Sailing Kuna Yala
The Fleet
1. Tai-Phou offers an excellent compromise between an efficient and safe vessel with the pleasure of a comfortable yacht at anchorage. A large well ventilated cockpit enables us to have all our meals outside. The solar panels and wind generator supplies enough electricity to run the fridge, lights and music and eventually recharge the cameras. We can choose between the 15 hp dinghy or the two seat kayaks to discover the islands. We have all snorkeling equipment on board.
The Crew Your French skipper Jean-Charles (a.k.a JC or Juan Carlos) has been chartering in the San Blas since 1999. After obtaining a BA in management and working 15 years in the software engineering business, he decided it was time to change his lifestyle. He now skips Tai Phou, spearfish (groupers and snappers) and cooks (highly praised!) to the entire satisfaction of his guests. He knows and is known by all the Kuna Indians and will gladly share his extensive knowledge of the islands with you. JC speaks French, English and Spanish fluently; Kuna dialect and Italian fairly.
2. Jivago: A very fast sailboat very well maintained and fully equipped. Genaker sail, wind generator, solar panels, Twin seats kayak, 10' Caribe dinghy, with 15 Hp outboard, Fishing rods, snorkeling gears (including flippers), Captain and hostess (if 3 guests and more).
The Crew Captain Boubou is an experienced sailor (several Atlantic crossings). He loves music and sharing a bottle of good old rum after dinner. He is smoker. He speaks French, Spanish and some English.
3. Pepita is sailing in the San Blas since 1997! Pepita is a safe catamaran because of her light displacement and speed under sails (in the weak breezes (8 to 12 knots) Pepita can sail when other bigger cats do not): her stability (notably when moored), her generous deck space, her 3’ draft allowing guests to access shallow waters for private lonely anchorages, but also the saloon en-suite with cockpit, make of Pepita one of the most convenient yacht in the San Blas.
Full batten main sail, jib with roller furler (new sails august 2006) 7/8th rigging. Built of plywood epoxy by French boatyard Sud Composites (currently presenting the catamaran 51’ Switch on the market), Pepita has been modified to be adapted to the San Blas islands charter: her folding varnished wooden cockpit table can host up to 10 guests, her front cabins are spacious (one can stand, walk and change comfortably) and are naturally very well ventilated grace of 3 hatches including one huge located ahead of the bed for maximum breeze in! In the pick: lots of space to keep personals including a location for traveling bags.
The Crew: Since November 2006, French Captain Gilbert is in charge of catamaran Pepita: before that, he was in charge of yachts in Florida and did even deliver some from the west coast to the east coast.
He speaks perfect English as well as Spanish. Gilbert loves to live like a “Robinson Crusoe”: he will host you courteously and show you the best of the San Blas (traditional villages, fishing and snorkeling spots, etc..) but also share with you some secret remote anchorages…
He loves also good cooking and he is lucky to have Adeline, French hostess (also speaking English and Spanish): she prepares good meals based generally on the catch of the day (lobsters, giant crabs, fish...). Adeline is very convivial and will share her love of the archipelago with you. Be sure they will both pamper you!
