Alternatives to the Panama Canal? Forum

Posted April 25th, 2008 by nora

Forum Topic

Does anyone know of an alternative way to get the boat across to the Pacific? Either onboard a freight ship or by road?
Our boat is stuck in a long queue waiting to transit the Panama Canal. Right now, the expected transit date is 15th June and there are 78 yatchs in front of us. We have been waiting since the 8th April already. As our boat has ten owners which divide the year between them, this is for us a very unfortunate situation.

The boat is a aluminium sail yacht.
LOA 14m, LWL 13.5m, Deplacement 9 t

Grateful if someone has any good advice! Monica

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Panama cruising question

On April 27th, 2008 SeaGeek says:

So sorry to hear of your situation, how frustrating

If I were in your shoes the first thing I would try is to call all the marinas with haul-out facilities along the canal, and on both coasts (see the Panama Cruising Guide for more information). When we shipped our boat in the past, I got lots of help from the marina office managers, who often have the cards of local trucking companies on their desks. Might be a good place to start.

Hope this helps

- Kim

Thanks for good advice! I

On April 27th, 2008 nora says:

Thanks for good advice!

I have already been in contact with some transport agencies, but didn't think of contacting marinas with haul-out facilities. Will definitely try that!
Have you got any idea what that kind of transport would cost? The boat is rather large, 14m and 9 tons.

Monica

Panama Canal

On April 29th, 2008 SeaGeek says:

Sorry Monica, no idea what it might cost, but I can tell you that trucking companies are often willing to negotiate. If you are a bit flexible in the timing, they can often make a deal.

Hope this help, let us know if you figure this out. I have a friend going through the canal later this month, and would love to be able to tell her how you get your yacht across.

Good luck,

Kim

I'm coming your way!

On May 17th, 2008 Rick142000 says:

In June I set sail from Key West heading for the Panama Canal. Yes I was also told that it could be a wait of a couple of months. I have Dockwise picking up my "Melissa Lynn 1" in Gofito Costa Rica in Dec 08 heading to Vancouver BC, so I guess I have the advantage of time. I will need a safe moorage location for her though, do you have any feedback regarding that on the Colon Side of Panama. Can you put your boat in a marina, pay the moorage until your canal passage date fly home and let your other owners fly down and take advantage of the location while you are waiting? Are the marina's safe enough there to pay the moorage and fly home? Did the canal authorities give you a specific date or did they just say wait until we call?

Richard-"Melissa Lynn 1"