What does it take to transit the Panama Canal via 40' sailboat?

Question

Either from the East or West, How much hassle and expense is it to transit the Panama canal by sailboat? What is the best time of year?

Answer 1

nope sorry

p.s. can u still teach me how to do the lift coefficient

Answer 2

i dont know.  arent they working on it now? widening it.

Answer 3

40 feet and over…………………per foot   18.50

Best time of year?   Anytime, it's always warm there.

Answer 4

Most cruisers (sailboats) take two days in transit, anchoring  at Lake Gatun overnight. the line handlers are required but you can use your own crew for the job.

Often you will end up tying outside another vessel, which makes the job a bit easier. The required Pilot will  instruct you on what to do. EASY! Be careful ashore.

Answer 5

In addition to the fee, you will be assigned a pilot who will be in control of your boat for the 1-day passage.  You will also need 4 long lines and 4 line handlers which can be hired locally, but cruisers often take turns helping each other.

The time of the year will be dependent on how it fits into the rest of your sailing plans.   Circumnavigators often transit in Spring after spending a winter in the Caribbean and after the South Pacific Hurricane season is over.   You'll want to time it to work with the conditions of the oceans you are coming from and going to.

It's a bit expensive, a bit of a hassle and takes a bit of time, but when put in the context of major passage making on a boat that size, there is no reason to let it be a barrier.