New Zealand to Caribbean..Plotting a course

[Setsail360]

Hello South Pacific sailors.

I am curious to know how and when you could sail to Panama from the north shores of New Zealand. (imagining covid will settle enough to set sail by spring 2021)

There would be the island hopping route, heading east to Ajurie and then a dogleg north, or a direct and very long stretch to Chile and then up the west coast to Panama.

The first would have a lot of beating into the wind, but a choice of places to anchor, the other a reach and run in some potentially wild weather. We have a very seaworthy 46' expedition sailboat.

Any first hand experiences welcome.