Neophyte from Bocas del Toro, Panama

[txherper]

Hello, I've got too much time on my hands and I'm thinking of getting into sailing. Boats in Panama seem to be highly over priced. Guatemala seems to have listings with more realistic prices.

I am looking for a boat for day cruises, there are many reefs here, I've been told that long shallow keels are in order by some and that I should just avoid shallow water by others. I'd like a boat that is readily handled by one person but that can accommodate four to six people in comfort for six to eight hours.

Please accept my apologies for being such a nube. I don't expect any detailed answers to such generic questions, links to sights with helpful information would be greatly appreciated. I am so ignorant I don't even know what to ask.

[Boracay]

Hi, and welcome to the Cruisers Forum.

Your question is rather too broad to answer easily.

I was curious enough to look up Bocas del Toro and it would seem that you do indeed live in a sailors paradise. Regrettably few of our members would have direct experience though I'd be sure that any that do will chime in.

My search did turn up three marinas. I'm sure that you have at least been past them and may have even walked through them. Why not take a closer look at what there is there, and work out how they could be used.

If you can have a chat with some local boat owners so much the better. If you can find someone who needs crew then that would be better again.

You don't say if you have any commercial application in mind, but what suits private use may not be useful commercially and vice versa.

Please do take the time to think about suitable boats as buying takes a fair amount of cash, and frequently is not easily reversible without taking a significant loss.

[Mexdon]

Welcome to CF. If you are intent on going shallow have you considered bilge keels. I did in NZ so I could go to some shallow harbours and just rest on her legs when the tide dropped. I would not recommend bk's for Ocean work but for coastal and day sailing they are fine. Mine was 22ft and could accommodate 4 to 6 day passengers 4 for over night.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, txherper.

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha and welcome aboard!
Good to have you here and I recommend a basic sailing class before buying a boat because it'll let you know if you truly will enjoy sailing.
kind regards,

[Unicorn Dreams]

Welcome Aboard CF