Both the Caribbean and the Pacific have seasonal windows for sailing. June/July is not one of them! In May the western Caribbean starts to kick up some nasty weather on the way to Panama. The Pacific Cruising guides and seminars all agree that you need to be in and cross to the Pacific side of Panama by March/April. At other times the Pacific between Panama and the Marquesas can be brutal. See the Pacific Pilot Charts (free from NOAA) for the monthly patterns. Below is an portion of the guide dealing with timing across the Pacific.
>>>> Time Table: Cruising Season is about 8 months long
**Total distance Panama to New Zealand about 8000 nm - total at sea time about 60 days,
winds from Panama to Tonga is usually always behind beam or running, very little wind waves, long
range wx forecasts hold up pretty reliably.**
End March arrival at Colon, Panama Canal
Mid April Leave Balbao, Panama Canal
**Do not worry about finding wx window south, wx is very mild and seas light.**
End April arrival at Galapagos
Mid May leave Galapagos
Beginning July move to Toamotus
Arrive Tahiti about 10 July, **Bastille Day, July 14 = Massive Festival for French Independence
Day. Lots of dance and athletic displays. Canoe races by locals**
August - Sail about French Polynesia, Moorea, Raiatea, Tahaa, Bora-Bora
End of August leave via either of the following routes - - -
Route 1, South via Cook Islands to arrive Tonga end of September
Route 2, North via Suvarow Atoll and Samoa(s) to arrive Tonga end of September
From Tonga to New Zealand from end of October to end of November (1,300 nm)
**Window based on bad wx in New Zealand area before Oct. and Pac Islands after Nov**
From Fiji to New Zealand - end October to end November (1,200 nm)
From New Caledonia to New Zealand - end of October to end November (1,000 nm)
From New Caledonia to Australia - November (1,000 nm) <<<<<
- - - -
Then you need to download "Pinniped's waypoints" to get the location of all the obstacles (uncharted) along the cruiser routes across the Pacific.
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