Focus on Thailand - Bareboat and Crewed

by Charter World on 2 Nov 2007 As a charter destination, Thailand is a relatively late comer to the scene with a handful of crewed, and the first bareboats only arriving less than ten years ago. Today Thailand is one of the most visited countries in South-East Asia, a country of stunning beauty, a wealth of cultural tradition and some of the most charming and friendly people on the planet.

The main cruising area is located between Phuket and mainland Thailand and known as ‘Ao Phang-Nga’.

Phuket Island is approximately 70 kilometres long so this bay is relatively large. Additional to this is the coastline of Phuket and the mainland as well as the Similian Islands which are a 50 mile sail from the west coast of Phuket and stunningly beautiful. Another option is to head south on a one way 150 mile voyage to the Malaysian Resort island of Langkawi.

Ao Phang-Nga bay is however where most yachties tend to hang. Towering limestone peaks rise sheer out of the water in the most weird, wonderful and seemingly gravity defying shapes. Dense vegetation clings impossibly to the sides, giving the water the most intense green hue.

North of this bay are a number of estuaries which bring down silt, so that the water clarity is affected, being a unique emerald green and contrast to the crystal clear waters in the south of the Bay towards Phi Phi.

In the north, at the head of the bay, is Ko Pan Yai – the sea gypsy village. Something of a misnomer, these days, the village is a strange, rickety structure built on tall, wooden stilts overhanging the waters edge. It is home to an entirely self-sufficient Muslim community, which boasts its own golden-dome mosque, tiny schoolhouse and even a post office for its 3000 inhabitants. The shopping and restaurants are worth a visit in their own right.

Initially, the local authorities over zealously saw yacht charter as another revenue stream putting a 212% import tax on all vessels, so the vessels offered were often substandard. In the last two years this ridiculous impost has been lifted and a flood of new vessels have arrived including, this season, a new Bavaria 50’, 46’, 39’, 37’ and Beneteau 50’ as well as new Seawind 1160’, Lagoon 380’ and Nautitech 47’.

The skippered and fully crewed vessels have also expanded to offer a wide choice of holiday options, from Turkish Gulets to traditional and contemporary sailing yachts.

At the top of these is the 172ft mega yacht Taipan III on which Lynn and I recently spent an unbelievable 5 days. (But more about this later…..)

The Taipan III trip was a last minute decision, however, we had by chance also recently bareboated on a Fountaine Pajot 38 in July.

The best sailing times are between November and May when prevailing winds are north-west (offshore) at 10-20 knots. A maximum two metre tidal range with no significant current makes for easy line of sight navigation.

From May to November the south-west monsoon brings slightly stronger breezes at 15-25 knots and commonly late afternoon downpours. The temperature however is always pleasant at a constant 30 degrees.

July is possibly the worst month and it was our luck to experience fairly average conditions whilst bareboating the catamaran. Trying to get fresh air with downpours every hour at night is always a great challenge. The catamaran helped a lot and is far superior to a monohull in wet and uncomfortable conditions. My parents, who are in their eighties and intrepid travelers joined us but after a couple of days we decided enough was enough and headed for one of Phuket’s luxurious, but great value, resorts.

Our most recent visit on Taipan III was by contrast superb weather, although it really would not have mattered if it rained all day. At 172ft, Taipan is a showpiece of Italian and American design and construction. Originally built as the Royal Yacht for the Emir of Bahrain, Taipan is now based out of Yacht Haven Marina in northern Phuket.

Our group of nine (yacht charter brokers mainly from the US and Europe) were absolutely spoilt by a crew of 13 (mainly Thai). Lynn found the most important to be the full time masseur, although the Swiss/French chef was probably my favourite.

Running full-time air conditioning and zero speed stabilizers, Taipan was more like a luxury overwater hotel.

Our first night aboard coincided with the first Tsunami warning since 2004 and it was comforting to be steaming out to sea in such a large vessel. Jacuzzis, hydrotherapy rooms, grand pianos and an impressive range of water toys (including jetskis, sport fishing and speed boats) were all part of the ultimate cruising experience.

At $160,000 per week plus expenses Taipan III is certainly not cheap but given accommodation is available for fourteen it is comparable to a first class airfare to Europe per person. At a more moderate rate Taipan IV is a 62’ long range trawler which offers three cabins and four crew. (Cost: $ 24,550 per week plus expenses).

Whilst only aboard for five days, we both rated it perhaps our best charter experience ever , although the scenery as we often say is the same from a small yacht or a large ship, and we still enjoy bare boating far too much to ever call it a second rate holiday.

Direct Jetstar flights from Sydney to Phuket are now available for as little as $850 per person return. The overnight eight hour flight works well with Phuket being only three hours behind the Australian East Coast.

Further pictures at http://www.charterworld.com.au/Album/album.html