Catamaran Sailing on the Andaman Sea

[snoop1130]

Catamaran Sailing on the Andaman Sea

by Lori Blackburn

 

 

“YES! I’m IN” screamed my enthusiastic reply to Amy and Juan’s question: Will you go sailing with us? Does a pirate like rum? Do fish swim in the sea? Sign me up, baby! Next stop: heaven on a catamaran. 

 

Over the last year, I had followed Amy and Juan’s exceptional sailing trips. They would invite a lucky group of friends to explore Thailand by sailboat. I’d seen pictures showcasing carefree grins as they lounged on deck while their boat cut across the waves. They walked windswept shores covered in Jurassic boulders and climbed palm trees on deserted beaches.  Once they traded street clothes for bikinis and board shorts, their days became balmy breezes and exotic locations. Take me there.

 

If you have the heart for sailing, then the world becomes magic. Everyday life disappears the further you get from land. Once you board a boat, your perspective changes to nature, weather, teamwork, and adventure. 

 

Ten years ago, I joined my first sailing trip. I arrived at work on a Monday and impulsively booked a sailing trip in Greece. I’d already visited Greece twice, but sailing the Cyclades Islands changed my life. There was a certain skip in my walk after Greece. Now, I always find time for sailing whether it’s an afternoon aboard a historical schooner in San Francisco, a week on a luxury catamaran in the British Virgin Islands, or a sunset sail in Redondo Beach with a racing team. 

 

This time it was Thailand. Amy and Captain Juan planned our week-long sailing trip like clockwork. I received the itinerary, packing list, and details. The week before departure, Juan started sending us breath-taking photos of our destinations. Wow – what a way to build excitement! 

 

Our crew of eight people met in Phuket on a Saturday. Everyone was fun, outdoorsy, efficient, and laid-back. The perfect group. Amy booked a villa and organized rental cars, which were important for airport transfers, grocery shopping, logistical tasks, and transportation. 

 

On Sunday, we split the grocery shopping and marina check-in duties. Two rental cars were handy! Afterwards, we left the rental cars at the marina where the car service collected them. Easy breezy. Our boat was a 2016 Catamaran Nautitech-40 Open named Jetset which we rented through Sweet Dreamers Yacht Charters www.sweetdreamerscharter.com. It had a kayak and motorized dingy for exploring. 

 

Life is different aboard a sailboat. Our mornings began at sunrise near a beautiful cove or island where we had moored overnight. Some people slept outdoors on deck. Others took the cabins. What a beautiful way to start the day! Captain Juan prepared for departure. Tom made coffee with his fancy coffee pot which we nicknamed Alicia (pronounced with an Italian accent!). Jak and Tabbi competed to make perfect pancakes. Jan kayaked while Natalie jumped overboard for a swim. Amy set the table while I scurried around taking pictures. After breakfast, we set off for new places – coves, caves, deserted beaches, hidden lagoons, and popular sites. We’d drop anchor offshore then pile into the dingy where we’d arrive like windswept bohemians. There is such a rakish beauty to traveling by sailboat. You feel alive. 

 

Sailing is about teamwork and group dynamics. Your crewmates create the trip just as much as the destinations. Everyone has a story to tell. These are our stories…

 

I grew-up by the seaside in Malaga, Spain. My father, a yacht captain, introduced me to sailing. I eventually got my skipper’s license. I love hosting friends and creating experiences, whether that happens at home or at sea. I’m lucky to spend several weeks each year on sailing trips. In Europe, it was mainly in the Mediterranean Sea, including Balearic Islands (Spain), Ionian Islands, Saronic Islands (Greece), and Dalmatian Islands (Croatia). 

 

Since moving to Thailand in 2017, Amy and I have organized three sailing trips around Koh Samui and Phuket. Unlike Spain in the summer, Thailand doesn’t have busy boat traffic. Thailand’s boat density per beach is low making it ideal for sailing. When you travel by boat, you can access secluded spots. Paradise becomes exclusively for you. 

 

For this trip, I based our route upon meteorological conditions, seasonal weather, and a progressive wow-factor. We started by visiting caves in Ao Phang Nga National Park, limestone formations in Krabi, snorkeling in Koh Phi Phi Islands, and more. I engaged the crew in daily destination decisions and added flexibility for group choices.

 

When planning a sailing trip, I recommend securing a crew first. Most people like the idea of a sailing trip, but few can commit. Next, contact several yacht charters for boat options and prices. If you don’t have a skipper’s license, then hire a bareboat with skipper. The skipper facilitates the boat and route so you can relax. Need someone to buy groceries and cook meals? Then hire a hostess. For our trip, we preferred to do everything ourselves, but it’s nice to have options.

 

Juan’s Tips 

1- Provisioning: Don’t over-buy groceries. Schedule both onshore dining and onboard meals. 

2- Avoid heavy luggage. Include a headlamp and nautical footwear. (i.e. anti-slip aqua shoes for rocky coastlines)

3- Respect the sea. Be conscious of obstacles in the boat and outside. For example, be aware of currents when you swim, rocks, sea urchins, jellyfish, and waves when approaching the beach in a dingy.

 

This is my third sailing trip with Juan. I feel happy seeing people enjoy their first sailing experience, especially because most people are as excited as me! When planning the trips, Juan’s expertise is chartering and managing the boat. I handle everything else from securing flights, rental cars, villas, and crew members to planning groceries and meals. In addition to managing the group’s accounting and expenses, I’m also the boat’s DJ with my playlist.

 

Sailing is lots of fun, but it’s important to act responsibly. At the beginning of each trip, we brief everyone on proper protocol. This crew had solid sailing and outdoor experience which made it easy. We discuss topics such as conserving the boat’s limited water supply and acting safely. Sailing is not a joke. If you get injured, we are far from land. We also train the crew on launching and driving the dingy. It makes them feel integrated in daily tasks and gives them freedom to go ashore.

 

Full Story: https://expatlifeinthailand.com/travel-and-leisure/catamaran-sailing-on-the-andaman-sea/

 

-- © Copyright Expat Life in Thailand 2020-09-14

 

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[seajae]

did bareboating in Australia(the Whitsundays, 35' cat) , its brilliant but after looking at the prices and requirements here in Thailand I gave it a big miss, would only be reasonable if you had a few couples and did not have to hire a skipper as that makes bareboating a joke but for one family it is not feasable. I hired a 35 foot cat and never raised the sails, i ran the motors to get everwhere, limited to just under 10 knots, I do not have a skippers ticket but have been around boats for most of my life, under 10 knots a licence was not needed, they ran a  pre sail class and took you out to make sure you were capable of what was required, its really just common sense then let you go your own way. Here as with most things regarding tourists in Thailand it is too pricey and too restrictive, having to take someone else you dont know with you is not what bareboating is about

[nobodysfriend]

I own a small Hobie trimaran and live by the Andaman sea .

It is fun when the conditions are just right , but most of the times there is not enough wind , or , if the wind is strong enough , the waves are too high for such a small boat . I do not use it often anymore ...

[Awinkl]

Is there any  more information? I looked at the Link, but .... how do you book such a trip? ....the cost? How often per season? ... per year?