Trans Pacific ("Puddle-Jump")

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====Passage Description====
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Describe this route please ....
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The '''Pacific Puddle Jump''' refers to the annual cruising route taken by many cruising sailors from the West Coast of the Americas (USA, Mexico, Panama, etc) to [[French Polynesia]] and beyond.
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Typically passage planning would start in November or December, with a planned departure some time between January and March each year. This would be timed to arrive in the [[Society Islands]] after the start of the cruising season (after the end of the cyclone season which runs from November to April), and then continue westwards through the [[South Pacific]] until a cyclone safe port is reached before the following November.
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Arriving in the cyclone zone after the end of the cyclone season and departing (or hauling out) before the next one commences is the primary motivation behind passage planning on this route.  Many countries (for example the [[Cook Islands]] and [[Tonga]]) along the route do not have cyclone safe anchorages or harbours, and some prohibit the entry or stay of cruising yachts during the cyclone season.
===Charts===
===Charts===

Revision as of 22:40, 23 August 2014

The sailing passage from the Americas to Australasia (trans Pacific), affectionately known the "Puddle Jump" or "Milk-run"' is described in this section of the Cruising Wiki.

Trans-Pacific
East to West
Click for larger view
The Pacific is the largest of the oceans of the world.

Departure Points

Possible departures from:

Crossing the ITCZ

Route

The traditional route is commonly called "The Milk Run" by cruisers and roughly follows the route below (but not necessarily). The cruising passage can take anything from 4 months to many years, depending on how many stops you wish to make and how long those "stops" are for.

Passage Description

The Pacific Puddle Jump refers to the annual cruising route taken by many cruising sailors from the West Coast of the Americas (USA, Mexico, Panama, etc) to French Polynesia and beyond.

Typically passage planning would start in November or December, with a planned departure some time between January and March each year. This would be timed to arrive in the Society Islands after the start of the cruising season (after the end of the cyclone season which runs from November to April), and then continue westwards through the South Pacific until a cyclone safe port is reached before the following November.

Arriving in the cyclone zone after the end of the cyclone season and departing (or hauling out) before the next one commences is the primary motivation behind passage planning on this route. Many countries (for example the Cook Islands and Tonga) along the route do not have cyclone safe anchorages or harbours, and some prohibit the entry or stay of cruising yachts during the cyclone season.

Charts

List the charts required for this passage.

Weather Windows

The recommended period for passages from Mexican ports to the Marquesas is from the middle of March through to the end of April. During this time, the ITCZ normally lies between about 03N and 07N.

Climate & Weather Information

Expected climatic and weather conditions?

Sources of weather information for the Pacific.

Radio Nets

Also see World Cruiser's Nets

List radio Nets covering the Pacific.

Provisioning Points

Most of the cruising guides, blogs and other publications about this passage will mention that many boats over provision at the start of the route, underestimating the quantity of supplies that can be picked up along the way. Notable provisioning stops along the route include:

  • Papeete, in French Polynesia. Arriving here is a bit of a culture shock after many days at sea and in the outer islands -- all of the commodities of a small European city are available here, if the prices are somewhat inflated. There are a number of supermarkets which carry imported produce, fresh and canned goods, eggs, flour and other dry goods, imported French cheeses and wine, etc. Stock up here on eggs specifically because they can be hard to find (and expensive) on the outer islands. Papeete also has a number of yacht chandleries, hardware stores and other supply stores. Fuel and gas can be obtained here, Papeete is generally the best place to buy duty free fuel along the route.
  • Uturoa and Bora Bora in the remaining islands of French Polynesia. Goods here will be generally more expensive than those in Papeete, however fresh produce is somewhat cheaper especially at the markets in Uturoa.
  • Rarotonga, if this is on your route is significantly cheaper than anywhere in French Polynesia. A couple of large supermarkets are present, with a typical range of produce as found in New Zealand and at approximately New Zealand prices. Rarotonga also has a large hardware store although no yacht chandlery. Stock up here on frozen chicken (imported), fish, coconuts, pomelo, and other fresh vegetables from the Saturday markets next to the harbour at Avatiu.
  • Apia, if this is on your route is the next best provisioning stop (before Fiji) other than Rarotonga. Some of the more specialty items that are easy to find in Rarotonga may not be available in Apia, but the prices are generally cheaper in Apia especially for local produce. Whole (and half) pre-roasted breadfruit can be found, which takes the hassle out of roasting it, along with taro, bananas of many different varieties, coconuts, locally grown tomatoes and other vegetables at the various markets around town. The supermarkets carry a slightly smaller range of imported produce than can be found in Rarotonga or Papeete.
  • (to be continued ... Nadi/Suva/Savusavu, Port Vila, Noumea, etc)

References

Books, guides, etc.

Forum Discussion Topics

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

External Links

Personal Experiences

Personal experiences of this passage.


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