Panama Canal to Golfito, Costa Rica Advice

[ejlindahl]

I'm looking for advice taking a 40' sailboat from the Panama Canal to Golfito, Costa Rica in early April.

How long will it take?

Is it against prevailing winds?

What sort of wind strength is typical?

I believe this is just before hurricane season.

Background is: I'm a life long coastal sailor with virtually no experience off shore. I'm thinking of puchasing a boat in Martinique, sailing it to and thru the Canal to Golfito where it will be shipped to Canada.

I've heard that the Martinque to Canal passage is reasonable at this time of year but if you want to chime in on that please do so. (I will post this request on the Carribean section, though.)

Thank you.

Eric