Panama Canal Delays Worsen

[Lighthouse]

The waiting delay to transit the Canal is now over 6 weeks. These delays are apparently due to the Canal Pilots "working to rule".

Anyone have some first-hand information of the current position?

[Lighthouse]

Another report on the bottleneck HERE.

[Wahoo]

There is a article on Noonsite where someone got tired of waiting and had his boat transported over land...cost him @ 5 grand.

[redbopeep]

This is just giving my hubby the excuse he wants/needs to go round Cape Horn.

[redbopeep]

I thought my comment would generate a comment about the reality of going round the Horn instead via the Canal.

Has anyone seriously considered it?

[Weyalan]

Originally Posted by redbopeep

I thought my comment would generate a comment about the reality of going round the Horn instead via the Canal.

Has anyone seriously considered it?

Do the maths on the total distance, around the horn from Panama to Panama, and work out the likely number of days (bearing in mind that a lot of it will be a beat to windward). Factor in the food / diesel / repairs associated with a trip of that magnitude. Factor in the cost of additonal visas / paperwork if you intend to stop anywhere along the way. Then you won't need to ask the question...

[redbopeep]

Originally Posted by Weyalan

Do the maths on the total distance, around the horn from Panama to Panama, and work out the likely number of days (bearing in mind that a lot of it will be a beat to windward). Factor in the food / diesel / repairs associated with a trip of that magnitude. Factor in the cost of additonal visas / paperwork if you intend to stop anywhere along the way. Then you won't need to ask the question...

Uh, I already know its clear that one will save wear/tear on the boat as well as fuel and paperwork by sitting around twiddling ones thumbs waiting on the Panama Canal instead of going 'round the Horn! I'm not asking the obvious here.

Some folks like to sail rather than sit. Else we'd all be sitting at home, right?

The question is if anyone has seriously considered going round the Horn. If you're going to see the world, is Cape Horn one of the places you've considered venturing 'round?

The Canal delays are simply another "excuse" for my hubby to consider it. However, he's been looking for excuses to round Cape Horn ever since he read a book called "My Old Man and the Sea" about a father/son team who did it in a 25' Vertue in the 1980's.

[Gallivanters]

Instead of just whinging about the bottle-neck at Panama...

I've just written to the head office of DOCKWISE TRANSPORT suggesting they consider "parking" one of their vessels on a permanent (or semi-permanent) basis within the protected waters of Colon and Balboa to transport larger groups of smaller vessels across.

It's a labour intensive operation (I've been through twice) requiring scores of people for each vessel movement. I feel sure the canal authorities would welcome the opportunity to streamline yacht transits and keep their staff focused on their primary business of large ship transits. It could reduce the costs for us (no need for pilots, admeasuring, administrative, line hanndlers, feder & line rentals, etc) and may even be profitable for Dockwise.

They could do weekly or bi-monthly trips from one side to the other, depending on seasonal demand. They could either retire one of their older vessels there or design & build a purpose-built ship / barge for the job. Float on - float off. Too easy.

Dockwise has offices throughout the world. Pick one and write. I've planted the seed at their main office and I reckon that if enough of us pour a little water on their regional offices, this idea might take root and grow into something beneficial to everyone concerned.

To Life!

Kirk

[MMNETSEA]

Originally Posted by Gallivanters

Instead of just whinging about the bottle-neck at Panama...

Dockwise has offices throughout the world. Pick one and write. I've planted the seed at their main office and I reckon that if enough of us pour a little water on their regional offices, this idea might take root and grow into something beneficial to everyone concerned.

Kirk

Kirk,

What a great idea !!! It will be interesting to see what tariff will be arrived at and how the process will compare with transhipping boats by land.

Richard

[sniper0885]

I think a detour around the horn would be just the ticket if you was just setting in some cove in panama waiting for 2-3 months. However, a lot of things would have to fall into place ie time of year, physical ability of the crew,type of vessel and its capibilities ect ect. The Horn is on my list for the winter of 2011...just because........

[Weyalan]

Originally Posted by redbopeep

Uh, I already know its clear that one will save wear/tear on the boat as well as fuel and paperwork by sitting around twiddling ones thumbs waiting on the Panama Canal instead of going 'round the Horn! I'm not asking the obvious here.

Some folks like to sail rather than sit. Else we'd all be sitting at home, right?

The question is if anyone has seriously considered going round the Horn. If you're going to see the world, is Cape Horn one of the places you've considered venturing 'round?

The Canal delays are simply another "excuse" for my hubby to consider it. However, he's been looking for excuses to round Cape Horn ever since he read a book called "My Old Man and the Sea" about a father/son team who did it in a 25' Vertue in the 1980's.

Sorry if I came over a bit strong, it wasn't my intention. Nevertheless, if you are going to sail around the horn, it is most likely going to be something you planned all along, not a decision made to save a bit of waiting time. Most cruisers will tend to be heading from Carib to Pacific, to go around the horn that way is "the wrong way" in terms of wind conditions (or so I am lead to believe).

Each to their own, I guess, but I, for one, would not be considering going around the horn to avoid the delay in Panama... I haven't been to Panama, but having spent a fair bit of time in Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, I love Central America and would be more than happy to have a week or two extra to explore

[redbopeep]

Originally Posted by Weyalan

Sorry if I came over a bit strong, it wasn't my intention. Nevertheless, if you are going to sail around the horn, it is most likely going to be something you planned all along, not a decision made to save a bit of waiting time. Most cruisers will tend to be heading from Carib to Pacific, to go around the horn that way is "the wrong way" in terms of wind conditions (or so I am lead to believe).

Each to their own, I guess, but I, for one, would not be considering going around the horn to avoid the delay in Panama... I haven't been to Panama, but having spent a fair bit of time in Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, I love Central America and would be more than happy to have a week or two extra to explore

Yes, I can cerrtainly understand your position.

I must admit that it isn't simply the delays that make my hubby want to go round Cape Horn (and we're on the west coast of North America, so on the "correct" direction to go so to speak); we also BOTH want to explore Patagonia and he sees the Horn as just a further extension of that particular trip. I won't let us seriously consider heading south to Patagonia or Cape Horn until after we've re-launched our boat and explored the boat's performance.

My husband also doesn't like the whole Panama Canal passage for yachts. Period. Any excuse to avoid it and he's happy to make that excuse

[Trim50]

Originally Posted by MMNETSEA

Kirk,

What a great idea !!! It will be interesting to see what tariff will be arrived at and how the process will compare with transhipping boats by land.

Richard

Unless they use the crane-on method of loading and not the sink and float-on, I can't see it being cost effective for such a short distance.

[Lighthouse]

The latest news from an on-site cruiser is that the delay is now down to about 2 weeks. Good news!

[imagine2frolic]

I can truly understand doing the Hoorn for the sake of doing the Hoorn. Has nothing to do with taking a short cut. It has everything to do with DOING THE HOORN!!!!!!!!!!!

My hat is off to your Hubby. I get the feeling when you 2 leave the dock you will already be ready for the challenge! No matter wether you go, or not. The boat will be prepared, and capable........