It’s hard to believe it’s been just over two years since Sine Finis, my Pegasus 50, first touched the water in Slovenia. Since then, she has carried us through the Med, across the Atlantic, through the Caribbean, up the U.S. East Coast, and even into a couple of boat shows: Newport and Annapolis.
Our latest adventure began back on the East Coast, long before Panama was in sight. We sailed from Newport to Annapolis, continued south to Florida, and eventually reached St. Augustine. From there, we pushed on to Turks and Caicos, where we left the boat safely in a marina before returning to resume the voyage, and finally set our course toward the Panama Canal.
When we returned to the boat in Turks and Caicos, our next major destination was the Atlantic entrance of the Panama Canal. But before heading there, after sailing between Cuba and Haiti and passing Jamaica, we treated ourselves to a full week in the San Blas Islands. It was one of the most memorable stops of the entire journey: pristine anchorages, warm people, and a sense of untouched beauty that’s becoming increasingly rare. If you’re planning a canal transit, we strongly recommend adding San Blas to your itinerary. And doing this on board the Pegasus 50 was icing on the cake!
By mid‑March, we were positioned north of the canal at Shelter Bay Marina and ready to begin the administrative dance every cruiser knows well. This included providing our agent with all required documentation. The day before the crossing, we also had to complete immigration exit procedures, as we were leaving Panama for Costa Rica immediately afterward.
Working with an Agent and Why It Matters
I had crossed the canal once before, about ten years earlier, on my much smaller 37‑footer going from the Pacific to the Atlantic. That experience taught me one thing: logistics can be unpredictable. A last‑minute schedule change nearly derailed that earlier transit, so this time I decided not to take chances and hired a certified agent recommended by friends and the marina management.
It was absolutely the right call.
The agent handled the paperwork, follow‑ups, scheduling, and the endless small details that can overwhelm a crew preparing for a major passage. Even so, the schedule shifted twice; first by five days, then again from Thursday to Saturday due to advisor availability. Many advisors treat the role as a second job, and weekends are often when they are available for small yachts, unlike larger ships that receive priority and are assigned a canal pilot.
Costs: For my P50, the total cost came to just under $4,000, including all canal fees, the agent’s administrative fee (about 10%), and line and fender rentals. This was paid directly to our agent. Only a handful of licensed agents handle canal transits and the associated entry/exit paperwork.
Recommendation:
Hire an agent and build flexibility into your schedule. Small yachts often experience last‑minute changes, and a good agent is invaluable.
Measurements, Gear, and What the Canal Expects
In the past, the Panama Canal Administration measured every boat in person. Today, the process is simpler: photos and declared dimensions. Our agent requested side, bow, and stern photos, along with overall length and width. The length must include anything that protrudes: bowsprits, davits, racks, even surfboards if mounted.
Gear requirements were straightforward: six oversized round fenders (in addition to your own) and long, heavy‑duty lines. We rented the lines through our agent — about one inch in diameter and roughly 125 feet long, with a three‑foot knotted loop at the end. Boats must have at least one set of chocks and bitts or cleats at all four corners. Also required: a proper anchor ready to drop instantly, a horn, and proper navigation lights.
At least four capable line handlers are required in addition to the captain. If you’re short on crew, your agent can arrange additional handlers. The canal advisor who joins you is not counted as a line handler.
One important detail: barnacle growth is significant in the area. If your boat sits on standby for weeks, you may need cleaning — especially the propellers. We were warned not to dive in the marina due to crocodiles. We once headed to the beach for a swim and saw a few crocs nearby; that ended the plan quickly.
Recommendation:
Have plenty of fuel. Ensure your boat is fully transit‑ready. Remove side‑mounted gear to simplify measurements and reduce risk of damage. Requirements may change, so check the latest guidelines before your crossing.
Joining the Flotilla
Small yachts can transit the canal in several ways, depending on the schedule:
- Centered in the lock with a large ship
- Sidewall (requiring excellent fendering)
- Alongside a tug or small ship
- Nested with other yachts
In our case, the Canal Administration scheduled 11 sailboats to cross together on a Saturday in a nested flotilla — nine catamarans and two monohulls, including our Pegasus 50.
The evening before the transit, a canal advisor held a detailed briefing with a slideshow — something I hadn’t experienced during my previous crossing. An early morning start can allow a one‑day transit if you maintain 7.5–8.5 knots on the lake, but with our late‑afternoon slot, we would be spending the night on the lake.
At 2:00 PM on the first day, we gathered in the staging area outside the marina. Within half an hour, a canal boat delivered an advisor to each yacht.
Recommendation:
Attend the advisor briefing if offered. It sets expectations and reduces stress. Boats must provide hot meals, snacks, and bottled water for their advisors.
Traffic, Turbulence, and the Unexpected
Large ships passed close by, some using the newer locks. Locomotives — the famous “mules” — guided them. For us, the process was hands‑on: one person per line, walking along the lock walls as the boat moved forward.
In narrow sections of Gatun Lake, we hugged the edges to let ships pass, sometimes within 40 yards. Their wakes demanded full attention.
We also had an incident: our advisor slipped and twisted an ankle in the second‑to‑last lock. We iced and strapped it until a medical boat arrived. We also returned our rented gear at that point.
Recommendation:
Keep decks clear and non‑slip. Advisors and crew may need to move quickly
Final Thoughts
We exited the canal after dark, passed an anchorage filled with large ships, and anchored near Isla Taboga. At 5 AM the next morning, we departed for Costa Rica.
Sine Finis Now Sailing in the Pacific Ocean Towards Costa Rica
The Panama Canal is a marvel — but it demands preparation, teamwork, and respect. One mistake doesn’t just affect your boat; it affects every boat in the nest.
A challenging, rewarding, unforgettable experience — and one we’re grateful to have completed safely.
Enjoy your sailing adventures, and best wishes for your canal crossing! Special thanks to my crew of friends who joined for the transit, including John and Diane, the owners of the P50#11 who flew from San Francisco.
Nico
For additional information about the transit, slides, and photos, feel free to reach out.
If you are interested in how to prepare your yacht for ocean crossing, click here.
Nicolas Jonville
