Coron Harbor, Palawan

Ok, here is looking from the boat, from right to left in Coron Harbor. I started taking these pictures because of the clouds on the mountain. The town of Coron is actually on Busuanga Island instead of Coron Is. There is a fresh water lake up the end of the fjord. We plan to go see it when the dinghy is finished. We are a long way from shore because of the shallow reef from the commercial dock to the market. Then buoys for the dive boats close.

This is one of the premier ship wreck diving locations in the world they say. During WWII, the US did a lot of high surveys and then came in all at once and sunk all the Japanese ships hiding here. We have not even gone snorkeling yet so can't comment on the visibility. By the boat it ain't that good. The water maker pre-filters stop up fairly quickly.

Coron Island behind the catamaran.

Coron Fjord is behind the sharp pointed peaks in the foreground. 

Busuanga Island and the main commercial dock at the edge of town.

The town open market and bangka dock.

The rest of town.

More Dinghy Photos

After this we moved the dinghy to Bobot's back porch to finish the painting. The open shed at Carbon is too accessible to everyone and we got lots of "Gee, that is a nice looking speed boat!" so I thought it might be safer.

Also, the carpentry is all done, so just Mulong is going to help me finish the painting. He doesn't have a boat to get to Carbon so we needed it closer. I will have to pump up the rubber one to get to shore and his house to finish. I hope it will only be 3 more days. one for each coat of paint to dry.

Gluing on the keel.

Bobot, Mulong and Luloy glassing in the last two seats.

First coat of epoxy primer.

Waiting for primer to dry.

A Couple More Days Work

Next step, add the stern seat and the bow step/flotation box. The hole is the anchor locker. Bobot didn't want to leave all the C-clamps for temptation, and the epoxy was not curing fast enough, so we put bronze screws in the inside handrail.

Luloy adding screws to the inside hand rail.

Today we finished the bow and stern seats and supports. Then the plugged the screw holes and started on the center seat box support.

The self bailer may be a bit large. It is 1 1/2 PVC with a push in plug on the inside. It was a reducer fitting. I am epoxying an eye-bolt for a handle where the smaller part of the reducer would go.If that doesn't work so well, the outboard end is a 1 1/2 pipe thread I could screw in a regular plug.

Got to remember to put on the wheel brackets and lift rings before we seal the stern seat/flotation box!

Then finishing the day we finished the top of the bow.

Really getting to look like a dinghy now.

Trinda made a really nice pork roast for supper. I've been being picked up by Bobot in his bangka every day about 10. The workshop in the photos is only about a quarter mile away, but with not much dinghy, it seems a long way. He brings me back about 5. Long day for me. Good thing Trinda is nice enough to cook while I'm on the way back!

Beggining to look like a dinghy

One more day. We bogged the corners and made the bow post.

And another day, outside rub rail on and starting the inside rails. Tried to pull all the wire stitches out. Several ot them broke off both ends, so they are permanent! They are steel, but they will be completely encased in epoxy, so maybe they won't rust.

I don't know how these kids can stand up all day and not sweat while they work! Its killing me!

Dinghy

After Roxas, Pinoy we headed on west to Borocay. It is one of the number 1 tourist destinations in the Philippines. Lots of pretty white sand beaches, etc. Which means two things. One, many many people with vendors trying to get every last shekel from them! And two, white sand is ground up coral rocks, not always so fine and soft. We took our old faithful dinghy ashore to 'enjoy the tourists'. It is still heavy and the beach was steep, so I tried to anchor it just outside the tiny surf. We spent a couple hours at the market and looking around. When we came back, the tide had come in some, the anchor didn't hold and the dinghy was sliding back and forth in the sand at the surf line. The space around the bottom tubes got full of sand and coral gravel. Must have been some sharp pieces. I've had sand there before, but this was worst than any other time, and larger pieces of coral.

The air stays about 2 hours now. And if it sits too long, water leaks back indide the tubes making it really heavy. So a replacement for getting ashore is a must.

They make simple wood boats and paint them with just ordinary with enamel. We thought maybe the temporary solution would be a bangka. One like this could be built for about $100 US. A smallish paddle canoe with outriggers. Trinda couldn't lift her end. They are built very heavy come to find out.

Our feriend Greg, on Shanghai, just made this dinghy in Carmen when we were the last month. I really liked the looks, but we didn't need a new dinghy then.... It is built with a technique called stitch-n-glue. It is relatively easy, strong and light weight. So Greg has been kind enough to send me a copy of the plans.

Ahh, but they do not sell fiberglass or epoxy supplies on this island.
Ok so next idea is to order the fiberglassing supplies from Manila. They can ship them by ferry boat, which are scheduled to come here 3 days a week. They do sell 'marine plywood' here. But at about $13 US for 4x8x 1/4 is pretty cheap plywood, but the best they have.

With 'stitch-n-glue' you layout the drawings of the pieces on the plywood then cut it out.

Next drill little holes in each piece and tie them together with wire.

As you get the round pieces all together, it begins to look like a boat. The next step is the one we are still having trouble with. If I could get the company to actually ship me the epoxy, you make a thick goo like peanut butter and make fillets in all the corners. Later you cover it with thin fiberglass cloth and more epoxy.

The carpenter and his crew. He wanted to do it as a contract instead of an hourly wage. So he is doing something else until the epoxy arrives.