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Mate · 09-09-2010, 14:20

As always forgive my ignorance . Never done any type of blue water passage.
Does anyone do this passage (Mexico - Marquesas) from somewhere in Mexico if cruising from the Gulf of California .
Or is it still best to cruise all the way down to panama or Ecuador.
What are the chances of finding a buddy boat .

My first thoughts were that is would be better to purchase on the West Coast , but looking at an overal distance and time factor , it may still be easier to purchase something in BVI . Other than cost of Panama canal.

Ive got a lot to learn. Thanks for your comments.
Darren

rebel heart · 09-09-2010, 14:25

The boats who leave from here to Tahiti go to Mexico if they want to go to Mexico, otherwise you can leave directly from San Diego or Puerto Vallarta. There's no real advantage to heading farther south unless you want to go south for your own particular reasons (like visiting the Galapagos). I believe this sentiment is backed by Jimmy Cornell's route guide.

Amazon.com: World Cruising Routes: Sixth Edition (9780071592895): Jimmy Cornell: Books

Mate · 09-09-2010, 14:34

Sounds good .
What is the best time for this type of crossing , and how do you find a buddy boat .
Im not very confident,this will change with more knowledge , however , not worried about taking it on either .
I am still dreaming but feel I should start asking questions .

**Jim Cate** · 09-09-2010, 14:37

G'Day DArren,

Lots of cruisers do that passage -- Ann and I have done Cabo to Hiva Oa twice -- and there is nothing particularly difficult about it. Distance is about 3k miles and most folks do it in 18-25 days, depending on boat type and sailing style.

Latitude 38 has organized a group rally for the past few years, and if you are of that mind set, it could be of interest to you. They have a big data spreadsheet from this years group that you can access from their website, and that might well answer many of your questions.

Cheers,

Jim and Ann s/v Insatiable II lying Cairns, Qld, Oz

speakeasy · 09-09-2010, 14:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mate

As always forgive my ignorance . Never done any type of blue water passage.
Does anyone do this passage (Mexico - Marquesas) from somewhere in Mexico if cruising from the Gulf of California .
Or is it still best to cruise all the way down to panama or Ecuador.
What are the chances of finding a buddy boat .

My first thoughts were that is would be better to purchase on the West Coast , but looking at an overal distance and time factor , it may still be easier to purchase something in BVI . Other than cost of Panama canal.

Ive got a lot to learn. Thanks for your comments.
Darren

Ready made. Joining this group you have a slew of boats going with daily check-ins on ssb, waived bond post in French Polynesia, and a three day welcome party at the other end.

Pacific Puddle Jump Official Web Site

Dave852 · 09-09-2010, 14:38

Pacific Puddle Jump Official Web Site

rebel heart · 09-09-2010, 14:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mate

Sounds good .
What is the best time for this type of crossing , and how do you find a buddy boat .
Im not very confident,this will change with more knowledge , however , not worried about taking it on either .
I am still dreaming but feel I should start asking questions .

The baja-haha is a yearly run of boats from San Diego to PV, and the pacific puddle jump is a bunch of boats from PV to Hiva Oa. If memory serves, you want to leave in the March-May time frame. There's a slot in November (January?) where you can leave too, but there's some nasty stuff brewing around then in the east pacific you might not want to deal with. It's laid out fairly well in Cornell's book or the planning charts you can get online free.

Mate · 09-09-2010, 14:48

Im truely impressed with you all . I simply cant wait to get on board.
I will read and take on everything .
It all sounds like a dream .
Thanks , thanks and THANKS again.

savoir · 23-09-2010, 08:01

Whichever way you go to the south pacific you should aim to leave the mainland some time in April. That will ensure that you miss the tail end of the cyclone season which is early April. Cyclone Tomas hit Fiji early in April this year and cyclone Lin in early April last year. Cyclone Oli hit Tahiti in February this year.

There's no point in pushing your luck.

John A · 23-09-2010, 09:04

The main reason to leave from PV is it is an excellent stop to do repairs and to provision for the passage. The further south down the West coast of Central America you go, the more unwanted easting, you travel. which takes you further from your intended destination. Then too there is most times a large high pressure area that hangs around west of Panama. Rather than deal with a slow passage thru that or spending longer in the doldrums due to a lesser angle of attack, the preferred route is to leave from PV, do a rhumb line passage, and spend as few days in the doldrums as possible by going thru that area at an right angle.
Leave from PV and enjoy a downhill slide in those beautiful Pacific swells!

imagine2frolic · 23-09-2010, 12:04

If you have no interest in Panama. Then avoid it, and take the advice given. I have just left Panama twice. I had to return with a boat problem once, and a medical problem the second time. It can be a difficult area in June. We will see what January gives us this next time......i2f

Mare Nostrum · 14-11-2010, 14:25

I agree with the other amigos! It is better to leave from San Diego or Vallarta for the Marquesas.
Just look at the charts and see how far east Ecuador is--really East!! Most people do not realize how South America veers 90 degrees, almost!

have a good one!

matauwhi · 14-11-2010, 15:11

G'day, Mate. We departed from San Diego directly for the Marquesas in mid March. It's really just depends on if you want to spend time in Mexico. Cheers.