Panama Canal Transit - the 'Flats' are open again

Dinghy dock of the Panama Yacht Club - now destroyed by the bulldozers of the Panama Canal Authority Sailaway Port Douglas . www.sailawayportdouglas.com

Panama Yacht Club with earth moving machinery destroying the building © SW

Just as it is for ship traffic, the Panama Canal is a vital link for yachts wanting to transit between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Since the overnight demolishing of the long-standing Panama Yacht Club, which catered to the needs of transiting yachts, in March this year, Shelter Bay Marina on the far side of the bay has had a virtual monopoly - until now.

Wherever there is a gap in the market, there always seems to be an entrepreneur willing to fill the gap, and this case is no exception. With the complexity of the canal crossing - the paperwork, the necessary truck tyres for each side of the boat, the four necessary line handlers, the necessary long lines - receiving the right assistance is vital. The crew of sailing vessel Neos have forwarded the following information for cruisers to tuck away until they need to make that all important transit:

'We on SV Neos have just transited the Panama Canal and we want to make it clear to other cruisers that you do NOT have to use Shelter Bay Marina if you want to save some money.

'The rumor is that 'the Flats' (where Panama Yacht Club is located and where one must rendezvous with the Canal Authority pilots) are closed and the only way to get through the canal is to take a slip at Shelter Bay and use their expensive agents. NOT TRUE. During our transit, there were only four of us in the Flats and Shelter Bay was full. But the Flats are open and the price is very reasonable to get everything you need done.

How we did it:
'We anchored in the Flats in Colon and never lowered our dinghy. We used Tito for all of our check-in and transit arrangements. You can contact Tito via VHF channel 74 or call his cell phone 64635009. He has a water taxi that picks you up at your boat and takes you to pier 16. From there, he has a taxi driver take you wherever you need to go. He even took us grocery shopping.

’The Flats’ showing yacht readied with tyres to go through the Panama Canal © SW

Panama transit © SW

'Tito charges $75 for arranging transits through the canal which includes all of the water and land transportation to run around town for paperwork and errands, as well as the zarpe. He can arrange for line and tire fender rentals and line handlers as well, at much lower cost than through Shelter Bay.

'We had absolutely no glitches and his line handlers were excellent. We hired 3 line handlers, 4 lines, and 8 sets of double tires and o ur total cost, including 2 days of taxis running around Colon and all of Tito's help for $472.00. ( If you are not transiting the canal, he charges about $10 for check-in. )

'Once on the Pacific side, the line handlers, tire fenders and lines are all dropped off near Balboa Yacht Club and then we anchored in the municipal anchorage, Las Brisas de Amador, near the Flamenco Yacht Club.

'You do NOT need to get a slip or mooring on either side of the canal. If you are heading from Panama City to Colon, similar arrangements can be made with Frederico Ploche who runs a Cruiser's Taxi Service and can also get line handlers, lines and fenders for you. He transits the canal with you.

'Once in Colon, you dinghy him to Pier 16 where he has a ride waiting for him to return to Panama City. Then you return your dinghy to the boat and call Tito to arrange for check-in.

Note on security:
'You do NOT want to leave your dinghy anywhere in Colon nor should you travel through Colon by yourself. Citibank now requires full cash only, no Visa, deposit so it is VERY important that you have one of Tito's men with you as you go to pay for your transit.'