Channel update From The Philippines

Motoring through the waters off Surigao in the Philippines, Luke and Adam of The Sailing Brothers deliver a comprehensive passage update from aboard their Prout Snowgoose 37 Elite catamaran. Underway with the engine running in calm seas, the crew shares initial observations from their arrival in the Philippines while addressing viewer impressions regarding their earlier voyage through Indonesia.

Beyond reviewing coastal passages and local hospitality, the brothers examine key boat maintenance questions, evaluate the real-world performance of their DIY Copper Coat antifouling after nearly five months in the water, and chart an extensive cruising route that will carry their multihull through the central Philippine islands toward Puerto Princesa.

Addressing Cruising Impressions of Indonesia

In previous videos, logistical challenges and clearance difficulties led some viewers to assume the crew held an unfavorable view of Indonesia. Underway off Surigao, Luke clarifies that their overall experience throughout Indonesia was deeply positive. While isolated scams occurred, the crew points out that such incidents represented only a tiny fraction of their voyage: “that’s only like 1% of the whole experience.”

The brothers highlight the warmth of rural settlements, the welcoming local population, and the relaxed village atmosphere. Luke recalls walking through coastal communities surrounded by volcanoes, towns, and lively village life, describing the environment as having a genuine community spirit. After completing their Philippine cruising itinerary, the crew plans to sail back south into Indonesia to prepare for an open-ocean passage across the Indian Ocean.

Evaluating Five Months of Homemade Copper Coat Antifouling

Turning to shipboard systems and underwater maintenance, Luke and Adam address a question frequently asked by fellow sailors regarding the DIY Copper Coat antifouling applied to the catamaran’s hulls in Australia. The application involved blending copper powder into marine epoxy and applying five barrier coats to protect the hulls against biological fouling and moisture intrusion.

Reflecting on nearly five months of continuous saltwater immersion, Luke provides an assessment of the coating’s durability: “A lot of people have been asking It’s nearly been 5 months since we put the homemade Copper Coat on in Australia.” When asked whether the experimental treatment proved effective in keeping the bottom clean, the response is immediate: “I’ll give a 100% yes.”

The copper epoxy barrier effectively eliminated heavy calcified marine growth across the underwater surfaces. While conventional antifouling can allow barnacles to cement themselves firmly to fiberglass hulls, the homemade treatment alters the adhesion mechanism entirely. Luke explains: “the copper you know gets into the barnacle and just kills it straight away so you can wipe it off.” Any small barnacles that settle turn white and die, leaving brittle husks that wash away by hand rather than requiring aggressive scraping or chisel work.

Managing Goose Barnacles, Slime, and Osmosis Resistance

Despite its effectiveness against encrusting mollusks, the homemade mixture reveals distinct behavioral differences compared to commercial formulations. The crew notes that goose barnacles remain completely indifferent to the copper surface, requiring biweekly maintenance dives. Luke highlights this operational reality based on earlier ocean miles: “goose barnacles do not care about Copper Coat so we did have to go down every 2 weeks and get rid of the goose barnacles”

Additionally, a thin film of green algae and soft slime gradually forms over the hulls. Commercial Copper Coat products often contain secondary biocides to suppress soft growth, which were omitted from the homemade epoxy mix. Nevertheless, the brothers find this slime layer soft and effortless to wipe off during routine swims.

Beyond antifouling properties, the five-layer epoxy barrier provides substantial structural protection for the multihull. Luke notes: “Five coats of that epoxy, it’s acting like a waterproof barrier over the whole of the boat as well.” By creating an impenetrable moisture barrier over the fiberglass laminate, the heavy coating substantially reduces long-term risks of hull osmosis.

Procuring Replacement Gear for Hull Documentation

To demonstrate the real condition of the catamaran’s bottom without relying solely on verbal reports, the crew intends to record underwater inspection footage. However, a submerged camera casualty in Indonesia temporarily halted underwater filming: “we broke our GoPro in Banda and we haven’t got one since, so we’ve only got one GoPro and don’t want to chance it taking it in the water.”

Reluctant to risk their sole working action camera in seawater, the brothers are motoring toward a coastal settlement to collect a replacement camera. Once equipped, they plan to let the catamaran sit in the water for three to four weeks before diving with the camera to show the hull condition directly to their audience.

Cruising Route from Surigao to Puerto Princesa

Bringing up navigation charts in the cockpit, Luke and Adam trace their intended passage through the Philippine archipelago. Commencing from Surigao City, the route leads northward through the Surigao Strait, past Tuban and Cabadbaran City, before entering interior island channels: “You can go from Surigao up the Surigao Strait through here, go to Tuban to Cabadbaran City. And then go through this little channel here.”

The proposed northwest track passes several regional stops, including Masbate City and Burias Island. While charting options toward the northern capital, the crew discusses whether to bypass Manila entirely. Noting widespread advice from fellow cruisers concerning safety and harbor cleanliness, Luke and Adam express hesitation about entering Manila, choosing to keep destination plans flexible as they move north.

The Philippine passage will culminate in a southwest run toward Puerto Princesa: “after traveling northwest, we’re going to travel southwest down to Puerto Princesa. This is where we’re going to sign out of the Philippines.” The brothers allocate roughly three months to complete this coastal circuit before clearing customs and immigration.

Passage Timeline and Antifouling Maintenance Record

The table below outlines key maintenance metrics and operational intervals recorded during the catamaran’s evaluation of DIY Copper Coat antifouling:

Long-Range Horizons Across the Indian Ocean

Clear of Puerto Princesa, the catamaran’s itinerary turns south toward Indonesia for a final transit before undertaking a major ocean crossing. Leaving the Philippines behind, the crew anticipates setting sail early next year across the Indian Ocean to reach Madagascar and South Africa.

Reflecting on their voyage so far, the brothers note that entering Asia brought renewed energy and excitement to their global journey. The distinctive cruising environments and warm island hospitality continue to propel their multihull forward on the long route toward the Atlantic.

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