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cat man do · 08-04-2010, 15:38

Does anyone have any experience at all in this style of vessel?

Just found mention of this one, 70 footer, here Boat for sale in El Nido Palawan - Philippines for 850,000 PHP.

Thats $20,401 AUD or $18,919 USD

While they may look a bit rickety and the build may not be quite up to what many expect, the design and build quality does seem to have been well proven.

With a king sized stateroom, big BBQ out front under shade a monster fridge-freezer, air con and an quality genset this would be a damn cheap cruising boat with oh so much spare cash left in the cruising kitty compared to going out and building or buying the "westerners version"

**GordMay** · 09-04-2010, 12:52

That’s a Philippine inter-island passenger ferry, called a “banca”.
I wouldn’t think it would be a suitable platform for a cruiser conversion.

**Boracay** · 09-04-2010, 16:00

If been on a few of those bancas.

For the Philippines with great weather they're good boats. Cheap to buy, fix and run.

One that big would need crew experienced with coral reefs and those long poles they use when the engine is stopped (some have no reverse?), not to mention working round all the other bancas that congregate in the good spots.

I havn't found them to be a lot of fun in rough weather, the sort that brings a smile to the face of the owner of a small Beneteau. All that flexing is mildly alarming to one who knows how they were built...

cat man do · 10-04-2010, 03:42

Yeah, I was sort of thinking that if you do just plan on anchorage to anchorage in nice weather, and made a smaller say 50footer, and spent some extra bucks on a better build and dropped in an engine with reverse, and a few other more reliable niceties that you could still have a cheap and possibly comfortable cruiser if doing 100 mile days when the weather suits.

Was just thinking it may be a more viable option than taking a white shiny 50ft powercat worth considerably more money up there.

Figured something that had the appearance of any one of hundreds of other vessels in the area may blend in and cruise around unnoticed and you wouldn't be worried about damage anywhere near as much.

These guys are building some, the connections and floats "appear" to be a better arrangement than the previous one.

Portfolio | Visayan banka 50' (Mysteries)

Was just a thought

**GordMay** · 10-04-2010, 04:01

A number of Mike Allen’s Bancas have been built, but never launched. Perhaps an opportunity?
See some ➥ A Portfolio of completed projects

imagine2frolic · 10-04-2010, 04:50

I have taken these large Bankas in some healthy chop. The skipper was throttling down on each large wave. You could see the arms to the amas REALLY flex. They are tied together with fishing line. On a calm day they scoot right along. Boracay is right about crew, and the handling of the vessel. They do jockey around trying to get a position........i2f

Surveyor · 10-04-2010, 06:16

I have a 30 footer that is similar to this one. Portfolio | Visayan 35' Banca (Mutya)

I would be cautious about buying a used 70 footer for 800k pesos. You can have a new one built in General Santos PI for the same money.

**Boracay** · 10-04-2010, 14:31

Problem is :- if one upgrades a big banca to get a bit more space , greater load capacity, bigger fuel tanks, some rigidity, one really needs to go for a catamaran.

One about 50' made from modern materials should do nicely.

I'll bet those banca drivers know every big boat in their region off by heart.

In the Philippines I wouldn't want to be mistaken for a local. Some things we really don't want to know...

imagine2frolic · 11-04-2010, 06:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boracay

Problem is :- if one upgrades a big banca to get a bit more space , greater load capacity, bigger fuel tanks, some rigidity, one really needs to go for a catamaran.

One about 50' made from modern materials should do nicely.

I'll bet those banca drivers know every big boat in their region off by heart.

In the Philippines I wouldn't want to be mistaken for a local. Some things we really don't want to know...

Since I am getting ready to sail & move to the Phils. What do you mean by that statement? I have been reading about living in the Phils for over a year, and been there twice. Every little piece of knowledge helps.

......i2f

jkd · 11-04-2010, 06:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by GordMay

A number of Mike Allen’s Bancas have been built, but never launched. Perhaps an opportunity?
See some ➥ A Portfolio of completed projects

Gee Gord, sure looks like water around the boats in the photo's. The post before yours is an Allan boat and it doesn't look photo shopped.

John

**GordMay** · 11-04-2010, 09:08

Sorry - I didn’t intend to say that no Allen Bancas were afloat; only that some were "dry", and might be available at bargain prices.
Ie See:
➥ Portfolio | Visayan 50 Catamaran (50' hulls)
➥ Portfolio | Visayan 60' Banka (60' Banca)

**Boracay** · 11-04-2010, 15:30

imagine2frolic
As a balikbayan bana you'll probably know it already. I'll PM just in case.

cat man do · 11-04-2010, 15:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boracay

Problem is :- if one upgrades a big banca to get a bit more space , greater load capacity, bigger fuel tanks, some rigidity, one really needs to go for a catamaran.

One about 50' made from modern materials should do nicely.

.

Back to plan A hey?