How much does it cost to cross the Panama canal?

How to transit the Panama Canal in your yacht - preparation, costs, top tips and more from Behan Gifford for a smooth crossing from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean.

The path between the Atlantic and Pacific was made easier by the sacrifice of Cape Horn sailors and ditch diggers.A giant ship and a small yacht are floating in a box of water 25m above sea level.Entering the canal was nerve-racking.It was great to descend the last lock.The Panama Canal is a gem.

The canal is a blink between oceans.A smooth transit benefits from advance planning.After learning how seasonal congestion can increase the waiting time from arrival in Coln to an assigned transit date, our research began about three months in advance.The majority of the year is four to six days.During the high season from late January through May, six to 20 days is the range from completion of measurement and fee payment until an assigned canal transit date.December until mid-January is a good time to delay for South Pacific-bound boats.

The rally arrives at a time when the slowdown escalates.We spent a few weeks sailing through the turquoise waters of Panama's Guna Yala instead of adding to the spike in transiting vessels.After staying in tune with the length of the delay and having an advocate who could help us find a slot to get through sooner during the peak-season waiting period, we hired an agent.

An agent can sometimes help you get an earlier transit slot.

After arriving in Coln, Panama, we were buffeted by tradewinds and rolling seas that finally abated behind the canal zone's massive breakwater.There are only a few mooring options on the Caribbean side of the canal, and they come with security risks.You can sail to the Guna Yala or Bocas del Toro if you wait longer than a few days.Shelter Bay Marina is the only mooring option on the Caribbean side.

Shortly after we tied up in Shelter Bay, our agent from Centenario met us to confirm the process.The news of delays was softened by a friendly face at the dock.A transit date can't be reserved in advance, so you have to go through measurement and payment first.

measurements for transit are only done by an official representative of the Panama Canal Authority for the next day after payment has been accepted.You can call the Admeasurer's office to arrange a time and location for your measurement if you choose to do it yourself.

Our transit date meant two weeks in the marina, but Erick was able to find multiple opportunities for earlier slots.The deal of a longer stay was sweetened when rigging jobs were done for Pacific-bound vessels.

As part of his agent services, Galvez provided a receipt for payment.If you want to pay for your own paperwork, the Admeasurer has a form you can take to Citibank.The biggest variable is the size of the boat.The transit toll under 50ft is $800.The fee is for boats over 50 feet.Length includes bowsprit, pulpits, davits and other items.Totem shows our LOA at 46ft 8in but we exceeded 50ft when measured from the front of our anchor to dinghy davits.The Admeasurer's tape is just below the 50ft mark.

A buffer fee of nearly $900 is due.If you miss an assigned slot, are too slow, or need a water taxi at an event, you will be covered by this bond.The buffer fee is covered by an agent.

The fee can be paid by credit card, cash, or bank wire transfer, along with other standard fees, for do-it-yourself transiters.After a successful canal transit, the buffer will be reimbursed.

The all-in cost to transit the canal was over $2,000, which included visas, cruising permit, and clearance fees.It's a lot of money, but Cape Horn and the North West Passage present inconvenient alternatives, the necessary gear would have set us back more than that!

Every step of the process with Canal authorities was above board, the only flaw being a port captain in Coln who claimed an error in our original entry formalities required a $20 fee to correct.We were stuck without an option to dispute it because it was one hour from our scheduled departure.It is one of the few times in our decade of cruising that we have paid an official fee.

Smaller vessels still use the smaller Gatun/Miraflores locks despite the new Agua Clara/Cocoli looks.

Four lines are required to meet canal transit specifications.You will want robust fender.

You can either source them yourself or have an agent arrange them for you.The morning VHF net, marina bulletin board, regional Facebook groups, and the cruiser's Coconut Telegraph will connect you with local suppliers.

Line handlers come from other boats.When it is time to find your own handler, joining a boat to transit is a great way to pay it forward.

If you can't find volunteers, experienced Panamanians can be hired for $100.Whoever comes aboard, make sure they know how to tie a knot and have basic boat sense, and will be ready to work instead of taking pictures.

Lock lines must be at least 125ft long and between 78-112in (23-38mm) in diameter.The budget option of plastic-wrapped tyres is a good alternative for protecting your hull from the rough concrete wall or lock neighbour.

Anticipating meals, snacks, and beverages is part of final preparations to ensure a smooth transit.

The night is spent tied to a large buoy just outside the channel in Lake Gatun.

At least one canal advisor is included in your crew.Hot meals, bottled water, and cold Coke are expected by the advisers.For the duration, snacks should be available.

After weeks of planning, we received a call from the port entry co-ordinator to inform them of Totem's location.The sky was just beginning to lighten when Roy was dropped off by water taxi.Roy was an asset to ensure a safe transit.Roy directed the formation of our raft, which was rafted in pairs or a trio to transit the canal as a block.Roy was the lead advisor for the raft because Totem was designated the centre boat.

When Roy remarked, "Perfect, now we have big fenders to protect us," we knew we liked him.

Most of the canal is between the locks of Lake Gatun and Culebra Cut.The Gatun locks lift vessels up to 90 feet.Howler monkeys greeted sunrise as we approached the first lock behind the ro-ro car carrier.

When the lock doors close and the water level changes, the line handler has to loosen the lines according to the instructions from the adviser.It is hard and requires close attention.The raft to shift was caused by one of the boats next to us being inattentive with easing.Twice the crew nearly caught hands as they scrambled to secure the line.It's better to keep focused on the role.

After crossing Lake Gatun, the raft was separated to go through the Pacific side locks.The longest part of the transit was when we were able to relax and eat.We could relax in the cockpit for this part of the journey, learning from our adviser about his experiences, as well as seeing the crane named Titan that was taken as a Second World War prize, and the animal lovers aboard worked at spotting birds.

The adviser is still responsible for the boat and crew, but it is important to work closely with him.Some instructions may seem odd, like turning the boat to point towards the lock wall, but it is for a reason.Their goal is to prevent the raft from spinning out if there is a four-knot current by the wall.

Totem motored towards the Bridge of the Americas and the Pacific Ocean after leaving the Miraflores locks behind.We returned to the body of water where our journey began, the last leg of our circumnavigation, and the final weeks aboard as a family of five before our eldest heads for college.It was witnessed by a monumental creation.

The Panama Canal was the final stage of the world voyage for the Totem family.

The decks should be kept clear.Keep the area around bow and stern cleats clear by moving or storing items.

All fairleads should be fair to start.If currents start spinning the raft, you may not have time to re-leading.

The lines took the most load.The stern cleat can be used as a guide to provide better control and mechanical advantage.

Line handlers do a good job.A crew meeting is necessary.Make sure they understand how important it is to be alert, and not to use a camera or post on social media.