Marina and shipyard in Panama

[stevenit]

We are looking for a place to leave the boat on the Caribbean coast of Panama for a 4/6 months.
Any suggestions?
Thanks sailors!

[ThereAndBack]

Shelter bay, Panamarina, Linton Bay marina, Red frog.

You didn't mention in or out of the water?

[belizesailor]

There are many options, which ones are best for you depend on where you want to be, whether you need boat yard services, and whether you want in the water or dry storage. The marinas are clustered around Bocas, Colon, and Puerto Lindo (Linton Bay).

In Bocas there is a basic boat yard in nearby Almirante, but it cant haul cats. There are also several marinas to choose from: Bocas Marina, Carenero, and Red Frog.

In Colon there is Shelter Bay (AKA "Shelter Pay"), its the only marina near the Atlantic entrance to the Panama Canal, has nice amenties (bar/resturant, hotel, mini mart, swimming pool, lots of bathrooms & showers, exercise room, good hiking in the area...), and a full service boat yard. Not the least cost option though.

In Puerto Lindo there are 2 marinas both with boat yards: PanaMarina and Linton Bay Marina. A bit further east, near Nombre de Dios, is Turtle Bay marina. It is remote, but it is the closest marina to the San Blas. It does now have bathrooms, laundry, fuel dock, and resturant.

Moorings for storage are avaible at Linton Bay Marina & PanaMarina (no docks at PanaMarina). All other marinas, except PanaMarina, have slips.

Dry storage is only offered by PanaMarina & Shelter Bay. Linton Bay Marina used to offer it, but discontinued it last year.

[stevenit]

Thank you @belizesailor

[stevenit]

Originally Posted by ThereAndBack

Shelter bay, Panamarina, Linton Bay marina, Red frog.

You didn't mention in or out of the water?

Dry storage

[belizesailor]

Your options are Shelter Bay and PanaMarina for dry storage. However, I doubt PanaMarina can haul a 9.4' draft with their trailer (assuming you can get in the entrance). I would contact them to verify.

I would also contact Linton Bay Marina and ask if they are allowing dry storage this year. You can get to their ways for sure and their travel lift can haul you.

[ThereAndBack]

For out of the water, I would go Shelter Bay even if the others can take you. Panamarina has a jungle overhead of the dry storage and you'll have tree debris and crap everywhere when you return.

Shelter bay isn't the least expensive but it is a known quantity.

[briblack]

Shelter Bay for haulout, and boat work. Vista Mar on the Pacific side for leaving the boat.

[stevenit]

Thank you!

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by ThereAndBack

For out of the water, I would go Shelter Bay even if the others can take you. Panamarina has a jungle overhead of the dry storage and you'll have tree debris and crap everywhere when you return.

Shelter bay isn't the least expensive but it is a known quantity.

Yes, you may get some debri on the hard at PanaMarina depeneding on exactly where your boat is placed. I got a little bit last year, but not bad.

Be forewarned, PanaMarina's short-term working yard rates are WAY more than their storage rates.

[Fersail]

Hi, have you considered Cartagena, Colombia? there are some nice affordable marinas down there, and it is a short hop to San Blas from there, or to Panama itself anyway.

[stevenit]

Originally Posted by Fersail

Hi, have you considered Cartagena, Colombia? there are some nice affordable marinas down there, and it is a short hop to San Blas from there, or to Panama itself anyway.

Yes, as second choice is Ferroalquimar

[Fersail]

Check out Manzanillo Marina, friendlier and better located than Ferroalquimar... : : : MANZANILLO Marina Club : : :

[Fersail]

They constantly pull out boats with your draft there, even though the site says 7.5 feet, they routinely pull both a First 50 and a First 44.7 both with almost 9 feet of draft. Just write to them and see what they have to say...

[stevenit]

Thank you!