Panama Canal

[Captn_Black]

Hi guys,
I've looked it up and found that the charge for a 27' boat to traverse the canal is about $125, but I can't find anything about pilot costs etc...
Realistically, what am I looking at all in please?

[Pblais]

Look at this thread:

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...nal-12921.html

There is other information there. Your cost estimate needs to be multiplied by 10 and then add a bit.

[Captn_Black]

Thanks!
I was expecting hidden costs, I just need to make sure I have enough to cover it...

[Captn_Black]

Ah, yea, I heard about that strike on another Forum, but also heard that its over now... but maybe I should wait out hurricane season in South America rather than risk waiting in the Panama Canal with insurance that isn't valid...
I am, after all, in no particular hurry...

[Pblais]

Do another google search of the forum. There is a yacht club in Panama and a web site for the latest news on what is up in the canal. Things change, red tape grows ,and Visa permits are up in the air. It's just getting to be a maze of official hurry up and wait. You need to know what to expect and you might choose to make prior arrangemnts to make it go faster.

[Captn_Black]

Will do,
Cheers!

[Les Bechdel]

Go to the Noonsite web site and click Panama. There is lots of up to date advice about doing the Canal, the process and what it costs. I believe a boat your size would be more like $850, plus the rental expense of four lines and tires for beefy fenders. You also have to put a bond amount on a credit card ($1500 ??) in case your boat breaks down during the transit. Once through the charge is negated.

[Captn_Black]

Cheers, thats what I needed to know.
Hmmm... looking like i'm going to be in Uruguay till October to pay for that then.. There are worse places to end up though I'm sure!
And even if I was confident enough to take a 27' boat around the Horn, I doubt my insurance company will cover me for that if they won't cover June 1st till November 1st in the Caribbean...