Buying a boat in Panama

[slavanaway]

I was hoping a few cruisers or ex-Pats could provide some thoughts and advice. I am looking at a boat in Panama, about 200 miles west of Panama City. A Beneteau 473 in Boca Chica.

My plan is to get a survey, some insurance, and move it to a location where I can store it for the hurricane season and maybe get some work done. Radar arch, new instruments, new dodger / bimini canvas. Longer term, next year, I want to take it to the Caribbean and cruise there for two years.

I have owned boats for over thirty years in the states, have offshore and coastal experience and currently own a Cal 39 mark 3. I am insured for going offshore (just not to another country) and down to Ensenada Mexico.

I think Javier Biu can help with the survey. After that I think I can figure out insurance, but any suggestions would be welcome.

After purchase does it need to be taken it out of Panama immediately?

If I can keep it in Panama, any thoughts on delivery captains. I can't take the time of right now to do it myself. I would be up for transiting to the Atlantic side if that is best.

Where is best to park it? What is availability like? Could I end up with no place to safely keep the boat on either coast?

Thanks for any help,

Sam

[model 10]

Bocas Del Toro will be the least $$ Shelter Bay will be the most $$ Both should have space

[slavanaway]

That means transit to the Atlantic side. Works for me. I have read what I believe is the Panama Cruisers guide on Yacht Pals and another updated by a cruiser in 2013 I think. I will google delivery captains.

[Eileenk]

That boat has major keel bolt issues and has had a strong lightning strike.

[slavanaway]

It has been a busy two months. The owner took a long time getting back to me. I was able to line all the dots up and found a boat in Key West. Closed on it just before Irma.

Short story, Fidelis survived and is now in Clearwater where insurance will fix the systems and cosmetic damage.

Thanks for the heads up.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Eileenk.

[N1EYO]

On a different tack, what would be the best way to buy a boat in Bocas del Toro Panama and then have it moved, shipped or otherwise relocated to a US territory? I’m still trying to flatten out passport speed bumps. Nearest I can think of is St Thomas or Puerto Rico, both over 1100 nm. Are there yacht moving companies that go into the Panamanian area?