3/12: after consulting Total Yacht Works/Mazatlan & Nigel Calder's manual, GB lowered the raw water intake on engine thru-hull by about 2". Cutting hoses was involved. No leaks, no apparent prob's tho we'll know more once we're beating to windward & heeled over. 3/13: left Chichime, 12 mi. later anchored next to s/v CYNOSURE at…
Yesterday, 3/11 was 1st sunny day on Dark Side (Caribbean). Arrived at Chichime Is., 09deg.35'N/78deg.53'W. All San Blas anchorages have far more boats than we were used to on the Pacific side but snorkeling visibility=great. No big fish seen, just 1 spotted eagle ray but the usual small reef fish are here in brand-new species,…
Yesterday, 3/10, 0720: sailed close-hauled 45 mi., from Isla Linton in NE winds 8-15, but very lumpy NE swells 4'-7' at 5 sec. Bounced in to Isla Porvenir, San Blas/Kuna Yala @ 1700. Today, 3/11 = check in w/ officials, make general inquiries, then explore other anchorages. Skies are partly-clear, morning breeze = NE 10.…
3/9: This morning at 0700 we saw calm seas and light breeze in Portobello Bay, despite the forecast for area winds getting into the high teens/low 20s – which for exiting Portobello and heading north and then east means steep, choppy seas and not much fun. So, we took advantage of the flattitude and promptly…
Yesterday, 3/6, we'd planned an E-Z 10-mi. sail from Isla Linton to Green Turtle Bay. Weather was fine, NE winds12 kt., NE swell 4'-6'. Sadly, Green Turtle Bay = untenable due to NE swell so we sailed the extra 35 mi. to Porvenir in the San Blas islands. About 8 mi. out, rain squall reversed…
3/4: Arrived yesterday, 3/3, motorsailing easterly 12 mi. from Portobello. Forecast was for NE winds 10-15 kt., NE seas 4'-6'. We actually got NE winds 15-23 kt., seas 5'-8' on a 6-sec. period. Equals, rough water for traveling E like we are. Isla Linton anchorage looks like it might be nice — but it's hard…
3/1: anchored in Portobelo 5 days. Toured town & 2 of the17th-cen. Spanish forts. Also saw the famous Black Jesus of Nazareth upon marble side altar in town church. Sculpture is well dressed w/ very disturbing eyes. Weather: reinforced trades = E winds 15-24kt. w/ occas. lt. rain showers but bay has only low chop…
Left Shelter Bay Marina/Colon @ 0800 Fri., 2/25. No wind – motored 17mi. to Portobello (09deg.33.5'N/079deg.40'W), found by Columbus in 1502; later, the port from which the Spanish shipped much gold & silver from the New World. It is indeed a beautiful port. 40 boats here, most our size, most from Europe. Ruins of 500…
Long story short, it went fine – much more smoothly and incident-free than I ever expected. We had 2 professional line handlers who were terrific & helped out the rest of us (thanks, Mauricio and Ivan!), and one amateur line handler who was a real quick study (kudos to you, Anne!). GB rounded out our line…
Technically, January in Panama is well into Central America's "dry season" when the days are hot and sunny, and the nights near shore are usually cooled by light breezes. It doesn't rain often, or for very long; but when a rain squall does come: boy howdy. Here's what a typical dry-season squall looks like, as it engulfs the downtown Panama City high…