Sailing from Cartagena to Panama
 

I plan to arrive in Cartagena in a few days and would like to sail with my bike to Panama.

I have done some reseach and found out about ´Stahlratte´, but they sail tomorrow - so I´ve literally ´missed the boat´.

Does anybody know of any other ´decent´boats, which could take me and my V-Strom?

there are plenty
 

head for the yacht club ,there is not much of a wait for boats there is a very bike friendly hotel called marlin hotel while your waiting ,go enjoy the lovely "sites" in caragena while your waiting
dave

Go to the different hostels and ask for boats that take motorcycles. Most hostels make more money on arranging transport than the beds.

Stahlratte is by far the biggest boat of the ones I saw, so quite a shame you missed it.

If you dont like sailing and you dont want to spend time on the islands, then fly it instead. I would have if I had the money since it is quite a lot of hassel with the boat.

Well it took us over 3 weeks of waiting in Cartagena for a boat so good luck!

Try Mark with the Melody, someone at the yacht club will have his number. I also wanted to go on the Steel Rat but it wasn't sailing then. Mark Melody's time keeping may try your patience but i believe that he's probably one of the better (ie safer) boats plying that route.

Someone once told me that most of the captains are either alchoholics or running away from something which puts him in the latter category as he's a Mormon. Last year it cost $275 / person and same again for the bike.

Casa Viena
 

Sailing to San Blas - to Colombia - Cartagena de Indias - Hotel - Backpacker Hostal - Hotel in Cartagena de Indias - Colombia
Casa Viena hostel in Cartagena keeps track of which boats are going and when. Hostel Mamallena (Panama City Hostels - Mamallena backpackers, Panama City) in Panama City does the same for the other way. I came to Cartagena on the Stahlratte, it was great, too bad you missed it!

Jeff (http://jk.crazyguyonabikek.com, travelling by bicycle though, sorry)

Asking at the yacht club will be your best bet like someone mentioned above. I think it is called "club blue" or something a long the lines of that. Ask for the manager because he speaks English.

club nautico

Sailing to Panama
 

Try Guido: dlel at sailmail dot com

We sailed with him back in April and had a great time. Unlike a lot of other boats, he's got a little platform on the aft of his yacht for a bike. He's a character (as they all are), but responsible and feeds you well. We transported our BM 1100 GS this way, so I guess your V-Strom will be no bother. If you end up sailing with him, say hi from us. Check out our Colombia and Panama sections on our below blog for some pics of the crossing.

Cheers, Hame & Em

Boats
 

Hey there,

I crossed with Guido on the seeadler the middle of July. Easy ride. Took care of everything. Not a problem. I got my contacts from this blog of a fellow KLR rider.

LOS ANGELES to BUENOS AIRES : Project LA2BA expedition journals

He lists the 4 captians that he found who could transport bikes. I found other options of a cargo ship but the Yachts were a much better option.

Good luck and I hope you are on the boat as I write.

Hadjh
2 KLR's to SF

Thank you all for you replies.

I apologise for the delay in getting responding, but have a genuine excuse; I was taken off the road by a truck 70km short of Cartagena and ended up having to have surgery to repair my collar bone, which was broken in two places.

You can read an account of my experiences at: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...colombia-35621

Once recovered, I intend to get back on the bike and continue. I will not however, now be doing the full RTW as this has put my timings back too far. Instead, I intend to travel up to Los Angeles, where I hope to ship the bike back to Australia.

Paul

Crossing
 

I did the crossing in April. Paid 375 usd for me and another 375 for my bike and had also to chip in for loading and unloading the bike which I late discovered it was not the general rule. . This was a new captain on the route, though he argued he had been doing that for 10 years, which was not corroborated by other sources. Food was poor and he threw small tantruns.

Guido is the most reliable captain in the route though I hear there are some other 2 good ones . He has also a hostel at fair price and good accomodation at the Panamanian side.

Ba2la is a good source, i met the guy in Medellin.

Cheers, Jose

sail with bike from panama to cartagena with leonardo on ZAO
 

I send again the same message I post for another friend....again same argument
Hi,
I am trying to post (quite difficult...!) the report of my last trip with my big bike from Panama to Cartagena (the same trip opposite direction!) with leonardo on his vessel ZAO. I took his boat because was the only available and with reluctance because two bad reports. But I cannot understand why, because actually I had an excellent trip. Zao is a very strong safe and roomy sail vessel. ok it is not painted, but it is not the paint who tooke make safe and comfortably over 250 nautical miles. Leonardo is a special person, sure a strong carachter but full of knowledge, excellent sea men, with an extraordinary culture (he was an high energy phisicist) and, very important and not usual, no drogue, no alchool. I am sure to strongly recomand you for your trip and your bike.
fritz

Stahlratte and Seeadler
 

the Stahlratte is HUGE and has great cabins below I mean great
I've taken both boats in the last 2 years and for me who gets seasick the Stahlratte was the answer....
had a great Wahoo feast though on Guido's boat ! Caught one the 3rd day out.
Get well

Peter who runs Golden Eagle was a great trip... quite luxurious and US$375 as well. Can do bookings thru Hostel Wunderbar which is run by Guido... but dont stay there... Thats all we say.

Great cruise though.

I can back up waht Julie says, I just arrived in Cartegena on the Golden Eagle, boat and skipper was great, but as he and I are both Aussies, I would say that :)

HW is not a nice place to stay, you may be3 better off at the aircon cabins next door, and save yourselves some money, contact the skipper direct and pay hime direct, he gets the extra money and not the agent.

Cheers
TS