Sailing is a unique form of travel. Perhaps the best word to summarize the difference between sailing and most other forms of travel is "weather."
To move forward, a sailboat obviously requires wind. Consequently, little or no wind is a problem. On the other hand, extreme wind can also a problem. Traveler does have an engine, a Yanmar 4JH2E to be specific. The Yanmar 4JH2E is a four cylinder 50-HP diesel engine. Ideally, we would prefer to only use the engine when pulling up to a fuel dock or into a marina, as our preference, always, is to sail.
Sailing is quiet and natural; it delivers a feeling that is unique among all other means of travel. But wind, like weather, can vary by the minute and that presents its own set of challenges.
Traveler is a Cutter Rig, which means she carries a mainsail, a headsail and a staysail. This sail "configuration" can be altered and adjusted to fit the wind conditions at any given time. Sails can be trimmed and reefed to accommodate the preferred point of sail and wind strength. If winds are light, flying full sail gains power. If winds are extreme, reefing (reducing the sail area) safeguards the vessel from becoming overpowered.
"Wind conditions" refer to wind direction, strength and consistency. The other factor that is always in play is how the wind conditions relate to our preferred direction of travel. With the correct sail configuration and enough wind to fill the sails, most points of sail are possible. Sheeting in or sheeting out (pulling in or easing out) sails tunes boat speed and performance in any given direction.
Fortunately, in order to plan the best departure day and time for our next destination, several wind and weather platforms are available for reference. We commonly rely on Predict Wind and Windy. Each of these platforms offers several models for comparison.
If we are planning for an extended run, we are able to reference the predicted wind direction and strength over a period of time to determine the best window for departure. To make things a bit more interesting, there are areas along coastlines that are notorious for severe weather events. These areas demand a greater cautionary focus. From the time we left Washington to our current location in Mexico, we have traveled through and around several such areas including Cape Mendocino, Point Conception, Cabo Falso and Cabo Corrientes. With each of these locations, we have been fortunate to successfully time our travel around light weather.
Our next big weather-event challenge lies just ahead. We are now keeping a close watch on the Gulf of Tehuantepec, as it is notorious for high winds, especially during the month of December when the pressure systems move down from the United States into the Gulf of Mexico. When these systems reach the narrow Tehuantepec Isthmus a small break in the mountains known as the Chivela Pass allows the high pressure to funnel through the gap. According to the national Hurricane Center, this gap flow "often results in a narrow jet of winds that can reach gale, storm, and occasionally hurricane force in the Gulf of Tehuantepec..."
When crossing the 225-mile Gulf of Tehuantepec, there are two options. One is to sail directly across the gulf from Bahias de Huatulco to Puerto Chiapas in a prolonged condition of mild wind, which is always a risk, especially in December. The second option is to travel along the coastline with "one foot on the beach," as they say. Sailors are cautioned that this method, while offering the opportunity to duck out the storm if necessary, requires careful navigation and depth sounding since traveling close enough to the shoreline to gain the lee effect of the shore and waves also forces travel through shallow water, especially around lagoon entrances.
With this passage just ahead, we are glad to have one of our reinforcements back with us! John McIntosh rejoined us in Puerto Vallarta. John proved to be an exceptional crew member on our initial 8-day, exhausting nonstop offshore run over confused seas from Port Townsend to San Francisco. Our hope was that John would have a short memory and offer to crew again. John is back already! Feel free to draw your own conclusion regarding John's memory.
Currently, we are paused in Barra de Navidad. In part, to await favorable wind, but also because we happened to arrive during a 4-day Panama Posse event. The Panama Posse is an organized group of cruisers who offer support and assistance to like-minded boaters traveling between San Diego and Chesapeake Bay via the Panama Canal. We have enjoyed four days of information workshops and the opportunity to meet other cruisers.
Tomorrow we plan to begin our 550-mile approach to the Gulf of Tehuantepec. We are hoping that the timing of this leg allows us the opportunity to visit a couple of sites we have in mind along the way. (Stay tuned for that!)
Most importantly, unlike our usual wish, we are hoping that when we arrive to the Gulf of Tehuantepec, our diesel engine will be necessary due to the lack of wind!