WEsail · video

What this video covers

A catamaran transits the 47-mile Panama Canal from the Atlantic to the Pacific in a single day, departing the anchorage at 3 a.m. and completing the passage by late afternoon.3:23 The vessel joins a nested configuration with two monohulls, positioning the catamaran in the center to minimize line-handling requirements during the lock cycles.7:42 The transit includes ascending the Gatun Locks, crossing the 164-square-mile Gatun Lake, and descending through the Pedro Miguel and Miraflores locks.13:09 The crew maintains a speed of approximately 7 knots through the lake to meet scheduling requirements.16:16 The canal authority frequently adjusts transit orders and vessel groupings based on traffic and size, requiring the crew to remain flexible with their positioning alongside other boats.8:41 This one-day transit avoids the standard overnight stop in Gatun Lake, which is typically required for smaller vessels.4:22 Nested configurations significantly reduce the physical labor of line handling compared to solo transits, as the outer vessels manage the wall lines while the center boat maintains position with its engines.8:08

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