Anchor Position: 09°34.291N
125°45.723
Lapinigan Is. Top of Mindanao
Philippines
A long travel day as we could not find what we thought of as a suitable anchorage. The current through the Hinataun passage was not bad so we kept going to here behind Lapinigan. We did break the rule and arrived after dark which we seldom do.
We're off again shortly and unsure of future stops. There may be no entries for several days depending on the high frequency radio.
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Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Monday, January 26, 2015
DAY 7 WIND & RAIN
Anchor Position: 09°57.743N
125°13.926E
Sonok Pt. Panaon Is.
Philippines
Moving along today was a bit blustery with wind gusts to 30 knots and sloppy on the beam seas. No real swell but a short 3 foot chop. Visibility was poor with clouds and rain. Thankfully our passage was only 15 miles and now with our enclosed cockpit dry and comfortable. If only "otto" had not gone into retirement.
We are in a nice anchorage behind Sonok point . The depth here went to 50 feet and stayed as we got close to shore so we are sitting about 200 yards off the village in that depth. The gusty winds and rain have continued through the day.
Weather permitting we have another 23 miles to go tomorrow to our last anchorage before we transit the Hinatuan passage taking us through a gap in the Philippine archipelago and back into the pacific ocean. Sailing directions state that the currents through the passage can reach 7 knots so we need to plan our departure to take advantage of the out going current. Being in the middle of the moon phase the tides are minimal
and we think we have things planned correctly. There will be more on that once through the passage.
I have just finished looking at several weather forecasts for the next days and they seem in agreement that the winds and seas are considerably lighter tomorrow. We'll know more in the morning looking out the port lights but truly not till the anchor is hoisted and we move out of this secure spot.
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125°13.926E
Sonok Pt. Panaon Is.
Philippines
Moving along today was a bit blustery with wind gusts to 30 knots and sloppy on the beam seas. No real swell but a short 3 foot chop. Visibility was poor with clouds and rain. Thankfully our passage was only 15 miles and now with our enclosed cockpit dry and comfortable. If only "otto" had not gone into retirement.
We are in a nice anchorage behind Sonok point . The depth here went to 50 feet and stayed as we got close to shore so we are sitting about 200 yards off the village in that depth. The gusty winds and rain have continued through the day.
Weather permitting we have another 23 miles to go tomorrow to our last anchorage before we transit the Hinatuan passage taking us through a gap in the Philippine archipelago and back into the pacific ocean. Sailing directions state that the currents through the passage can reach 7 knots so we need to plan our departure to take advantage of the out going current. Being in the middle of the moon phase the tides are minimal
and we think we have things planned correctly. There will be more on that once through the passage.
I have just finished looking at several weather forecasts for the next days and they seem in agreement that the winds and seas are considerably lighter tomorrow. We'll know more in the morning looking out the port lights but truly not till the anchor is hoisted and we move out of this secure spot.
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Sunday, January 25, 2015
MOVEMENT DAY 6
Anchorage Position: 10°01.769N
124°59.971E
South end of Leyte Is.
Philippines
Another day of moving along on our passage south from Port Carmen to the marina on Samal island near Davao, Mindanao. Here we will finish our preparations for crossing back across the pacific to California. One of the major things being the replacement of the auto pilot.
We had more rain overnight. The boat is now clean after all the dirt in Port Carmen. The weather looked to be clearing and we were off again at 0730 for the 23 miles to the proposed anchorage on the southern end of Leyte island. We had wind of 10 plus knots just forward of the beam but being lazy we just unrolled the headsail to give us a bit of extra speed. We have been treating these days as re-learning and shakedown after all the months in the boat yard.
At 1230 we had the anchor down. We dropped it in 45 feet perhaps a half mile of the village of San Roque. Once pulled back on the 225 feet of chain we were then in 95 feet of water. Perhaps 100 yards closer to shore from where we dropped the anchor people were wading in waist deep water. The transition from deep to shallow happened very quickly.
We had another quiet afternoon. Tomorrows passage should also we a short one as we continue along.
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124°59.971E
South end of Leyte Is.
Philippines
Another day of moving along on our passage south from Port Carmen to the marina on Samal island near Davao, Mindanao. Here we will finish our preparations for crossing back across the pacific to California. One of the major things being the replacement of the auto pilot.
We had more rain overnight. The boat is now clean after all the dirt in Port Carmen. The weather looked to be clearing and we were off again at 0730 for the 23 miles to the proposed anchorage on the southern end of Leyte island. We had wind of 10 plus knots just forward of the beam but being lazy we just unrolled the headsail to give us a bit of extra speed. We have been treating these days as re-learning and shakedown after all the months in the boat yard.
At 1230 we had the anchor down. We dropped it in 45 feet perhaps a half mile of the village of San Roque. Once pulled back on the 225 feet of chain we were then in 95 feet of water. Perhaps 100 yards closer to shore from where we dropped the anchor people were wading in waist deep water. The transition from deep to shallow happened very quickly.
We had another quiet afternoon. Tomorrows passage should also we a short one as we continue along.
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Saturday, January 24, 2015
DAY 5 FROM BOAT YARD
Anchored Position: 10°05.027N
124°34.831E
Lapinin Is. Bahol Sea
Philippines
We have spent the last two days anchored here in the large bay on the eastern side of Lapinin island. Yesterday was calm and quiet but frustrating. I spent the day trying to sort out the difficulties with the auto pilot all to no avail. Connections were checked and re-done, another fluxgate compass was tried but "otto" still acts like a drunken sailor weaving along. If I totally disconnect the compass a course is held but if a change is then made it's back to weaving along. As the unit is 25 years old we had planned to replace it when at our next stop in Davao, the Philippines, but hoped it would work for a last passage. It looks to be a number of more days of hand steering.
Today was spent not doing much. The weather forecast was for a headwind so we had planned to stay here. We started to have rain in the early morning hours and it continued till about noon. The wind was not bad here in the anchorage but no telling between here and our next stop on the southern end of Leyte Island. Tomorrows forecast is better and we are planning for the 25 mile passage to Leyte.
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124°34.831E
Lapinin Is. Bahol Sea
Philippines
We have spent the last two days anchored here in the large bay on the eastern side of Lapinin island. Yesterday was calm and quiet but frustrating. I spent the day trying to sort out the difficulties with the auto pilot all to no avail. Connections were checked and re-done, another fluxgate compass was tried but "otto" still acts like a drunken sailor weaving along. If I totally disconnect the compass a course is held but if a change is then made it's back to weaving along. As the unit is 25 years old we had planned to replace it when at our next stop in Davao, the Philippines, but hoped it would work for a last passage. It looks to be a number of more days of hand steering.
Today was spent not doing much. The weather forecast was for a headwind so we had planned to stay here. We started to have rain in the early morning hours and it continued till about noon. The wind was not bad here in the anchorage but no telling between here and our next stop on the southern end of Leyte Island. Tomorrows forecast is better and we are planning for the 25 mile passage to Leyte.
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Thursday, January 22, 2015
MOVING DAY 3
Anchor Position: 10°05.027N
124°34.831E in 30 feet with unknown bottom
Lapinin Is. Bahol Sea
Philippines
Tonight after another short day of motoring we are anchored in a large bay near the bottom of Lapinin island. There is not much around as far as development just a few small villages. The bonus is that like the other anchorages so far we do have passable internet via Kathy's "smart phone". It makes my blog writing easier though it is still simpler to use posting via sailmail. More importantly having the internet makes following the weather much easier.
We got moving at 0730 for a planned 19 mile day. The engine drive refrigeration worked along with the water maker. We suffered no problems on the trip. The only adverse thing was having to motor in to a one plus knot current.
The anchorage here is very calm and quiet. The quiet is especially nice after the constant noise of the boat yard and the adjoining shipyard back in Port Carmen. The water is warm as I had a nice float off the back of the boat, though not clear like in our first anchorage.
We will stay put here tomorrow as I hope to sort out the problem with the auto pilot along with a few minor other things.
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124°34.831E in 30 feet with unknown bottom
Lapinin Is. Bahol Sea
Philippines
Tonight after another short day of motoring we are anchored in a large bay near the bottom of Lapinin island. There is not much around as far as development just a few small villages. The bonus is that like the other anchorages so far we do have passable internet via Kathy's "smart phone". It makes my blog writing easier though it is still simpler to use posting via sailmail. More importantly having the internet makes following the weather much easier.
We got moving at 0730 for a planned 19 mile day. The engine drive refrigeration worked along with the water maker. We suffered no problems on the trip. The only adverse thing was having to motor in to a one plus knot current.
The anchorage here is very calm and quiet. The quiet is especially nice after the constant noise of the boat yard and the adjoining shipyard back in Port Carmen. The water is warm as I had a nice float off the back of the boat, though not clear like in our first anchorage.
We will stay put here tomorrow as I hope to sort out the problem with the auto pilot along with a few minor other things.
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Wednesday, January 21, 2015
MOVING DAY 2
Anchor Position: 10°14.247N in 40 feet with an unknown bottom
124°27.834E
Bilangbilangan Is.
Philippines
After a pleasant first night on the anchor we were once again underway. Today was a 26 mile motor with winds in the 5 knot range. We upped anchor and departed at 0715.
I couldn't help myself and tried the engine drive refrigeration system once again. No noise from the compressor and the holding plates started to get cold. I'm not sure what yesterday's problem was but very happy that things were working today.
After letting the refrigeration system run for 45 minutes it was time to move on to the next system the water maker! This had also been not in true use during our time in the boat yard though each week I did perform what was termed a freshwater flush. This was in lieu of "pickling" the membranes. We let things run for 10 minutes and then the output water passed Kathy's taste test, valves were then switched to send water to one of the tanks.
Next was reading the manual regarding the auto pilot. All appears correct but "otto" steers as if drunk with the wheel moving back and forth 30 degrees from center. We seemed to just be weaving along. My thinking is a problem with the flux gate compass which I'll try to change out with a spare when we spend a day in an anchorage. Not tomorrow as that is another planned moving day.
Just prior to our arrival here in the anchorage the automatic bilge pump started cycling on stopping and then coming on again. In to the engine room with a flashlight I could see a large amount of water pouring out from under where the port fuel tank is, it seemed that a hose had come off the pressure water system. Turning off the pressure pump stopped the leak, something to fix once at anchor and the engine room area had cooled off a bit. It was in fact a broken hose clamp on a hose from the hot water heater, repaired quite simply.
More moving tomorrow and then a day of rest.
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124°27.834E
Bilangbilangan Is.
Philippines
After a pleasant first night on the anchor we were once again underway. Today was a 26 mile motor with winds in the 5 knot range. We upped anchor and departed at 0715.
I couldn't help myself and tried the engine drive refrigeration system once again. No noise from the compressor and the holding plates started to get cold. I'm not sure what yesterday's problem was but very happy that things were working today.
After letting the refrigeration system run for 45 minutes it was time to move on to the next system the water maker! This had also been not in true use during our time in the boat yard though each week I did perform what was termed a freshwater flush. This was in lieu of "pickling" the membranes. We let things run for 10 minutes and then the output water passed Kathy's taste test, valves were then switched to send water to one of the tanks.
Next was reading the manual regarding the auto pilot. All appears correct but "otto" steers as if drunk with the wheel moving back and forth 30 degrees from center. We seemed to just be weaving along. My thinking is a problem with the flux gate compass which I'll try to change out with a spare when we spend a day in an anchorage. Not tomorrow as that is another planned moving day.
Just prior to our arrival here in the anchorage the automatic bilge pump started cycling on stopping and then coming on again. In to the engine room with a flashlight I could see a large amount of water pouring out from under where the port fuel tank is, it seemed that a hose had come off the pressure water system. Turning off the pressure pump stopped the leak, something to fix once at anchor and the engine room area had cooled off a bit. It was in fact a broken hose clamp on a hose from the hot water heater, repaired quite simply.
More moving tomorrow and then a day of rest.
----------
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Tuesday, January 20, 2015
AT ANCHOR
Anchor Position 10°37.81N
124° 23.68E
Poro Island, Camotes Sea
Philippines
Finally we managed to depart Pinoy Boat Service. We got underway this morning with a rising tide about 1045 hours. Following the inbound track we made in May of 2013 we were once again free of land and making our way toward the Camotes group of islands twenty miles away.
After sitting for so long in one spot we were a bit nervous about how all the various systems would work. I knew that the auto pilot would have some difficulty as it would need to be re-initialized. I had not read the manual so it was hand steering to here in the anchorage. Manana. The big surprise was the failure of the engine drive refrigeration system. This is one we have used almost daily for the entire time we were in the boat yard. The compressor was making a noise and not cooling the plates so in the next few days it will be time to remove that one and install the spare. It's not difficult but time consuming as I'll also change out the dryer and have to vacuum down the system before adding new gas. As the 12 volt system is working it can wait a few days.
We had very calm weather with less than 8 knots of wind so it was a day of motoring. Looking at the upcoming forecasts the next few days are the same. Tomorrow we will be on the move again heading due south toward Bahol Island. Our planned anchorage is about 27 miles away. We plan to stay in that area for several days.
We were not sure about where to anchor here and passed by an anchorage off the village of Santiago that looked quite nice. Here a bit further east is nice too. We anchored in 30 feet over a coral bottom. the water is clear with visibility of about 50 feet. We had a nice float off the stern once anchored. My best guess is the water is 80°.
We enjoyed our first evening "sundowner's" in our enclosed cockpit sitting on the cushions that Kathy recovered so many months ago and have just been kept in storage to keep from getting dirty while in the yard.
As we move along I'll try to keep the blog more up to date. Having new adventures will help in that rather than what were the boat yard projects of the day.
124° 23.68E
Poro Island, Camotes Sea
Philippines
Finally we managed to depart Pinoy Boat Service. We got underway this morning with a rising tide about 1045 hours. Following the inbound track we made in May of 2013 we were once again free of land and making our way toward the Camotes group of islands twenty miles away.
After sitting for so long in one spot we were a bit nervous about how all the various systems would work. I knew that the auto pilot would have some difficulty as it would need to be re-initialized. I had not read the manual so it was hand steering to here in the anchorage. Manana. The big surprise was the failure of the engine drive refrigeration system. This is one we have used almost daily for the entire time we were in the boat yard. The compressor was making a noise and not cooling the plates so in the next few days it will be time to remove that one and install the spare. It's not difficult but time consuming as I'll also change out the dryer and have to vacuum down the system before adding new gas. As the 12 volt system is working it can wait a few days.
We had very calm weather with less than 8 knots of wind so it was a day of motoring. Looking at the upcoming forecasts the next few days are the same. Tomorrow we will be on the move again heading due south toward Bahol Island. Our planned anchorage is about 27 miles away. We plan to stay in that area for several days.
We were not sure about where to anchor here and passed by an anchorage off the village of Santiago that looked quite nice. Here a bit further east is nice too. We anchored in 30 feet over a coral bottom. the water is clear with visibility of about 50 feet. We had a nice float off the stern once anchored. My best guess is the water is 80°.
We enjoyed our first evening "sundowner's" in our enclosed cockpit sitting on the cushions that Kathy recovered so many months ago and have just been kept in storage to keep from getting dirty while in the yard.
As we move along I'll try to keep the blog more up to date. Having new adventures will help in that rather than what were the boat yard projects of the day.
Sunday, January 18, 2015
BELIEVE IT OR NOT
Pinoy Boat Service
Port Carmen, Cebu
Philippines
Yes, we are still here in the boat yard BUT we have a projected departure of Tuesday morning 20 January. We have been extremely busy getting things ready to leave since the 5 th of January when we finally received the refrigeration part that we had been awaiting. I installed the new electronic module the next morning. We once again have cold in the freezer compartment.
The past two weeks have been "eggs to lay and chickens to hatch" as we became fully involved in getting the boat ready to once again sail and cruise the waters as she was intended. We have been stagnant here for twenty months at least when I went in to clean the bottom we were not attached. A long list was made and then as things were done check marks were applied. A slight problem was that as one item was crossed off often two new ones were added.
Lots of things had been removed and placed in a storage area. All needed to be back on the boat. There are a couple of things still to do tomorrow but Kathy did the last major shopping today. My job was to get the outboard for the dinghy running. Fresh fuel and about ten pulls of the cord and off it went, quite surprising after sitting for an extended time.
Our plan has us leaving about 11 am Tuesday and heading out to the Camotes islands a short fifteen miles away. We'll then take another week to ten days to head south and a bit east to the island of Mindanao where we'll stay in a marina as we do our final preparations to head back east across the pacific to California.
I'm looking forward to sending out the next post from somewhere out at anchor.
Port Carmen, Cebu
Philippines
Yes, we are still here in the boat yard BUT we have a projected departure of Tuesday morning 20 January. We have been extremely busy getting things ready to leave since the 5 th of January when we finally received the refrigeration part that we had been awaiting. I installed the new electronic module the next morning. We once again have cold in the freezer compartment.
The past two weeks have been "eggs to lay and chickens to hatch" as we became fully involved in getting the boat ready to once again sail and cruise the waters as she was intended. We have been stagnant here for twenty months at least when I went in to clean the bottom we were not attached. A long list was made and then as things were done check marks were applied. A slight problem was that as one item was crossed off often two new ones were added.
Lots of things had been removed and placed in a storage area. All needed to be back on the boat. There are a couple of things still to do tomorrow but Kathy did the last major shopping today. My job was to get the outboard for the dinghy running. Fresh fuel and about ten pulls of the cord and off it went, quite surprising after sitting for an extended time.
Our plan has us leaving about 11 am Tuesday and heading out to the Camotes islands a short fifteen miles away. We'll then take another week to ten days to head south and a bit east to the island of Mindanao where we'll stay in a marina as we do our final preparations to head back east across the pacific to California.
I'm looking forward to sending out the next post from somewhere out at anchor.
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