Saturday January 11
After a day of fussing with the sewing machine, finally was able to finish the cockpit enclosure panels. Next step is to add the windows, I like this step it’s a fun technique.
Dan and Danielle sanded the wood on the pulpit most of the day, next step revarnish.
4:00pm Aquafit, then dinner. Saturday nights here is cruisers music night or open mic, talent night. Several talented singer musicians performed.
Friday January 10
We fussed with the Sailrite machine all day, a few broken needles made for a big headache. Finally got her working again! I have two more panels to complete the cockpit enclosure, then replace the sacrificial Sunbrella on the Stay Sail, it shredded on our sail here.
4:00pm Aquafit, then dinner.
Sunday January 5
We had our boat measured on Saturday for transiting the canal. Documents to fill out and papers to sign. The inspector was a real personable man, we had a great conversation with him.
Typically when you travel you bring way too many things, as did we on this trip. We purged a few things today, items we should have left home or no longer find useful on the boat.
We did laundry which took most of the day, it was busy day at the laundromat.
Had some swimming pool time, then at the bar with several Seahawk fans, watched the Eagles 🦅 lose.
Guess I should have explained this. Prior to entering into a country’s waters, 3-5 miles offshore, you fly that country’s flag as well as the “Q” quarantine (solid yellow) flag, which signifies you need to go through customs. Once you clear customs you lower the yellow “ Q” flag. That country’s flag is typically flown near the spreaders on the mast as a courtesy, your country’s flag off the stern.
Wednesday January 8
There is an old tall ship here in the marina. It arrived from Germany with a volunteer crew and 30 high school students. The kids are all off to Costa Rico for two weeks then will come back here then their off to Cuba. They had tours of the boat today for those in the marina.
Started working on the three back panels for the cockpit enclosure, 4:00pm Aqua fit, 5:30pm, cruisers happy hour in the pavilion, bring your own drinks and an appetizer.
Tuesday January 7
Today we decided was a “do nothing” day. I did finish making our Panama courtesy flag, Danielle swam laps in the morning and Dan got the water maker connected and running. A lot of time was spent at the pool, reading.
We had dinner with Island Packet 420 owners Lou and Patrice Haggerty from San Francisco CA.
Monday January 6
We went shopping! That was an experience. There’s a shuttle bus that takes you from the marina to a shopping center in Colon, returning to the marina 2 hours later. On the way we crossed the new bridge where we had a view of the first set of canal locks. The store was full of many familiar brand products but in Spanish. Our list was mostly for produce and cereal.
Saturday January 4
Baby it’s hot here! We rigged up a sun shade for the boat deck to help it stay cooler inside. We used an old Thistle main and jib. Dan greased up the bikes for us to ride up and down the docks. Thank you Joe Raynock for the bikes!!

Spent most of the day rearranging items in the galley, trying to make things work better, optimizing space. Later, Danielle and I took a Aquafit class in the pool, afterwards we watched the Bills, Texans football game at the bar but didn’t stay to watch the Patriots lose. The bar wings were okay, missing Ben’s famous buffalo wings on game day.

Friday January 3
On our approach to Panama we were greeted with dolphins who gleefully swam around bow as well as schools of flying fish. 15 miles from shore, first sight of land in 11 days!
At 8 miles out we radioed they Canal that we were heading to the marina, we were allowed to sail on in. The triangles on the screen
Thursday January 2
Currently we are 132 nautical miles from Panama, should arrive sometime tomorrow. With a stiff 16 knot breeze, full main, staysail and Genoa we’re cruising at 8 knots.

Danielle and I cut out the parts for a Panama flag, I’ll sew them together when the waves are a bit smaller.
Sailing Trance 