Preparing for our transit of the Panama Canal

La Playita anchorage

S/V Palm waiting for admeasurer

 Calendars aren't necessary in the cruising lifestyle, but now we had appointments to prepare for our transit. The first was to meet an admeasurer at La Playita anchorage to be measured for the transit and instructions on the steps of preparation. While waiting at La Playita someone came up to our boat in their dinghy with tires from their trip through the canal, from the Atlantic the day before. How Lucky is that!

Rick securing the tires to the deck

Solar panels secured

the lines are layed out on the deck

tires positioned to protect our home

 Then we went to the Citi Bank to pay our fees, $1575 ( $775 for the transit and $800 deposit in case we damage the canal with our boat). Now I really do not understand how our 42 sailboat weighing 20 tons can damage a cement canal that has endured 98 years of use. After the payment, we were able to make a reservation for 8/5 for our transit. It was necessary to line the sides of the boat with old tires, covered with plastic bags and tape. We used 8 tires on a side, doubled at the widest part of the boat. What was the purpose? To make sure our boat was not damaged by the cement sides of the canal. We were blessed to borrow 4 - 125 ft long lines from S/V Blue. The admeasurer suggested to move our solar panels from the sides of the boat to prevent damage. Rick laid them on top of the panels on the stern pulpit with PVC pipe between them. Now we were excited to go!!