a tent for picnicking
is recommended.

To
make the most of your experience, consider joining a guided tour that
includes picnic lunches and gear rental. Whether you choose to explore
the caye on your own or with others, spending time on these pristine
islands is a truly magical experience. As you relax on the beach,
surrounded by gentle breezes and the soothing sound of water lapping at
the shore, take a moment to appreciate the efforts to preserve the
natural beauty and ecological significance of these remote yet serene
islands for generations to come.

Colorful Laid Back style Beach Bar 🇧🇿 Belize

M. Goodin

References

Belize Hub

Caribbean Lifestyle

Mybeautifulbelize.com

Many Anchorage spots and local services in and near Placencia 🇧🇿 Belize

 

21)  CRUISING YACHTS FOR SALE

Selling the legacy

Whether
you’re seeking an upgrade or charting a new course, your yacht holds a
treasure trove of memories. But selling it can sometimes feel like
navigating uncharted waters. From appraising and showcasing its value to
dealing with tire kickers, we’re here to be your compass on this
journey.

Selling
your yacht is about finding a committed buyer who shares your sense of
adventure and ensuring a gratifying return on investment. Let’s market
your boat better and make it a breeze together.

1. Setting a smart course

By
understanding market conditions and current trends, we align your
aspirations with the ideal asking price for your yacht. The sweet spot? A
price that neither undervalues your yacht nor deters potential buyers.

2. Crafting a compelling story

Every
yacht has its own unique story, and first impressions are pivotal.
We’re here to spotlight its charm with captivating ads and top-notch
visuals. These not only forge an emotional bond but also establish
trust. Our mission? To ensure your yacht’s tale reaches the right
audience.

3. From local docks to global shores

Whether
it’s bustling yachting events across the Americas or the vast digital
realm, we’ve got you covered. Personally overseeing showings and
surveys, we ensure your yacht shines in the spotlight. Online, we
strategically place your yacht on specialized platforms, setting the
stage for a swift and standout sale.

4. Navigating the deal

The
intricacies of yacht sales can be overwhelming. From addressing buyer
inquiries to orchestrating contracts, permits, and insurance, we aim for
a smooth sailing transaction. Committed to transparent governance, we
ensure you’re well-informed every step of the way.

5. Embarking on new horizons

With
the deal sealed, it’s time for a fresh start. And remember, whether
you’re dreaming of navigating to distant shores or just seeking
maintenance and management services for a new yacht, we’re always here,
ready to guide you in the vast world of yachting.

 

22)  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 

Marina Puerto Bahia 🇩🇴 Dominican Republic 
Sponsors the Panama Posse

19° 11.6383′ N 069° 21.3283′ W

We are pleased to sponsor the Panama Posse with a special 15% discount on Winter rates (High Season) !

ON SITE AMENITIES

•     On-Site Customs & Immigration
•     30 and 50 amps, 125 and 250 volts, 60 Hz
•     Water
•     High Speed Pump Fueling Pier
•     24-Hour Security
•     Restrooms and Showers
•     Laundry Room
•     Mini-Market
•     Garbage Pickup
•     Free Internet Access
•     Bars and Restaurants
•     Infinity Pools
•     Gym
•     Spa and Beauty Salon
•     Taxi and Car Rental
•     Water Taxi to Cayo Levantado Island
•     Parking

MUST SEE

    Samana- Levantado Key  Limon Waterfall 🇩🇴  Dominican Republic

23)  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
• OCEAN POSSE SA   
• PANAMA YACHT BROKER
• PREDICT WIND
• SAFE HARBOR SOUTH BAY MARINA EVENT CENTER  
• SAN DIEGO MARINE EXCHANGE
• SEVENSTAR YACHT TRANSPORT
• WAYPOINT YACHT SERVICES
• WESTMARINE PRO
• YACHT AGENTS GALAPAGOS  
   

Ship items to Panama with Emilio https://oceanposse.com/panama-sa/

24) 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

25) 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

Panama Posse Boat Dogs – Meet Maximilian 
a stern defender of access rights to his vessel Carinthia

26) 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

Safe-Esteem.com – Delaware

27) MORE POSSE NEWS FROM 
AROUND THE OCEANS

ATLANTIC POSSE  
SIGN UP NOW

SIGN UP WITH THE 
 ATLANTIC POSSE >>

Atlantic Posse ’24

Atlantic Posse Routes
voyage between the  Mediterranean  and  the Caribbean 

28) SOUTH PACIFIC POSSE SEASON 4 

The Amazing Suwarrow Atoll Anchorage 🇨🇰 Cook Islands 
 only way to get there is by private yacht 

South Pacific Posse burgees available now in Panama & soon in FP 

Bravo ZULU to SY Kiskadee just arrive in Rapa  Nui 

Nawi Island Event August 31 2024 
– come party and mingle with the Cruising Fleet

• 09:00 – 12:00 SWAP MEET / TREASURES OF THE BILGE ( JD $ 2 DONATION FOR LOCAL CHARITY )
• 12:00 – 18:00 MARINE EXPO &  trade show
• 14:00 – WEATHER SEMINAR
• 15:00 – SAILING TO NZ
• 16:00 – VANUATU / NEW CALEDONIA
• 17:00 – OPEN SUNSET RUM BAR
• 18:00 – DINNER & BRING A DISH TO SHARE + 
  WIN A DELUXE BOTTLE OF RUM
  ( if you do not bring a dish to share you do not get to taste the food )
• 20:00 – MEXICAN TRAIN / TEXAS HOLDEM TOURNAMENT 
  + WIN A DELUXE BOTTLE OF RUM

FREE FOR SOUTH PACIFIC POSSE PARTICIPANTS AND MARINA GUESTS FJD $ 50 for all others 

WE OPERATE UNDER INTERNATIONAL MARITIME LAW

YOUR VESSEL · YOUR CREW · YOUR RESPONSIBILITY 

 OUR MISSION

• Make traveling for yacht owners easier, transparent and better informed
• Generate group buying power with discounts in marinas and with service providers
• Pass on relevant information to help fellow participants in a timely manner without personal opinions
• Identify, document and reduce risks
• Allow for flexibility and reduce pressures due to schedules