Ahoy, ahoy,

Could anyone provide any insights, advice or experience on crossing the
Panama canal. I am planning to do so in early March and would
appreciate any information, contacts or tips anyone can provide.

Among the many questions I'd like to resolve a

1) What is the correct government source for information? (is there a
website or office one contacts for specific information regarding the canal)

2) What is the approximate cost for a 45' catamaran?

3) How is the scheduling handled, how well can one predetermine their
transit time?

4) What is the average "delay" from the promised date to the actual transit?

5) Are there any hidden costs to be aware of?

6) Are catamarans handled differently than monohulls in any appreciable
manner?

7) What airports are readily available from either side? (I'm presuming
that some portion of the "crew" will want to fly in, do the canal and
then fly out - are there airports within a reasonable distance on both
sides)


Thank you for any information you might be able to offer.

Try the following site: www.bumfuzzle.com

"AMPowers" wrote in message
. net...
Ahoy, ahoy,

Could anyone provide any insights, advice or experience on crossing the
Panama canal. I am planning to do so in early March and would appreciate
any information, contacts or tips anyone can provide.

Among the many questions I'd like to resolve a

1) What is the correct government source for information? (is there a
website or office one contacts for specific information regarding the
canal)

2) What is the approximate cost for a 45' catamaran?

3) How is the scheduling handled, how well can one predetermine their
transit time?

4) What is the average "delay" from the promised date to the actual
transit?

5) Are there any hidden costs to be aware of?

6) Are catamarans handled differently than monohulls in any appreciable
manner?

7) What airports are readily available from either side? (I'm presuming
that some portion of the "crew" will want to fly in, do the canal and then
fly out - are there airports within a reasonable distance on both sides)


Thank you for any information you might be able to offer.

"Beatsme" wrote in news:yjfdh.152885$Fi1.75389@bgtnsc05-
news.ops.worldnet.att.net:

Try the following site: www.bumfuzzle.com


Great website. Thanks.

I bet his boat builder isn't too happy with his comments about "are
morons.", though....(c;



Larry
--
If we eliminate religion, will they stop murdering each other?

AMPowers wrote:
Could anyone provide any insights, advice or experience on crossing
the Panama canal.

I'm not sure how much help this will be, but since I participated in 2
transits of other peoples boats less than a year ago as a line handler,
I thought I'd chime in.

1) What is the correct government source for information? (is there a
website or office one contacts for specific information regarding the
canal)
Don't worry too much about this (and most other questions) until you get
down there. Once you are there, you'll find the info readily available.
There are usually a large number of other cruisers on both sides that
are either preparing to do the same as you, or have just done it.

2) What is the approximate cost for a 45' catamaran?
Sorry, I don't recall. I know it depends a lot on whether you do the
paperwork yourself or hire an agent (most do it themselves).

3) How is the scheduling handled, how well can one predetermine their
transit time?
Once you get there and do the paperwork, you will be assigned a transit
date. Last Jan, this was running 1-3 weeks later. This would
occasionally get bumped to a later date, but you could normally rely
upon it.

4) What is the average "delay" from the promised date to the actual
transit?
See #3

5) Are there any hidden costs to be aware of?
You will have to rent tires and lines. Tires can sometimes be had free
(the same sets go back and forth constantly and can sometimes be found
at either end free for the taking).

6) Are catamarans handled differently than monohulls in any appreciable
manner?
I don't believe so.

7) What airports are readily available from either side? (I'm presuming
that some portion of the "crew" will want to fly in, do the canal and
then fly out - are there airports within a reasonable distance on both
sides)
Most boats find some or all of the required 4 line handlers from other
cruisers in the area.

On Tue, 05 Dec 2006 07:32:52 GMT, AMPowers
wrote:

Ahoy, ahoy,

Could anyone provide any insights, advice or experience on crossing the
Panama canal. I am planning to do so in early March and would
appreciate any information, contacts or tips anyone can provide.

Among the many questions I'd like to resolve a

1) What is the correct government source for information? (is there a
website or office one contacts for specific information regarding the canal)

http://www.pancanal.com/


2) What is the approximate cost for a 45' catamaran?

From http://www.pancanal.com/eng/maritime...1010-0000.html the
toll is $500. But there may be other expenses.

3) How is the scheduling handled, how well can one predetermine their
transit time?

Booking schedule for small boats is at
http://www.pancanal.com/eng/maritime...gulars-12.html

Steve

AMPowers wrote:
Ahoy, ahoy,

Could anyone provide any insights, advice or experience on crossing the
Panama canal. I am planning to do so in early March and would
appreciate any information, contacts or tips anyone can provide.

Among the many questions I'd like to resolve a

1) What is the correct government source for information? (is there a
website or office one contacts for specific information regarding the
canal)

2) What is the approximate cost for a 45' catamaran?

$500 USD + security deposit that is refunded if you don't damage their
canal. Cash for transit, security deposit can be done by credit card.

http://www.pancanal.com/eng/maritime...1010-0000.html - see the
bottom for yacht costs to 50'

3) How is the scheduling handled, how well can one predetermine their
transit time?

After you pay your fees, and get checked out and fill out the "no
chemical weapons" and "no rats aboard" forms etc. you call the office
number they give you for a transit date.

You can't determine when you go, and they do change it at the last
minute etc.

4) What is the average "delay" from the promised date to the actual
transit?

Varies as to (a) which way you're going (heading North into Caribbean
is shorter delay, and (b) time of year (Busiest in winter).

5) Are there any hidden costs to be aware of?

Not really. You can hire fenders (tires) and ropes. You need 4 x
125' lines. You can tie a knot in the middle of a 260' line and say
to the admeasurer "that's 1 and that's 2" - they accept it regularly.
2 anchor rope rodes will do it. There is NO minimum size
requirement for yachts, though I have seen some quoted as 3/4" or
7/8". The size has to be "reasonable" for the size of the boat. We
used 1/2" double braid for a 30' monohull, doubled up when tying to a
tug when locking up.

Bring a nice lunch and drinks for your advisor and a box of donuts if
you're going to side tie to a tug (highly recommended)

6) Are catamarans handled differently than monohulls in any appreciable
manner?

If you go rafted with monos, you will probably end up in the middle of
the raft unless the monos are a lot bigger. With the typical 2
engines of a cat you can motor the raft around better.

7) What airports are readily available from either side? (I'm presuming
that some portion of the "crew" will want to fly in, do the canal and
then fly out - are there airports within a reasonable distance on both
sides)

Panama City is the International one, closest to Balboa. Taxis are
cheap in Panama except to/from the airport. Negotiate first before
getting in. About $25 to Balboa Yacht club. Bus back from Colon to
Panama City. Make sure crew do do not fly to Panama City, Florida
when booking flights (it happens).

From the Panama Canal Regs

http://www.pancanal.com/eng/legal/re...erdo13-eng.pdf

Section Seventeen
Small Craft, Yachts, and Other Handlines
Article 82: Small craft, yachts, and other handlines must comply with
the following requirements:
1. Those arriving at Balboa or Cristobal must contact the signal
station to receive instructions.

2. They may enter the Canal channel and proceed to the appropriate
anchorage only after receiving permission from the signal station on
VHF Channel 12.

a. The signal station shall be responsible for coordinating the
movement of these craft, to avoid conflict with transiting vessels.
b. The signal station shall notify all craft of these limits to movement.

3. Handlines arriving for transit, and whose agents have made
arrangements for transit, shall be boarded by the inspection officer
on arrival.

4. If a handline has no agent, the master shall contact the signal
station to make arrangements for admeasurement and to be received by
the Authority. After admeasurement and Authority clearance, the master
must make arrangements for Canal transit, and pay the required tolls.
The Authority will provide information on the equipment and procedures
for transiting.

5. If a handline vessel is operated from an open cockpit, an awning
should be installed, if possible, to keep the pilot and the crew out
of the sun and rain during transit. A vessel must maintain its
schedule, regardless of weather conditions. Also, adequate sanitary
facilities shall be provided aboard, otherwise the transit may be
subject to delay.

6. Handlines moor to the lock wall or in the center of the chamber.
Some vessels over 38.1 meters (125 feet) may transit as handlines when
approved by the Authority.

7. All handlines must have an anchor, adequate fendering, and at least
four (4) mooring lines not less than 38.1 meters (125 feet) long,
capable of resisting its weight under tension, and must be
sufficiently manned, in addition to the master, to handle them.

i.e 4 line handlers + master.

Evan Gatehouse