Crew Wanted: Line handlers for Panama Canal

[Tamm Ha Tamm]

Hi everyone!

We are a French couple - Damien (35) & Anne (38) - sailing around the world on a 35ft aluminium boat. We are currently in Martinique and planning to cross the Panama canal in the second half of August.

We are looking for 3 mates to help us as "line-handlers". You can join us in the city of Colón from where we will leave towards Balboa city on the Pacific side. Contact us if you're interested in this little adventure

Departure / arrival are flexible, depending on how fast all the paperwork and other requirements are handled by local authorities. At this time of the year there are fewer sailing boats lining up for a transit.

Anne & Damien

[CaptMarc]

Shelter Bay Marina is the common staging area for Canal Transit. Lots of folks volunteer to line Handle.
There is a bulletin board with contact info for volunteers. Some folks go thru on other boats before taking their own boat through the Canal.

I transited with a friends boat 4 years ago, good times!

Bon Chance!

Marc

[Flyingriki]

What are the costs involved these days to transit the canal?

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by Flyingriki

What are the costs involved these days to transit the canal?

It is size dependent. Under 50ft is about us$800. A pretty good deal.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Anne & Damien.

[Flyingriki]

Originally Posted by Paul L

....Under 50ft is about us$800. A pretty good deal.

That is a LOT of money!
But beats the alternative I suppose.....

[Nadezhda]

If you anchor just off Colon yacht club there are plenty of people who want a trial run on someone else's boat. Good also whilst you are waiting transit to have a go yourself with someone else.

[Scorpius]

Originally Posted by Paul L

It is size dependent. Under 50ft is about us$800. A pretty good deal.

It was$35 for us (41 feet) when went through in the early 90's - plus$165 for the admeasurement.

[Sailing4Jesus]

In 1969 we went East To West the first time. At that time there were many Apes that handled the lines. That's Right, APES, Deck Apes, or in Official United States Navy Lingo
BOATSWAIN MATES. Ha, Ha,Ha, Chauncey M.'BUDDY' Freeman, Senior Chief, United States Navy Retired

[Moontide]

Check the cruising guide for Panama. There is an active cruisers net in the morning and you can ask for the link to the line handlers list. Doubt you'll have any problem.

Be a little cautious about the Colon YC area. Have had safety issues in the past there.

Enjoy the transit, but watch out for the party on the buoy that you tie to in Lake Gatun. Often hard on the liver.
Bill

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by Scorpius99eh

It was$35 for us (41 feet) when went through in the early 90's - plus$165 for the admeasurement.

Nicely subsidized by the US tax payer in those days. The small handline vessels that go through the locks today are money losers for the Canal.

[model 10]

[QUOTE=Senior Chief;2418990]In 1969 we went East To West the first time.


When it's put that way you can't be sure if everybody is on the same page. East to west would be from the pacific to the caribbean.

[Paul L]

[QUOTE=Guy;2419113]

Originally Posted by Senior Chief

In 1969 we went East To West the first time.


When it's put that way you can't be sure if everybody is on the same page. East to west would be from the pacific to the caribbean.

A north up view to make it clearer.