The Panama Canal

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Gargoyle arrived in Vista Mar Marina with Hurricane Eta in full force on November 3rd, 2020. The winds gave us a fast push through the Gulf of Panama and after battling wind gusts of +35 knots coming into the marina, the crew was very happy to be tied up to the docks.

After 12 months cruising with no easy way to source replacement parts, our “to do” list has grown to 41 items. These range from critical ones such as resolving our overheating Yanmar, replacing our defunct hot water tank and repairing our torn genoa to more typical odd jobs like getting our DJI drone flying again and fixing the water tank level sensors.

Vista Mar marina is the perfect stop for repairs as the docks are large and comfortable, parts are easily delivered to the marina from Panama City and the mechanics from Wickus Auto and Marine are truly “diesel whispers”. With the help of Ollie, Wickus and Pierre, we made quick work on several items though the diesel overheating turned out to be a worthy challenge for the team from South Africa. Finally, after identifying and fixing a leaking head gasket, the team cleaned the heat exchanger and full cooling system. After nearly a year of various mechanics down the Pacific coast working on the issue, we took Gargoyle out into a 20-knot headwind, bucking an incoming tide and she ran cooler than she has ever run. Issue #1 resolved!

As the cost of moorage at Vista Mar is the best deal in Panama, we stayed at this marina for 6 weeks to chip away at the list. Beyond the engine and other repairs, it was time for Gargoyle to get a power upgrade. We purchased a used Watt and Sea hydrogenator from our old sister ship in Vancouver, Turnagain, and Ollie and the boys made quick work of the installation. This Watt and Sea has a history and if you are interested, check out our blog post to hear more.

Finally, as Christmas approached and Gargoyle was once again able to cruise under power at 7.5 knots, it was time to make the transit to the Caribbean. We pulled out of Vista Mar on Sunday, December 20th and headed down to La Playita to get measured and inspected. One plus in the COVID season, no wait for a Canal transit. On Monday, the 21st, the inspector came aboard and quickly completed our measurements and paperwork. We received our transit approval the next day and that evening our ropes and fenders were delivered along with our four line handlers. At 5:00AM on December 23rd, our pilot/advisor boarded, and we were ready for one of our big bucket list items, transit the Panama Canal.

We wasted no time and by 5:30 we had fallen in behind the tanker that would be our companion through the Mira Flores and Pedro Miguel locks. We made short work of the Pacific side locks and were quickly motoring along at 7.5 to 8 knots with the goal of completing the transit by late afternoon. At 3:00PM we entered the first of the Gatun lock chambers and had a front row/center seat as we dropped down the 3 chambers to the Atlantic. After a very quick pickup of our pilot, our line handlers helped guide us into Shelter Bay marina and at 4:30PM we were tied up to the dock, just as our agent Erick had promised. Yet another bucket list item checked off as we have now completed our 1st transit of the Panama Canal.

We spent COVID Christmas 2020 in Shelter Bay marina, locked down with the rest of the world. On Boxing Day, we had Gargoyle hauled out at the extensive yard to finish the last items on our to do list. Bottom paint, zincs, and a wax & polish to bring her back to her glory. On New Year’s Eve Gargoyle splashed back into the water and we headed out to start 2021 in the islands of Bocas del Toro. New adventures await us as we enter the Caribbean portion of our journey.