Panamá Yachting Services
Seldén Mast Authorised Dealer
Proudly offer technical assistance and the Seldén range of
- Masts and booms
- Optimist rigs by Selden
- Furlex roller furling
- Code X
- Deck Hardware - winches, blocks, cleats, cam cleats, swivels, shackles, deck organisers, tracks and travellers
- Seldén's prize winning reversible winches
Carbon and Aluminium Spars
The Seldén Group is the world's leading manufacturer of carbon and aluminium spars for dinghies, keelboats and yachts. Their web site has detailed digital catalogues for dinghies, keelboats and yachts. We recommend them and their Product brochure Carbon Yacht Spars.
Selden supplies not only the spar and boom, they sell the rigging system and halyards and all the deck hardware that enhance your sailing experience. In 2008, Seldén took the logical step to move from manufacturing spars and booms to providing all that was needed to rig a boat.
Selden supplies not only the spar and boom, they sell the rigging system and halyards and all the deck hardware that enhance your sailing experience. In 2008, Seldén took the logical step to move from manufacturing spars and booms to providing all that was needed to rig a boat.
Seldén Deck Hardware
All Seldén equipment can be ordered and installed in Panama. Check out these Seldén products:
Mast installations
Carbon fibre mast - value $1.3 million - being lowered onto foredeck
Mast installations require planning to hold costs and ensure installation is completed quickly and efficiently.
Weather, tides, and distances affect costs. Main costs are shipment of the mast and transport by carrier to the site, equipment hire and the costs of riggers The riggers costs rise if they have to travel long distances or hire accomodation - or weather delays an installation.
Site selection
A crane to lift the mast and place it is essential. A covered protected work area where the mast can be assembled is a plus. Weather can hinder and delay the mast assembly - more work hours and more yard time result.
Before selecting a location, check whether an outside crane is required and the distance the crane must travel to do the job! On the Pacific side you may also need to check the tide.
Transport of Mast and Crane
SELDEN masts come from the United States by sea as consolidated cargo at a very reasonable cost. Transport from Panama City to the marina where it is to be installed varies depending on how far it is moved from Panama City where it is released. And if it comes in duty free as Yacht In Transit, a custodian or bonded carrier must be used to get the mast and rigging to the boat. Obviously, distance and ease of access for the carrier affect that cost. And, if a crane hire is necessary, distance and access also affect costs.
Tides
The Atlantic side has very small tide variation and in most cases should not affect the timing of an installation but the Pacific coast is different. Here tides are usually around 15 ft sometimes as high as 18 to19 feet. With a minus tide in the mix there can be quite a tidal range.
For entering Panama from the Pacific the Humboldt current affects all efforts. It comes barreling up the South American coast, around the Bay of Panama & out by Punta Mala. This current can run up to 3 knots. So, entering the Panama Bay, set course for the Perlas Islands go between the Islands & the Darian coast setting course past the airport toward Flamenco signal station at the entrance to Panama Canal.
You can check the Panama Canal Tide Tables here.
Selecting your marina
Before selecting a location, check whether an outside crane is required and the distance the crane must travel to do the job! Recommended locations to install your mast:
Atlantic side
Weather, tides, and distances affect costs. Main costs are shipment of the mast and transport by carrier to the site, equipment hire and the costs of riggers The riggers costs rise if they have to travel long distances or hire accomodation - or weather delays an installation.
Site selection
A crane to lift the mast and place it is essential. A covered protected work area where the mast can be assembled is a plus. Weather can hinder and delay the mast assembly - more work hours and more yard time result.
Before selecting a location, check whether an outside crane is required and the distance the crane must travel to do the job! On the Pacific side you may also need to check the tide.
Transport of Mast and Crane
SELDEN masts come from the United States by sea as consolidated cargo at a very reasonable cost. Transport from Panama City to the marina where it is to be installed varies depending on how far it is moved from Panama City where it is released. And if it comes in duty free as Yacht In Transit, a custodian or bonded carrier must be used to get the mast and rigging to the boat. Obviously, distance and ease of access for the carrier affect that cost. And, if a crane hire is necessary, distance and access also affect costs.
Tides
The Atlantic side has very small tide variation and in most cases should not affect the timing of an installation but the Pacific coast is different. Here tides are usually around 15 ft sometimes as high as 18 to19 feet. With a minus tide in the mix there can be quite a tidal range.
For entering Panama from the Pacific the Humboldt current affects all efforts. It comes barreling up the South American coast, around the Bay of Panama & out by Punta Mala. This current can run up to 3 knots. So, entering the Panama Bay, set course for the Perlas Islands go between the Islands & the Darian coast setting course past the airport toward Flamenco signal station at the entrance to Panama Canal.
You can check the Panama Canal Tide Tables here.
Selecting your marina
Before selecting a location, check whether an outside crane is required and the distance the crane must travel to do the job! Recommended locations to install your mast:
Atlantic side
- Shelter Bay Marina - travel lift and crane available And a hangar where the mast can be assembled out of wind, sun and rain.
- Linton Bay Marina. Outside Crane hire necessary. It is a long distance for a crane to travel. So crane hire includes a lot of travel time.
- Astillero Nacional, Vacamonte - hydro-lift and crane Masts can be stepped of the side of the hydra lift using low tide. For any yacht larger than 50ft you would have to bring in a crane and also check with the manager on draft and timing with the tide.
- Flamenco Marina, Amador, Balboa - travel lift and crane. Recommend a larger crane from the city and close attention to the tide. It is possible to be left high and dry in the slipway if the tide turns before the job is finished. There is no cover provided for mast assembly and in the dry season this yard is subject to strong gusts of wind. Co-ordination with the yard on providing a crane did not go well. They do provide a crane but it is not adequate for large jobs. The last installation I did there was difficult - the crane was too small & the operator afraid of getting too close to the edge of the travel lift slipway. Not recommended.
- Vista Mar Marina, Coronado A crane is available but a larger crane would need to be brought in from Panama. Again, tide is a consideration. This marina does not provide a covered work area and there is no easy location to install a mast. Possible but not recommended.
Rigging and Rigging Surveys
Rigging is a regular part of our business. We do Rigging Surveys, regularly check rigging for insurance companies and our clients.
When necessary, we re-rig yachts and undertake essential repairs for boats in Panama and transiting from one ocean to another. Our team of specialists are on call and capable of handling most jobs.
Due to the variety of yachts that pass through Panama, we do not hold stock. Within days, we can import from the United States:
Rigging Recommendations
Rigging should be checked:
When necessary, we re-rig yachts and undertake essential repairs for boats in Panama and transiting from one ocean to another. Our team of specialists are on call and capable of handling most jobs.
Due to the variety of yachts that pass through Panama, we do not hold stock. Within days, we can import from the United States:
- Seldén Deck Hardware, masts, booms and spinnaker poles - at US prices. We recommend browsing Seldén's digital catalogues.
- Selden Mast also supplies our wires and fittings a client needs from and we pass on a 20% trade discount to our clients.
Rigging Recommendations
Rigging should be checked:
- Regularly for signs of wear:
- Before any major off shore expedition.
- Every eight years,