Sailing Big Lostvideo

We Left the Boat | Visas, Passports & Panama City

20 January 2026 · 12 min · 3K views · Panama City

What this video covers

Leaving their boat in Panama City, the crew of Big Lost spent a week ashore handling two urgent document tasks: submitting long-stay French visa applications at the French consulate in Plaza de Francia, and renewing their two children's U.S. passports at the U.S. Embassy before the family reaches French Polynesia.2:36 The adult visas entered processing, but the children's applications require a follow-up consulate visit once the passports are renewed — a two-step complication the crew had not fully anticipated.3:49 The stop also fell on Martyr's Day, a Panamanian public holiday that delayed mall shopping for the kids' clothes.6:04 Family guests flew in from Idaho to join the boat for several weeks; the plan is to return to Shelter Bay, then sail back to San Blas to show them liveaboard life.5:47 A day trip to Gatun Lake via Monkey Island gave the visitors a first look at the Panama Canal, with large ships transiting and howler monkeys boarding the boat.8:26 The crew ends the week regrouping at Shelter Bay before the next passage.12:42 Renewing children's passports before reaching French Polynesia requires planning two separate consulate visits in Panama City.4:19

Watch on YouTube

More from Sailing Big Lost

We Finally Stopped Rushing… Life Aboard Got QuietSept 2026We Almost Left Tahiti… I’m Glad We StayedSept 2026We Wanted a Different Life… This Is Where It Took UsSept 2026Some Problems Follow You Across OceansAug 2026

From Sailing Big Lost — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analysed video.

The Sailing Directory Newsletter

One email with the fleet's best finds — the moments, boats, and stories worth your watch time. Enter your own address to get your own copy.

Report an issue