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1
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- Dave & Sherry McCampbell
- svsoggypaws.com
- This presentation
- Logbook-blog, pics, waypoints
- Inland travel-details
- Workshop-projects
- Links-internet favorites
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2
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- CSY 44 Walkthru
- Prep 12 years
- In W Carib 96-97, 01-02, 07-08
- 3 trips around Carib-Sherry first in 74 ‘old days’
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3
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- 1 Preparation
- 2 Getting there
- 3 Places
- 4 Resources
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4
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- The Boat
- Security
- Electric
- Plumbing
- Navigation/Comms
- Rig/Deck
- Engine/Systems
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5
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- Draft - 5’ to 6’
- Fuel/Water-100 gals
- Protected prop
- Full cockpit sun/rain protection
- Great ventilation
- Roller furling headsails
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6
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- Theft BIG problem in Carib
- Main Target – 10-15 HP outboard motors
- Prevent dinghy theft
- High lift dinghy davits
- Outboard/dinghy locks
- Chain better than wire
- Abus locks are best
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7
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- Personal defense equipment
- Bear/pepper spray
- Taser/handcuffs
- Flaregun/.38 insert
- ALWAYS lock up boat
- When away and at night
- Lexan hatchboards
- Consider hatch bars
- Lock eqpt on deck
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8
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- Calder says 75% of maint/repair time
- Lightning
- Biggest danger
- Ground mast
- Use Faraday cages-oven/microwave
- Static shielding bags
- Electronic disconnects
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9
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- Batteries-strong/new
- Lots of boats with battery problems
- Expensive to buy/import in W Carib
- Starter batt charge system-diode & TCB
- SPaws – L 16 LA Rolls CH 375M
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10
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- Research carefully - LA vs AGM vs Gel
- Charts from several websites on Inet
- Heat is a killer
- Must equalize and water LA
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11
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- Alternate energy-don’t charge batts with main engine
- At anchor-Solar vs Wind vs Generator
- Solar
- Shading a killer
- MPPT regulator-+25%
- Tilt fore and aft-+25%
- SPaws Solar and Honda Generator
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12
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- Fresh water important
- Need good rain collection system
- Lots of FW filters
- Drinking-SeaGull IV
- Deck fills X 3
- Btwn tanks and pump
- Multiple FW tanks
- Convenient manifold
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13
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- Watermakers - $3-10K
- Many choices, research carefully
- DIY unit for $2 K
- Diesel or AC driven
- Produces 42 GPH
- 1/wk 1.5 hrs=60+ gals
- Details at svsoggypaws.com/ plumbingsystems.htm
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14
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- Commodes
- Reliable unit you can repair
- Need good plumbing access
- SPaws Raritan PH2
- Brown Discharge
- Most marinas require holding tank
- Raritan Lectra San good option
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15
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- VHF radios-need 2
- One at helm, one at nav station
- Separate antennas-one at mast head
- Gam 6 db best rated
- Weax alert and DSC
- Handheld for dinghy use not cockpit
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16
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- HF radio-Digital capable for Winlink/Sailmail
- Best antenna-insulated backstay, SW ground plane
- Auto tuner with GTO 15 offset 2”
- Antenna lightning disconnect
- Speaker in cockpit
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17
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- Fishfinder vs Digital
- Cell phones/Skype
- Open phone
- CA/SA freqs-850/1900
- Buy country SIM cards
- Wifi
- Available everywhere
- Need external antenna
- Options- See SPaws website -Electronics
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18
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- Buy guide books not paper charts
- NW - Calder/Rausher/ Pavlavis
- SW - Stone-Hayes/Zydler/
Bauhaus
- Lonely Planets for inland travel
- Download chapters as PDF, planning free
- SSCA Bulletins and cruiser websites
- Download for future reference underway
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19
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- Computer vs chart plotter
- Computer has multitasking advantage
- Use port hub so can use multiple nav programs
- Refer to notes, sketch charts, web info while underway
- External 12v monitor with wireless mouse
- Monitor on swing arm so can use inside or out
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20
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- Navigation-software charting
- Vector/Raster ’Not for Nav’ in Belize/San Blas
- SeaClear/Fugawi do chartlet scanning
- SPaws uses all three
- Planning–VPP
- Great planning tool
- Pilot charts imbedded
- Gives detailed route forecast report by month
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21
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- AIS
- Big ship avoidance
- Call ships by name
- Graphic, chart and contact displays
- Close CPA alert
- Detailed info box for each contact
- SPaws system
- Smart Radio Receiver
- VHF Splitter
- ShipPlotter software
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22
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- GPS
- Garmin 76 Map-world base map, Americas nav aids/ roads, Ebay $100
- Portable, spares in oven
- Take it with you for inland travel or auto trip
- Weather station
- Multiple weather data
- Includes recording baro
- Highest/lowest wind speed, temp, baro, etc
- Relative wind direction only
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23
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- Standing rigging
- Wire/SS over 15 years suspect
- Learn to tune own rig
- Loos tension gauge
- Running rigging
- UV cuts life 50%
- Cover sheets and use sacrificial halyards when in port
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24
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- Sails
- Storm-not needed
- Light air-yes
- Maximize UV protection
- Mast climbing
- Use windlass
- Rope clutch for halyards
- Safety-slide rolling hitch up and down tensioned halyard
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25
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- Dinghy is your car
- RIB advantages
- High strong davits
- 2 outboards-15/5 HP
- Bimini & sun cover
- DIY outboard repair and maintenance
- SPaws 10.5’ AB Lite
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26
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- Anchoring
- Research anchors carefully
- Single big bow anchor
- About 200’ HT chain
- Power windlass on solid base
- Learn how to anchor
- Pressure deck wash
- SPaws uses Delta 88
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27
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- Self steering
- Need reliable unit
- Research carefully
- Autopilot vs wind vane
- Can you repair it, even the best break
- CPT inexpensive, works & repairable
- CPT repair on SPaws website
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28
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- Must know how to maintain/repair your systems
- Onbd tools/spares critical
- Read manuals and Calder books
- Cleanliness, neatness, preservation important
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29
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- Main engine
- Learn basic diesel mechanics
- Dual Racor fuel filters
- Gates Green Stripe belts
- Amsoil extended oil changes-and others
- Weatherhead DIY LP oil fittings/hoses
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30
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- DIY alternator repair
- Cause-open charging wire, loose belt heat
- Easy, cheap repair w/ common onbd tools
- Repair parts include diodes, brushes, bushings, bearings
- Description - Calder’s Mech/Elec Manual
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31
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- Refrig system
- Choose carefully as huge elec user and very expensive
- 12 v system best
- Must be able to do basic repairs
- Calder Refrig manual
- DIY system Spaws website
- Frigiboat 12 v system
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32
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- Air Conditioning
- Window unit entirely adequate, inexpensive
- Install in companionway
- Propane system
- Best fuel for stove, grill, fresh water heater
- Zero leak tolerance, check hoses and fittings
- Get fume/bilge/fire alarm
- Panama valve adapter
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33
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- Weax considerations
- Gulf Stream tactics
- Where to clear in/out
- Routes & distances
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34
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- Seasonal Variations
- Summer/Fall-Hurricane Season
- Don’t go early or late in season
- Hurricane holes x 3
- Winter-Cold Fronts
- Wind shift from easterly to strong W-N
- Need secure anchorage
- Spring-Go South in good winds
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35
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- Gulfstream Issues
- Loop north of W tip Cuba
- Relative strength along your track
- Squeeze zones
- Yucatan, Fla Keys, Miami
- Hug close to W tip Cuba
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36
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- Rainy Season
- June-Nov most areas
- Lightning and squall danger
- Need good anchorage
- Inland travel planning issue
- Diving water clarity reduced
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37
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- Multiple sources
- Internet
- HF radio
- Satellite pics
- Grib files
- Faxes/forecasts
- HF voice
- Sat phone
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38
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- Visit NWS Key West
- Latest Wefax forecast
- Latest Gulfstream data
- No VHF/Inet/cells at Dry Tortugas
- Latest forecasts only by HF radio or satphone at DRTO
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39
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- SPaws experience 2007-08
- Highest Seas: 8 feet (swell)
- Highest Winds at Anchor: 40 knots
- Highest Winds on Passage: 30 knots
- Average Winds on Passage: 5-10 knots
- Some Rain and Lightning (during rainy season)
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40
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- NW-Most Convenient
- Isla Mujeres, Mexico (check)
- Ambergris Cay or Punta Gorda, Belize ($0-$15)
- Livingston (Rio Dulce), Guatemala ($99)
- Bay Isls, Honduras ($0)
- DON’T Clear In / Out
- Cozumel, Mexico
- Belize City, Belize ($120)
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41
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- SW–Most Convenient
- Providencia (Col) $90 in/out
- San Andreas (Col) $100
- Cartagena, (Col) $60 in/out
- Bocas del Toro (Pan) $150
- Colon (Pan) $89 + agent
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42
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- Days/Distance fm DRTO
- Isla Mujeres
- Ambergris Cay
- Livingston (Rio Dulce)
- Bay Islands
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43
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- Summary
- Mexico
- Belize
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Panama
- Colombia
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44
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- 3507 Miles Traveled
- 640 Engine Hours
- 476 Nights
- 10 On Passage
- 191 At Anchor/Mooring
- 275 In a Marina
- 8 mos in Rio Dulce/Cartagena
- 58 in the U.S.
- 67 Inland Travel
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45
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- Cruising
- Belize Atolls, San Blas Islands, Colombian Offshore Islands
- Inland Travel
- Guatemala, Colombia, Belize
- Scuba Diving
- Belize Atolls, Honduras Bay Islands
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46
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- Can coastal day hop
- NE coast very touristy
- Some south current
- National Zarpes?
- Cozumel – not cruiser friendly
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47
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48
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49
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- Mayan ruins superb but crowded
- Great bus system
- Lots of tourists
- Cancun like Miami Beach
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50
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- Atolls are best diving
- Great sailing N/S inside outer reef
- Clearest water off shore
- Park anchoring fees
- Few repair facilities
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51
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52
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53
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54
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- Only convenient marina for boat
during inland travel
- Fuel, all amenities
- Not cheap
- Max 6’ draft at high tide
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55
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56
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57
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58
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59
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60
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- Popular hangout for cruisers
- Fuel and water avail
- Check in/Check out
(but convoluted)
- Somewhat exposed anchorage for cold fronts
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61
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- Best place to check in to/out of Belize
- All officials at dock
- Exposed anchorage- use AM only
- Protected anchorage 2 hours North
- 2 hours from Rio Dulce entrance
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62
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- Inexpensive bus travel
- Great but expensive things to do
- San Ignacio tour center
- Licensed professional tour guides
- English spoken
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63
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64
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65
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66
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67
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68
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- Rio Dulce dangerous anchoring alone
- No reason not to use marinas-inexpensive
- Best hurricane hole in W Carib
- Cruising community
- Good boat repair facilities
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69
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70
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71
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72
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73
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- Great cheap tours
- Antigua is tour center and great place to learn Spanish
- Lots to see and do
- Cool inland/hot river
- Cheap bus/van travel, food and lodging
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74
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75
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76
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77
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78
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79
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80
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81
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82
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- Bay Islands best cruising
- Great diving
- Many anchoring spots, few marinas
- English spoken
- Shipping importation available
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83
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84
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85
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86
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87
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88
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89
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- Great remote cruising
- Islands all have Colombian Marines
- Honduran/Nicaraguan fishermen presence
- Some trouble near Media Luna Cay
- Good snorkeling/ diving
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90
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91
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92
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93
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94
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- Generally mild seasonal cruising
- International cruising communities
- Gateway to Panama Canal
- Highlight is San Blas
- Good marinas and boat repair facilities
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95
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96
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97
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98
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99
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100
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101
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102
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103
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104
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105
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106
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- Few good anchorages
- US military presence
- Colombian Coast Guard- great cruiser security
- Little diving
- Usually Insurance rider
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107
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108
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109
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- Best inland travel
- Lots to see and do
- World class hiking
- Cartagena is best Spanish olonial city
- Cheap good bus travel, food, lodging
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110
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111
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112
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113
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114
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115
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116
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117
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118
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- Guides
- Cruising-Bluewater Books, Amazon.com, cruisers, etc
- Travel-Lonely Planet, Footprint Guides and ebooks
- Charts
- Paper-SSCA, Belleview, cruisers, retailers
- Software-Internet, retailers, cruisers, SeaClear scans
- SSCA Bulletins-paper, CD, ebulletins
- Internet
- Cruisers’ websites-svsoggypaws.com, etc
- Backpacker websites
- Noonsite.com-J Cornell
- Travel discussion groups-Thorntree at LonelyPlanet.com, etc
- Full list with links on svsoggypaws.com
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119
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Notes
