On February 1st, 2009, two fool-hardy white guys will set sail on a month-long journey of uncertainty. Starting in the small port of Manga, Bohol, Philippines, they will sail west to Cebu, underneath Negros, due west to Tubbataha Reef, further west to Palawan, then round the northern tip of Malaysia before heading into the port of Brunei.
Well, that's the plan...
click to enlarge and see the planned route
Why?
Why not?!
Perhaps it's an unsatiated sense of adventure, a yearning for freedom, or simply premature mid-life crisis that drives us, but since the dawn of humanity man has had an undeniable urge to explore the unknown, challenge his boundaries, test his mettle against nature, escape wives, children and ex-girlfriends... (Note: Lee loves adventures, but not as much as his beautiful wife and three fantastic sons.)
There are also some other serious reasons, like raising awareness about:
- Using renewable energy (solar, wind, water)
- Deaf education needs in the Philippines (see IDEA link)
- Fundraising--see below
The Boat (Tambasakan)
The steed of choice (or lack thereof) is a 33-foot Lee Duncan-designed catamaran, built in Manga, Bohol by expert fishing boat builder Necio ... Being the first boat ever designed by Lee, and the first catamaran ever built by Necio, there have been a lot of new ideas poured into her. The unique blend of epoxy, nylon fishing line and dozens of layers of paint make her almost rust-proof
Stats:
Length: 33ft (10m)
Width: 16 feet (5 meters)
Engines: none (engines are for pansies)
Sail design: crab-claw, come junk, come Lee Duncan design. (tarpaulin)
Mast Height: 20ft
Hull materials: Mahogany frame, marine plywood, epoxy, lots of paint
Draft unladen: 2ft
"Tambasakan" comes from the Visayan* word for mud skipper, a reference to her grace through the water... The life raft, an 8 ft outrigger paddle boat, is named "Bang-se" (flying fish), referring to her relative speed over Tabasakan when there is no wind.
*Visayan is the dialect spoken throughout the Visayas region, one of three island groups, along with Luzon and Mindanao, in the
The Crew
Captain: Sir W. Lee Duncan
Lee consults with the nautical engineers.
First Mate: Scott T. Graham Esquire
Scott with his twin, 'woody' who, despite his buoyancy, will not be joining the trip
IDEA: Fundraising
IDEA (where Lee works) is planning to expand a dormitory for deaf High School and elementary school students in Ormoc City, Leyte, Philippines. The current building is too small, and many students are forced to sleep on the floor. This expansion will cost $10,000. We can to help them in two ways:
Selling the boat.
For Tambasakan, this will be a one-way ride. In Brunei, we will sell her to the highest bidder, and donate the money to the dormitory project.
Mileage Sponsorship.
There's about 1,000 miles between Bohol Island and Brunei. If we can get $10 for each mile, we will reach our goal, and the deaf students will have a place to sleep, eat, and study. To sponsor us, please email Lee at wleeduncan@gmail.com. Just let him know how many cents (dollars?!) per mile you want to sponsor, and I'll update the blog. (Remember, there's a 1000 miles to Brunei). Example: 1 cent/mile x 1000 = 10 dollars; 10 cents/mile x 1000 = 100 dollars, etc. Ex. Mark says he'll pay us 5 cents per mile--that's $50!
Your actual donation needs to be sent by mail to our IDEA, US office in Billings, Montana*, or can be made automatically through the IDEA website here. All donations are tax deductible, and 100% of raised funds will go toward the dormitory.
*IDEA US
PO BOX 20715
Billings, Montana
59104
Local Supporters
This trip has been supported from its inception by the undaunted, if skeptical, wife of Lee, the beautiful Deborah Duncan (that ought to get us out of trouble Lee...). Lee's three tornado-like children, Harrison, Jordan and William have also been there since the beginning.
Thanks also to the various tourists that have been conned into dragging Tambasakan over poorly-placed sand banks, the ever-helpful locals who congregate around Manga pier to wish us well, and our local 10 year-old champion, Yuyung. Finally, thanks to Scott's friends who keep him out on evenings before sailing and cover for him when he is late home from 'no wind' trips, and his gorgeous not-quite-girlfriend, who has kindly agreed not to forget about him during the 1 month journey.
