I’m going mad with charts & cruising guides.
Sam and I have been waiting for Guin to finish her school year and she graduates tomorrow. Guin is excited about sailing and talks about it often. Sam will also be starting her in Kindergarten soon (home schooling with the Calvert school). My friends Chuck & Leslie will be taking off with their 2 boys (4&7) and will be home schooling as well. It’s all quite exciting.
I’ve been studying and contemplating hurricane season. It’s important not to be in it! I found some cool info on Wikipedia, and wanted to share it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_hurricane#June
I hate the sailing route from Key West to Panama. Not to mention crossing the Gulf Stream, there will be contrary currants (1-2 kts) to well past the Caymans through the Yucatan channel. From Here to Panama I’m looking at a few solid weeks at sea during hurricane season. I’d much rather sail the windward passage (Eastern tip of Cuba) but there is just not enough time in the season. I’ve been thinking of sailing North, up the East coast as well and doing the Chesapeake, and possibly Maine for the summer. There is another option however.
I’ve been thinking of sailing to the Rio Dulce (Guatemala) for hurricane season. The Rio is the major place where Northern Caribbean sailors wait out the hurricane season. It is well inland and protected by high cliffs and mountains and is up a river and in a lake. There is lots of cool Mayan stuff for us all to explore, and probably some good history lessons for Guin. I have a friend there and he tells me there are a bunch of Cruising families and plenty of friends for Guin. I could also be there in 4-5 days out of Key West. The only issue with getting into the Rio Dulce is getting over the sand bar and into the river. Luckily “Splendid” only draws 4.5 feet, and could probably make it over the bar at mean low tide.
Oh yeah. Click on the Manson anchor to the left and check out the video from L&A TV.
Anyway, I just wanted to share my thoughts.
Cheers.
– Alex