Sailing Avantivideo
Racing, fishing and grounding in San Blas EP48
January 20, 2023 · 14 min · 376 views · San Blas Islands
What this video covers
Gerhard and Jacqueline, sailing their 41-foot monohull Avanti, navigated the San Blas Islands of Panama while contending with adverse wind conditions and shallow, poorly charted waters. During a transit to Isla de Tigre, the vessel grounded on a reef despite following Bauhaus charts.9:38 The keel touched bottom in a shallow area that Navionics charts correctly identified, though the crew had initially relied on the Bauhaus guide.10:31 After reversing the engine to free the boat, they confirmed no structural damage or water ingress.10:55 The crew subsequently sailed in 12 to 15 knots of wind toward Green Island, engaging in informal racing with other vessels while trolling for tuna and bonito.6:45 The experience highlighted the necessity of verifying multiple chart sources and maintaining visual awareness of depth, particularly in cloudy conditions where reef identification is difficult.
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