Caribbean from Pacific Coast

[OarElse]

Was just wondering the best way to cruise to the Caribbean from the Pacific coast? (California.)

For this trip, I wanted to go as direct as possible realizing I have a whole continent in the way.

This would obviously be my first blue water cruise.

Thanks for the input.

[Discovery 15797]

There's this country called Panama...it has a canal for boats to transit between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.

Alternately there is the Northwest passage, or around Cape Horn.

But, I'm gonna suggest trucking your boat across country to be a wiser choice.

[Student_Driver]

If that’s ur first offshore, it may be ur last. That’s all uphill. Bashing into waves and beating upwind with an adverse current. No bueno first passage.

[AiniA]

You could go west about, a long way but downhill all the way. Seriously, going through the PC is doable but a tough trip, could for checking if you have any loose fillings in your mouth.

[bdeason]

Another option...sell your current boat, drive to south Florida or somewhere on the East coast or even somewhere in the Caribbean and buy another boat.

[PNWSalmon]

Best months are nov and may from Panama’s east coast. Waves are milder. One nice course is to go to Cartagena and then head north. Check the pilot charts or jimmy Cornell for suggested routes. A friend of ours did sail to San Diego then truck to Houston and on from there. Cost wise not too much different after canal fees (give or take).

[nepal]

Originally Posted by PNWSalmon

Best months are nov and may from Panama’s east coast. Waves are milder. One nice course is to go to Cartagena and then head north. Check the pilot charts or jimmy Cornell for suggested routes. A friend of ours did sail to San Diego then truck to Houston and on from there. Cost wise not too much different after canal fees (give or take).

Any idea how much the canal option and the truck option will cost?

[Rod Headlee]

Sail down to the canal, watch the weather at the Gulf of T and the Gulf of Papaguyo. After transiting the canal head north to Grand Cayman, the current will be with you. The winds will be out of the west if you go at the right time. From Grand Cayman you can follow the Gulf Stream around the west end of Cuba to Key West. Then plan accordingly, visiting the Islands in the proper direction. Watch out for the Christmas Trade winds. They blow hard. I have done that route in reverse twice, I love Grand Cayman. Have fun, use your pilot charts, plan layovers for hurricane season. Portobelo is a good place to lay up on the Caribbean side of Panama. Avoid the east coast of Central America, pirates, shallow water etc. Watch the reefs between Panama and Grand Cayman. Hug the coast around the west end of Cuba (12 miles off). Brunswick,Ga is a good place to lay up for hurricane season in the USA.

[Montanan]

A map for guidance.

Once you travel from Orange County to Miami there can be boarded passages on many cruise ships with a variety of Caribbean itineraries.

Bon Voyage.

[Cheechako]

Buy a boat in Florida.
Really. For your first cruise it makes a ton more sense.
That is not an easy trip. The bash from Panama East is a well known hardship.
You can go north toward Texas and move along via Florida or Cuba etc. A lot of tricky water but it avoids the "bash".

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by nepal

Any idea how much the canal option and the truck option will cost?

FYI, 10 years ago I asked to ship a 30 foot non sailboat to WA from FL. It was over $10000 and easier than a sailboat.

[aucoingc]

Originally Posted by Discovery 15797

There's this country called Panama...it has a canal for boats to transit between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.

Alternately there is the Northwest passage, or around Cape Horn.

But, I'm gonna suggest trucking your boat across country to be a wiser choice.

I broke out laughing...well said. I made the passage from San Francisco to the Caribbean in 2014/15.

[Rod Headlee]

I'm curious as to what type of boat you have and what is your draft?

[aucoingc]

My vessel is a Jeanneau 509 with a 2.4 meter draft (6.5 ft). The upwind bash warnings are all accurate. It’s not for the weak-knee’d. Draft didn’t play a factor until Panama (Pacific side). Just had to be attentive. Since I couldn’t get enough of sailing against wind and swell I sailed her all the way into the Easterm Mediterranean. Currently in Turkey awaiting warmer weather. Don’t let anybody tell you «*you can’t*» but, sail smart!

[inchcailloch]

4 years ago cost iro £2400 for passage, on 33ft cat, myself, multitude of fees, a first class person to organise everything including 4 lines (compulsory but not used), line handlers, etc etc etc. The authorities know how to empty you pockets there! I could have done without the person organising it for me, perhaps picked up line handlers free of charge but imho it saved me having to wander half way round Panama City trying to do it myself. For the next few weeks if entering Pacific no money is going to be spent.