Australia to the Med via Panama

[Sabbatical II]

Well my plan was to put the new boat in the water this year, learn all it's foibles (and the crews) and head off in the direction of the Med in 2012, via the Red Sea. After leaving it in the Med for a few years, bring it home via ICW & Carribean, Panama, Galapogus and stop at any islands that might pop up in the Pacific. Well that'a all changed now and my preferred option would be to do it the other way around rather than go via South Africa. The boat is a medium to heavy displacement 42' mono that will be quite stiff and will sail to windward quite nicely. My question is for those that may have crossed the Pacific the wrong way, was it that hard and which way would you recommend?

Greg

[atoll]

better off taking the old grain/wool route via cape horn than via panama

[estarzinger]

Originally Posted by Eleebana

My question is for those that may have crossed the Pacific the wrong way, was it that hard and which way would you recommend?

Greg

We have done the full route east in the southern ocean and half the way (from Hawaii) in the N pacific.

To Panama, the southern route will be the shortest for you, and if you stay south (on say 35), you don't have to go to windward, but it is cold and windy and wavy. It's not 'hard' - you just need to grit your teeth and do it and be able to sail in strong winds. The N Pacific route is a lot longer for you and only a little 'nicer'. Whatever you do, don't try to just go down the middle in the tropics - That is hard.

From Panama east you do have some windward work to do - best is to head toward N/NE toward the tip of florrida and hope the trades have some se slant to it.

From there it's a piece of cake, only the N Atlantic left

I think if I were you, I would go west, around SA, but east is certaintly possible.

[boatman61]

Go West young man... there's some nice islands and passing South of Good Hope is not as bad as made out...
Jeez... if I'd listened to the stories I'd never have gone through the Straits of Gib... never mind a W - E across the Atlantic solo...
Its only as hard as you make it... good planning makes life easy...

[Sabbatical II]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Go West young man... there's some nice islands and passing South of Good Hope is not as bad as made out.

Hmmm.. I feared this would be the Consensus. Not being a seasoned sailor, I was trying to avoid the Aghulus against a southerly wind issue. I'm sure we'll be getting some posts from people doing the southern route. I will follow with interest. Thanks for your comments.

Greg

[estarzinger]

Originally Posted by Eleebana

Hmmm.. I feared this would be the Consensus. Not being a seasoned sailor, I was trying to avoid the Aghulus against a southerly wind issue. I'm sure we'll be getting some posts from people doing the southern route. I will follow with interest. Thanks for your comments.

Greg

Some reading for you on passagemaking along the southern route:

This is on the southern route from NZ to Tahati route :

http://www.bethandevans.com/pdf/Pass...20Raivavae.pdf

These two are on another bit of the southern ocean, but the general lessons are similar to the bit you are considering.

http://www.bethandevans.com/pdf/SouthernO.pdf

http://www.bethandevans.com/pdf/Southern%20Ocean.pdf

[Sabbatical II]

Originally Posted by estarzinger

Some reading for you on passagemaking along the southern route:

This is on the southern route from NZ to Tahati route :

http://www.bethandevans.com/pdf/Pass...20Raivavae.pdf

These two are on another bit of the southern ocean, but the general lessons are similar to the bit you are considering.

http://www.bethandevans.com/pdf/SouthernO.pdf

http://www.bethandevans.com/pdf/Southern%20Ocean.pdf

With only HRH William & Catherine to watch on the tellie tonight, I guess by the evening I'll know a lot more about the NZ to Tahiti route. I have read your appraisal of the South African route and as always with your material I have found it very helpful.

Thanks again
Greg

[sailingaway221]

Upwind through the CAribbean form PAnama isn't very nice!... but if you just sailed that way through the PAcific it probably is doable!