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From: Peter Ogilvie (no email)
Date: Wed Feb 20 2008 - 00:50:54 EST
I just looked at the Pilot Charts for all the seasons
and don't see doldrums anywhere near the 'sailing'
route to the Marquesas. Maybe if you made a rhumbline
course direct from the Canal you'd experience a lot of
time in the ITC but that's not the way you SAIL there.
Most folks head southwest from Panama to the Galapagos
which is often a light air slog with winds forward of
the beam. From the Galapagos, it's west southwest to
the Marquesas with following force 4 tradewinds, 0%
calms, all the rest of the way. Perfect your downwind
rig.
If you wanted to go to Easter Island, it's also a
sailing ship route with winds mostly on or aft the
beam. Unfortunately, you pass through and will be in
an area with a possibility of 6% of calms and the
overall winds are more variable with a greater, though
low, chance of headwinds. Don't see an advantage to
sailing that far south if your destination is French
Polynesia.
Another consideration is the anchorages at both Easter
and Pitcairin. IIRC, neither has a protected harbor
and anchoring is a tenuous proposition should the
winds kick up from the wrong direction. You'll have
to keep a weather eye while your there and be ready to
get to sea at a moments notice. In short, it could be
a short and not very restful stay at either island.
I'd like to see the statues on Easter Island but not
enough to put up with the difficulties of getting and
being there. Pitcairin would be interesting if you
are a sociologist/anthrapologist studying remote
Island cultures or a 'Bounty aficianado' but not a
must see on my list. Of course, if you have a punch
list of out of the way places to visit, both Easter
and Pitcairin will put you in a very rare group.
It's been a several decades since I've been to the
Marquesas. When we were there, it was still pretty
primitive and unspoiled. We got there in July left in
January and pretty much had the Islands to ourselves
as the Hurricane season cut off the West Coast Traffic
until November. I don't think it's quite the virgin
tropical paradise it used to be but it's still going
to be a great place to explore. FWIW, saw a picture
of Taiohai Bay and it looked a shopping center parking
lot with all the anchored cruisers compared to what it
was like when we were there. Still bet trips to the
less frequented Islands would be a peaceful respite.
If it's possible, try and get an extended visa before
you leave for FP. We had a six month visa which
allowed us to hang out where we wanted and didn't have
to rush on to Papeete like everyone else. The same
would go if you wanted to hang out in the Gambiers, or
Tuamotus. If diving is your thing, especialy spear
fishing, allow lots of time for the Tuamotus.
Aloha
Peter O.
--- Kevin <> wrote:
> Hello. I know many travel by way of the Marquesas
> Islands. I was
> thinking of trying a Galopagos/Easter
> Island/Pitcairn route to the
> Society Islands. Any ideas on this trek. Seems to
> be the best route
> for avoiding any doldrums. Thanks for any feedback
> and suggestions.
>
>
Aloha
Peter Ogilvie
Pa'akai O'o, Pearson 35 #108
Too many Landrovers, some even run.
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