In our 3 Transits we never used "line handlers" (or an agent).  We either used other yachties or had friends fly down and spend a week or two cruising the San Blas Islands at the same time we transited.

Scott - if you don't mind sharing, what's the going rate for agent and/or line handlers these days? When Enrique got started a few years ago, he was a siginificant discount off the regular agents - who were in the $500 range. If I remember correctly, Enrique was a cab driver who got started by running cruisers to the various offices, then started to ask "hey, why don't you just let me do it for you?" Entrepreneurism at its finest!

When I went through the Canal in 2004, there was myself and 3 crew aboard (the Canal requires 4, but 4 are only needed for center-tie, which is probably rare these days), so we took on one line handler for $50 - included use of lines and fenders.

To Bob Austin's point about not using professionals, my crew weren't strapping srevadore types, just a gang of retired regular guys who had remained active through life, all eligible for AARP cards, who loved boating, and were available when I needed to leave Dana Point. We handled a Nordhavn 57 with relative ease and had a great time in the process (okay, hydraulic bow and stern thrusters helped, but I think we would have been okay without them). Its a long, hot day, but fun - during the 14+ hour transit, locking is only a couple hours of work - at most, though there is a lot of time out in the sun.

Peter
Willard 36
San Francisco

Combined responses for both Bob and Peter:

a.  Using an agent and line handlers is a choice.  The benefit to the
cruiser is time, safety and quality.
b.  Today agents charge $450 to $500.  Some agents are part time (for
example a well known agents is part time agent, full time school teacher)
c.  Line handlers charge $65 a day.  If you overnight in Gatun you are out
another $260 plus food
d.  Tires are $2 each for pickup and $1 to drop off, yes, some places are
charging you to drop tires off.
e.  My total expense for transit, line handlers, agent, lines (no tires) was
$2,050.  I also paid $400 in moorage in Flaminco and $200 in Shelter Bay.
f.  We took other cruisers on our boat so they could gain experience.  There
is no shortage of cruisers who want to go and help.  IF they are experienced
in locking, I'd say it makes sense to use a cruiser.  IF they have never
locked before I'd suggest you are risking your boat for damage, but more
importantly the safety of the crew and passengers.  IF during downlocking a
line handlers secures a line in error, a life threatening situation exists.
In a matter of moments stresses are going to build to the point the cleat or
line will fail.  If the errant crewmember is poised above the cleat or line,
they can be killed.  It has happened, even in Disney land.  EXPERIENCED line
handlers are a cheap insurance policy.  They are not a requirement, they are
an option.
g.  The primary benefit an agent provides is time savings.  While Enrique
ran around doing all the paperwork I was working on the boat and getting
other items taken care of.  A side benefit is the processing of your
international Zarpe.  The Zarpe issued on the N side of the canal is from
Colon.  The interior city of Colon is a cesspool.  I wouldn't go there for
any reason at all.  $400 to have Enrique go to the port captain in Colon is
cheap in my book.
h.  the 100 foot boat ahead of us went center chamber.  We were a raft of 3
boats.  On the way down we rafted to a small tourist cruise boat that took
the sidewall.

I'm glad Bob mentioned taking a more cost effective alternative.  The
purpose of my posting was to educate those of you that choose to use line
handlers on some aspects that came as a surprise to us.  Of course if you
have cruising friends on the boat, they are going to need food also, so
perhaps it applies to everyone?

Scott Bulger, Alanui, N40II, Seattle WA
Approaching the San Blas Islands, Panama

Robert asked:

How do you pay line handlers and Enrique? Cash? Check card? Credit card?

When you pay Enrique's fee (visa card is fine) it includes the first day of
Line handling fees.  If you overnight in Gatun you pay them in cash when
they leave the boat.

Scott Bulger, Alanui, N400II, Seattle WA
Departing San Blas Panama for Key West on Monday!!