Passage Plan - Pacific

[ip485]

It is called the milk run for a reason. It is more of a milk run that the Atlantic crossing.

.. and the point. An amazing achievement, and not to detract for one moment. Moreover, no detraction for what appears to be a very reasonable plan and with God speed, and in the vast majority of cases at the "right" time of year, it will be an "easy" passage - and that is why it is called the milk run.

 

[Wandering Star]

I think they'll be fine, I'd be surprised if they averaged 100 miles a day though on a 26 footer on a passage known for light weather. I'd be more inclined to calculate necessary stores and potential passage times on a more realistic 60 - 70 miles per day especially so if there's only fuel for 2 days motoring.

 

[AndrewB]

I've done the trip once and I think they should be fine.

I set off for Easter Island but swell from the south and SW made me change my plans and go to the Marquesas. Er, this is from Galapagos ... I went to Galapagos - not utterly worth it - $700 clearing fees to mainly see a giant tortoise 2people 1 boat. Puerto Ayora best if one-stop.

But direct trip is very long, and Pacific means "peace" so the trade winds in pacific are not as strong as trade winds Atlantic. Light wind sails order of the day. Blue Bear 32Westerley took 85 days on that leg panama - marquesas in 2012. So more range the better i think.

+1.

60+ days for a small boat not capable of protracted motoring is not at all unusual. It took me 42 to the Marquesas and it was the only ocean passage I have done where I was not able to collect much rain - squalls in the ITCZ were too short-lived. We used 350 litres of fresh water in total, of which approximately 170 were for drinking (2 litres per person per day). So its essential to be carrying enough water.

Not only was there no rain on that trip, but it was the only one where I caught no fish. Food is expensive and limited in the islands at least until you reach Tahiti, so any extra that can be taken, particularly canned fish/meat, is a plus.

The first part of this voyage could be done at any time of year, but from the Marquesas westwards should be timed to avoid the south Pacific cyclone season, which can affect even French Polynesia in El Nino years. The season is November to April (rare in November). Most yachts crossing the Pacific aim to reach New Zealand or Australia in October/November.

 

[marie galante]

I've précis'd helpful comment from here and forwarded via the stressed dad. I'm guessing the two lads ( ! ) are using an internet cafe somewhere near Panama and have offered to air-mail anything needed. I imagine they have access to Pacific Pilotage Charts and reasonable wx/met input via the 'liveaboard mafia'.

Thanks for all input so far.

 

[tcm]

Before they leave, they should join Puddle Jump Rally (free) - which gives them an agent and a fixed small entry fee to French Polynesia instead of a massive cash deposit.

Oh and tell them not to import more than legal limit of booze and cigs. They will definitely have a visit in French Polynesia, and they go through the boat.

 

[oldvarnish]

From comments above it sounds like they might be short of space for adequate water and fuel.

Mmmm. Wasn't Suhaili only 5 feet longer, and didn't he manage to survive all the way round the world?

 

[Resolution]

Mmmm. Wasn't Suhaili only 5 feet longer, and didn't he manage to survive all the way round the world?

Suhaili was 32 ft hull length, 44 ft overall including a generous bowsprit. From pictures, she looks a lot beamier for her length than the Contessa is. Against that, the grp construction of the Contessa might afford better stowage that RKJs heavy wood. All of which is a fun diversion from the comments in their passage plan that more space for more water was going to be difficult.
In context, I note that the Passage Plan makes no mention of whisky supplies!

 

[prv]

Mmmm. Wasn't Suhaili only 5 feet longer, and didn't he manage to survive all the way round the world?

And Seraffyn was two feet shorter and crossed the Pacific from Japan to Canada non-stop in 50 days, eating rather better than rice-and-beans (Lin wrote the trip up as a kind of recipe-book) and arriving with a reasonable stock of food in the lockers and water in the tank.

Pete

 

[Resolution]

And Seraffyn was two feet shorter and crossed the Pacific from Japan to Canada non-stop in 50 days, eating rather better than rice-and-beans (Lin wrote the trip up as a kind of recipe-book) and arriving with a reasonable stock of food in the lockers and water in the tank.

Pete

OK Pete, I can tell when I am outnumbered! Good luck to the lads, I wish them fair winds and a memorable adventure.
Peter

 

[marie galante]

I came across this site/page which suggests the wind patterns and forecasts in the Eastern Pacific...

http://www.stormsurfing.com/cgi/display_alt.cgi?a=spac_slp

Anything else I find out about the lads' movements, I'll post for interest.

 

[Gargleblaster]

I've done the trip from Panama to Easter Island and then on to Tahiti. Winds are very light at first until you get down to 10 deg S. It is a real struggle to get out of the Gulf of Panama. the light SE winds around the equator will drive you towards the Galapagos. I got as close as 50 miles East of the Galapagos before I could start getting more Southings. I did it in June and when I hit the trades they blew consistently at 20+ knots. Easter Island is at about 29 deg S and the trades lasted till then.

The Armada de Chile are very aware of the isolation of Easter Island and are very good at looking after visiting yachstman. There is one mooring buoy in the anchorage which may or may not be free. The anchorage is in about 15 metres of water and it is a requirement that someone is on the boat at all times. The Armada de Chile will turn a blind eye for single handed yachtspeople during the day.

There is water, fuel and groceries available on Easter Island. But it has to be taken out to your boat in a dinghy. I had plenty of water and fuel so just topped up my groceries. Prices aren't too bad considering nearly everything is brought in from the mainland.

I have attempted to use a Katadyn handheld watermaker when short of water in the South Atlantic and found that what it produced tasted off salt. Carrying water in a small boat in 2Litre containers tucked into odd corners in a much better alternative.

A 26 feet boat has plenty of room for a 4 person valise liferaft. they are better stored inside than outside as many have been swept from their fittings on long ocean passage by some of the waves you can encounter.

The CO26 is a tough little boat that is ideal for crossing oceans and many have. In the Jester Challenge from Plymouth to Newport it takes nearly fifty days to fight the wind, currents and waves across the Atlantic and at least one Contessa 26 has made it.

Just a few notes on the thread so far.

 

[jwilson]

Sounds a reasonable passage plan, a small watermaker might be a good idea for emergency use, especially if the water in the tank gets contaminated (been there done that), thus down to bottled. I would not rely on catching many fish mid-ocean, though worth a try.

 

[marie galante]

All input forwarded via 'The Dad'. Thanks to all, for all.

This just in....

Thanks for all your information and well-wishes over the last week or so.
Jesse set sail for Easter Island earlier today. I'm sure if he does call at Galapagos he will let me know but that isn't his intention. I think he took on extra water.

 

[Budgieboy]

Let us know how they get on .....

 

[BurnitBlue]

How are they going to transit the Panama Canal with a low powered outboard. Plus 4 line handlers and a pilot. It was different when USA with her sense of adventure but now under "new" management a minimum speed of 8 knots is required. A tug boat tow will cost thousands.

If they have already done the transit I would be interested to hear their experience and how they managed it..

 

[marie galante]

How are they going to transit the Panama Canal with a low powered outboard. Plus 4 line handlers and a pilot. It was different when USA with her sense of adventure but now under "new" management a minimum speed of 8 knots is required. A tug boat tow will cost thousands.

That's all behind them. See above.

If they have already done the transit I would be interested to hear their experience and how they managed it..

With some regret, I'm not in direct contact - but only indirect via a worried father, who contacts me when there's a question he doesn't understand.... or maybe for the sort of reassurance that some of the replies on here have given. Should I get more info - such as a safe landfall somewhere - I'll try to find this thread and post WIHIH.

Thanks....

 

[BurnitBlue]

That's all behind them. See above.




With some regret, I'm not in direct contact - but only indirect via a worried father, who contacts me when there's a question he doesn't understand.... or maybe for the sort of reassurance that some of the replies on here have given. Should I get more info - such as a safe landfall somewhere - I'll try to find this thread and post WIHIH.

Thanks....

i have always been puzzled how low powered boats manage the transit considering the rules. I know quite a few outboard powered boats have done a successful transit but they only post a bare statement of the fact with no details.

Perhaps in practice the rules are ignored. Anyway, thanks for responding.

My curiosity is not idle, as I have for a few years contemplated using my outboard powered IF Folkboat for a transit. It is a long way to be "turned back" so my plans switched to a Moody diesel powered boat. The IF Folkboat is right now laid up in Mothballs. Love the boat more than the Moody so I will not sell her.