92) Panama

San Blas Islands, Republic de Panama

This passage was planned so that we were supposed to arrive before dark.  We were heading to an archipelago and it is littered with hazards in the way of rocks and very small islands.  The rule of thumb says to never make an approach to this kind of anchorage in the dark.  Speaking for myself for many hours I was looking forward to dropping the hook and sleeping without rocking.  After a while I get burned out from smelling diesel fumes and rocking and rolling.  One can only read so much or listen to so much music or nap.  We all were looking forward to anchoring tonight.

 

San Blas Islands, Republic de Panama

We noticed soon after we left the dock that the boat was going slower at the same engine rpm’s.  We deduced that it was growth on the hull and prop and later confirmed it.  But, it slowed us down more than a knot and that affected our schedule dramatically.  We arrived at the island we were going to drop the hook at after the sun had set.  There appeared to be just enough time to get in.   

On the approach we noticed whitewater and knew that it was the reef.  There appeared to be a hole and that is what we headed for.  I was very apprehensive and not comfortable.  John had the route planned to take us right by the edge of the reef and it turned out to be too close.  While approaching the reef the whitewater connected from both sides effectively closing the entrance.  We got down to 4’ of water below the keel when Nancy yelled out the depth and I said turn to the right and full throttle.  We really needed to enter about a 1,000’ feet to the left.  The waypoint was too close to the reef associated with this island and the electronic chart cannot be relied upon, as all charts are really just guidelines.  We did what boaters are supposed to do and went back out to sea to wait for sunrise.  Ugh.  John really wanted to see Tiger Island but we agreed to modify the plan.  We ended up motoring all night and went north to the next place we planned to see.  This turned out to be a very good decision. 

San Blas Islands, Republic de Panama