Panama - Pacific Crossing Notes: A Sailor's Guide to the Coconut Milk Run - page 200

Fact File: Panama City
In Panama City, you're likely to find just about any part or tool you need. The problem is
finding the right place and negotiating traffic to get there. We found most of what we
needed (eventually) at one of these four stores:
Head to Dimar [#1] for anything related to the engine, hydraulics, pumps, bearings, or seals.
They also carry Jabsco parts (Dimar SA, Centro de Balineras, Vista Hermosa, Edificio La
Balinera. Tel. [phone], email [e-mail] ).
For general boating supplies, try Centro Marino [#2] . Although their emphasis is on motor
yachts and fishing, they also carry hoses, sealants, teak sealer, and the like (Avenida Na-
cional, Tel. [phone], [e-mail] ).
Just a few blocks and around the corner from Centro Marino is Protecsa, where we found
the best prices on shackles, cables, etc. (Protecsa, Via Bolivar y Camino Corozal, Tel.
227-3533, www.protecsa.com.pa, email [e-mail] ).
Marine Warehouse [#3] is a chandler located out at Las Brisas on the Amador Causeway.
Whatever they don't have in stock, they can order from their North American store with re-
latively quick turnover times (tel. [phone]).
Otherwise, turn to Gente de Mar, a boater's agency that can import just about anything you
need from a US chandler at reasonable prices. They also fill propane tanks, deliver fuel,
and run an informative radio net with weather, position reports, and general announcements
(VHF channel 74 at 08:00). They're within walking distance of Balboa Yacht Club at
Avenida Amador Edificio 900 (email: [e-mail] or tel.
6700-9133).
Before heading out into the Pacific, most cruisers stock up on as many staple foods as pos-
sible (six-plus months of stocking up) at the three big supermarkets: El Rey, Super 99, or
Riba Smith. Of these, Riba Smith seems to have slightly higher prices but a greater selec-
tion of North American products or their equivalents if you are looking for something spe-
cific. These are the last big supermarkets for several thousand miles, and you won't see
prices this low anywhere in the Pacific (including Tahiti, New Zealand and Australia).