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West Coast to East Coast Trip

Discussion in 'Marinas & Waypoints' started by Keith C, Sep 30, 2025 at 2:41 PM.

  1. Keith C, Sep 30, 2025 at 2:41 PM
    #1
    Keith C

    Keith C New Member

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    Without going into too much detail, I'm seeking all experts in travelling through the Panama Canal. I'm sure this will spark another discussion, but I am interested in purchasing a vessel that is in California and need to get it to Alabama. It's 125 feet in length and 25 feet beam. Estimated to be around 180 tons (steel hull). Reached out to a couple of yacht transport services and they want more than the boat is worth. So, only other option I know of is to hire a captain to bring it to me. A few questions I have:

    1) Is this something that is done and is "normal" or am I going about this all wrong?
    2) If this is possible, can someone offer any tips or leads on hiring a captain?
    3) Anyone have any experience travelling through the Canal?
  2. Ken Bracewell, Sep 30, 2025 at 4:07 PM
    #2
    Ken Bracewell

    Ken Bracewell Senior Member

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    This is a fairly normal thing. What type of boat are you talking about? A good engineer will be another key component.
    There is no rocket science to transiting the canal, but be prepared for some costs involved. On top of the canal transit, you'll be required to hire their pilots and line handlers for the duration. Smaller boats (125' fits that category) generally transit at night with the small ships. You can't really book a slot ahead of time, so you''' get to Panama and wait to be called through. I've generally started the transit around 20:00 and finish in the early hours.
    You will also need a Panama Canal inspection prior to being given a slot- a basic safety inspection really.
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  3. boatpoor, Sep 30, 2025 at 9:25 PM
    #3
    boatpoor

    boatpoor Senior Member

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    One of the last boats built here in Panama City at the Aqua Bay yard went to California on her own bottom through the canal.
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  4. Keith C, Oct 1, 2025 at 8:29 AM
    #4
    Keith C

    Keith C New Member

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    Great info and I'm very hopeful. The boat is a 1977 Nichols 125-foot commercial vessel that has been outfitted as a dinner cruise. Original Detroits still plugging away (4 of them). One thing I have considered is repowering before the journey, but not sure if that is necessary or recommended or what.
  5. Ken Bracewell, Oct 1, 2025 at 8:42 AM
    #5
    Ken Bracewell

    Ken Bracewell Senior Member

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    You will really need to choose your weather with all those big windows.
    The biggest places of concern will be the Golf of Tihuantipec and the southern part of the Caribbean from Panama. It can get sporty.
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  6. Keith C, Oct 1, 2025 at 9:05 AM
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    Keith C

    Keith C New Member

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    YES! Lots of big windows. I'm assuming an experienced captain and crew will know how to handle that? Are there safer routes to take?
  7. Capt J, Oct 1, 2025 at 10:30 AM
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    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    It will probably be cheaper to ship it when you add up all the expenses, crew/food/fuel/repairs/marinas/canal transit/etc. etc. Just the fee for going through the canal is most likely going to be $12,000-15,000. This trip will really test all of the systems of the boat and if it is as old as it sounds you're going to have a million break downs. First, Yachts traveling West going East is always transited during daylight hours, East going West is always at night, it has been this way for at least the past decade. 125' will be paired up with a short freighter and some other yachts most likely.

    If you have a good agent for the canal, I use Enrique Plumer, the only thing the canal does is come out and measure the boat and get the measurements. But it will take days to get them out to do that, and then schedule you in. You will need heavy and long lines for the canal and he may be able to supply them, you will also need probably 4 line handlers for that boat required to go through the canal. Will also need a proper meal for the pilot that will be on board your boat for the duration of the crossing or they'll provide one for an astronomical fee of around $750.

    Aren't you going to have a Captain and crew for the boat once it gets to Alabama? If so it might be best to have them on salaray and them run the boat. You will have some weather delays and some long long voyages with nowhere to stop. You should have an engineer and lots of parts to fix things also.

    Safer routes??? Look at a map, there is only one route pretty much. Yes it usually is rough and you're crossing long distances of open ocean. I have done a few canal crossings and have customers in Panama, but am probably not interested in doing this. You most likely are going to need a crew of 4 to do this and maintain a proper watch as you'll be doing overnights and running non stop for long distances. Crew cost alone will be several thousand per day. I'd be looking for a dinner party boat much closer to home.
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  8. Keith C, Oct 1, 2025 at 10:51 AM
    #8
    Keith C

    Keith C New Member

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    Yes, once it arrives in Alabama, the plan is to hire a captain and crew. A couple of transport companies so far have quoted anywhere from $200K to $300K. I guess if the boat value is high enough, I could justify having it transported instead of driven. Next step, survey.
  9. Capt J, Oct 1, 2025 at 11:06 AM
    #9
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    It would most likely be much cheaper to have full time crew on salary than it would be for daily crew. Perhaps hire a few daily crew also.
  10. rtrafford, Oct 1, 2025 at 11:14 AM
    #10
    rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

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    Is it possible to hole up in Limon Bay for weather on passage?
  11. DOCKMASTER, Oct 1, 2025 at 12:21 PM
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    DOCKMASTER

    DOCKMASTER Senior Member

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    Did you get a shipping quote from Cross Chartering? I’m shipping with them end of this month (Victoria BC to La Paz, MX)Are you trying to ship to Alabama? The normal route thru the canal would drop you off in Florida - Port Everglades I believe but not certain of exact FL city.If you are in Calif you would load in Ensenada, MX. There is a sailing early November then another late in the month.
  12. Ken Bracewell, Oct 1, 2025 at 2:13 PM
    #12
    Ken Bracewell

    Ken Bracewell Senior Member

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    Yes, that's common. It's a very large and crowded bay, however.
  13. Capt J, Oct 1, 2025 at 3:51 PM
    #13
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    You can, there's also a marina that can accomodate that boat. Shelter Cova marina it's on the North side of the Canal on the Atlantic side.

    OP, I would quote Ensenada to Ft. Laud or WPB. Then run it up from there, that would be the logical way to do it. As a 50 year old dinner party boat, I would think A LOT of maintenance on items necessary on a passage like this would be deferred and are going to constantly bear their heads.
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