Shipping (US to Panama) Sailing Gear (to be Installed) ?

[ccthomas]

Needing to refit (for extending cruising) a boat lying in Panama I have quite a bit of recently acquired new and used equipment, maybe $10,000 worth, including some electronics, weighing at least 3 or 4 hundred pounds, and am considering shipping it to Panama for installation before weighing anchor.

Would it be a lot cheaper to sail to the US, install the equipment, then set out ?

Is having the Panamanian installer "import" the gear, the way to go ?

What is the experience of those who've shipped gear to be installed on their sailboat from the U.S. to Panama, not only in terms of transport cost, but also...did it all arrive intact and what difficulties and dissatisfactions were encountered ?

Packing recommendations ?

Insurance cost and necessity ?

Any alternative recommendations ?

Gratefully,

Courtney Thomas

[andreas.mehlin]

In 2007 we had some equipment sent from US to Panama City. Had much problem. One package was sent with UPS another with USPS. The UPS package we choose to pick up ourself at the cargo airport. Not so very easy but we managed. The other package was sort of "lost". USPS customer service couldn't trace it (more than they knew it had left US). After a couple of weeks of delay, a lady advised us to check with the local post office....and there it was! It is very expensive shipping to Panama (by air) I would recommend shipping it by sea if it is so heavy.

[s/v Moondancer]

It is 1,200 nm from Panama to Florida much of it down wind and down current so not that hard a sail. However, getting back to the Caribbean is then hard work.

But shipping that much expensive stuff is difficult.

For me it would depend on where I was ultimately heading! Providing the boat is good for a 1,200 nm trip

Staying in the Caribbean...ship it.

Returning to the US...sail back.

[s/v Jedi]

Ask around in Panama... we ship all we need using ocean freight, receive it in two weeks without any hassle with customs and do not have to import it (yacht in transit).

Marina's often have these contacts too.

I order a lot of stuff from Marine Warehouse who can ship ocean freight or Fedex with 60% + discount on fedex costs. For a 6kW Northern Lights genset I paid $80 shipping and took delivery right at my boat in Colon.

cheers,
Nick.

[wadda]

Originally Posted by ccthomas

<snip>I have quite a bit of recently acquired new and used equipment, maybe $10,000 worth, including some electronics, weighing at least 3 or 4 hundred pounds, and am considering shipping it to Panama for installation before weighing anchor. <snip>

Email Melodye

melodye@pakyapanama.com

or give her a call at: 507-6448-8303

Ask her what she can do for you and remind her your a YIT.

Another option is Juan at Gente De Mar

gdm@gmail.com

Store: 507-314-0141 (often answered in Spanish only when Juan, Patricio, or Marco are out) or Juan's cell phone: 507-6700-9133

[Hannah on 'Rita T']

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