Subic Bay - Engines & Mechanical
Repair facilities in Subic Bay cover just about everything a cruiser needs.
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Related to following destinations: Luzon (Northern Region), Philippines, Subic Bay
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We recently checked into the Philippines at Subic Bay, after crossing from Hong Kong. Before arrival we took a “term membership” for 6 months and this reduces the marina costs to about 1/3 of the normal public price. Obviously there is a cost of membership, but if you plan to stay for a few months then it is worthwhile (for example, for the rainy season). For us coming from Hong Kong prices, the cost of Subic is peanuts …. so in relation to other comments, it is all subjective depending on where you are coming from.
There are numerous individuals available to provide all sorts of yacht services – but be careful and challenge prices as many of them see a foreign yacht as a cash cow! The going rate for a non-skilled worker (“boat boy”) for cleaning, polishing and general work is around 1,000 PHP per day – don’t pay more. For skilled work, negotiate the price you are happy with for a fixed price job – even if it is significantly less than they originally quote.
For the check-in procedure, the marina will take care of all of that for you and the process is very easy when you have taken membership. The 150$US is the standard fee now – 50$US per authority (quarantine, customs, immigration).
The marina water is disgusting – this is the most dirty place I have ever seen. However, this applies to the whole of Subic Bay and not just the marina so there is little the marina can do about it. Rubbish of all types floats on the water constantly.
In response to the previous comment about refuelling with jerry-cans, there are other alternatives. Since we are a motor yacht with large tanks, we could arrange a bunker delivery by truck (6000 litres) just outside the marina. We understand there is also another fuel pontoon which friends used for small quantities, but can’t comment on how that works.
The marina staff are very friendly and helpful – could not ask for anything more. In fact, everyone we have met in the area is very friendly.
For supplies, you can get everything you need here. There are several different “hypermarkets” – the Royal Duty Free and Puregold chains are close by. If you hire a car, you can also reach the S&R (Costco equivalent) in about 20 minutes. There is a great mall within about 20 minutes walking distance of the marina and all other services you need locally.
In summary, this is a great place for boat work and provisioning – but negotiate prices hard and ignore the dirty water!
Up date on memberships at SBYC : now offering “Term Membership” non transferable, valid for 1 year at a cost of 100,000 pp ($2000 usd) excluding other fees and charges. this provides membership rates and privileges. renewable 3 times. As the member rates are about 1/3 regular prices for example a 50ft berth for members is 15,000 pp ($300usd) where as a regular rate is 45,000 pp ($900usd) this is a benefit to cruisers who wish to stay here a while. Yachts are required to show proof of insurance, 3rd party will do.
The dock repairs are on going and steady albeit lengthy, the facilities are under constant upgrades. As reported the staff is friendly and helpful, they even pic up your rubbish daily.
Previous reports indicated that “most yachties” berth at Water Craft, this has changed, the WC docks are full of residents and they have raised the cost to be in line with the YC. Also there are no longer moorings at Blue Rock albeit a great place to anchor and get a big steak dinner!
Provisioning is SB is excellent, even find Costco products, Repair facilities are expanding and now cover about every thing one could need.
Provisioning in Subic is relatively easy, much better than five years ago. There are five large grocery stores and two malls within 1-2 kilometres of Watercraft and the Subic Bay Yacht Club. Pure Gold (2 locations), Royal (2 locations) and SM Supermarket (1 location) offer a wide range of local and imported foods.
Malls include SM Mall Olongapo and Ayala Harbor Point. Both have a wide variety of shops. Hardware stores include Ace Hardware (SM Mall), Handyman (Harbor Point), DIY (Magsaysay Dr, Olongapo) and Goodyear (Gordon Ave, Olongapo). Olongapo City Market and Pag Asa Market have the cheapest fruits and vegetables, a large selection of meat and fresh seafood.
It’s best to go there early in the morning. Freshly baked bread is available at Urban Deli across from the Subic Bay Yacht Club and Angel’s Bakery in Bario Baretto. Imported meats can be located at Subic Meats and Bretto’s, both in Bario Baretto.
LPG is widely available. To fill North American bottles, go to the main Island Gas operation in Santa Rita, Olongapo.
Captain Gregg’s dive resort. listed under Diving in Subic Bay. is located nowhere near Subic Bay, rather 1-2 days away by boat. There are many dive shops in the Subic area, including Mango’s Dive Center in Bario Baretto.
Canvas work can be arranged through Broadwater Marine or Subic Asia Pacific Marine or directly with Rolan, +63 999 593-2557.
Another option for excellent quality stainless and aluminum fabrication, located near the Kalaklan Gate.
Ador Tan – phone: +63 47 222-7002.
Posted on behalf of Rexy Sison:
I think all the information are not correct. My boat was 15 years already in the Subic Bay Yacht Club as the service is good. The rates are high for the non-invited boats who are not a member of the club.
Because this is a membership the club is just fair with the rates. For example, if your boat is 40ft, for a member the rate is 274.80 pesos per day, while if you are a non-invited guest your rate is 1374.00 pesos per day.
That’s our privilege for being a member. If you want a discount you can talk to the members of the club and avail some discount from the club. The SBYC is safe and the personnel are friendly and helpful. I would not stay at the club for 15 years if the service was not good.
I’ve seen a fair number of negative comments about the Subic Bay Yacht Club on various sites, including here on Noonsite. I’d like to add a bright side. We bought our boat, M/V Moken, last year. It was already docked at the SBYC when we took ownership. We stayed. While the yacht club may not be as glamorous as it once was, it is still a safe, secure place with friendly, helpful staff.
The only uninvited guests on our boat in 9 months have been ants. Provisioning here is relatively painless. There are numerous large grocery stores and two malls within walking distance. There are several good restaurants and a 7-11 right across the road. While a lot of this enormous complex is out of commission, the pool is lovely. If you’re staying for a while, talk to the marina manager about a discount. Watercraft’s dock space is really limited and in poor condition. You might get a spot if you have them do a lot of work for you.
You cannot stay on board when your boat is on the hard. Our biggest complaints with the Subic Bay Yacht Club so far have been a couple of power outages, one caused by faulty equipment which they fixed, and slow internet. And the brackish water does mean more bottom cleaning is required if you don’t move much. But overall, it is a good base, safe area and undeserving of all the negativity, unless you’re looking for a social club.