Conference unifix::sailing

    I would check with the U.S. State Department first to find out what if
    any travel notices to tourists are in effect.  You may also look into
    one of several cruising guides available for the Western Carribean.  I
    think there is a Street's guide to the area in question which should
    much of the info you are looking for.  Have a great time!  
    
    Brian   

Your plan sure beats sweating out downsizing and yet another reorganization!

An acquaintance from years ago, Henry Genthe, set up shop on Roatan, an 
island off Belize.  He was building a simple hotel of sorts, and raved 
about the uncomplicated (meaning somewhat primitive) and beautiful
lifestyle he lived down there.  Friends who visited in subsequent winters
confirmed his appraisal.  Were I to cruise those parts, I'd most definitely 
make for the chain of islands Roatan is part of (and largest of.) 

Strictly from reading, I've heard often that Belize is a quite peaceful 
and contented nation, unlike its neighbors who are constantly in the news. 
Many races and cultures live side by side in easy harmony and cooperation. 
A year or two ago there was a news item about Sandinista sympathizers (or 
was it the Contra rebels...?) trying to stir things up a bit, in hopes of 
ending up with something to gain from the turmoil.  Nothing major seems to 
have happened, or it'd have made the cover of Time at least once.

There are some rocks and sand bars to run into way offshore in places down 
there.  The low, barren Serrano Banks come to mind, where an unfortunate
16th century Spanish sailor spent many months (a year or more???) before
being rescued, living on birds and fish after a shipwreck destroyed his
vessel and drowned all the crew.  This all came to light in the course of
research (by others) into ships' records and wrecks in hopes of finding
silver and gold.  The Serrano Banks have yielded quite a bit of silver
from the wreck that carried its namesake citizen. 

J.

A very rough estimate from my atlas indicates that Boston to Seattle via 
the Panama Canal is about 7000 miles if you sail offshore (avoiding Cuba 
is very much a problem and could add much distance) and about 10000
miles if you hug the coast. My experience indicates that 100 miles per day
is a good estimate for offshore sailing and maybe 30 miles per day made
good toward a distant destination is a reasonable expectation for
harbor-hopping coastal sailing. 

These estimates indicate that you will spend something like a minimum of 
70 days to over 300 days under way making this trip. I'm not sure that
this is leisurely cruising, and it includes no allowances for bad
weather, breakdowns, food shopping, washing clothes, etc. With no
disrespect, your boat is not one I would choose for offshore sailing.
Insurance, if you want it, is likely to be very expensive even if you
can get it. 

Another idea: Coastal cruise to Texas and then have your boat trucked to 
California. Insurance would be easy to obtain at low cost. The expense 
of trucking would be partially offset by the reduced wear and tear on 
the boat. I've also hear that it is possible to ship a boat by rail 
across Mexico. 

In any event, enjoy!

RE: .3,

>>>  Another idea: Coastal cruise to Texas and then have your boat 
>>>  trucked to California....

What?  And miss the most interesting part of the voyage?  Go for it -- 
chances and all!  You'll have a great adventure to fuel your memories for 
the rest of your life.   And you won't have to kick yourself for having 
led a life of quiet desperation.  (That's reserved for those of us waiting 
out downsizing...:-])

Seriously, I sailed a 30' open boat with only an Armstrong Auxiliary
(a.k.a. the ash breeze or Swedish steam) capable of almost 60 degrees off
the wind as long as there was no chop, from the Lower Keys up to Maine,
and with many stops for dangerous weather, rest, provisioning,
sightseeing, entertaining and being entertained, we managed over 30 miles
a day including nearly constant spring storms from NC north.  You can hold
better than that, if motivated, by planning more and longer offshore legs
when wind and weather make it worthwhile.  Or by disciplining yourself to 
manage short leg stopovers to maintain a planned average rate of progress.

J.

	I would strongly suggest reading John Rains' book

		"Cruising Ports: California to Florida via Panama"
		Published by Western Marine Enterprises
		Box Q, Ventura California 93002


	John Rains is a delivery skipper who has done this 4.6K mile passage
many times. He talks about weather, political concerns, strategies
and the like. In your case, Don't leave home without it!

	A few more thoughts..............
  A single sideband radio (receiver) is an absolute minimuma requirement
for this trip. It will provide you with comprehensive weather forecasts and
allow you to monitor the ham marine nets that describe what's going on. 

	A marine SSB or HAM SSB rig would be a good investment if you
have the cash and time to put into it. There isn't a coast guard in 
Mexico or Central America and it might help you avoid or get out of
some sticky situations.


	I believe that you will find headwinds the norm from Panama 
to San Diego. You might want to review the pilot charts to verify 
this. 


				Good Luck,

				   Rich

    I just spoke to someone who spent Christmas with Don Mallinson
    (basenote 1606).  
    
    Don took the package and left Rhode Island in November.  He cruised
    down the Intercostal, arriving in Ft. Lauderdale in mid December.  He
    is currently planning on cruising the Bahamas now through April, then
    heading around the Florida keys and up the Gulf Coast to Texas.  From
    the Brownsville area he will pull his boat and have it trucked to
    San Diego where he will continue the voyage to the San Juan islands.
    
    Don decided against going through the canal based upon some of the
    recommendations of this conference.  
    
    I'll try to post more information on a former DEC sailor as I receive
    it.