After more than a year of construction, MY Bethany finally got introduced to her natural home – the sea. She is not quite finished but what is left to be done is mainly finishing the interior and installing the deck rails. 

Reflecting back, the construction is not all hunky-dory.  The experiences Kjartan went through may have to be a separate article. All I can say now is that he really needs time for himself – no swarms of Filipino workers around him, no boat talk, no “sir this” and “sir that”. He is a quiet man, with lots of patience, but I can say that his patience had really been tested well here.

MY Bethany – named after the first grandchild of Boboy and Gene Bangayan , is a 38 foot motor yacht, Bruce Roberts design - the Waverunner 38A .   

It has the following hardware:

• Seastar hydraulic steering system
• Twin engine dual stations (lower deck and fly bridge)
• 2 x  185hp Deutz Marine inboard engines
• Quick electric windlass and 16 kg. bruce anchor
• 7Kw Mase marine diesel generator
• Coolmate marine air conditioner – seawater cooled
• Raymarine Radar and GPS
• Waeco Refrigeration
• Rigid inflatable Westmarine dinghy

Electricals, instrumentation, navigation and indoor lights, wet exhaust system, pumps and plumbing, anchoring, exterior, deck and interior hardware, windows, Lewmar hatches and ventilation parts and supplies, and including the above (except engines), are all from USA and Canada. All others, including engines, alternator, batteries, propellers and shafts are either purchased or fabricated locally. Diesel and water tanks are also fabricated, each with a capacity of 200 gallons approximately.   

The forward cabin has a queen sized bed, closets and shelves. The galley is fitted with a sink, a 2-burner stove and microwave. There is a separate toilet and a shower room. The spacious saloon also incorporates the lower helm position, settees on both sides with plenty of room underneath for storage.  The aft section and fly bridge have seatings all around for outdoor entertainment and fishing. It is also equipped with swim n rinse shower head for quickly rinsing off after a swim in the ocean.  Dinghy davits are on the fly bridge to keep the dinghy from obstructing the aft section of the lower level.  Nothing is complete without a state-of-the-art stereo system to entertain and relax.

This is the first vessel launched on the new slipway. There were lots of people watching and ensuring the launching went smoothly. Too many for me, in comparison to other boatyards where there are usually only 2 that can handle the work plus a few linemen on land to handle the ropes.  But, like I mentioned in previous articles, this is the first and only slipway in the Davao gulf and experience is practically nil.  Give it time, and everyone here will be pros in no time.

The launching was successful and Kjartan gave the thumbs- up, meaning no listing and no leaks!! The waterline may have to be adjusted, but that can wait when everything is installed and all tanks filled.

For now, MY Bethany gently sways contently in harmony with the waves.