The Paname Canal (Balboa to Colon)



Balboa

Balboa is the entrance of the Panama Canal from the Pacific Ocean.
I moored my boat at the Balboa Yacht Club.
Around the fuel dock, the water depth is about 5 feet, so you can only enter dock when it's high tide.




The Panama Canal

It's prohibited to sail in the Panama Canal.
But you can enter twice a week, furling sail.
First they check the boat inspection written in English, Secondable, they measure the boat to decide your toll.
They use a floating toll system.
I payed U.S.$ 120 "So cheep!"


The Dock

There were many docks to go upstream in the Panama Canal.
In the dock, you need 4 rope-handlers and two advisers.
The advisers help you for free, but you are supported to hire the rope-handlers.


Supply Water

The boat goes up a water surface rises in the dock.



Open the dock

The dock opens, when water rises enough.
A diesel locomotive tows to the next dock.
(The cruiser is supported to go upstream by itself.)


Rope-handler

In a dock, Rope-handler pulls rope tight from 4 different directions, so boat may not collide with walls.




Christbal, Colon

Passing the top of the Panama Canal, It's the Atlantic Ocean.
You'll see the difference in signs.
Blue light is on your left and Red light is on your right side there.
I moored at Panama Yacht Club in Colon.




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