where to put my boat on the hard in central america ?

[cedrick]

Hello everyone,

i am currently in Panama, atlantic side (san blas islands) and i am looking for a place to put my sailboat (38ft, ketch) on the hard.

i heard about shelter bay marina, but from what i saw, they are the only one here in Panama offering this service and thus, are pretty expensive.

so i was wondering about close countries (costa rica, columbia, etc..) that might have this facility.

(i am asking this because unfortunately, i got an osmosis pb on the bottom, and i got to take care of it ..)

Thanks ..

[model 10]

Shelter bay is not really that $$, considering. You might travel up to the Rio or go thru the ditch up to El Salvador. Hanging out at Shelter Bay is kinda nice with those options. The guys at Balboa Yacht Club would do a quickie if that would work.

[colemj]

Green Turtle Marina in Miramar is close to having their haulout facilities operational - you may want to contact them and see. Panamarina in Linton is still probably 6-12 months away from having theirs ready. Cartagena has a couple of yards that can haul your boat, but by the time you pay customs and immigration fees, it will probably be a wash with Shelter Bay. Balboa is on the other side of the canal - by the time you pay to go through the canal, Shelter Bay will definitely be cheaper.

Mark

[Bambolera]

I'm also in Panama and have been thinking about doing the same thing. Not only are our options few, but the climate is far from ideal (too humid even in the dry season). I would think that San Carlos, Mexico, would be dry enough and the prices are a lot better, too. Of course, I'm on the Pacific side and wouldn't need to transit the canal.

[lorenzo b]

Puerto Cortez in Honduras or the Rio Dulce are the cheapest, if you don't mind the trip. Shelter Bay is $12/ft to haul out, and that is reasonable.

[Nicholson58]

Always wondered why they don't charge by the hour like most every other service. We pay 1100 per haul includes winter storage and spring launch for 58 feet. We hit the well with all stays slack and the boat is out and on the jacks in less than an hour including bottom cleaning. (Muskegon Michigan). Same question for docks. we are all LED and use almost no power, however, our 50 amp cord costs us 150% of 30 amp. There are only two of us aboard. I am making a 30 amp adapter. Charges seldem reflect real cost for service.