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Cruisin' Threads => Routes and Destinations => Topic started by: Christopher on October 23, 2008, 10:20:10 AM

Title: Virginia to San Francisco - via Panama Canal
Post by: Christopher on October 23, 2008, 10:20:10 AM
A friend of mine is going to be moving back to the West Coast from Virginia.  We have been entertaining the idea of sailing his boat to San Francisco when he makes the move.  I've never really done any cruise of such a great distance, or a canal transit for that matter.  Out of curiosity, how long would you think a trip like this would take?  We're not planning on many extended stays in any one place, just stops for resupply as the ultimate goal is delivery of the boat.

Thoughts?
Title: Re: Virginia to San Francisco - via Panama Canal
Post by: s/v Faith on October 23, 2008, 10:57:19 AM
I just got back from 3 weeks in the Bay area, what a great place to have a boat.

  There was a guy who did that trip (actually came down the center of the country).  He did it in a Pearson Commander (same hull as the Ariel) and wrote about it here.

Link to PersonAriel.org (http://pearsonariel.org/discussion/showthread.php?t=1017)
Title: Re: Virginia to San Francisco - via Panama Canal
Post by: TJim on October 23, 2008, 11:00:06 AM
With all the beating you'll have to do once you get to the Pacific side, I'd say at very best with very limited
time outs for anything, at very best 3 Months.  And you could get hung up waiting to get thru the canal for as much as a couple weeks. TJ
Title: Re: Virginia to San Francisco - via Panama Canal
Post by: Christopher on October 23, 2008, 11:38:44 AM
Quote from: s/v Faith on October 23, 2008, 10:57:19 AM
  There was a guy who did that trip (actually came down the center of the country).  He did it in a Pearson Commander (same hull as the Ariel) and wrote about it here.
Link to PersonAriel.org (http://pearsonariel.org/discussion/showthread.php?t=1017)

That's nuts!  That thing looks hardly bigger than an Ensign!  I love those Pearson Ensigns, but I give credit to anyone who sails something like that for any extended period of time.  Comfy cockpits, but nothing to be desired in the cabin.

Impressive.
Title: Re: Virginia to San Francisco - via Panama Canal
Post by: Christopher on October 23, 2008, 11:52:08 AM
3 months - that's what I was afraid of.  Perhaps we could catch a tow from a South American freighter on the way up the Pacific side? 

My wife asked "How long would that take, like a week?"  ;D

I was thinking more like a month and a half after talking with someone here who was planning a trip down to the Bahamas via St. Lawrence, but this is a very different sort of trip and much longer.

Hmmmmm..... not sure I can buy that much vacation at work
Title: Re: Virginia to San Francisco - via Panama Canal
Post by: Frank on October 23, 2008, 01:39:27 PM
mkeChris wrote..."That's nuts!  That thing looks hardly bigger than an Ensign!  I love those Pearson Ensigns, but I give credit to anyone who sails something like that for any extended period of time.  Comfy cockpits, but nothing to be desired in the cabin."....    Guess I won't ask what ya think of an Electra  ;D  (same hull as ensign)



Title: Re: Virginia to San Francisco - via Panama Canal
Post by: AdriftAtSea on October 23, 2008, 02:51:57 PM
You're talking about sailing a boat over 6000 nm as the crow flies... a good deal more considering the west coast will be a beat to SFO IIRC.  Assuming you can get 100 NM per day... that's only an average of four knots or so per hour..... you're looking at over 60 days of sailing...more realistically, given that you also have to wait to do a Canal transit, you're looking at closer to four months, since most boats on Sailfar.net will need to re-provision at least every 30 days, and there will be the inevitable weather window delays and a wait for the canal transit.
Title: Re: Virginia to San Francisco - via Panama Canal
Post by: Christopher on October 23, 2008, 03:10:23 PM
Quote from: Frank on October 23, 2008, 01:39:27 PM
....    Guess I won't ask what ya think of an Electra  ;D  (same hull as ensign)

Don't get me wrong, I love the Ensign.  I sailed a Hunter 27 across Lake Michigan this year and I feel more stable in an Ensign.  There's just not much for shelter aboard them.  I was incredibly impressed that they would sail something like that so far.  Then again, that seems to be the whole theme of this forum.  My hat's off to ya!
Title: Re: Virginia to San Francisco - via Panama Canal
Post by: Christopher on October 23, 2008, 03:13:20 PM
Quote from: AdriftAtSea on October 23, 2008, 02:51:57 PM
You're talking about sailing a boat over 6000 nm as the crow flies... a good deal more considering the west coast will be a beat to SFO IIRC.

It's all very sobering.  My trips have been limited to Lake Michigan.  I feel like the trip would be within my skills, but just have no grasp of what kind of time it would take to cover such distance.  Thanks for your insight... and blatant squashing of our idea.. hahaha  ;D
Title: Re: Virginia to San Francisco - via Panama Canal
Post by: TJim on October 23, 2008, 04:29:07 PM
I think they are great!  Completely blue water capable.  A minnie Triton, I love em. 

At 22' I don't think they can be beat.. TJ
Title: Re: Virginia to San Francisco - via Panama Canal
Post by: TJim on October 23, 2008, 04:31:06 PM
You should feel more stgable, it's a by far better boat! TJ
Title: Re: Virginia to San Francisco - via Panama Canal
Post by: AdriftAtSea on October 23, 2008, 04:31:43 PM
mkechris-

Sorry, but thought you should at least get an idea of the magnitude of the voyage.  :)
Title: Re: Virginia to San Francisco - via Panama Canal
Post by: Christopher on October 23, 2008, 05:13:32 PM
Quote from: AdriftAtSea on October 23, 2008, 04:31:43 PM
mkechris-

Sorry, but thought you should at least get an idea of the magnitude of the voyage.  :)

Absolutely -- That's why I posted the question.  I very much appreciate the responses.  This is a great forum.  No apology necessary :)

Perhaps we could have em throw it on a truck and we could just ride in the boat on the trip... Land voyage by boat is just as good as a sea voyage by boat ;)
Title: Re: Virginia to San Francisco - via Panama Canal
Post by: Christopher on October 23, 2008, 05:18:52 PM
Quote from: TJim on October 23, 2008, 04:29:07 PM
I think they are great!  Completely blue water capable.  A minnie Triton, I love em. 

At 22' I don't think they can be beat.. TJ

Sturdy little suckers.  Love em.
Title: Re: Virginia to San Francisco - via Panama Canal
Post by: Zen on October 24, 2008, 12:11:11 PM
I'm wondering why this is called from Virginia to SF when they came out fo Chicago and down the Miss.?  ???
Title: Re: Virginia to San Francisco - via Panama Canal
Post by: AdriftAtSea on October 24, 2008, 01:21:37 PM
Zen—

Huh???  I think you need some coffee.  I think you're confusing this with another thread.  From the first post:

QuoteA friend of mine is going to be moving back to the West Coast from Virginia.  We have been entertaining the idea of sailing his boat to San Francisco when he makes the move.

Quote from: Zen on October 24, 2008, 12:11:11 PM
I'm wondering why this is called from Virginia to SF when they came out fo Chicago and down the Miss.?  ???
Title: Re: Virginia to San Francisco - via Panama Canal
Post by: Zen on October 24, 2008, 08:51:28 PM
Doh!!  ;D
Title: Re: Virginia to San Francisco - via Panama Canal
Post by: newt on October 27, 2008, 10:58:38 PM
Does anyone know about the trucks that transport along the Panama Canal for a lot cheaper than you can sail it? For that matter, I wonder if I could get transport somewhere in Central America from the Pacific to the Caribbean (or visa versa) for a lot less. Seems like a lot less paperwork than doing the canal, and may shorten your time too.
Title: Re: Virginia to San Francisco - via Panama Canal
Post by: chris2998 on November 11, 2008, 02:03:58 PM
How much is it to go through the Panama canal?? and dio you have to sign up months in advance for it or you go there pick a number and wait till they call you??

Chris
Title: Re: Virginia to San Francisco - via Panama Canal
Post by: AdriftAtSea on November 11, 2008, 03:13:17 PM
IIRC, the canal fees all told are about $1500 for a boat <35' nowadays...
Title: Re: Virginia to San Francisco - via Panama Canal
Post by: s/v Faith on November 11, 2008, 04:15:18 PM
Quote from: AdriftAtSea on November 11, 2008, 03:13:17 PM
IIRC, the canal fees all told are about $1500 for a boat <35' nowadays...

  I think that number is right, or close.  The problem comes in where they also require a 'deposit' to cover penalties.  The trip takes a small boat (hull speed less then 8knots) 2 days.  The deposit is largly consumed with the additional pilot fee, and the additional pilot boat fee.  I do not recall the blog, but IIRC a recient trip was over $3000 for a 30' boat. 
Title: Re: Virginia to San Francisco - via Panama Canal
Post by: CharlieJ on November 11, 2008, 05:18:59 PM
The last thing I heard indicated a month to 6 week wait also. Can't verify that but I wouldn't be surprised
Title: Re: Virginia to San Francisco - via Panama Canal
Post by: Marc on November 11, 2008, 06:42:15 PM
I do not know if this is true or not, but after taking a cruise and a stop in Colon, Panama, and a short 8 hour trip through the Miraflores locks our guide told us that alot of the smaller boats can "piggyback" with the larger ships through the locks but it is upt to that ships' Captain.  Again consider the source, a guide,  so it might be worth checking out.  I hope to someday.  Marc
Title: Re: Virginia to San Francisco - via Panama Canal
Post by: chris2998 on November 12, 2008, 05:40:17 AM
wow 1500-3000 gran quite a bit I guess I need to be buying my boat in the next year for sure and get going on my dream or I guess sail around south america LOL
Title: Re: Virginia to San Francisco - via Panama Canal
Post by: AdriftAtSea on November 12, 2008, 08:47:17 AM
There are now companies setup in Panama and Mexico that will portage your boat across from one ocean to the other... Don't know how they're doing ATM, but as the fees for the canal go up, they'll have more and more customers.  Of course, the smaller the boat, the more readily it can get across by other means.
Title: Re: Virginia to San Francisco - via Panama Canal
Post by: CharlieJ on November 12, 2008, 09:08:41 AM
well, compared to what it would cost both in provisions, supplies and time sailing around the Horn, not to mention the wear and tear on the boat itself, 1500 to 3000 isn't all that much. You just plan for it in advance, considering it a part of your cruise expenses.

Taking on Cape Horn is in itself quite a challenge and not something to be considered lightly. Particularly in a small vessel ;)
Title: Re: Virginia to San Francisco - via Panama Canal
Post by: nowell on November 12, 2008, 11:08:13 AM
Quote from: CharlieJ on November 12, 2008, 09:08:41 AM
Taking on Cape Horn is in itself quite a challenge and not something to be considered lightly. Particularly in a small vessel ;)

Personally, its an accomplishment I would love to notch in my belt. Maybe after transitioning the Canal once.
Title: Re: Virginia to San Francisco - via Panama Canal
Post by: Pappy Jack on November 12, 2008, 02:00:08 PM
Here is a website that has the info you need to transit the canal  http://www.pancanal.com/common/maritime/forms/f-4352.pdf  I hope this helps anybody contemplating the transit. Personally it would be hard to choose which to do, the canal or the Horn. The canal is one of the modern wonders of the world and the Horn is...well, THE HORN.

I would like to do both BUT, at the moment it is all I can do to get ready for "The Scoot" ::). I guess that it's one dream at a time, right?

Fair winds,

Pappy Jack
Title: Re: Virginia to San Francisco - via Panama Canal
Post by: chris2998 on November 15, 2008, 02:39:59 AM
The Canal maybe expensive but sure would be nice to say yeah I've been through the canal LOL but it would probally be best to go through the canal because if you had to go over land then would have to to demast the boat and all the riging heck it maybe best to just go through the canal. I agree i think i would go through sure would be an adventure and that what I'm after

Chris
Title: Re: Virginia to San Francisco - via Panama Canal
Post by: jotruk on November 15, 2008, 01:06:54 PM
I have been through the Panama canal and also around the Horn. Both are very interesting places to see. When I went through the canal the last time there was a Swedish sail boat going through. It was about a 45 footer. They had it tied to a tug. I don't know for sure but was told by the canal plot that a escort vessel was required for smaller boats. I don't know if this is still true the canal was still under U.S. control at the time.
As to the Horn the time I went through there it was actually fairly calm. We had been  warned to expect very large seas and winds. The views that day were beautiful and the trip up the west coast of S. America through the Chilean in land passage was beyond description.
These trips were done on small US Navy ships.