How to Transit the Panama Canal with a Sailboat, Part 1 - Preparing & Paperwork
Distant Shores TV
Join award-winning documentary filmmakers Paul and Sheryl Shard as they manage their first hybrid-powered aluminum flagship, Distant Shores IV, in Bermuda in 2026.
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Do you dream of transiting the Panama Canal one day with your own sailboat? Wonder what’s involved and what it costs? Then this video is for you! In Part 1, we arrive at Shelter Bay Marina on the Atlantic side of Panama to begin preparations for a canal transit and take you through the steps.
00:00 – Introduction to Panama Canal Transit Part 1
01:02 – What you’ll learn in this video – costs, procedures, how to get help.
01:40 – Map and description of the Panama Canal.
01:53 – Welcome to Shelter Bay Marina
02:55 – Docking Strategy – how to back your boat into a berth.
04:36 – Meet Roy Bravo, Emmanuel Agencies SA, our agent in Panama.
05:00 – Do you need an agent to transit the Panama Canal?
05:05 – Links to @RAN Sailing and @Gone with the Wynns on doing the paperwork yourself.
05:20 – Cost of Cruising: How much it costs to transit the Panama Canal in a sailboat?
05:35 – Cost of Cruising: How much it costs to hire an agent (sample invoice) and how to find one.
06:08 – Resources: Noonsite.com, MadAboutPanama.com, Panama Cruisers FB Group and more…
06:31 – Shelter Bay Marina – best place to prepare.
07:40 – What’s involved in an Admeasurer Inspection.
09:10 – Exploring jungle ruins of Fort Sherman, capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys, weaver birds.
11:08 – Farewell to the crew, members of the Distant Shores Cruising Club on Patreon.
12:56 – What’s coming up in the next episode in the Panama Canal series.
13:39 – END
#sailingvideo #shelterbaymarina #panamacanal
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Principal photography by Paul and Sheryl Shard
Additional photography by Eric Epstein
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About
Paul and Sheryl Shard are award-winning travel documentary television producers and videographers and have been cruising internationally since 1989 documenting their global adventures for television, social media, in books and sailing publications. They have sailed over 110,000 nm including 9 ocean crossings and are the producers and presenters of the Distant Shores sailing adventure TV series which is broadcast to 47 million households in 24 languages around the world. Through their TV programs, YouTube videos, articles/blogs, membership site and popular cruising seminars, the Shards help anyone dreaming of setting sail to get out on the water and experience their own adventures safely and comfortably.
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Gifts for Sailors! Own the Whole Distant Shores Collection – Now on Special!
All 130 full half-hour episodes of the Distant Shores Sailing Adventure TV series are available as a collectors set as HD downloads and also on DVD through the Distant Shores website. The Distant Shores DVD Super Pack box set includes both DVDs and bonus HD downloads. It’s perfect for binge-watching, curing the blues and makes a great gift for the sailor in your life! Order here:
https://distantshores.ca/sailingdvds/catalog/
Downloadable versions:
https://distantshores.ca/sailingdvds/downloads/
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Helpful Resources:
Shelter Bay Marina, Panama – https://shelterbaymarina.com/
Roy Bravo, Emmanuel Agencies SA, Panama – http://www.emmanuelagenciessa.com/
Mad About Panama – http://madaboutpanama.com/transit-the-canal/
(download the ebook, Transit the Panama Canal by Yacht, best guide)
Panama Cruisers Facebook Group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/panamacruisers/
Noonsite: The Ultimate Cruisers Planning Tool
Panama Canal Transit Without Agent (YouTube) – Ep. 92 RAN Sailing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dxr16TKzE24
No Agent? No Problem! Transit the Panama Canal (Sailing Curiosity) – Gone with the Wynns
Current Boat:
Southerly 480 by Discovery with variable-draft swing-keel
https://distantshores.ca/about-us/the-boats/distant-shores-3/
Equipment:
Brunton’s Propellers: http://www.bruntonspropellers.com/
Elvstrøm Sails: http://www.elvstromsails.com/
Epex Sail Technology: http://www.elvstromsails.com/epex/epex-technology
Seldén Mast / Furlex: http://www.seldenmast.com/
Lewmar: http://www.lewmar.com/
Raymarine: http://www.raymarine.com/
Scanstrut: http://www.scanstrut.com/
Navionics Charts: https://www.navionics.com/
GN Espace Ocean Chef: https://www.gn-espace.com/yacht-galley-equipment/marine-gas-cookers/ocean-chef/
Highfield Classic Inflatable: http://www.highfieldboats.com/
Integrel On-Engine Generator: https://www.integrelmarine.com/
Ultra Anchor (35 kg): https://www.ultramarine-anchors.com/
Pantaenius Yacht Insurance: http://www.pantaenius-group.com/content/2808
Oceanskies Yacht Registration: https://www.oceanskies.com/yachts/yacht-registration
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THANKS FOR SUBSCRIBING!
https://www.youtube.com/distantshorestv
Sheryl and Paul
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