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| Windy morning in the Holandese, Gunayala |
"Chakasana" Winds
July 14, 2013
Panama City, Panama
HAPPY BASTILLE DAY - Just as we are getting ready to raise anchor and go celebrate our French National Holiday with a flotilla of Frenchies at Taboga, enjoying a perfectly calm day on the west side of Panama, I just read a horrendous report from our friends in the San Blas, the eastern side.
As I’ve mentioned before, the weather in Eastern Panama, particularly the San Blas (Gunayala) during the rainy season (that’s now…) can be extremely violent. High velocity winds rush down from the mountains, usually at night, and slam into the islands at speeds of 65-70 knots. The locals call these winds “CHAKASANA” (don’t trust the spelling.)
Little is known or recorded about these winds. First-hand accounts are rare. Even our weather guru Chris Parker would like more info about these winds. If you have witnessed these winds or have info about them, you may contact any of the following:
Chris Parker mailto:chris@mwxc.com
Marie Dufour mailto:mtdufour@gmail.com
In any case, if you’re cruising Gunayala (San Blas) in the rainy season, be very aware of those fall winds!
I’m simply posting the report from Allen on SV Honalee.
Off to the islands…. Pacific side!
dominomarie
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| Evening in Gunayala... who knows what's coming? |
“We were awaken around 0300 when Honalee, our Tayana 55, suddenly healed over and the wind picked up. Within a few minutes it was blowing around 30K, lots of lightning and rain but not so heavy rain. Within a few minutes the winds were screaming and continued to do so for about 30 minutes. Windspeeds of 65K and 70K were read in the Eastern Lemmons … and stayed above 50K. At 0410 it was over. The boat was snapping from side to side and a large chop entered the anchorage. I went on deck to be sure the kayak was tied and decided not to venture out again.
Honalee's dinghy, which was raised on the port side, took out one stantion, bent two more, deposited the fuel tank and start battery on deck and the seat is missing in action. A couple of gallons of seawater entered the boat through an open port in the hull, probably when it heeled over. My boom mounted awning had the threads holding the D'rings on three of the corners failed and I was able to pull them down and into the cockpit with no other damage. The front awning survived with one D'ring webbing slightly damaged.
I have bee cruising the Caribbean for 24 years- 16 in the Eastern Caribbean and almost eight years in Gunayala/Panama. I have never been above 12.4 degrees latitude during the hurricane season. This was by far the worst conditions I have ever encountered.
These squalls are totally unpredictable as they can follow beautiful sunny days or rainy gusty days. They always occur in the wee hours of the morning and if they are predicted you can bet it won't happen.
The only thing I could have done differently is put Honalee on the hard in Shelter Bay and went elsewhere!
May boats dragged and I heard that three boats went on the beach in Chichime, one a cat is still aground and one in Porvenir.
Allen
sv Honalee
Lemmon Cays, Gunayala”
Honalee's dinghy, which was raised on the port side, took out one stantion, bent two more, deposited the fuel tank and start battery on deck and the seat is missing in action. A couple of gallons of seawater entered the boat through an open port in the hull, probably when it heeled over. My boom mounted awning had the threads holding the D'rings on three of the corners failed and I was able to pull them down and into the cockpit with no other damage. The front awning survived with one D'ring webbing slightly damaged.
I have bee cruising the Caribbean for 24 years- 16 in the Eastern Caribbean and almost eight years in Gunayala/Panama. I have never been above 12.4 degrees latitude during the hurricane season. This was by far the worst conditions I have ever encountered.
These squalls are totally unpredictable as they can follow beautiful sunny days or rainy gusty days. They always occur in the wee hours of the morning and if they are predicted you can bet it won't happen.
The only thing I could have done differently is put Honalee on the hard in Shelter Bay and went elsewhere!
May boats dragged and I heard that three boats went on the beach in Chichime, one a cat is still aground and one in Porvenir.
Allen
sv Honalee
Lemmon Cays, Gunayala”
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| "Swimming Pool" anchorage, Holandese Cays, Gunayala (San Blas) |