The rapidly growing annual Panama Possé, a fleet of some 150 boats, will leave from Mexico on Dec. 5 for a 2,000 nm cruise to Panama. It is timed to pick up after the CUBAR fleet from San Diego ends its own voyage in La Paz.
This year will be the third for the Panama Possé, which started with just 83 boats. It now will have power and sail vessels from 27 to 225 feet, and it will make stops in seven countries – Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras, Costa Rica and Panama. It will start at Marina Puerto de la Navidad (pictured above) in Barra, south of Puerto Vallarta, and end six months later at Marina Visa Mar near the Panama Canal.
The CUBAR rally for powerboats (Cruise Underway to Baja Rally) is scheduled to end in La Paz on Nov. 17. Cruisers who want to continue will have about three weeks to make the 420 nm voyage down to Barra for the start of the Panama Possé event, with many marinas, fuel docks and anchorages along the way.
The appeal of the Panama Possé is that it provides safety and security for cruisers. It also offers discounts at marinas, land excursions, parties and special events. Organizers will hold seminars on navigation, route planning, weather and safety in Barra the week before departure. Read more:
