Latest Situation For Balboa Yacht Club

Created by doina. Last modified on 2006-04-11 08:24:32
Countries: Panama

I know that this has been a long time coming but the Balboa Yacht Club has finally gotten its concession to operate as a "legal Marina" and is moving ahead with several improvements at last. Those who have visited recently may have already noticed a few improvements taking root.

The government has approved our plans to build a really big "rancho" (a thatched roof open air structure) that will serve as the new BYC bar and resturant... It will be nice and should be fun. We already have moved forward with washers and dryers and shower facilities for visitors to use.

We are now working on a dredging plan and we have already bought the materials (steel pipe piles etc.) to rebuild the floating docks that have wasted away over the years. Remember that we, as a club, did not want to invest funds into maintenance and upgrades until the concession was granted by the government... a process that has taken 10 years!. So changes are in the air, most good some not so good but we will live with them. "What?...not so good?" Yes, the ACP says that they will not be responsible for any of their negligent behavior... What!?....Yep! honest, so if one of their ships comes by the Balboa Yacht club at 20 knots and lays up a 6 foot wake throwing you out of your bunk and breaking your neck, they won't even say sorry! But hey, what else is new with the "New Panama Canal"?...just strap yourself in when you go to bed at night. The ACP would not approve the concession unless we agreed to this rule.

Now, I know I have said this before, but it will happen, Plans have been approved and a concession granted to build a new marina at the Colon 2000 cruise port, at the Atlantic entrance of the Panama Canal. It will have 100 slips and it will be a top end facility. The new Radission hotel is already under construction and the marina is supposed to be finished by December 06. This marina will cater to visiting/transiting vessels, targeting the Mega-yachts and the Sportfishing boats that trek to Panama yearly to fish Pinas Bay, Cebaco Bay & and then head North to Los Suenos Costa Rica. It should be well received.

Cebaco Bay in North Western Panama is doing fine. We have received lots of visitors and all have enjoyed the tropical atmosphere and limited service that are available there. This Bay has been concessioned to the Cebaco Bay Sportfishing Club by the government of Panama. Here moorings are available, as well as diesel fuel, fresh water and limited supplies aboard the 110' mothership "Cebaco Bay" that is on station there. The long term plan is to build "Eco friendly" facilities on shore and serve as a sportfishing destination similar to that in Pinas Bay. You might want to visit the web site www.inthebite.com and read the Panama fishing reports from that area.

Jim Wiese, BYC