Class of 2018-2019 at Barra de Navidad
Each season begins with a plan. This season Michael and I shook hands on taking the Central American route to Panama. We thought we would have made it there last season, but plans changed. This year we seem determined, albeit somewhat scared to leave what has become our familiar and friendly cruising grounds around Mexico. Not scared exactly, just a bit uncertain. Uncertainty is one aspect of the cruising life that you have to get used to. What lies ahead? To bolster our knowledge and bravado, we have joined the Panama Posse, a support group of sorts for like-minded cruisers on the less traveled Central-American route.
Now in its second season, the Panama Posse is not a race or an organized rally whereby we all depart and travel together until we cross the finish line. Rather this group was created to provide information and a supportive community for people traveling this route. Some boats may buddy boat together, others may travel to a different schedule. Either way, the Panama Posse will be there to check in with along the way.
Posse kick-off in Barra de Navidad
November marks the start of many cruising seasons. The Marina Puerto de Navidad (a Panama Posse sponsor), hosted this season’s Posse kick-off shortly after Thanksgiving. The week featured daily seminars to learn more about the route, weather and safety, provisioning and finally the kick-off party. Dietmar of Sailing Vessel (S/V) Carinthia is the organizer/presenter for this week’s event. He with his wife Suzanne traveled with last year’s Posse to Panama, so he has first-hand knowledge and lots of stories to share.
Community
The Panama Posse is created with community in mind. Not to be repetitive or cliché, but believe me when I tell you that cruisers are the most generous of people. They gravitate to helping out and building community. Perhaps it’s because we are a minority, when you consider there are really only about 25,000 small boats cruising worldwide. While cruisers tend to be self-reliant types, they also seek out others. Whether to troubleshoot an engine problem on someone’s boat or to wait out a weather system or commiserate over a rough passage or to share a snorkel or a taxi to Mega to provision, cruisers join together. So far, there are about 58 vessels signed up for this season’s Posse, with 19 attending the kick off. Others will join the route later in the year. Some will travel the distance to Panama and others may stop over in El Salvador or elsewhere for the season. Like always, plans and routes are unique to each boat and crew.
Communication
Chris and Monica on S/V SeaGlub have volunteered to be the lead vessel, which means they will be coordinating the communication. In the past, Single Side Band (SSB) Nets were the primary means of checking in with boats underway.This year we will use an online application,“Line”, to do weekly check-ins, plus there is a 24-hour chat room to pose questions, etc. Knowing there are people who are listening and watching our boat’s progress is a comfort. Should we have a medical or other emergency out there, we feel better assured of some assistance. More than likely we will hear mostly about the best restaurants, calm anchorages, and interesting inland trips not to be missed. In addition to Line, Dietmar will send out regular Posse updates by email with information that members of the Posse share. We are asked to provide detailed information (e.g. latitude and longitude of a good or bad anchorage, phone number for a mechanic in El Salvador, how to check in to Costa Rica, etc.) All of this is being recorded for the next guy. We learn by doing, but also from shared information. Fortunately, we hear that wifi and satellite coverage is strong along this route — most of the time.
Sponsors
Dietmar and others have cultivated relationships with marinas and other services along the route to Panama. Thanks to their efforts, there are now many sponsors offering significant discounts to Panama Posse members. One notable sponsor is Vista Mar Marina in Panama where we plan to park Footloose at season end. These sponsors and discounts are another welcome benefit of joining this group as we prepare ourselves for some sticker shock when we leave Mexico!
Plan, Work, then Go
That’s the plan for now. Our departure date is unfortunately delayed a few days while waiting for our DHL mail delivery. Patience. Oh well, another dip in the pool, read a book, a couple more boat items checked off the list, a delicious dinner out at Bésame Mucho. A tropical storm system passed through last week, likely the last one of the year. The weather and seas look calm for departure tomorrow. I’ve enjoyed our time in Barra and meeting new friends with the Panama Posse. Our next stop is only 20 nm south to a small, serene anchorage at Ensenada Carrizal. Slowly we make our way south!
Barra De Navidad, Thanks for the Memories…
Being a cruiser makes the holidays a little more difficult than you might expect. We miss getting together with family and friends. Savoring, that quiet space between the years. We don’t however miss the zoo of shopping, cards, newsletters, post-office, and UPS.
