Shipping to Portobelo, Panama

[belizesailor]

I have a small part due into Panama tomorrow. We are currently anchored in Buenaventura (near Portobelo). So getting the part sent over to Portobelo would be handy. I've heard of other cruisers doing this. Looking for suggestions on who to contact to get this done.

[Steel sails]

Do you know Guido, the German guy who does the stainless work at Shelterbay. He has a Hotel/ Hostel near Portobello. Check with him.
His numbers in the boat phone and that's on the boat, so I don't have it.
I will email him and Pm you with it if you don't have it. ask around most people know him
Regards
Paul
If you speak, Send him my regards

[belizesailor]

Heard of him. Don't know him.

Thanks much.

[colemj]

Guido is in Puerto Linton. Talk to Jack at Capt. Jack's - he, or someone working for him, are always running into PC for things or having things brought from PC.

Mark

[belizesailor]

Yes, already plan to contact Capn Jacks in the AM.

[Steel sails]

I emailed Guido
Regards
Paul

[Steel sails]

Better check with Jack. Guido is in hospital fell off that motorcycle of his.
Regards
Paul

[belizesailor]

Will do. Looks like we may be here a while...pretty ugly between here and the San Blas now.

[chuckr]

Jack got us a dingy from west marine so he knows how to make it happen.

[Steve1944]

Originally Posted by belizesailor

I have a small part due into Panama tomorrow. We are currently anchored in Buenaventura (near Portobelo). So getting the part sent over to Portobelo would be handy. I've heard of other cruisers doing this. Looking for suggestions on who to contact to get this done.

There was a TV series about a captain who did this in the South Seas with his schooner.


Of course, there was always a bad guy or group of bad guys who sabotaged his activity.


Just sayin'

[belizesailor]

Talked to Capt Jack today. No longer in the parts transport biz. Buses don't do package service to here. Planes don't fly here. Dont want to pay a taxi to bring it here from PC.

So...looks like the part will go on Air Panama to Porvenir, San Blas after the weather settles enough for us to head that way.

[svfraidknot]

i dont know the name of the marina there at porta lindo . i have been there a few times but last time i was there a guy had just came in that had gone by bus to panama city and back bringing supplies and parts . they made it sounds like he made a regular trip out of it ,, you might check with them ,, that was 2 years ago tho .

[colemj]

Other options

- talk to Arturo at Marine Warehouse. He is always putting parts in the FedEx truck to take to Shelter Bay. Maybe you can borrow a car or take a cab to Shelter Bay?

- There are also a lot of ex-cruisers, and current cruisers, in Linton who have cars and regularly make trips to PC. Maybe connect up with one?

- Shelter Bay runs a bus to PC every day to bring workers into Colon and take them back to PC. In the past, I have had parts put on this bus while a customer of SB. Since you were just a customer, maybe talk with John?

Mark

[belizesailor]

Talked to Arturo already. He just goes to SB and then I would have to get it here. Hes not planning to go over to SB until next week. I could bus it over and meet him in Colon, but its not a critical part and can wait.

Getting it via others thru Colon/Linton just creates more possible points of failure from my perspective. If it were critical I would just go get it myself. I think its cleaner and easier just to have Arturo put it on the plane in PC to Porvenir.

Of course, that assumes we are actually going to make it to Porvenir sometime soon...geez it just wont settle down between Colombia and NE Panama. If it does not abate enough to make it reasonably comfortable to get around the corner next week then I may pursue some of these options....and start thinking about where else to go for cruising season!

[belizesailor]

For future reference: I just took the bus to Cuatro Altos ($2.50 one way) and Arturo met me there while on his way to Shelter Bay.

Local buses run every 30-45 minutes and you can hop on/off anywhere on the route...they do get VERY crowded though.