We are not the only ones that will be crossing the Pacific Ocean this spring. Each year, there is a migration of cruising boats (most of them sailboats) to the South Pacific. Most of the boats depart from Mexico and make their first landfall in the Marquesas Islands. Latitude 38, a west coast sailing magzine, has named this migration the Pacific Puddle Jump and they loosely sponsor and report on the adventure. All boats are on their own for the passage and there is no attempt to coordinate travel, but most boats have signed up as participants. There have been numerous seminars and gatherings here in Puerto Vallarta, where we have gotten to know many of the crews. The organized part of the event culminates in a 3 day party sponsored by the government of Tahiti on June 18 - 20. This year there are over 200 boats signed up to make the crossing. The majority of the boats will begin their adventure around April 1, however, at least 6 boats departed here druing the last week.
Most boats will attempt to stay in touch with each other using SSB/HAM radio and will report into a radio net 2x each day. Even with 200 boats out there, it is a big ocean and it is unlikely we will see anyone - other than the one boat we will travel with. It is comforting and fun to listen on the radio and hear where others are, what the weather conditions are, and other radio chat.
Check out the PPJ site http://www.pacificpuddlejump.com/index.html
