FLEET UPDATE 2021-05-28

"Just let it go, then forgive, it's the better way to live.
A grudge is like a cancer, true, it might just be the death of you. Forgive. Forget. Set it free.
Let the wind carry it out to sea."

- Anonymous

 

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SERIOUS MONKEY BUSINESS WITH NINA OF SY ENJOY

SY XENIA IN POSITION FOR THE CANAL CROSSING

At La Playita marina! Spent night at John Wayne island. More pics to follow!!

ENTRY INTO THE BIGGEST FISH CAUGHT CATEGORY

ATLANTIC GULF STREAM AIDING THE TRADE ROUTES FROM THE CARIBBEAN

This map of the Gulf Stream appears in the book by Benjamin Franklin and dates from 1769. The Gulf Stream is depicted as the dark gray swath that runs along the east coast of what is now the United States.

   

In 1513, Ponce de Leon led the first known European expedition to La Florida, which he named during his first voyage to the area. He landed somewhere along Florida's east coast, then charted the Atlantic coast down to the Florida Keys and north along the Gulf coast, perhaps as far as Charlotte Harbor.

In 1513, Ponce de León led the first known European expedition to La Florida, which he named during his first voyage to the area. He landed somewhere along Florida's east coast, then charted the Atlantic coast down to the Florida Keys and north along the Gulf coast, perhaps as far as Charlotte Harbor.

On 2 April, 1513 Ponce de León sighted land which he named it La Florida in recognition of the verdant landscape and because it was the Easter season, which the Spaniards called Pascua Florida The precise location of their landing on the Florida coast has been disputed for many years. Some historians believe it occurred at or near St. Augustine but the ship's log closest to the landing site, reported by Herrera (who had the original logbook) in 1601, was 30 degrees, 8 minutes.

After remaining in the area of their first landing for about five days, the ships turned south for further exploration of the coast. On 8 April they encountered a current so strong that it pushed them backwards and forced them to seek anchorage. The tiniest ship, the San Cristobal, was carried out of sight and lost for two days.

This was the first encounter with the Gulf Stream where it reaches maximum force between the Florida coast and the Bahamas. Because of the powerful boost provided by the current, it would soon become the primary route for eastbound ships leaving the Spanish Indies bound for Europe.

Castillo de San Marcos (on the Panama Posse MUST SEE list ) was founded at the jumping off point of the Spanish Fleet on their route back to Spain. The Fort has massive guns and mortars and was never taken by the British and survived two British sieges in 1702 and 1740. >>> It was also used by Slaves from as far north as New York to escape and seek freedom under the Spanish dominion which granted freedom to all those who became Catholics undermining British dominance.

On top of the canons is the Spanish Coat of Arms

Spain created an extensive system of defenses to protects it's trade routes.

These main 7 fortified defenses are on the Panama Posse route

• Castillo de San Marcos, St. Augustine, Florida 29° 53' N 081° 18' W
• Fortaleza Ozama, Santo Domingo, Hispaniola 18° 28' N 069°  52' W
• Castillo San Felipe del Morro in San Juan, Puerto Rico 18° 28' N 066°  07' W
• Fuerte de San Lorenzo, Chagres, Panama 09° 19' N 080° 00' W
• Fuerte de San Juan de Ulua, Veracruz, Mexico 19° 12' N 096° 07' W
• Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, Cartagena, Colombia 10°  25' N 075° 32' W
• Castillo de los Tres Reyes Magos del Morro, Havana, Cuba 23°  09' N 082° 21' W

ENTRY INTO THE BIGGEST FISH CAUGHT CATEGORY

Caught and released a beautiful striped marlin 20nm east of Bahia de Los Muertos after an overnight crossing from Mazatlan.

 

SAN BLAS, PANAMA

 

THE MAGIC RATIO: 1 : 5+

CONFLICT RESOLUTION ON BOARD

 

TENSIONS ON BOARD KILL THE ADVENTURE

To understand the difference between happy and unhappy couples, researchers asked couples to solve a conflict in their relationship in 15 minutes. After carefully reviewing these sessions and following up with couples almost a decade later, they were able to predict which couples would stay together and which would break up with over 90% accuracy.

Their discovery was simple. The difference between happy and unhappy couples is the balance between positive and negative interactions during conflict. There is a very specific ratio that makes relationships last. And it's easy to see how this works on a boat as well.

That  magic ratio  is 1 : 5+ . This means that for every one negative interaction during conflict, a stable and happy relationship has five (or more) positive interactions.

ONE NEGATIVE INTERACTION

Examples of negative interactions include yelling, dismissive actions or gestures , as well as feelings of loneliness and isolation. While anger is certainly a negative interaction and a natural reaction during conflict, it isn't necessarily damaging to a relationship. Anger only has negative effects in a relationship if it is expressed along with criticism or contempt, or if it is defensive.

Negative interactions during conflict include being emotionally dismissive or critical, or becoming defensive. Body language such as eye-rolling can be a powerful negative interaction, and it is important to remember that negativity holds a great deal of emotional power, which is why it takes five positive interactions to overcome any one negative interaction.

FIVE OR MORE POSITIVE INTERACTIONS TO COUNTER ONE PRIOR NEGATIVE INTERACTION

1) INTEREST

Displaying interest includes asking open-ended questions, as well as more subtle signals such as nods, making eye contact, and timely 'uh-huhs'that show how closely you are listening. Are you curious about why he or she is upset ?

2) AFFECTION

Within conflict, displays of physical and verbal affection reduce stress. If you're having a difficult conversation and your partner takes your hand and says,  Gosh, this is hard to talk about. I really love you and I know we can figure this out together,  you will likely feel better because their display of affection is bound to reduce tension and bring you closer together.

3) MATTER

DO  small things often.” Small acts demonstrate you care and are powerful ways to enhance the positivity in your relationship.

4) APPRECIATION

Every time you express your positive thinking and give your partner a verbal compliment, no matter how small, you are strengthening your marriage. By focusing on the positives of your relationship and the vessel such as the good moments from your past and your partner's admirable traits, you put positive energy into your relationship.

5) AGREEMENT

When you seek opportunities for agreement and express yourself accordingly, you are showing that you see your partners viewpoint as valid and that you care about them. An alliance in conflict, even minor, can fundamentally shift how couples fight.

6) EMPATHY & APOLOGY

Empathy is one of the deepest forms of human connection even if you express empathy non verbally through a facial expression or a physical gesture. If your partner is upset with something you said or did, simply apologize. If you can find a moment during conflict to say  I'm sorry I hurt your feelings. That makes me sad,  you will provide a positive and empathetic interaction that reinforces your bond.

7) ACCEPT

One of the best ways to do this is to summarize your partner's experience during a recent conflict, even if you disagree. Remember that validation doesn't mean agreement, but it does signal respect and signals an understanding that each of your perspectives are valid, even if they are opposed to each other.

8) HUMOR

Find a way to joke around that maintains respect and appreciation for your partner and that serves to bring you both closer together. illness, and finding moments to laugh together can ease tension in a heated conflict.

TESTING THE RATIO

For every negative interaction are there more positive interactions ?

 

PANAMA POSSE 20-21 GEAR SHOP

ORDER NOW FOR JULY DELIVERY >>

THE GEAR SHOP IS ONLY OPEN FOR 8 WEEKS

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LATEST INTERNATIONAL COST OF LIVING INDEX

https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/gmaps.jsp

WE SAIL W E S A I L W H E R E

COCONUTS GROW
JAGUARS ROAM
VOLCANOES BLOW
MONKEYS HOWL
WHALES SPLASH
MACAWS SQUAWK
COCONUTS GROW
SLOTHS HANG
PELICAN'S GLIDE

MOBULA RAYS JUMP

WE ASK FOR SYMPATHY FOR THESE FLYING DEVIL (FISH)

While the jumping behavior may occur during feeding or courting events, we believe that the most likely purpose of the jumping behavior is communication, which could have a variety of applications in different behavioral scenarios. However it is very likely that mantas, mobulas and eagle rays jump for a variety of reasons.

By jumping to identify the aggregation to other nearby individuals. In theory, this would increase the density and overall number of individuals, providing a higher mate choice ability and increasing the likelihood that any one individual gets to mate.

Species of this genus are often collectively referred to as "devil rays", "flying mobula", or simply "flying rays", due to their propensity for breaching, sometimes in a spectacular manner. Depending on the exact species, the devil rays can attain widths up to 1.1 “5.2 m (3.6 - 17.1 ft), the largest being second only to the manta rays in size, which can reach 5.5-7.0 m (18.0-23.0 ft)

'TIS THE SEASON FOR HAUL OUTS
 

 

Quepos, Costa Rica - another difficult but productive day in the yard on the hard. Lucky Chucky out.

 

 

PANAMA POSSE SEASON FINALE AWARDS

 

June 4th we will announce the winners and associated prizes in these highly competitive fields

• BIGGEST FISH CAUGHT
• HIGHEST WIND RECORDED
• BIGGEST MISHAP aka THE CAPTAIN RON AWARD
• MOST UNWELCOME VISITOR ONBOARD
• SPEEDY GONZALEZ AWARD
• PANAMA POSSE YODA OF THE YEAR
• PICTURE OF THE YEAR
• GOOD SAMARITAN OF THE YEAR

LAST SEASONS RUNNER UP BIGGEST FISH CAUGHT AWARD BY SY SIRENA

* PRIZES TO BE AWARDED *

Flor de Cana Rum - the GOOD stuff

1 Week Dockage at Marina Papagayo, Costa Rica

1 Week Dockage at Vista Mar Marina, Panama

1 Month Mooring on Unkle Bill's mooring in El Salvador

3 Days Dockage at Marina Vallarta, Mexico

1 Predict Wind Pro Subscription

and more to come ... !

* subject to availability, local laws, restrictions and all the other things but are avoidable on the high seas or in international waters

PANAMA POSSE

Affordable International Travel Medical Insurance Partner
including Costa Rica Covid Insurance a.m.o

https://www.tripinsuranceconsultants.com/panamaposse

LIGHTNING INSURANCE CLAIM REPORT FROM PAST FLEET UPDATES COSTA RICA

 

SY Sugar Shack ( S1 ) was struck by lightning in Herradura, Costa Rica in May 2018.

Below is a very helpful document from Panama Posse Season 1 authored by
SY Sugar Shack on how to deal with boat insurance companies .

Preventing and mitigating claim issues

This document is based on hindsight and our experience with our insurance carrier.

Preventative Measures prior to a claim

Document, document, document everything. With photos, receipts, affidavits, and anything that can support your future claim of repairs, maintenance, service, purchases, and upgrades.

Ask your insurance carrier to provide you with Underwriter contact information. This will be challenging as they won't want to provide it. But it will benefit you during a claim, if and, when you have problems.

Obtain information on how to file a complaint in the event your claim is not handled properly. This might be on your policy, if not, ask your agent or insurance carrier.

Maintenance receipts should be provided for all professional work (even when it's free). Dated receipts should provide a detailed description of what work was completed. Before & after photos are a bonus.

Our adjuster asked for proof of maintenance on our alternators. The receipts said,  lternator repair and replaced 3 diode which did not qualify as  bench testing or maintenance.

Receipts - save all receipts (digital is best to easily prove online). If it is not clear what item was purchased, note it on the receipt.

We bought a Deka 24M7 at Island Water World. Receipt read  Marine Dual Purpose A002401  We had to show A002401 s the stated battery by linking back to the IWW website.

Inventory your boat and update every 6 months when possible. It will be much easier to update an existing equipment list at the time of an incident than it will be to create a new one.

List should include: Item, Model & Manufacturer, Age, Cost at time of purchase, Location.

This list will help ensure that you check functionality on all parts, after an incident. You don't want to miss something. On a lightning strike you want to check everything with a circuit board/panel.

Every 6-12 months, photograph or video tape all electronics, mechanical equipment, anchor, chain, and high dollar or valuable items. This provides proof of ownership and proof of state of gear.

You might need to provide before and after photos. Lightning damaged our chain and anchor with severe ARC marks, pitting, and gauges. Who thinks about photographing your anchor? Luckily, we had a photo, underway, of dolphins at the bow showing the anchor in foreground.

Policy

Be clear what is and isn't covered in your policy (housing while boat is on the hard, haul out, storage, marina, survey, surveyor, rig check). Good to know this before you file your report.

We couldn't stay on the boat while it was on the hard. Housing for 5 months was over $4k and insurance only covered a small portion ($1000).

Be aware of your deductibles and when they are due.

Are they due up front or deducted from amount paid to you?

Ask how claim payments are handled. Are you responsible for all upfront expenses, then receive reimbursement from insurance company? Or do they provide you with lump sum good faith payments based on estimates, and settle balance at the end?

Our adjuster originally wanted us to cover all expenses, then submit receipts. Our claim was several hundred thousand dollars which would have been a huge financial hardship. With lots of negotiating, we secured several small payments to cover the cost of equipment.

We paid the final lump sum and waited for reimbursement once invoices are balanced.

Read the fine print on your coverage. Some companies double the deductible due to a lightning strike.

Immediately after the incident

Do whatever you need to do to minimize and mitigate additional damage to your vessel.

Document everything you do to mitigate the damage (provide photos if possible)

Temporary fixes included some navigation lights, head, water

Photograph and document all damaged items.

We ascended the mast, photographed VHF antennae where lightning struck.

Swam on bottom of boat to ensure no holes or exit points were found, checked all bilges, etc

Photographed and collected all smoking and burnt items.

Do not discard any damaged items. Save everything including fuses, shards of damaged equipment.

You (or a vendor) be required to hold on to all damaged equipment for a year.

Reporting the incident, report all pertinent information: name, boat name, policy number, date, time and location of incident, witnesses, type of damage, extent of damage, weather, parties involved, etc

Request boat/rig survey, haul and whatever it takes to determine the full extent of damage to your boat.

Adjuster denied our request for a boat, rig survey, & haul out, for 10 days before finally agreeing.

If you are in a holding pattern (waiting for approval: move boat, haul out, survey, whatever), be proactive.

Research haul out facilities near you (rates, availability, distance from you, possible routes).

Document damaged items. Try to do an initial damage assessment including make, model, age, type, damage incurred). Your equipment list will come in handy if you have been maintaining it.

Again, another useful way to ensure you check and double check all components.

Research local electronic and/or mechanical vendors whom you might hire.

If you can, ask them to come out to the boat to assess damage (if at no charge).

Constantly check and recheck equipment as it may work one day and not another.

Constantly check and recheck all safety protocols.

Be proactive get estimates/quotes for any perceived costs or expenses ahead of time and get the insurance company or adjuster to approve them prior to commencing work.

Remember to include everything you can think related to the claim. Related costs could include visa extensions, boat permit extensions, yard fees, delivery fees, duty, shipping, tax, etc

Costa Rica does not recognize “Yacht in Transit” and therefore charged us duty on all equipment.

If your claim requires a surveyor (all lightning strikes should be surveyed), they will be provided by the insurance company. Which means they work for the insurance company and not you.

Prior to scheduling the surveyor for the insurance company, hire your own surveyor who will work for you. Then tell your insurance company that your surveyor will meet their surveyor at the boat at same time to ensure there are no discrepancies. Keeps everyone honest. Yes, you will have to pay for your surveyor, but it will be well worth it in the end to ensure an honest damage assessment report.

Ensure that both surveyors see the boat for the first time at the same time.

Surveyor and damage assessment

All surveys (whether related to a claim or not) should always mention all expensive parts, components, electronics - listed out, photographed, with model and/or serial numbers. Ask the surveyor to ensure that he includes everything possible.

Insurance denied items because they were not noted on our required standard policy renewal survey taken 2 years prior. Our Wet Sounds Tower speakers were installed, and we provided photos and receipts on top of surveyor witnessing them on board. But because they were not listed on the survey from a few years prior they wanted to deny them as part of the claim.

In between surveys, document maintenance, upgrades and purchases with detailed receipts and photos.

During a claim, you may need to provide a list of upgrades, maintenance, & purchases that have occurred since last survey.

If your insurance carrier sends a surveyor, do your homework and find out what you can about this surveyor and their company. (Google, LinkedIn, BBB, cruiser forums)

Our 1st surveyor had never surveyed a catamaran, nor had he surveyed any boat that was struck by lightning. He did not provide much guidance or feedback.

The 2nd surveyor, David Morris at Morris Marine had a really bad Yelp review. Previous insureds stated he lied about equipment state and said one thing at the survey and reported something completely different to insurance carrier. Unfortunately, he did the same thing to us as well.

Surveyor will reach out to you to schedule the survey. Be sure to ask them, if they have surveyed a boat like yours, in incident like yours, and what their general experience is with damage assessments. Be aware of their experience and their limitations so you can prepare accordingly.

If you select not to hire your own surveyor, ask the insurance company's surveyor if you can record (audio) the survey to ensure there are no discrepancies.

Our surveyor would not let us record audio (which is fishy in itself) and he said one thing at the survey and reported things differently on the report.

If they won't let you record, document the conversation in a notebook and read it back to surveyor to ensure he/she is aware of what you understand and wrote.

The damage assessment report (or survey) will belong to the insurance company, but you can request a copy, which is highly recommended. This will allow you to know what is covered as part of the claim.

Have surveyor photograph everything, especially if you can show damage or non-functionality.

Follow surveyor around and note what he notes. What's functioning or not, what meter readings are

During damage assessment, tell surveyor everything you can think of including all repairs, maintenance upgrades, purchases. Especially if they're not noted on last survey.

This is easier if you have a running log of repairs, upgrades, and maintenance. We did not.

We failed to mention the alternator maintenance (even though we had receipts of maintenance), they used the fact that we did not mention it during the assessment as an 'issue'

If your adjuster or surveyor states a piece of equipment is not damaged due to the claim, and you truly believe it was damaged because of your incident - take it to an expert. Yes, you may have to pay for the test or analysis, but it will be worth it to support your claim. Back your claim with technical expertise.

Our stainless-steel chain was damaged from the lightning strike. The adjuster sent a sample to a  lab  to have it analyzed and the results showed a  304 composition. Our receipt showed 316 grade, so we sent it to a metallurgic analysis lab to prove that it was in deed 316 composition.

Our house batteries, alternators, and windlass were all damaged due to the strike. The surveyor said they stopped working due to maintenance (yes all at once). We had to bench test all equipment with a third-party vendor and provide a written root cause analysis.

General Notes:

Be up front, honest, and transparent.

Be proactive, professional, and persistent.

Fight your claim with technical points, written affidavits, documentation, photos, videos, and receipts.

Remove all emotion from your correspondence. It is very easy to get frustrated and angry when you are dealing with delays and denials. But, don't express your feelings, fight with facts and hard evidence.

Don't blog or post on social Media updates or information on your claim, while the claim is active - ever!

Never make legal threats against any insurers unless you are fully prepared to go to court. Especially, with the Lloyd's Market. Attorneys told us that they will stop payments, close your claim and force you to litigate in London (per policy).

Ensure all invoices match estimates. Do not give them any reason to deny your claim.

Provide a spreadsheet (they will probably provide a format) with item, damage, model, manufacturer, age, repair or replace, estimate to repair or replace, cost to repair or replace, final cost to be paid.

Our insurer also asked for links to repair parts to ensure vendor did not have too big of a markup.

Fight hard for what is right. Being honest and don't commit insurance fraud.

Insurance companies count on you getting tired of the fight and/or backing down. Some insureds just settle for whatever they are willing to get despite true damage by a claim - fight for what is right. You paid for a policy of coverage and deserve that coverage.

Matthew & Christine

SY SUGAR SHACK
currently in French Polynesia

 

HO'OKIPA TESTIMONIAL AMARU WELLNESS SPA & SURF CAMP

Puesta Del Sol, Nicaragua - Amaru Wellness Spa, Resort & Surf Camp Testimony:

 

We were in search of a place to de-stress and get some R&R away from the boat for a few days after cruising overnight from Chiapas, Mexico to Marina Puesta Del Sol in Nicaragua and while walking around nearby Punta Aposentillo we literally stumbled on Amaru Wellbeing Resort. What a great find! We ended up staying a week.

We could walk along the beach from the marina to Amaru in 40 minutes or ride our moto in 10. Amaru met our expectations and then some. The low-key place is beautiful and inviting. Amaru is a perfect place to chill and relax. The place has a wonderful vibe that emphasizes enjoying life, serenity and the gorgeous environment surrounding it. Amaru is all about sustainability which we appreciate.

We loved having the options to relax by the pool overlooking the ocean, wander the gardens, stroll on the beach below, have a massage in the private cabana with ocean view or take a yoga class in Amaru's beautiful, open air yoga studio built of gorgeous wood that feels like you are in a large treehouse, or nap in a hammock. Every evening the views of the sunset are incredible.

Being adventuring sorts we wanted to learn to surf so opted to hire Amaru's surf instructor. $35 per 2-hour session for the two of us, including transportation and boards. On day 2 we both got up! We surfed a couple hours each day and had a chance to visit several beaches and local surf joints we would have missed otherwise. We surfed every morning and had a yoga class every afternoon. We thoroughly enjoyed having small tailor-made yoga classes for surfers who need a nice stretch before or after catching some waves, but we also attended classes just for a chance to loosen up the muscles and calm the mind.

The food was delicious -- best we had in Nicaragua and frankly in Costa Rica as well. It was always fresh and locally sourced with fruits and vegetables grown on the property. Special shout-out to the incredible fish dishes, daily homemade breads, wraps and salsas! The dining is al fresco under the patio. There is also a great pub/café that is open to the public on Friday and Saturday afternoons to evening so we had a chance to meet some of the locals and surfers who stop in for a cold cerveza, smoothie or a good meal.

We like to get massages and we really enjoyed the massages we had at Amaru. They have a professionally trained masseuse from Brazil who is excellent.

 

Amaru is managed by a 34-year-old Swiss woman named Marcia and her 32-year-old American business partner Garrett. They and their whole team have a great energy. Super friendly and accommodating. They have done a great job. Amaru is all charm, surrounded by gardens and orchards.

After our initial stay we came back a few more times to hang out with our new-found friends, have a massage and do some yoga classes. Nothing beats Amaru's ambience and a nice glass of wine.

PANAMA POSSE DISCOUNT

We love to offer
15% discount on our Restaurant Menu offerings
10% on overnight stay.

CONTACT

Amaru Wellbeing Resort

Marcia De Queiroz
Punta Aposentillo Nicaragua
www.amarunicaragua.com
Whatsapp: +50588988878
Insta: amarunicaragua
email: info@amarunicaragua.com

LOCATION

Bringing people together in an intimate setting - creating a safe and productive space for wisdom and knowledge to be shared.

Amaru Food Philosophy
We bring as much of our produce from our own gardens to the table, and what we cannot source from our own soil, we bring from that of our neighbors. Our meals are inspired by the seasons, as nature intended them to be, and are seasoned with the authenticity of Nicaraguan spices and flavors. We cater to all dietary requirements, so no matter your diet, our buffet style approach allows you to choose your own adventure and satisfy both your body and soul.  estomago lleno, corazon contento” (full stomach and happy heart).

Gorgeous Toucan shot live on a hike outside Quepos, Costa Rica. Lumix camera/600m lense/F2.8 by Ho'Okipa

SY KNOT RIGHT TRAILER HAUL OUTAT VISTA MAR MARINA, PANAMA

Haul out was with 4 attempts, the swells kept moving the trailer underneath

Knot Right on the hard !

LINTON BAY MARINA SPONSORS THE PANAMA POSSE

  SAVE THE DATE

Friday June 4th, 2021SEASON FINALE 18:00 PANAMA TIME
PANAMA POSSE YACHT FEST CELEBRATION "

 
OFFICIAL AWARD CEREMONY
MUSIC, RUM, FUN, STORIES & MORE

@ VISTA MAR MARINA, PANAMA

 

PARTY AGENDA

OPENING
PANAMA POSSE TOAST
YOUR STORIES ( Q&A )
POSSE NEWS FOR NEXT SEASON
PARTIES AND WHERE TO BE
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
RUNNERS UPAND AWARDS
TOAST
MORE STORIES
MUSIC
DANCING
SLEEP

 

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 Here are our tentative dates for our seminars in early December 2021 in Barra de Navidad, Mexico

Thursday December 2nd, 2021

@ 13:00 ROUTE PLANNING & NAVIGATION

Friday December 3rd, 2021

@ 13:00 COMMUNICATIONS, WEATHER, SAFETY, MEDICAL AND SELF RESCUE,

Friday December 3rd, 2021

@ 17:30 PANAMA POSSE KICK OFF PARTY

Saturday December 4th, 2021

@ 13:00 SATELLITE CHARTS / OPEN CPN / GOOD NAUTICAL

Saturday December 4th, 2021

@ 17:30 PANAMA POSSE OVER THE TOP POT LUCK RED CUP DOCK PARTY

Sunday December 5th, 2021

@ 10:00 PANAMA POSSE SWAP MEET

Sunday December 5th, 2021

@ 13:00 PROVISIONING, WHAT TO SEE AND DO, RECAP, Q&A

PARTY AT COCONUTZ

MARINA MAKAX ISLA MUJERES SPONSORS THE PANAMA POSSE

ORDER YOUR PANAMA POSSE GEAR

PICTURE OF THE WEEK

Outventure at anchor

COUNTRY QUARANTINE UPDATES >>

 PANAMA CLOSES BORDER WITH COLOMBIA

Panama announced on Wednesday, May 19, the temporary closure of its border with Colombia, hours after the neighboring country reopened the land, river, and sea borders that it had been closed for more than a year due to the pandemic.

 The Republic of Panama expresses its concern regarding the decision of the Government of the Republic of Colombia, contained in the Resolution of the Ministry of the Interior 0667 of May 19, 2021, by which they determine the opening of maritime, land, and river crossings on the common border,” said a statement by the Panamanian Foreign Ministry.

According to the Ministry, this measure puts at risk "the significant progress made by all Panamanians to control the Covi-19 pandemic, as well as border security and control of the migratory flow. It indicated that it has been determined to temporarily suspend the entry into the national territory, by land, sea and river, of all persons from Colombia, as of May 20, 2021.

The Colombian government opened the steps with Panama, Peru, Ecuador, and Brazil "from zero hours (0500 GMT) on May 19, 2021,"

Panamanian Foreign Minister Erika Mouynes

Covid Vaccination Rates % Fully / Partially

Antigua and Barbuda 7.20 / 25.96

Aruba 46.66 / 11.88

Bahamas 1.5 / 11.4

Belize 2.67 / 12.74

Canada 4.79 / 49.63

Cayman Islands 55.62 / 9.49

Colombia 6.28 / 4.82

Costa Rica 14.59 / 5.44

Cuba 7.05 / na

Ecuador 2.92 / 5.64

El Salvador 11.00 / 6.25

French Polynesia 14.22 / 5.58

Germany 16.32 / 25.86

Grenada 5.13 / 7.08

Guatemala 0.25 / 1.90

Honduras 0.28 / 1.10

Jamaica 0.5 / 5.1

Mexico 9.24 / 5.75

Panama 7.97 / 9.80

Turks and Caicos 29.62

United Kingdom 35.42 / 21.46

United States 39.70 / 9.85

Worldwide 5.53

LAYING UP FOR THE SEASON IN THE TROPICS

We've had Avant offshore for a few years now and have developed a routine for laying her up for the off season. It's a fair amount of work, but pays dividends in letting us come back to a vessel that's not suffering from mold or mildew, and hasn't degraded (much) from the weather when we're away. We have set Avant up to wait for us on the hard and in the water, and each has its unique requirements.Sailing in Mexico and Central America we have rarely seen rain in the cruising season (October to May) but we know the rainy season (June to September) is a different story. We have never ‘enjoyed' a storm aboard, but we know that hurricane season will bring them in our absence. Preparing the boat takes a few days, but the effort pays dividends on our return.

Mold

Mold is perhaps the most pernicious hazard for a laid up boat in the tropics. If it gets a foothold, the warm, moist interior of the boat is the perfect environment for it to grow, and it will grow everywhere, on any surface. To forestall its growth, we clean the interior aggressively and then spray all surfaces with a mixture of straight vinegar mixed with a drop of dish soap per liter/quart (the dish soap is a surfactant and stops the vinegar from beading), wipe them with a cloth wet with the same mixture and allow the vinegar to dry in place. The ph value of vinegar is antithetical to mold growth, and it simply won't start where there is vinegar on the surface. The smell is overwhelming on application, but fades in an hour or so, and is undetectable on our return. We also mist curtains and cushions with the same mixture, spray liberally in the bilge, and leave a few bowls filled with just vinegar (no soap) to evaporate inside while we're away in various places around the boat. We use at least a couple for gallons for this process.We prop cushions on their sides/edges just before we go to allow maximum air circulation, and leave all cupboard doors ajar as well. Clothing and bedding is dried in the sun and then plastic bagged before stowing below so it can't get damp.If we're on shore power, we leave a cheap 110 volt fan below to circulate the air, and if not we leave our Nicro day/night solar vents running. One year in El Salvador we were able to leave an air conditioner running, which was great, and where Avant is now (Panama) we have a dehumidifier running 24/7 to control the moisture.If you choose ‘electronic remediation' (dehumidifier or air conditioning) for mold control, you need to plan for power outages and recognize that the dockside or in the yard shore power will likely be somewhat unreliable and will suffer multiple outages over the season. Fancy new style microprocessor controlled units will usually not restart after a power outage or voltage drop; old style, bog-simple units with mechanical switches usually will restart after an outage (and as a bonus, they're usually cheaper, too). A dehumidifier or stand alone AC will need a drain point, such as a galley or head sink drain, while a window style AC can be set up to drain overboard or through cockpit drains.

 

Tarps

Tarps are used for a couple of things: to keep sun off the decks and thus control heat, and to keep the rain off portions of the deck. We use them, but under the tarps we do get algae on deck. There are cheap tarps and not so cheap tarps, and the cheap blue type last mere days or at best weeks in the intense sun and can't withstand summer squalls and storms. We buy ‘good ones' (usually they're not blue, and sometimes are silver on one or both sides) and get them double the size we need, and put them on doubled up. The side exposed to the sun will rot and fail in the UV, but the second layer will usually last out the season. We don't use the grommets on the tarps, but instead gather the fabric of the tarp around a ping pong ball and secure that with a constricting loop knot (a topsail sheet bend tied back on the bight). The grommets are the first point of failure. After a season, the tarps are garbage.Run them as low as possible so they have the lowest windage and cover the most deck area.We also have fitted sunshade material awnings that ride low to the decks and are secured to the toe rails and cover the decks that we put over the tarps. They shade the decks where we don't have tarps, and where they ride over the traps they add UV protection for the tarps. Sunshade material is widely available at Home Depot and other DIY shops, usually in the garden department. It's easy to sew on any machine, and the plastic grommets they sell for it are easy to apply seem to last well. As with tarps, grommets are the first potential point of failure, but as we have them every foot along the edge, they spread the load well.

Bugs

Of course, we live in fear of a bug infestation of some description while away. We buy cockroach bait (apparently the kind that comes in a tube like toothpaste is best) and roach hotels and place them around the boat. We use the whole tube, as this is not the place for half measures. We have found 2 dead roaches and no live ones aboard on our return in the 14 years we've been laying up. We shudder to think how many we might have found without the poison set out.

Food

The temperatures in the interior of the boat will be extreme: in the Sea of Cortez, interior temperatures of 140°f/60°c are typically reached daily for a boat on the hard for weeks at a time, and 120°f/49°c for a boat in the water. We have had cans of food explode from the heat, and an unopened bottle of ketchup left aboard cooked in the heat to turn the rich dark brown colour of bbq sauce. For unopened food we want to try to keep, we get small plastic bin liner bags and after emptying and dosing the interior of the lockers with their vinegar wipe-down, we double bag the food in small batches and stow back in the lockers. If a can explodes it will do so inside the bag and the mess will be contained to the ½ dozen or so items sharing the bag with it.

Plastic

Items made of plastic do not fare well. The heat and UV bake them. For items below decks, we wet out a cloth with Armor All, Aerospace 303 or a similar plastic treatment (easily found at auto stores) and wet wipe them down. For items on deck that can't be removed and brought below, we treat them with protectant, wrap them in a layer of paper towel, wrap aluminum foil over that (two layers of cheap tin foil seems to work better than a single layer of thicker expensive stuff) and then secure the tin foil with liberal amounts of duct tape (being very careful the duct tape only adheres to the tin foil and not to anything under it). On our return we find the duct tape has usually been reduced to a skeleton of the reinforcement fabric and is easily removed.We also wrap winches, blocks and all other deck hardware in a similar fashion. UV will destroy the ball bearings in ball bearing blocks.

Elastic

Elastic won't be after a season of baking in the heat. Shock cords not should be used to secure anything as they will perish. Elastic in clothing and swimming suits may not be elastic on your return.

Lightning

Grounding. Most vessels are poorly grounded, and their grounding is ineffective when hauled (yes, you can be struck by lightning when on the hard). You can ground your boat quickly and simply with a set of jumper cables (or add these to increase the grounding)If in the water, we buy a set of cheap but fairly thick jumper cables. Separate into two wires. Remove one clamp from each wire, strip back a couple or six inches of insulation and ‘fray' the end (or keep the clamp and clamp it to a 1'x1' metal plate) to make a better ground connection with the water. Attach remaining clamp to a top shroud or other bit of metal that connects to near the masthead and throw the frayed/plated end in the water. One cable port, one cable starboard.If on the hard, separate cables and attach one to the top shrouds and Jack stands on the port side, the other to the same points on starboard.In either case, the cables will be trash at the end of the season, as they are not designed for continuous outdoor use. Brushing clamps with wax, Vaseline or any other topical protectant helps them rust less and look better longer. Even if you *think* your boat might be/is well grounded, these jumper cable tricks will ensure/increase it.We gather up all portable and easily de-mounted electronics (hand held vhf and gps units, epirbs, led flashlights, portable radios, etc.) and wrap them in paper towel, then in tin foil, then in plastic food wrap (secured with masking tape), and then place them in the oven as a kind of double faraday cage. We disconnect all antennas and easily unplugged items like Chartplotters, ais, vhf, etc. and leave them disconnected and just hanging to disrupt possible paths for lightning.

Batteries

Small batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9V, silver cells like A76, CR2025 and CR2032, etc.) are removed from whatever they are powering, gathered, inventoried and given away. They won't be any good when we come back, and we need to know how many and of what type we will need to bring when we return.The ships batteries (house and starting) we leave connected to our solar array for charging while we're away, to make sure power is available to our bilge pumps. We disconnect (switch off at the panel) the shore side charger as superfluous.

Bilge pumps

We inspect and test our bilge pumps. Avant will take on a bit of water through the mast, and other leaks may appear over the season. We want a bone-dry bilge to keep interior humidity down. We know of several cruisers who have had a battery die due to bilge pump pumping, and another couple who lost their boat to flooding while on the hard (their cockpit drains blocked and water flooded in the companionway in a tropical storm). If your boat has a garboard plug, you can leave it out if you're on the hard, and if it doesn't and the concept works for your hull form you can consider adding one (https://www.sailmagazine.com/diy/keep-your-bilge-dry-with-a-garboard-drain-plug ).

Through hulls

We close all through hulls and tank vents and stuff stainless steel scrubbies or rolled up green scrubbies in them if we're on the hard. The scrubbies prevent bugs from nesting in the holes. Some cruisers use bromine tablets (for hot tubs) in their raw water strainers to discourage growth there.

Head and holding tank

We empty the holding tank and pump in 1 - 1½ gallons or so of vinegar and a liberal amount of Pinõl or Lysol type cleanser. Better to have that bake in the heat than what was in there before, and a completely dry tank will form concrete-like deposits.

Sails and canvas

Sails and canvas are removed, inspected, repaired, cleaned, and neatly folded to be stowed below.

Engines

Our engine enjoys an oil change, fluid top up and wipe-down with an oily rag before we go, and we leave the compartment door ajar so air can circulate there too. Many cruisers do a freshwater flush of the exhaust as well, but we don't bother. Outboards are freshwater flushed, given their annual service, and run dry of fuel before stowing below.

Fuel tanks

Diesel tanks are filled to the top and treated with biocide (BioBore or similar). Gas tanks are emptied, the gasoline given away, and the plastic tanks are treated with ArmorAll or similar. We don't bother trying to ‘stabilize' gasoline for storage, the quantity doesn't justify it. Jerry cans are emptied and treated with ArmorAll or similar. The empty jerry cans and gas tanks are stored below.

Propane

We simply shut off the propane at the tanks.

Water tanks

Water tanks are emptied. When we return, we treat them as if contaminated as recommended in this article https://www.practical-sailor.com/blog/decontaminating-a-tainted-water-tank. The water pump (and all other breakers save the bilge pumps) is shut off.

Mooring lines and fenders

If we're in the water, we double all mooring lines and add chafe guard (we use fire hose) at all chafe points. We buy cheap children's T-shirts and slip them over our fenders as extra chafe guard/ UV protection, securing them at the top end with small line or zip ties.Even if you have a hired ‘boat watcher' they're unlikely to be 100% available to come to your aid in a storm. They may be looking after multiple boats, or the roof may be blowing off of their house (or their mother's house) in the same storm that threatens your boat. You need to be secured for a storm.

Dinghies

We have a RIB inflatable dinghy, and some years we have been able to secure covered storage for it at the marina or yard we're at, which is best. Other years we secured it to the deck upside down, inflated to about ¾ normal pressure, spaced off the deck with dollar store pool noodles and covered with a tarp. Protection from sun while ensuring it's wrapping can't hold water against the fabric are the keys to success. If you can deflate yours and stow it below, that's even better.

Bottom cleaning

If you store in the water, you will need to arrange for regular bottom cleaning. The interval will be determined by local conditions. Make sure the cleaner is reliable, has references, and sends pictures or other proof the job is being done: we know cruisers who found their cleaners simply cashed the payments and didn't do any cleaning until just before their return.

Contact info

Post a card in the window with local contact information for your boat-watcher (if you have one) and your contact info back home: name, email, phone numbers. When we return, we find Avant fresh and dirty, needing good wash after we enjoy a Christmas morning - like unwrapping party of all her tinfoiled appurtenances and after some reassembly, we're ready to cruise another season.

 

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SERVICE PROVIDERS

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Panama Posse Partners

• Vicente’s Moorings – Acapulco – Mexico
• Discover Tours Chiapas – Mexico
• Park Avenue Villas – San Juan del Sur – Nicaragua
• Coconutz – Annual Papagayo Victory Party – Playa Cocos – Costa Rica
• Abernathy – Chandlery – Panama
• Advertising Partners – Las Vegas
• Safe-Esteem.com – Delaware

 

Official Panama Posse Ambassadors

• Jaime Figueroa Navarro – Panama
• Bill & Jean – El Salvador Rally, El Salvador
• Ralph Hewitt – Nicaragua
• Suzy & Neil – Distant Drummer – Lesser Antilles

 

 SY TOKETEE at anchor in Golfito, Costa Rica

 
GOLFITO, COSTA RICA is in GOOD NAUTICAL

 

 

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WE OPERATE UNDER INTERNATIONAL MARITIME LAW

YOUR VESSEL YOUR CREW YOUR RESPONSIBILITY

panama posse communications on land @ 9811 w charleston blvd 2262 89117 Las Vegas USA © 2021

Panama Posse / Good Nautical Inc

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by panamaposse

FLEET UPDATE 2021-05-20

"The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one
in its net of wonder forever."

- Jacques Yves Cousteau

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🇵🇦 MV STAND DOWN AND SY KNOT RIGHT

CELEBRATIONS IN PANAMA

SY ARROW ENTRY INTO BIGGEST FISH CAUGHT CONTEST

🇵🇦 URRACA ISLAND - MONKEY REFUGE - ECO RESORT - PANAMA

Check out the little howler monkey

 

We had a great time at Monkey Island 🏝️ on Sunday, with Francine who lives there with 16 monkey's and I got to feed a 3 month old howler monkey 🐒

 

In 2013, Francine and Toutie moved to Urraca Private Island, where they built a beautiful home among the mangroves.

Over the years, Francine has adopted additional monkeys who were either abandoned by their pet owners, or found orphaned due to habitat loss or hunting in the wild. Now, all these monkeys belong to a troop where they can socialize, groom, and play with other monkeys every day.

 

The island is 100% powered by solar panels and solar lights. Our freshwater resources are collected through a rain catchment system. To avoid the use of plastic only stainless steel straws are available, and we provide guests with unlimited drinking water in reusable glass bottles. To conserve our resources bedding and towels are changed upon request

 

Built over the water, Urraca is a Eco Resort on a private island in Bocas del Toro, Panama.

 

Eric from SY Shearwater getting his monkey on !

 

Monkey Island Bocas del Toro / Urraca is in Good Nautical

PANAMA POSSE 20-21 GEAR SHOP

ORDER FOR JULY DELIVERY >>

THE GEAR SHOP IS ONLY OPEN FOR 8 WEEKS

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PANAMA POSSE SEASON FINALE AWARDS

> ONLY A FEW WEEKS LEFT TO ENTER <

June 4th we will announce the winners and associated prizes in these highly competitive fields

• BIGGEST FISH CAUGHT
• HIGHEST WIND RECORDED
• BIGGEST MISHAP aka THE CAPTAIN RON AWARD
• MOST UNWELCOME VISITOR ONBOARD
• SPEEDY GONZALEZ AWARD
• PANAMA POSSE YODA OF THE YEAR
• PICTURE OF THE YEAR
• GOOD SAMARITAN OF THE YEAR

Picture of the 2019-2020 Runner Up Award for Captain Ron

VOLARE – Exiting El Salvador with a splash

 

PANAMA POSSE Affordable Travel Insurance Partner
including Costa Rica Covid Insurance a.m.o

https://www.tripinsuranceconsultants.com/panamaposse

Insurance Consultants Int'

1840 Deer Creek Rd #201

Monument, CO 80132

Local Phone: 719-573-9080 x102

lynette@globalhealthinsurance.com
craig@globalhealthinsurance.com

Craig Robinson & Lynette Rempel

🇨🇷 HO'OKIPA HAUL OUT MARINA PEZ VELA,QUEPOS, COSTA RICA

Big Travel Lift in Quepos Vista Mar Marina

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GLOBAL LIGHTNING MAP

As lightning season intensifies, here’s a useful make-work project for Posse members: go through your on-board cookbooks. Just before it says ‘preheat oven’ in any recipe, insert the words ‘remove electronics’. Use a red pen.

Lightning protection on boats in general.

Grounding. Most vessels are poorly grounded, and their grounding is ineffective when hauled. You can ground your boat quickly and simply with a set of jumper cables. If in the water, buy a set of cheap jumper cables. Separate into two wires. Remove one clamp from each wire, strip back a couple of inches and ‘fray’ the end or clamp to a 1’x1’ metal plate (to make a better ground connection with the water). Attach remaining clamp to a top shroud or other bit of metal that connects to near the masthead and throw the frayed/plated end in the water. One cable port, one cable starboard. If on the hard, separate cables and attach one to the top shrouds and Jack stands on the port side, the other to the same points on starboard. The cables will be trash at the end of the season, as they are not designed for continuous or outdoor use. Brushing clamps with wax, Vaseline or any other topical protectant helps them look better longer. Even if you think your boat might be/is well grounded, these jumper cable tricks will ensure it.

Lightning dissipators. Anecdotal evidence says they might work. Science says they *shouldn’t*. They will help keep birds off of the masthead. Avant has one, just in case they work. They aren’t that expensive.

Location: being close to a boat with a taller mast would in theory see them struck first. Catamarans are lightning magnets, being close to a catamaran would (again in theory) see them struck first. Choose your neighbours carefully.

Lightning detectors. A cheap AM radio (think dollar store cheap), tuned between stations, will crackle with static when lightning approaches. When it approaches you can disconnect antennas from electronics to disrupt the path of lightning, place portable electronic items in a boat’s oven or microwave (faraday cage protection), stand away from anything made of metal, and clutch a bible while praying loudly.

Some additional reading here: https://www.kp44.org/LightningProtection.php

The grounding principle is the same. Find the ‘thing’ that lightning will find (something metal and high on the boat, higher than anything else) and connect it to ground with jumpers. If you don’t have a ‘something’ you can add a lightning spike of ss tube or whatever else is available to make one, and run wire to a ground plate with a place somewhere to use jumper cables to go to ground when at anchor or on the hard. Longer/custom jumpers may be required, just use #2 or so cable.

The weather pattern seems to alternate between papagayos winds of varying intensity and high CAPE values (Convective Available Potential Energy is the amount of fuel available to a developing thunderstorm or squall). So it’s a bit of a ‘pick your poison’ kind of deal - stiff winds or squalls. The best times are immediately on the opening of a weather window, when papagayos winds abate and high CAPE values haven’t swooped in and established yet. In the regular cruising season, CAPE values aren’t much of an issue.

North of the gulf of fonseca keep an eye on the CAPE index as an indicator of how much squall activity (and lightning) you might see.

Follow this link
https://www.windy.com/-Thunderstorms-thunder?thunder,16.861,-73.477,4,i:pressure

🇨🇷 BAHIA BRASILITO, COSTA RICA

Bahia Brasilito Anchorage is in Good Nautical 10° 24.3461 N 85° 48.9451 W

🇵🇦 ROSA LEE IN VISTA MAR MARINA, PANAMA

Casco Viejo Panama

Structures in the Historic Casco Viejo section in Panama

🇵🇦 VISTA MAR MARINA WILL HOST THE PANAMA POSSE FINALE PARTY ON FRIDAY @ JUNE 4th

🇵🇦 SAVE THE DATE

Friday June 4th, 2021SEASON FINALE 18:00 PANAMA TIME
PANAMA POSSE YACHT FEST CELEBRATION "

OFFICIAL AWARD CEREMONY
MUSIC, RUM, FUN, STORIES & MORE

@ VISTA MAR MARINA, PANAMA

WITH VESSELS ZOOM PARTICIPATION
FROM ALL OVER

 

With only 2 weeks to go - please renew NOW and sign up for the next 21-22 season simplyreply with the words "sign me up again" and get your early bird discount.

RENEW or SIGN UP FOR THE 21-22 PANAMA POSSE

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🇲🇽 Here are our tentative dates for our seminars in early December 2021 in Barra de Navidad, Mexico

Thursday December 2nd, 2021

@ 13:00 ROUTE PLANNING & NAVIGATION

Friday December 3rd, 2021

@ 13:00 COMMUNICATIONS, WEATHER, SAFETY, MEDICAL AND SELF RESCUE,

Friday December 3rd, 2021

@ 17:30 PANAMA POSSE KICK OFF PARTY

Saturday December 4th, 2021

@ 13:00 SATELLITE CHARTS / OPEN CPN / GOOD NAUTICAL

Saturday December 4th, 2021

@ 17:30 PANAMA POSSE OVER THE TOP POT LUCK RED CUP DOCK PARTY

Sunday December 5th, 2021

@ 10:00 PANAMA POSSE SWAP MEET

Sunday December 5th, 2021

@ 13:00 PROVISIONING, WHAT TO SEE AND DO, RECAP, Q&A

🇲🇽 🇬🇹 🇸🇻 🇭🇳 🇳🇮 🇨🇷 🇵🇦 🇪🇨 🇯🇲 🇰🇾 🇧🇿 🇨🇺

Season 4 December 2020 Panama Posse

Send Off Party at Marina Puerto de la Navidad Mexico

🇲🇽 MARINA MAKAX ISLA MUJERES

SPONSORS THE PANAMA POSSE

ORDER YOUR PANAMA POSSE GEAR

W E S A I L W H E R E

COCONUTS GROW
JAGUARS ROAM
VOLCANOES BLOW
MONKEYS HOWL
WHALES SPLASH
MACAWS SQUAWK
COCONUTS GROW
SLOTHS HANG

PELICAN'S GLIDE

Pelecanus occidentalis inhabits shallow inshore waters, estuaries and bays in the Americas, breeding along the Pacific coast from California (USA) to Chile and along the Atlantic coast from South Carolina (USA) through the West Indies to Venezuela, ranging as far as Canada and Tierra del Fuego (Chile) in the non-breeding season.

Preferred habitats include sandy coastal beaches and lagoons, waterfronts and pilings, and rocky cliffs.
Brown pelicans dive from the air for fish. Menhaden account for 90-95% of their food. They also prey on pigfish, pinfish, herring, sheepshead, silversides, mullet, grass and top minnows, and they sometimes eat crustaceans, usually prawns.

They are gregarious birds, travelling in flocks, hunting cooperatively, and breeding colonially. The relationship between pelicans and people has often been contentious. They also have a long history of cultural significance in mythology, and in Christian and heraldic iconography.

Judy Irving ("The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill") follows a wayward California pelican from her "arrest" on the Golden Gate Bridge into care at a rehab facility and explores nesting grounds, Pacific coast migration and survival challenges.

John J. Audubon’s Birds of America calls it " one of the most interesting of our American birds"

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🇲🇽 PICTURE OF THE WEEK

The inspiring artworks along' Mexicos Malecóns

A word used throughout Latin America for a stone-built embankment or esplanade along a waterfront.

COUNTRY QUARANTINE UPDATES ONLINE >>

Covid Vaccination Rates Fully / Partially

Antigua and Barbuda 2.64 29.98

Aruba 36.5 18.72

Belize 2.43 11.83

Cayman Islands 52.2 9.85

Colombia 5.9 3.65

Costa Rica 10.4 3.77

Cuba 6.1

Ecuador 2.27 4.68

El Salvador 7.15 9.5

French Polynesia 12.06 6.4

Grenada 5.2 7.08

Guatemala 0.01 1.78

Honduras 0.06 1.04

Jamaica 2.3

Mexico 8.83 4.21

Panama 7.08 6.29

United States 37.89 10.03

United Kingdom 31.29 23.58

Canada 4.05 44.77

REMINDER WEEKLY PANAMA POSSE LINE CALLS

MONDAYS@ 15:30 UTC for CARIBBEAN 16:00 UTC for PACIFIC

LINE TIP:

Please drop your location pins and take pictures of the anchorages and places you visit

See the faces of the 20·21 Panama Posse,SEE WHO IS ON THE ROSTER>>>

https://panamaposse.com/2020-2021-vessels

 

🇨🇴 MARINA PUERTO VELERO, COLOMBIASPONSORS THE PANAMA POSSE

 

MY meet SY DINNERS IN PANAMA

PANAMA POSSE SPONSORS

🇺🇸 California Yacht Marina, San Diego, Chula Vista - USA

🇲🇽 Marina Coral, Ensenada – Mexico

🇲🇽 IGY Marina Cabo San Lucas – Mexico

🇲🇽 Marina de la Paz – Mexico

🇲🇽 Marina y Club de Yates Isla Cortes – Mexico

🇲🇽 Marina el Cid – Mazatlan – Mexico

🇲🇽 Marina Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta – Mexico Marina

🇲🇽 PANAMA POSSE HQ – Marina Puerto de La Navidad – Barra de Navidad – Mexico

🇲🇽 Marina Ixtapa, Ixtapa – Mexico

🇲🇽 La Marina Acapulco, Acapulco – Mexico

🇲🇽 Marina Chiapas – Mexico

🇬🇹 Marina Pez Vela – Guatemala

🇸🇻 Marina Bahia del Sol – El Salvador

🇸🇻 La Palma Moorings – Bahia del Sol, El Salvador

🇳🇮 Marina Puesta del Sol – Nicaragua

🇨🇷 Marina Papagayo – Costa Rica

🇨🇷 Marina Pez Vela – Costa Rica

🇨🇷 Marina Bahia Golfito – Costa Rica

🇨🇷 Banana Bay Marina – Costa Rica

🇵🇦 PANAMA POSSE PACIFIC HQ Vista Mar Marina – Panama

🇵🇦 Shelter Bay Marina – Panama

🇵🇦 IGY Red Frog Marina – Panama

🇵🇦 Bocas Marina – Panama

🇵🇦 Linton Bay Marina – Panama

🇨🇴 ClubNautico Cartagena – Colombia

🇨🇴 Club de Pesca Marina Cartagena – Colombia

🇨🇴 Marina Puerto Velero – Colombia

🇨🇴 IGY Marina Santa Marta – Colombia

🇯🇲 Royal Jamaica Yacht Club – Jamaica

🇯🇲 Errol Flynn Marina – Jamaica

🇯🇲 Montego Bay Yacht Club –Jamaica

🇰🇾 The Barcadere Marina –Cayman Islands

🇭🇳 Barefoot Cay Marina – Roatan – Honduras

🇭🇳 Fantasy Island Marina – Roatan – Honduras

🇭🇳 Jonesville Point Marina -Roatan – Honduras

🇬🇹 Marina Nana Juana Resort & Boatyard – Guatemala

🇧🇿 Thunderbirds Marine – Placencia – Belize

🇲🇽 Marina Makax – Isla Mujeres – Mexico

🇲🇽 Marina V&V – Quintana Roo – Mexico

🇲🇽 Marina El Cid – Cancún – Riviera Maya – Mexico

🇨🇺 Marina Marlin Nautica Cayo Largo – Cuba

🇺🇸 Marathon Marina, Florida, USA

SERVICE PROVIDERS

• ULLMAN SAILS SAN DIEGO
• PREDICT WIND
• SEVENSTAR YACHT TRANSPORT
• CABRALES BOATYARD
• ONESAILS MEXICO
• NAUTICED.ORG
• HOME DEPOT PRO MEXICO
• HERTZ RENTAL CARS MEXICO
• YACHT AGENTS GALAPAGOS
• MARÍTIMA INTEROCEÁNICA COSTA RICA

🇪🇨 YACHT AGENTS GALAPAGOS SPONSORSTHE PANAMA POSSE

Famed Darwin's Arch in Galapagos Islands collapses from erosion a few days ago

OFFICIAL PANAMA CANAL AGENT

Erik Galvez @ Centenario & Co.S.A. Eric Galvez – Panama

STRATEGIC PARTNERS

SEVEN SEAS CRUISING ASSOCIATION

Vicente’s Moorings – Acapulco – Mexico

Park Avenue Villas – San Juan del Sur – Nicaragua

Coconutz – Playa Cocos – Costa Rica

Abernathy – Chandlery – Panama

Advertising Partners – Las Vegas

Safe-Esteem.com – Delaware

PLEASE SEND US YOUR UPDATES AND WE'LL INCLUDE YOUR STORIES IN NEXT WEEKS FLEET UPDATEvia email to news@panamaposse.com

 

🇨🇷 SY TOKETEE at anchor in Puerto Jimenez, Costa Rica

WE OPERATE UNDER INTERNATIONAL MARITIME LAW

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panama posse communications on land @ 9811 w charleston blvd 2262 89117 Las Vegas USA

© 2021 Panama Posse / Good Nautical Inc

---

by panamaposse

FLEET UPDATE 2021-05-10

The greatest inventions were produced in the times of ignorance, [such] as the use of the compass(1), gunpowder and printing .

- Jonathan Swift

(1) The compass was invented in China during the Han Dynasty between the 2nd century BC and 1st century AD where it was called the "south-governor" or "South Pointing Fish". The magnetic compass was not, at first, used for navigation, but for geomancy and fortune-telling.

 

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🇨🇷 Banana TRain in Golfio Costa Rica

An old Banana Train in Golfito, Costa Rica with Che Guevara emblazoned.

Early on Monday February 3 1975, a man threw himself out of his office window, 44 floors above Park Avenue, New York. He had used his briefcase to smash the window, and then thrown it out before he leapt, scattering papers for blocks around. Glass fell on to the rush-hour traffic, but amazingly no one else was hurt. The body landed away from the road, near a postal service office. Postmen helped emergency workers clear up the mess so the day’s business could carry on.

 

One policeman at the scene spoke of the selfishness of ”jumpers”, who didn’t think of anyone ”down below”. This jumper was quickly identified as Eli Black, chief executive of the United Fruit Company, which had been making huge profits from bananas since the late 19th century"

Fascinating stories about the United Fruit Company in Central America >>

PANAMA POSSE 20-21 GEAR SHOP

ORDER FOR JULY DELIVERY >>

T SHIRTS / V- NECK / CAPS AND BURGEES

THE GEAR SHOP IS ONLY OPEN FOR 8 WEEKS >>
 

🇨🇷 CATWEAZLE'S PICTURE OF THE WEEK

 

🇨🇷 BAHIA BALLENA, COSTA RICA
 

South side of Bahia Ballena, Costa Rica

Bahia Ballena Costa Rica

 

🇵🇦  BRIDGE OF THE AMERICAS, PANAMA

Successful transit to Pacific. Hanging out in Flamenco Marina a few days waiting for our new cushions to be delivered. (promise) We'll head N for Coiba and CR asap.

The clearance under the main span is 61.3 m 201 ft at high tide.

The Bridge of the Americas or Puente de las Américas originally known as the Thatcher Ferry Bridge is a road bridge in Panama, which spans the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal. Designed by Sverdrup & Parcel, it was completed in 1962 connecting the north and south American land masses. Two other bridges cross the canal: the Atlantic Bridge at the Gatun locks the Centennial Bridge.

From the beginning of the French project to construct a canal, it was recognized that the cities of Colón and Panamá would be split from the rest of the republic by the new canal. This was an issue even during construction, when barges were used to ferry construction workers across the canal.

On May 18, 2010, the bulk cargo ship Atlantic Hero struck one of the protective bases of the bridge after losing engine power, partially blocking that section of the canal to shipping traffic.

 

🇨🇷 BAHIA SAMARA, COSTA RICA

Easy access to the pristine beaches and calm ocean waters. These calm waters makes Samara a well-known spot for surf beginners. But the anchorage can be rolly in SW and Westerlies.

 

 

🇵🇦  THANK YOU PANAMA POSSE

Thanks Panama Posse, we signed up to have fun, getting from Mexico to Panama. We have now completed that and made a lot of good friends along the way. We have had fabulous sunsets, secluded anchorages, friends who could help us and that we could help. Using our travels, we have met a number of boats and families going both north and south and the Posse has made us all one family, so thanks Dietmar and all the boaters who have made this 2500 mile run the safe and enjoyable experience we all hope for.

Sharing information and local knowledge is huge when exploring new waters and with everyone working together, it has made this trip, a lot of fun. At this point I think we have hosted crews from 16-18 Posse boats aboard the DeltaSwizzler and have enjoyed meeting them all....now you all could come back by and pick up all the stuff you left. 😉

Enjoy your cruising, we will be in the Bocas area in about a month and plan to stay there for quite awhile. If you are in the area, drop by. If you are cruising north and have questions, drop us a line. Always happy to help and after spending 5 years in Mexico we know more of the marinas and a lot of the anchorages.

WE MADE IT TO PANAMA

 

Legendary Parties on board MY Delta Swizzler

A few AIS targets near the Panama Canal

Spectacular Sunsets
Delta in Acapulco

Panama

Delta Swizzler

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🇵🇦  ROSA LEE IN VISTA MAR MARINA, PANAMA

Moon over a silky ocean

Gary with the Chilean crew at BOGA BAR !

View from the Boga Bar of Vista Mar Marina towards Coronado

🇵🇦 VISTA MAR MARINA WILL HOST THE PANAMA POSSE
FINALE PARTY ON FRIDAY @ JUNE 4th

 

 

🇵🇦 SAVE THE DATE

Friday June 4th, 2021SEASON FINALE 18:00 PANAMA TIME
PANAMA POSSE YACHT FEST CELEBRATION "Panama Posse Season Finale

OFFICIAL AWARD CEREMONY
MUSIC, FUN, STORIES & MORE

@ VISTA MAR MARINA, PANAMA

WITH VESSELS ZOOM PARTICIPATION
FROM ALL OVER

 

With only 4 weeks to go - please renew NOW and sign up for the next 21-22 season simply reply with the words "sign me up again".
47 vessels are signed up already and benefit from the early bird discount.

 

RENEW or SIGN UP FOR THE 21-22 PANAMA POSSE 

🇲🇽 Here are our tentative dates for our seminars in early December 2021 in Barra de Navidad, Mexico

Thursday December 2nd, 2021

@ 13:00 ROUTE PLANNING & NAVIGATION

Friday December 3rd, 2021

@ 13:00 COMMUNICATIONS, WEATHER, SAFETY, MEDICAL AND SELF RESCUE,

Friday December 3rd, 2021

@ 17:30 PANAMA POSSE KICK OFF PARTY

Saturday December 4th, 2021

@ 13:00 SATELLITE CHARTS / OPEN CPN / GOOD NAUTICAL

Saturday December 4th, 2021

@ 17:30 PANAMA POSSE OVER THE TOP POT LUCK RED CUP DOCK PARTY

Sunday December 5th, 2021

@ 10:00 PANAMA POSSE SWAP MEET

Sunday December 5th, 2021

@ 13:00 PROVISIONING, WHAT TO SEE AND DO, RECAP, Q&A

🇲🇽 🇬🇹 🇸🇻 🇭🇳 🇳🇮 🇨🇷 🇵🇦 🇪🇨 🇯🇲 🇰🇾 🇧🇿 🇨🇺
 

 

Season 2 December 2018 Panama Posse
Send Off Party at Marina Puerto de la Navidad Mexico

 

🇲🇽 MARINA CORAL ENSENADASPONSORS THE PANAMA PoSSE

ORDER PANAMA POSSE GEAR

SWAG

W E S A I L W H E R E

COCONUTS GROW
JAGUARS ROAM
VOLCANOES BLOW
MONKEYS HOWL
WHALES SPLASH
MACAWS SQUAWK
COCONUTS GROW
SLOTHS HANG

SLOTHS HANG

Sloths are a group of mammals noted for their slowness of movement, they spend most of their lives hanging upside down in the trees of the tropical rain forests of Central and South America. They are considered to be most closely related to anteaters.
Baby sloths learn what to eat by licking the lips of their mother.
Their slowness permits their low-energy diet of leaves and avoids detection by predatory hawks and cats that hunt by sight. Sloths are almost helpless on the ground, but are able to swim

Sloths move only when necessary and even then very slowly. Despite this traditional naming, all sloths actually have three toes on each rear limb, although two-toed sloths have only two digits on each forelimb.

Their slowness permits their low-energy diet of leaves and avoids detection by predatory hawks and cats that hunt by sight. Sloths are almost helpless on the ground, but are able to swim

The two groups of sloths are from different, distantly related families, and are thought to have evolved their morphology via parallel evolution from terrestrial ancestors. Many species of ground sloths ranged up to the size of elephants (Megatherium) and their extinction by 12,000 BC correlates in time with the arrival of humans into the Americas .

Sloths are so named because of their very low metabolism and deliberate movements. Sloths can be 60 to 80 cm (24 to 31 in) long and, depending on the species, weigh from 3.6 to 7.7 kg (7.9 to 17.0 lb). Sloths move only when necessary and even then very slowly.

The majority of recorded sloth deaths in Costa Rica are due to contact with electrical lines and poachers. Their claws also provide another, unexpected deterrent to human hunters; when hanging upside-down in a tree, they are held in place by the claws themselves and often do not fall down even if shot from below.

Sloths are victims of animal trafficking where they are sold as pets. However, they make very poor pets, as they have such a specialized ecology. All sloths eat the leaves of the cecropia.

The shaggy coat has grooved hair that is host to symbiotic green algae which camouflages the animal in the trees and provides it nutrients. The algae also nourishes sloth moths, some species of which exist solely on sloths.
Sloths

Who can forget the DMV employees as sloths scene in Zootopia
Zootopia

 

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🇵🇦 MY REEF DANCER
SUCCESSFUL PANAMA POSSE CANAL CROSSING

Reef Dancer and John & Sue from Winston passing the last lock in the Panama canal!

 

🇯🇲 SY KOGNITA PASSAGE TO JAMAICA

Thanks for checking in! It was overall as good as that stretch gets I believe!

The last 36 hours day was exhausting but doable. We had a full day of endless bands of squalls that kept us both on our toes and unable to rest, then wind picked up and seas did too. But not bad really. Squalls we never saw more than 25 kts ( even though they look gnarly!) and I think the seas only grew to about 6ft. Close-reaching blowing 18-22kts for the last 12 hours before reaching the SW tip had us holding on and going fast! Our slow old boat was going 7-8 kts at times with just a bit of jib and double-reef main. We usually sail at 5 kts so that was fast for us. We had not really sailed her that hard yet so it was good to see her handle it all well.

Checking into Montego Bay is surprisingly easy with the right paperwork. And the quarantine is a quarantine to certain areas.

This means, you can get off the boat and enjoy the island in a “ quarantine corridor” or certain area. So, if you have a Jamaica travel health visa, PCR tests and all the usual boat documentation you can clear-in and enjoy the island in the tourist area. I think it’s a big area, so it’s not that limiting. If we didn’t have such a long journey ahead still we would stay longer and explore.

Dogs can’t get off the boat, or they euthanize. Poor Max! Also another reason we’re moving on. Dog can’t wait to run on land!

Panama Posse is the best! We’ll keep you updated!

Now we’re leaving for Windward Passage tonight towards Bahamas. Slowly making our way north. Woo!

Jenna, Brooks, Max

 

COUNTRY QUARANTINE UPDATES ONLINE >>

SMALL VESSELS

NAVIGATOR

 

 

 

REMINDER WEEKLY PANAMA POSSE LINE CALLS MONDAYS @
15:30 UTC for CARIBBEAN
16:00 UTC for PACIFIC LINE CALL

LINE TIP:

Please drop your location pins and take pictures of the anchorages and places you visit

See the faces of the 20·21 Panama Posse

SEE WHO IS ON THE ROSTER >>>The Faces of the 20-21 Panama Posse

PANAMA POSSE PARTICIPANT WEBSITES

SY KISMET >>

Here is the link to Past and Present Participant Websites and Blogs.

Great experience here ...more >>>

https://www.svkismet.com/
https://www.svkismet.com/

 

> ONLY A FEW WEEKS LEFT TO ENTER <

on June 4th we will announce the winners in these highly competitive fields

• BIGGEST FISH CAUGHT

• HIGHEST WIND RECORDED

• BIGGEST MISHAP aka THE CAPTAIN RON AWARD

• MOST UNWELCOME VISITOR ONBOARD

• SPEEDY GONZALEZ AWARD

• PANAMA POSSE YODA OF THE YEAR

• PICTURE OF THE YEAR

• GOOD SAMARITAN OF THE YEAR

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🇵🇦 JONESVILLE POINT MARINA SPONSORS THE PANAMA POSSE 

 

 

PANAMA POSSE SPONSORS

🇺🇸 California Yacht Marina, San Diego, Chula Vista - USA

🇲🇽 Marina Coral, Ensenada – Mexico

🇲🇽 IGY Marina Cabo San Lucas – Mexico

🇲🇽 Marina de la Paz – Mexico

🇲🇽 Marina y Club de Yates Isla Cortes – Mexico

🇲🇽 Marina el Cid – Mazatlan – Mexico

🇲🇽 Marina Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta – Mexico Marina

🇲🇽 PANAMA POSSE HQ – Marina Puerto de La Navidad – Barra de Navidad – Mexico

🇲🇽 Marina Ixtapa, Ixtapa – Mexico

🇲🇽 La Marina Acapulco, Acapulco – Mexico

🇲🇽 Marina Chiapas – Mexico

🇬🇹 Marina Pez Vela – Guatemala

🇸🇻 Marina Bahia del Sol – El Salvador

🇸🇻 La Palma Moorings – Bahia del Sol, El Salvador

🇳🇮 Marina Puesta del Sol – Nicaragua

🇨🇷 Marina Papagayo – Costa Rica

🇨🇷 Marina Pez Vela – Costa Rica

🇨🇷 Marina Bahia Golfito – Costa Rica

🇨🇷 Banana Bay Marina – Costa Rica

🇵🇦 PANAMA POSSE PACIFIC HQ Vista Mar Marina – Panama

🇵🇦 Shelter Bay Marina – Panama

🇵🇦 IGY Red Frog Marina – Panama

🇵🇦 Bocas Marina – Panama

🇵🇦 Linton Bay Marina – Panama

🇨🇴 ClubNautico Cartagena – Colombia

🇨🇴 Club de Pesca Marina Cartagena – Colombia

🇨🇴 Marina Puerto Velero – Colombia

🇨🇴 IGY Marina Santa Marta – Colombia

🇯🇲 Royal Jamaica Yacht Club – Jamaica

🇯🇲 Errol Flynn Marina – Jamaica

🇯🇲 Montego Bay Yacht Club –Jamaica

🇰🇾 The Barcadere Marina –Cayman Islands

🇭🇳 Barefoot Cay Marina – Roatan – Honduras

🇭🇳 Fantasy Island Marina – Roatan – Honduras

🇭🇳 Jonesville Point Marina -Roatan – Honduras

🇬🇹 Marina Nana Juana Resort & Boatyard – Guatemala

🇧🇿 Thunderbirds Marine – Placencia – Belize

🇲🇽 Marina Makax – Isla Mujeres – Mexico

🇲🇽 Marina V&V – Quintana Roo – Mexico

🇲🇽 Marina El Cid – Cancún – Riviera Maya – Mexico

🇨🇺 Marina Marlin Nautica Cayo Largo – Cuba

🇺🇸 Marathon Marina, Florida, USA

SERVICE PROVIDERS

ULLMAN SAILS SAN DIEGO
PREDICT WIND
SEVENSTAR YACHT TRANSPORT
CABRALES BOATYARD
ONESAILS MEXICO
NAUTICED.ORG
HOME DEPOT PRO MEXICO
HERTZ RENTAL CARS MEXICO
YACHT AGENTS GALAPAGOS
MARÍTIMA INTEROCEÁNICA COSTA RICA

YACHT AGENTS GALAPAGOS

🇪🇨 YACHT AGENTS GALAPAGOS SPONSORS Galapagos

OFFICIAL PANAMA CANAL AGENT

Erik Galvez @ Centenario & Co.S.A. Eric Galvez – Panama

STRATEGIC PARTNERS

SEVEN SEAS CRUISING ASSOCIATION

Vicente’s Moorings – Acapulco – Mexico

Park Avenue Villas – San Juan del Sur – Nicaragua

Coconutz – Playa Cocos – Costa Rica

Abernathy – Chandlery – Panama

Advertising Partners – Las Vegas

Safe-Esteem.com – Delaware

PLEASE SEND US YOUR UPDATES AND WE'LL INCLUDE YOUR STORIES IN NEXT WEEKS FLEET UPDATE via email to news@panamaposse.com

Marina Papagayo

WE OPERATE UNDER INTERNATIONAL MARITIME LAW

YOUR VESSEL YOUR CREW YOUR RESPONSIBILITY

San Blas

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panama posse communications on land @ 9811 w charleston blvd 2262 89117 Las Vegas USA
Panama Posse we sail where the Coconuts Grow

© 2021 Panama Posse / Good Nautical Inc

---

by panamaposse

FLEET UPDATE 2021-05-02

 

“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!”

- Hunter S. Thompson 

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PANAMA POSSE 20-21 GEAR SHOP

ORDER  FOR JULY DELIVERY >>

 

T SHIRTS / V- NECK / CAPS AND BURGEES

THE GEAR SHOP IS ONLY OPEN FOR 8 WEEKS 

ACRUX'S ENTRY INTO "DUAL"BIGGEST FISH CAUGHT COMPETITION

🇵🇦 REPORT FROM THE MAGICAL SANTA CATALINA ISLAND PANAMA 

Made a final run into town to provision for this last leg of the trip to Panama City. We have about 3 or 4 days to go and we will be there. Mixed feelings about ending this part of the journey. This leg from El Salvador through Costa Rica and now Panama has been everything I have dreamed about for so many years. This run through the islands has been magnificent and being here in Santa Catalina is icing on the cake. I will certainly return someday. What a great little island paradise this is!

After returning from getting provisions with Delta Swizzler we decided to have a bonfire on the beach and roast hot dogs for our last night in this anchorage. A full moon, an island beach all to ourselves, bonfire, it is really an emotional overload!!

The beauty that surrounds us here seems almost surreal at times but it’s the relationships with the people we meet that really make things special. Mark and Cindy are great people. I feel that I’ve made friends for life in them. They are generous and caring and I can honestly say could become honorary Texans!! 😂I had to throw that in for Mark, he has almost as twisted a sense of humor as I do!

It will be difficult separating from them as we round Punta Mala in a few days but I know we will be in touch.

The Chilenos are another story completely. These two I will have to write chapters about someday. These kids are a blessing to me, a true and honest blessing!! Life is good aboard the Rosa-Lee.

 

These guys have been out spear fishing. Had a couple of nice ones but I didn’t see the fish until after I put the camera in the dry bag for the ride back out.

Our taxi awaits,,,, hmmm now where is he????

Lots of bonfire material.

Get this party started!

A walk down the beach

Cindy out destroying all records of her previous life!!!

 

Great evening! Our own Gilligans Island crew!!

Making temporary party camp

Bonfire on the beach

 

 

 

🇧🇸 PICTURE OF THE WEEK BAHAMAS 

 

 

The famous swimming pigs of The Bahamas are found on Big Major Cay, also known as Pig Beach, in The Exumas.

Bahamas shades of Blue

 

Kenneth reflecting on the journey thus-far

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🇵🇦 ISLAS SECAS, PANAMA

Anchorage Report from Delta Swizzler at Santa Catalina across from the Islas Secas and near Coiba - only anchor in calm and northerlies here as this is the section for big waves in the winter

how big are these waves with southern swells ? this break goes off !!

 

 

Empty and secluded beaches nearby across the beach

Little Surf-town Gathering with Rosa Lee, Pacific Raven and Delta Swizzler

🇵🇦 BOCAS DEL TORO GATHERINGS

Little gathering of cruisers in Bocas del Toro with Panama Posse ambassadors SY Shearwater

 

🇵🇦 PANAMA CANAL & REST UP AT MOORINGS IN THE LAS PERLAS, PANAMA 

Patrick and Lisa getting into a new Ocean

Making new friends along the way

SY "NOT ALL THERE" at anchor

NEXT SAIL TO THE LAS PERLAS
there is a 20 foot tidal range in the Las Perlas so anchoring is more challenging than in the Caribbean

🇵🇦 SAVE THE DATE
Friday June 4th, 2021SEASON FINALE  18:00 PANAMA TIME PANAMA POSSE YACHT FEST CELEBRATION " 

OFFICIAL AWARD CEREMONY 
MUSIC, FUN, STORIES & MORE

@ VISTA MAR MARINA, PANAMA  

WITH VESSELS ZOOM PARTICIPATION
FROM ALL OVER

  

 

 

With only 5 weeks to go

renew NOW and sign up for the next 21-22 season simply reply with the
words "sign me up again". 27 vessels are signed up already and benefit from the early bird discount or click the sign up link below

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🇲🇽  Here are our tentative dates for our seminars in early December 2021 in Barra de Navidad, Mexico 

    Thursday December 2nd, 2021

    @ 13:00 ROUTE PLANNING & NAVIGATION

    Friday December 3rd, 2021

    @ 13:00 COMMUNICATIONS, WEATHER, SAFETY, MEDICAL AND SELF RESCUE,

    Friday December 3rd, 2021

    @ 17:30 PANAMA POSSE KICK OFF PARTY

    Saturday December 4th, 2021

    @ 13:00 SATELLITE CHARTS / OPEN CPN / GOOD NAUTICAL    

    Saturday December 4th, 2021

    @ 17:30 PANAMA POSSE OVER THE TOP POT LUCK RED CUP DOCK PARTY

    Sunday December 5th, 2021

    @ 10:00 PANAMA POSSE SWAP MEET

    Sunday December 5th, 2021

    @ 13:00 PROVISIONING, WHAT TO SEE AND DO, RECAP, Q&A

🇲🇽 🇬🇹 🇸🇻 🇭🇳 🇳🇮 🇨🇷 🇵🇦 🇪🇨 🇯🇲 🇰🇾 🇧🇿 🇨🇺

Season 2 December 2018 Panama Posse
Send Off Party at Marina Puerto de la Navidad, Mexico

FEATURED VIDEO SY SAN'S ANCHOR CHAIN APP 

FEATURED VIDEO 

Anchor Chain Calculator App is designed to help you get this assurance. It will help you determine the minimal length of chain that you need to pay out, based on a number of weather conditions and vessel parameters. With this minimal length of chain the anchor only needs to bear the smallest possible load, which maximizes the chances that the anchor will actually hold. And if you cannot pay out that amount of chain, for one reason or another, the App will tell you how much the anchor load increases, and at which angle the chain will pull at the anchor. The larger this angle is, the less the anchor will hold, and so you will want to keep this angle small.

An important part of your anchor gear is the snubber / bridle, which is essential to absorb swell and often is not recognized for this. I encourage you to play around with this parameter to see what huge benefits good snubbers / bridles have.

 

A sure way to create a long and heated debate is to walk into a bar full of sailors and start a discussion about how to anchor correctly. It seems no topic is discussed more controversially than anchoring! And yet, it would appear so simple – your throw out your hook, make sure the chain and/or rode is long enough, make sure the hook bites, and that’s it. Yet, everybody seems to have their own recipe how to do things correctly when it comes to anchoring.

And certainly, if you are alone in a large bay at anchor, you can pay out all the chain you have. Then you may think, oh well, I could not possibly have done more than that.

 

It starts already here – will it be enough, what you did? Wouldn’t it be great to get a better sense of how your anchor gear will stand up to the weather foretasted for the next night? Do you have any safety margins built in? Is a scope of 5:1 really enough? Or should you go up to 7:1? Or even more? Or should you relocate the vessel to another place? What about snubbers and bridles? Do you need them? Or, perhaps you need to use as little chain as you possibly can, as you are rather close to a friendly neighbor at anchor, or a not-so-friendly corral reef. How much can you reduce the chain length and still be safe?

🇲🇽 IGY MARINA CABO SAN LUCAS SPONSORS THE PANAMA POSSE 

🇵🇷 GARGOYLE IS EN ROUTE TO PUERTO RICO 

 

Wait  a  minute  -  the  compass  seems  off  0 the course is SW not SE ?

looks like they are heading to Bocas ?

PANAMA POSSE GEAR   

W E   S A I L   W H E R E  

COCONUTS GROW
JAGUARS ROAM
VOLCANOES BLOW
MONKEYS HOWL
WHALES SPLASH
MACAWS SQUAWK

COCONUTS GROW  

It is one of the most useful trees in the world and is often referred to as the "tree of life". It provides food, fuel, cosmetics, folk medicine and building materials, among many other uses. The inner flesh of the mature seed, as well as the coconut milk extracted from it, form a regular part of the diets of many people in the tropics and subtropics. Coconuts are distinct from other fruits because their inner cavity contains a quantity of clear liquid, called coconut water or coconut juice.

Coconut tress grow near the shore

Coconuts falling from their tree and striking individuals can cause serious injury to the back, neck, shoulders and head, and are occasionally fatal. ... This legend gained momentum after the 2002 work of a noted expert on shark attacks was characterized as saying that falling coconuts kill 150 people each year worldwide. Bah humbug

The name coconut is derived from the 16th-century Portuguese word coco, meaning 'head' or 'skull' after the three indentations on the coconut shell that resemble facial features Coco and coconut apparently came from 1521 encounters by Portuguese and Spanish explorers with Pacific islanders, with the coconut shell reminding them of a ghost or witch in Portuguese folklore called coco

 

Mature, ripe coconuts can be eaten or processed for oil and plant milk from the flesh, charcoal from the hard shell, and coir from the fibrous husk. Dried coconut flesh is called copra, and the oil and milk derived from it are commonly used in cooking – frying in particular – as well as in soaps and cosmetics. Sweet coconut sap can be made into drinks or fermented into palm wine or coconut vinegar. The hard shells, fibrous husks and long pinnate leaves can be used as material to make a variety of products for furnishing and decoration.

Chronological dispersal of Austronesian peoples across the Indo-Pacific

The origin of the coconut is still a hotly debated topic.  It is generally accepted that the coconut originated in India and Sri Lanka and float-distributed itself around the world by riding ocean currents.

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🦈 CONTEST ENTRY INTO LARGEST FISH CAUGHT 

 

Slow Dancer's Mahi Mahi catch in the Bahamas

 

🇲🇽 PACIFIC SUNSETS

another calm day on the Pacific Coast

 

🔭

PANAMA POSSE VESSELS SEEKING CREW SEEKING VESSELS 

 

If you would like to receive CREW resumes please notify the Panama Posse via email and we will forward you any and all CREW seeking vessel information >>

YOUR  CREW LOGISTICS MAP 
WITH AIRPORTS – CODES AND MARINAS ALONG THE PANAMA POSSE ROUTE TO MAKE CREW LOGISTICS EASIER >>

 

 

REMINDER WEEKLY PANAMA POSSE LINE CALLS MONDAYS @ 15:30 UTC for CARIBBEAN  16:00 UTC for PACIFIC

LINE TIP:

Please drop your location pins and take pictures of the anchorages and places you visit

 

See the faces of the 20·21 Panama Posse, 
SEE WHO IS ON THE ROSTER >>>

PROVISIONING REPORT FROM COSTA RICA

 

Quepos Has the most gorgeous farmers market every Friday afternoon and Saturday morning.

PANAMA POSSE PARTICIPANT WEBSITES 

SY  SAN   >> 

Here is the link to Past and Present Participant Websites and Blogs.  
Great experience here ...more >>>

 

 

> ONLY A FEW WEEKS LEFT TO ENTER <

on June 4th we will announce the winners in these highly competitive fields

BIGGEST FISH CAUGHT

HIGHEST WIND RECORDED

BIGGEST MISHAP aka THE CAPTAIN RON AWARD

MOST UNWELCOME VISITOR ONBOARD

SPEEDY GONZALEZ AWARD

PANAMA POSSE YODA OF THE YEAR

PICTURE OF THE YEAR

GOOD SAMARITAN OF THE YEAR

 

 🇵🇦 SHELTER BAY MARINA SPONSORS THE PANAMA POSSE 

Current rates starting at $0.45 for Monohull and $0.58 Multihulls.
BUT ASK FOR THE PANAMA POSSE SPECIAL >>>

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PANAMA POSSE SPONSORS 

🇺🇸 California Yacht Marina, San Diego, Chula Vista - USA

🇲🇽 Marina Coral, Ensenada – Mexico

🇲🇽 IGY Marina Cabo San Lucas  – Mexico

🇲🇽 Marina de la Paz – Mexico

🇲🇽 Marina y Club de Yates Isla Cortes – Mexico

🇲🇽 Marina el Cid – Mazatlan – Mexico

🇲🇽 Marina Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta – Mexico Marina

🇲🇽 PANAMA POSSE HQ  – Marina Puerto de La Navidad – Barra de Navidad – Mexico

🇲🇽 Marina Ixtapa, Ixtapa – Mexico

🇲🇽 La Marina Acapulco, Acapulco – Mexico

🇲🇽 Marina Chiapas – Mexico

🇬🇹 Marina Pez Vela – Guatemala

🇸🇻 Marina Bahia del Sol – El Salvador

🇸🇻 La Palma Moorings – Bahia del Sol, El Salvador

🇳🇮 Marina Puesta del Sol – Nicaragua

🇨🇷 Marina Papagayo – Costa Rica

🇨🇷 Marina Pez Vela – Costa Rica

🇨🇷 Marina Bahia Golfito – Costa Rica

🇨🇷 Banana Bay Marina – Costa Rica

🇵🇦 PANAMA POSSE PACIFIC HQ Vista Mar Marina – Panama

🇵🇦 Shelter Bay Marina – Panama

🇵🇦 IGY Red Frog Marina – Panama

🇵🇦 Bocas Marina – Panama

🇵🇦 Linton Bay Marina – Panama

🇨🇴 ClubNautico Cartagena – Colombia

🇨🇴 Club de Pesca Marina Cartagena – Colombia

🇨🇴 Marina Puerto Velero – Colombia

🇨🇴 IGY Marina Santa Marta – Colombia

🇯🇲 Royal Jamaica Yacht Club – Jamaica

🇯🇲 Errol Flynn Marina – Jamaica

🇯🇲 Montego Bay Yacht Club –Jamaica

🇰🇾 The Barcadere Marina –Cayman Islands

🇭🇳 Barefoot Cay Marina – Roatan – Honduras

🇭🇳 Fantasy Island Marina – Roatan – Honduras

🇭🇳 Jonesville Point Marina -Roatan – Honduras

🇬🇹 Marina Nana Juana Resort & Boatyard – Guatemala

🇧🇿 Thunderbirds Marine – Placencia – Belize

🇲🇽 Marina Makax – Isla Mujeres – Mexico

🇲🇽 Marina V&V – Quintana Roo – Mexico

🇲🇽 Marina El Cid – Cancún – Riviera Maya – Mexico

🇨🇺 Marina Marlin Nautica Cayo Largo – Cuba

🇺🇸 Marathon Marina, Florida, USA

SERVICE PROVIDERS

• ULLMAN SAILS SAN DIEGO
• PREDICT WIND
• SEVENSTAR YACHT TRANSPORT
• CABRALES BOATYARD
• ONESAILS MEXICO
• NAUTICED.ORG
• HOME DEPOT PRO MEXICO
• HERTZ RENTAL CARS  MEXICO
• YACHT AGENTS GALAPAGOS 
• MARÍTIMA INTEROCEÁNICA COSTA RICA 

 

 

🇪🇨 YACHT AGENTS GALAPAGOS SPONSORS THE PANAMA POSSE

OFFICIAL PANAMA CANAL AGENT

Erik Galvez @ Centenario & Co.S.A. Eric Galvez – Panama

STRATEGIC PARTNERS 

SEVEN SEAS CRUISING ASSOCIATION

Vicente’s Moorings – Acapulco – Mexico

Park Avenue Villas – San Juan del Sur – Nicaragua

Coconutz – Playa Cocos – Costa Rica

Abernathy – Chandlery – Panama

Advertising Partners – Las Vegas

Safe-Esteem.com – Delaware

PLEASE SEND US YOUR UPDATES AND WE'LL INCLUDE YOUR STORIES IN NEXT WEEKS FLEET UPDATE via email to news@panamaposse.com

WE OPERATE UNDER INTERNATIONAL MARITIME LAW

YOUR VESSEL YOUR CREW YOUR RESPONSIBILITY 

 

 

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