Hello from Samal, Philippines

[sailsamal]

Hi all, I am new here. So far I already saw some threads I am really interested in reading further when I have more time. We have a Samson C-breeze ferrocement ketch - "Wiskun". We left Vancouver in 2002, sailed from Mexico through the South Pacific to New Zealand, and now in Samal, Southern Philippines. We just hauled out our boat last night (a scary experience, but was successful), and will be here to stay for awhile and doing a few (maybe more ) projects on Wiskun. Cheers all.

Ellen
Sail Samal Homepage

[Oldfield]

Ellen,

Sounds like you have a few miles under the keal. Welcome aboard the crew is very helpfull. If you are heading our way call in. By the way DO NOT miss the whitsunday islands. I ahve a post about them under bare boat chartering

[sailsamal]

Hi Oldfield, thanks! Will read up on the post when I have more time. We missed Australia sailing north from NZ to the Philippines - maybe one day we can sail back.

[Oldfield]

Ellen,

How can you miss Australia, it is that BIG Island down under. Hope you get back here some day.

[sailsamal]

I know!! haha. Sorry, we were in a hurry. We said if we go there, we will get stuck and grow roots (like we did in kiwiland). So many places to go there - what a waste. But we can always go back - one day.

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha Ellen,
Welcome aboard! I've only been in the PI onboard Navy ships many years ago so was wondering how the haulout facilities are and are you finding labor prices good?
Good to have you here on the forum.
Kind regards,
JohnL

[imagine2frolic]

Hello Ellen,

Good to see you here. I know you will enjoy your stay. It is a lively forum, and very helpful. We think about Samal daily, and are trying to figure which way life will take us.We could be close to cutting the docklines, or not......BEST WISHES Melanie & John

[sailsamal]

Hello SkiprJohn. Labor prices are very good, but you will end up with more people than what you are used to. This is just the Philippine way. Also, it is best you are there to ensure they are doing it right. When you trust them, you can instruct and then just come back once in a while to check the progress. Overall, even with lots of people around, it is still way cheaper than developed countries. Welders, for ex., cost approximately 10-20 US$ PER DAY. More if you go through the boatyard, which in my opinion is the way to go. They have the manpower in place, and you know they have already worked in other boats - and less headaches and stress for you. Check my blogsite and I have articles there regarding the boatyard and marina. We are being the guinea pig here, so we have to pay more attention. Cheers, Ellen

[sailsamal]

Hello Melanie and John, thanks for the warm welcome. yes, last night, when I had a little bit more time, I went through some of the threads. This is an excellent site!!

I did a reply to one of your threads, in fact. Hope you cut that dockline soon . Maybe by the time you are here, we are ready to sail the 7000+ islands with you. Just have to keep in mind, don't race, as we will never win!! )

[Pelagic]

Hi Ellen… Welcome to CF.

Years ago, on Vancouver Island, I shared a few drinks with John Samson on his “Storm Strutter” enjoying each other’s sea stories as we emptied the bottle, so it is great to hear of one of his prodigies being in the Philippines.

We are also cruising these waters and love it, but have yet to make it down to the Samal area.

Would love to hear and maybe see some photos about nearby anchorages, attractions and any repair facilities that you know of.

How long do you think you will stay there?

[sailsamal]

Hello Pelagic, we have Samson's volume of all his boats - very old. It is what I consider an antique now and safeguarding it. In fact, somebody in NZ borrowed all of our old plans to copy them.

Here in Davao Gulf, there is only one major island - Samal. It is a diver's haven more than a cruiser's area. We haven't sailed much since we arrived - that will have to wait until we get Wiskun ready again. For now, we just hauled it out, and will do some improvements on it next year. We are here to stay for a long time. If we get the itch again, we will sail around, maybe to neighbouring countries - maybe like you - and use Samal as homebase. We don't get typhoons here - the closest was last week, signal 1, but there was no wind here at all. The squalls and fronts that pass by had more winds than that!! Meanwhile, all ferries and outriggers were halted - on seas slick like oil and very flat. Figure that.

Thanks for your warm welcome. Hope to see you around here.

[swagman]

G'Day Ellen,
Indeed a shame you missed Oz this time round - but there is always next time!
Good to have you on the site and look forward to hearing more of your voyage.
Cheers
JOHN

[sailsamal]

Hello Swagman (John). Thanks for the welcome. I read your blog and it was originally our plans to sail through the Red Sea to the meds. Oz would have been included in that plan. Oh well, maybe sometime in the future. Cheers,

[sailsamal]

Originally Posted by Pelagic

We are also cruising these waters and love it, but have yet to make it down to the Samal area.

Hi Pelagic, I noticed another sailboat anchored close to the mainland Davao. From a distance, it is dark in colour, 2 masts and a fair sized sailboat. It's not you, is it?

[Pelagic]

Not us