[PUP] Spanish Main and hurricanes

[bob Austin]

David,
Congratulations on your plans.  I am a bit confused by your use of the words
"Spanish Main"--generally this was considered to be the Caribberan Sea--but in
some circles more restricted to the Northern Coast of S. America including the
Isthmus of Panama to the mouth of the Orinoco River.  Although the Northern
Coast of S. America is generally free of hurricanes, there are some other
"hazards"--one is that you will have to work your way into the trade winds and
waves. This is not at all insugnificant.   If you stick close to the coast,
you can generally have a better passage, but it can still be difficult.  Also
the summer is the rainy season, and very hot and humid.  There are some
serious security issues along the coast of Venzuela--and you need to check
these out specifically--this might be a time when I would consider traveling
in the company of several other boats--something which I don't normally
recommend.

Also be careful of the security climate in Central America.  There have always
been issues there, and if possiable check with boats ahead of you for
information.  This is where the Ham radio nets were of so much value.
Unfortunately posts in bulletins like SSCA, either internet or hard copy are
often 6 months to a year behind the time.

Hurricanes on the West Coast, and in the Caribbean have to considered
differently than on the Gulf Coast.  There are relitatively few places to find
good hurricane holes.  The predictions are not as accurate as in the US (Not
that they are always that accurate here).  Certainly they can occur out of
season.  We arrived in Cabo in 1982 only a few days after the "Cabo
Storm"--which was in December--and there was the total lost of 28 well
prepared cruising boats.  I certainly agree with Patrick on the effect of the
Baja Ha Ha.  The 200 boats at once will have a distict effect on the
experience.  I have cruised the West Coast of Baja in the summer months, but
always with an eye on the weather, and the knowlege that there were only about
4 places where I could find refuge.

Good cruising to all~!

Bob Austin