T6 Log #5: From Panama to the Pacific to Maui
Captain’s Log Update: February 5, 2026
There’s a rhythm to long deliveries that doesn’t show up on charts. Crew changes, weather delays, unexpected fixes, small shore breaks that reset morale, and then long stretches where the ocean sets the pace. Over the past few weeks, Trilogy VI has been moving steadily north and west, carrying both stories and sea miles with her.
Here’s the latest, straight from Captain Michael Snow.
“To bring everyone up to speed on what we on Trilogy VI have been doing the last few weeks, we will start with the day that Kukiʻi and Chancey joined us in Panama, at Flamenco Marina, Panama City on January 6th. After saying goodbye to Captain Jim Whipple, Gabriel, Amy, Chris, and myself met up with Chancey and Kukiʻi in a beautiful section of old town Panama City to have dinner. It was a chance for both incoming and outgoing crew to get together and exchange stories and expectations of this incredible journey.”
Soon after, the Maui-bound crew thinned again as Amy and Chris headed home, leaving the remaining team to shift focus fully to preparation.
“After Kukiʻi and Chancey settled into the boat, we took the next two days preparing the boat for departure. The two main tasks were restocking food and supplies, and refueling the boat. After that, we were ready for the next leg of the delivery. Next stop, Costa Rica.”
panama —> costa rica
Chancey Juska, Senior 1st Mate aboard T6
“We departed the marina in Panama the afternoon of January 8. With the beautiful Panama City skyline behind us, we motored through the dozens of cargo ships waiting their turn to transit the canal. Our intended destination was actually Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, where we planned to refuel and restock supplies before crossing the Pacific to Hawaiʻi, but I had chosen a few spots along Central America that we could stop if the need arose. After traveling for six days, we decided to pull into Costa Rica to address a fuel contamination problem and also wait out some intense weather that was forming to the northwest near the southern end of Mexico at the Gulf of Tehuantepec. As it turned out, we would end up staying at this picturesque marina in Papagayo for a week as we waited for that weather to clear.”
Papagayo: Repairs, Rest, and Reset
“We managed to fix our fuel contamination issue. Gabriel was able to source the parts he needed to put together a fuel filtering system, which we used to not only filter the fuel we already had on board, but filter any new fuel we would bring on. “Gabriel also had an opportunity to change out a suspect belt on the starboard engine that was showing signs of failing. Along with a few other tasks, we managed to get the boat shipshape and ready to go.”
Adventure Time
Waiting for weather doesn’t mean standing still, and the crew took time to explore the coast beyond the marina.
“During our search for the parts needed for the fuel filter system, we discovered the town of Tamarindo, a popular tourist spot and surf town. Gabriel, Kukiʻi, and Chancey rented surfboards while I managed to find a group of local beach volleyball players and was able to get in a game. The crew had an awesome surf session and managed to stay out well past sunset. After that, we all met up and had dinner at a restaurant there in town. The crew was able to take advantage of some very nice amenities such as massages and pools. We were even fortunate enough to have a couple of really nice dinners at two exceptional restaurants. We took a day to go zip lining along with an ATV tour. If you ever come out on a Trilogy excursion and Chancey is one of the crew, make sure to ask her about the ATV incident… The local boat owners and captains there were very friendly, and the marina staff was welcoming and very helpful. A big shout out to Danny, the waiter at the marina restaurant who took good care of us for the week and even played some dice with us on our last night.”
timing the gulf of Tehuantepec
With repairs complete and supplies topped off, attention turned back to weather windows.
“Once we saw a weather window open, we topped off our fuel and supplies and said our goodbyes to Marina Papagayo, this time eyes firmly set on Cabo San Lucas. The Gulf of Tehuantepec sits on the southern end of Mexico on the Pacific side. In the winter months, it is notorious for the winds that spill across the narrow stretch of land that separates the Pacific from the gulf. As we approached the gulf, the winds were blowing hard but forecasted to lay down as we got closer. The forecasts were correct. Just as we entered the region, the winds died down. It took us a full day and night to cross the gulf, and no sooner did we reach the other side did the gale-force winds pick right back up again.”
cabo and the final push
After weeks of coastal miles, the Baja peninsula came into view.
“We left Costa Rica on January 21 and arrived seven days later to our marina, Puerto Los Cabos, at the end of the Baja peninsula on January 28. We only spent two days in Cabo as we were anxious to get started on our final leg across the Pacific to Maui. While we were there, we did take the opportunity to explore the nearby town, take in some great meals and shopping, and ready our boat for the big push home. We departed January 30th.”
seven days into the pacific
Capt. Michael Snow at the Helm
“Now, seven days into our Pacific crossing, we have had incredible weather. Clear skies and calm seas have graced our path. Our route has taken us west toward Hawaiʻi with a slight arc northward, so the beautiful weather has been accompanied by some cooler temperatures. Jeans and sweatshirts have been common attire, and even coats and beanies for the night watches and mornings. Today (Feb 5), I adjusted our course to a more direct line to Maui, which will bring us back to our comfortable latitude as we prepare for the second half of this leg. Up to this point of the crossing there has been little to no wind, so we have not been able to sail, but we are approaching the spicy trade winds and soon we will be able to take advantage of those winds to carry us home.”
Trilogy VI continues west, carried by patience, preparation, and a crew that knows how to move with the ocean instead of against it. We’ll share more as those trade winds fill in and the miles toward Maui continue to fall away behind her wake.
UPDATE: February 9, 2026
T6 is 48 hours away from Maui!
Where is the boat right now?
Update: February 12, 2026
T6 made it safely home and arrived at 8pm last night!
Welcome Home!
