best way from baltimore to manila

[hatteras53]

seeking honest thoughtful advice on the best route of travel. we have a 44' nauticat 44' nauticat that has undergone almost a complete refit....sails/rigging/rebuilt engine, transmission, generator. all new wiring/through hulls/bow thruster/steering cylinder/2 new hydraulic steering pumps/new basic electronics/rebuilt windlass/etc. etc. etc. so, I see 2 ways. down the east coast/through the panama canal/across to manila OR up to saint john newfoundland/azores/europe/suez canal and then across pakistan/india/thailand/hong kong. which way and why ? I appreciate any and all helpful thoughts ! Michael

[skipmac]

Panama Canal. Across the Pacific, trade winds route, downwind run, lots and lots of cruisers, lots of places to stop, things to see and do.

Suez Canal. Somali Pirates (not as much concern as the past but still would make me nervous), Yemen civil war. India and Pakistan very few marinas and facilities for yachts.

[hatteras53]

thank you skipmac

[Suijin]

Getting from the Red Sea to Manila would be an unpleasant slog most of the way, bucking prevailing trades.

[sailcrazy]

Sever-Star Freighting Company, via deck ship! And you can fly non-stop to Narita, change planes and go on to Manila. We lived in Subic Bay (just north of Manila) for 10+ years. And while a downwind run to Asia would be enjoyable, it's a lot of water to cross. BUT....once you get to Asia, and in the PI, it's the best cruising we've ever found.....anywhere! The water is clear, the coral is alive and colorful, the folks are friendly (except I'd avoid the area around the southern island of Mindanoe(sp?). The Philippines, Viet Nam, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand are NOT to be missed! Spend your time seeing them, not getting there!

[sailcrazy]

Sorry...that should have been Seven-Star Freighting. We used them 2x....from Phuket to the Marmaris, Turkey (the Samali pirates are real-and nasty!), and from Genoa, Italy to the Caribb.

[Mad Multi]

Wow how much did shipping the boat cost you?

[hatteras53]

Hi sail crazy.

Thanks for the quick response !

Would gladly consider putting our 44' on the deck of a freighter but I am afraid that the cost is prohibitive.

Could you share what it cost for your boat to be shipped ?

My wife is a Filipina and I have been to Manila 13 times now in the last 3 years.

If I could reasonably bring our boat say New York or Florida and send it on over that would be great.

We could pick it up in Hong Kong or anywhere else close to Manila.

Our thought would be to keep it in Subic Bay where several other cruisers forum folks keep theirs.

Any further thoughts, Captain.

Thank you.

Kind regards,

Michael V. Gutowski

410-913-2330 cell phone usa

[sailcrazy]

You'd have to talk to the shipping companies, to see where they ship out of and where they go to. Shipping is not cheap....but when you consider the time, risk, fuel and provisions, wear and tear on the boat, etc, etc....it really is not a bad deal. We had a friend who shipped from Subic (where we were living) to Florida....he went to Subic - Sidney, to catch that freighter, but I know they make stops in HKG, Singapore, and other places; it just depends on that trip and the timing. Your best bet is to contact Dockwise, Seven Star, United, and the other freighting companies, get their schedules, and get their current pricing....and then you know for sure. But, as I wrote, we did it twice, had good experiences both times (although the boat was late to arrive for pick-up both occasions); it was good for us, and that's why I recommend it. FWIW, we lived in Subic for 11+years, were members of the (then, new) Subic Bay Yacht Club, had our boat there in the marina, and lived aboard for nearly 3 years. We (just the 2 of us and our boat) went on a 7-8 week cruising sail around the PI every year, never had a concern- or issue, and loved it...as well as multiple weekend sails to nearby bays, etc, or down to my favorite spot...Puerto Galero, or Mia Mia Resort, or Boraki Island, or MericaBan Resort, or Palawan, or Cebu or.....there are lots-all different, and all interesting and fun. Like I said-the best cruising we've ever seen, except for maybe Thailand! But you've got to get there first.

[sailcrazy]

Sorry-forgot. Unless they've changed the yacht club location or the shore-side sewage dumps in Manila....I'd definitely go to Subic. Don't know what the roads are like these days, but Manila-Subic is about a 3-hour drive-on a good day! Unless you need to be in Manila, I'd keep it as a (nice) pace to visit-but live in Subic!

[Captain Bob]

767 - first class

[Montanan]

A reference to determine cost of shipping. It will not be cheap given its size.

https://www.schumachercargo.com/boat-shipping/

A previous but a bit dated forum link: http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...lia-31133.html

Much depends on whether you wish to better than half circumnavigate the world, have the time and financing for accomplishing such journey. If you do sail, go with the tradewinds, forget bucking to weather.

Likely best alternative: Sale the boat in the USA instead of sailing from the USA and purchase a similar boat in south east asia. Better utilization of time and financial resources.

[wally m]

Hi
I agree the sailing here in the PI is absolutely wonderful .
I'm planning a non-stop leaving this January from Florida
Through Panama north to about Acapulco, then directly into the central part of the country and on to Puerto Galera which is where we are now .
It'll be a long jog 60 to 75 days probably, but to us it'll be worth it .
Good luck on getting yours there !!

[powsmias]

Sounds like you may miss out on alot.. if goin the canal what about the galapagos and everything else on the way.. what happened to "it's not the destination, it's the journey"? this ain't no dress rehearsal.. all the best.. maybe see you there one day, pool is the national sport in the phillipines and i got to know all the champs and with my ss income it is probably where i'll end up as well..

[hpeer]

This article may probe of some assistance

https://www.cruisingworld.com/how/ho...ng-ranger-home