I'm building a plan for leaving the Seattle area in 2007 to cruise the S. Pacific and possibly further. I hope to take a month or so to cruise down the coast and spend a few weeks to a month in Dana Point (install paravanes to back up my active fins). According to Jimmy Cornells World Cruising Routes, the safest period to transit the west coast of CA to HI is Jan to April.
Does this suggest an 07 October or November Seattle departure is best? I realize I'd have to time the weather down the coast, but we are in no hurry, so I don't see that as a problem. We would harbor hop down rather than do it rapidly.
Once in HI, I'd like to spend a month or so around the islands, and then head south. The guide suggests March as the begining of the safe season in the S. Pacific, but I still have a lot more to read. Is there a period where you need to be out of the S. Pacific islands and perhaps visit Australia or New Zeland?
We will make a decision at this point regarding continuing east for a circumnavigation or returning to the west and transiting the Panama Canal to cruise the Gulf states and the Caribbean.
As always, your thoughts are appreciated!
Scott Bulger, Alanui, N40II, Seattle WA
I'm building a plan for leaving the Seattle area in 2007 to cruise the S. Pacific and possibly further. I hope to take a month or so to cruise down the coast and spend a few weeks to a month in Dana Point (install paravanes to back up my active fins). According to Jimmy Cornells World Cruising Routes, the safest period to transit the west coast of CA to HI is Jan to April.
Does this suggest an 07 October or November Seattle departure is best? I realize I'd have to time the weather down the coast, but we are in no hurry, so I don't see that as a problem. We would harbor hop down rather than do it rapidly.
Once in HI, I'd like to spend a month or so around the islands, and then head south. The guide suggests March as the begining of the safe season in the S. Pacific, but I still have a lot more to read. Is there a period where you need to be out of the S. Pacific islands and perhaps visit Australia or New Zeland?
We will make a decision at this point regarding continuing east for a circumnavigation or returning to the west and transiting the Panama Canal to cruise the Gulf states and the Caribbean.
As always, your thoughts are appreciated!
Scott Bulger, Alanui, N40II, Seattle WA
