South Pacific Crossing 1: Sailing from Panama | E051
29 May 2025 · 7 min · 157 views · South Pacific Ocean
What this video covers
Yacht Zen Again departs La Playa, Panama, bound for the Marquesas, navigating the Gulf of Panama while maintaining a wide berth around Punta Mala to avoid floating debris.0:45 The crew encounters 20-knot north-northwest winds initially, followed by light, fluky conditions and adverse currents upon reaching the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ).2:26 These conditions necessitate four hours of motoring and a mid-passage diesel transfer to maintain progress towards the equator.2:56 During the transit, the crew uses a super soaker to deter boobies from roosting on the boat and fouling the deck.1:41 After crossing the equator on 9 April, the vessel enters the South Pacific and picks up consistent trade winds, which persist for the remainder of the 4,000-mile journey to French Polynesia.6:37 The passage confirms that while the ITCZ often requires engine use to overcome adverse currents and light air, the subsequent trade winds provide reliable sailing conditions for the remainder of the crossing.
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