I have heard to go to Panama city, panama to buy a boat

[ty.gregory]

I'm in Panama city, Panama to buy a boat. I searched for boats, and then boat brokers here, and haven't come up with too much. I just finished other business and am now ready to concentrate on sailboats. I did get a few leads on some charter boats, which is a possibility, but I have heard there are "tons" of boats sailed here by people that upon arrival said in effect, "Screw this %^$Y$&%#, I'm flying home!"

I never really imagined it would be that easy, but... I had hopes. I tried YW. My price for a used boat is $100Kish.

Anyway, it's not the end of the world. I am in contact with beliezesailor, which has many good possibilities. Jane Joy says there is still an outside chance on her cat. I guess I am a little discouraged because I have heard from many people, some here on CF, that this would be a great place to start.

I'm just looking for ideas I have not yet thought of, and there could well be a great many good ones, if I ask the right people... meaning you kind people. You know, the smart ones.

I have no teeth, but I'm all ears. (Inside joke from past posts).

Ty

[capt-couillon]

Check in at the Pedro Miguel Boat Club next to the Miraflores Locks. Helpful long timers usually have a pretty good handle of what is going on on the Pacific Side. On the Antlantic side try spending some time at the Panama Canal Yacht Club in Colon (Be VERY CAREFUL any where in Colon outside the YC) Going back to Panama City see if you can pick up a ride as a "Line Handler" on a Pacific bound. PanCanal YC is good spot to volunteer and its a whole different perspective from the deck of a "small" boat.

Good Luck

[colemj]

There are boats for sale in Shelter Bay Marina in Colon.

Mark

[Paul L]

Shelter Bay and Bocas del Toro are your best bets in Panama. The yacht clubs mentioned above are closed. You might go to one of the cruisers pizza nights at Las Brisas and ask around. Also check at the Balboa YC.

[Jimbo485]

Check the notice board and have a rum at Jacks in Portobelo. Always for sale adverts there...

[boatman61]

In my time in Panama last year I saw a total of 7 boats for sale.. 3 off which were under 32ft... there were 2 cats and 2 larger mono's in shelter bay... you'd be heaps better off looking in the Islands... BVI's/St Martin etc...

[Sand crab]

21 saiboats for sale in Panama on Yachtworld. Some are duplicates. That 52' Cross tri has been listed for a long time. Might be worth a shot.
(Sail) Boats For Sale Panama

[MarkJ]

I would jump the first flight to St Martin in the Caribbean.

I doubt there would be much in Panama.

other advice you are getting is out of date: Panama Canal Yacht Club in Colon does not exist anymore. Pedro Miguel Boat Club when we went past looks deserted.


Mark

[clifford sloan]

If you are there, that's one thing but flying up to Bocas del Toro for a look see can be expensive when you have to hire a boat to go see a boat plus the hotel and meals. All that to look at one or two that may or may not work for you, doesn't make a whole lot of sense when you consider places like Nanny Cay in the BVI's and Oyster Pond in St. Martin. In a numbers game you want to see the most vessels for the least amount of effort and money expended in the search. Mark may have the best advice given so far. It all depend on where you want to look and how much you want to spend doing it.

All the best,
Clif