Sailing Koh Samui
with Tradewinds
Cottages on the beach
Email: info@sailingkohsamui.com

BOATING NEWS

Updated Monday, March 26, 2007

Updated Monday, 26 March 2007

Koh Phangan Marina Found

	Another alternative location to keep your boat exists at Ban Tai on the SW end of Koh Phangan. Close to all amenities and 5 minutes to the Thong Sala harbour where the fast ferries get you to Samui in 20 minutes.

New Public Pier

The new Public Pier at Ban Rak, built at a cost of B20 m. cannot be used for the public at all.

Unlike the excellent 1km. long Public pier at Chalong in Phuket and the new Bali Hai pier in Pattaya which are free of charge, the Ban Rak pier is levying hefty fees for its use.

One boat operator was booked for a honeymoon charter for 35 persons, so rather than transfer them by dinghy, they approached the pier to request permission to load the guests there.

They were quoted B2000 for loading and another B2000 to unload. Little wonder why none of the locals are making use of it.

Koh Samui Junior Sailing Squadron for 2007!

The aims of the Samui Yacht Club Regatta Association were discussed between members at the November meeting at Tradewinds Resort and it was decided that, all income derived from future monthly regattas either through entrance fees or sponsorship, would go towards establishing a Junior Sailing Squadron on Ko Samui.

The aim is to purchase a fleet of used Optimist sailing dinghies and through the schools on the island, invite children from age 8 to 15 to partake in sailing courses using the International Optimist sailing dinghy free of charge.

The Association members have offered to train the children with the eventual aim of sending the top three to the annual Thailand Optimist National Championships held at Ocean Marina Pattaya.

At present there is one Optimist on the island at Tradewinds, so interested children can commence in the New Year. The Royal Thai Navy has expressed support for our team and have provided sailing instruction books in Thai language and have offered support from the RTN naval base at nearby Songkla.

Members who offered their support are, Kunta (Sailing Samui), Sa ard Panyawan (Sa ard Watersports), John Stall (Tradewinds), Francesco Brancaccio (B1 Spa) and Lee Freeman (Hammerhead Marine)

The International Optimist - an introduction

The Optimist is, quite simply, the dinghy in which the young people of the world learn to sail.

Sailed in over 110 countries by over 150,000 young people, it is the ONLY dinghy approved by the International Sailing Federation exclusively for sailors under 16 years of age.

At the Athens Olympics over 60% of the skippers and 70% of the medal winning skippers were former Optimist sailors.

Why sailing?

• Sailing is fun: a great social life, now and for the rest of your days
• Sailing is for all: tall? short? fat? thin? girl? boy? green with pink spots? - sailing is for you
• Sailing builds self-reliance, physical strength, quick thinking and a love of the environment
• Sailing doesn't cost a fortune
•  

Why the Optimist?

• Optimists are designed for kids. They can handle them without danger, fear or back-strain
• Single-handed is best. They didn't learn to ride a bike on a tandem
• Over 150,000 kids in over 100 countries cannot be wrong The Optimist is not only the biggest dinghy class in the world, it is the fastest growing
• The only dinghy recognised by the ISAF* exclusively for under 16s *the world organising body for sailing
• Former Optimist sailors were over 50% of the dinghy skippers at the last Olympics
• Builders on five continents.
•  Your local sailing club has them - and if it doesn't, it will!

What will it cost? In North America add around 30% to the prices below.

Around US$500 a year.

It works like this (very like the secondhand automobile market):

US$ 500 - 800 buys a good first boat (pre-owned) - and you can expect to drop $200 when you sell

Trade up every year or so. Reckon on adding around $300 a year to your investment

When you sell your last Optimist you have the price of a good secondhand Laser or 420 - and the path to a lifetime of sailing

If you want to buy new, beginners' boats start around $1,600 + any sales taxes. But see the warning on the technical page

Add a good buoyancy aid/PFD (personal flotation device) and some clothes according to your local weather Check out fees at your local sailing club

That's all, folks! Now check out your local sailing club or contact your national Optimist association.

For an overview on IODA and its activities see our Yearbook.

LUCKY ESCAPE FOR MOONSHADOW

The crew returning the Elliott 770 Moonshadow from Chaweng back to Bo Phud on Wednesday reported losing their bulb keel as the yacht was slamming to windward off the NE tip of Ko Samui.

"We went down a large wave and there was a loud bang and the boat shuddered " reports John Stall who was steering. " Francesco thought we had hit some rocks, but the channel here is 20 m. deep."

Owner Mick Grover peered through the daggerboard casing and saw the keel swinging on its ropes and banging against the hull.  With no stability and the the crew fearing capsizing, there was no option but to cut the keel away and balance the boat until help arrived.

Using the outboard, the crew motored gently to Chong Mon and waited for a speedboat to arrive and then towed to their mooring in Bo Phud. "We are looking at some modifications, so this can not occur again " remarked owner Mick Grover, " a through lock pin and a better lead on the winch are now being fitted, but we've got to find that keel first !" chuckle chuckle…..

NEW YACHT LAUNCHED

A new Macgregor 26 was launched at Plai Laem this week and will be on the start line for Octobers' regatta. Owner Mike Holly is ecstatic about his new boat "The interior is fantastic for the boats' size, really comfortable for two couples, and considering she is a sailing boat, I can do 20 knots with 50 hp. outboard"

Kia Ora having her annual bottom paint near Chaweng Reef

SAMUI GETS NEW MARINE DEALERSHIP

An impressive line up of staff from P K Yacht Marine and the adjoining Ford dealership. Khun Krong is seen centre in burgundy shirt. Samui's first major marine dealership, P K yacht Marine at Ban Sa Ket, opened with a spectacular party and boat display recently.

The company is run by Samui identity, Khun Krong and his wife Panita who also own the Ford dealership located next door to the new boat showroom. Marine products on offer include American imported Chaparelle speedboats, and range of inflatable and "rib" boats as well as the Signature range of sports cruisers. The opening night attracted some 100 guests who showed keen interest in the boats as well as enjoying sumptuous food and a fireworks display.

The Schooner Argo

The big new 110 foot schooner Argo, presently anchored off Chaweng, was built in Bangkok and is to be used as a youth sail training vessel off Newport U.S.A.

The vessel is owned by Seamester and you can check her progress at www.seamester.com/argo

Kayaker Rescued

During last week's visit of the cruise liner The World (the ship is made up of hundreds of apartments which are sold to guests for a worldwide cruise)., an alert crew member spotted an unmanned kyak being blown offshore.

A rescue boat was launched and a search mounted for the missing kayaker and not long after, a young female tourist was rescued four miles out to sea heading for Vietnam.

She explained she capsized during a strong offshore gust and could not keep up with the unmanned craft as strong winds drove it away.

Her lucky day ! We came upon this story from a Sunsail charterer at Tradewinds, who heard the drama unfold on his VHF radio.

Tradewinds Cottages Beach Manager, Dixie, enjoying afternoon cocktails

Tradewinds Beach Manager, Dixie, surveying damage from Central Hotel's capsized Hobie 16

Sailing Junk Santiburi sinks

Sailing junk Santiburi sinks off Bo Phud Late Thursday night 24th.

Very heavy gusts drove the unmanned junk Santiburi onto Bo Phud beach. She was towed off the next day but had incurred damage in the grounding and sunk while under tow.

Efforts are being made to refloat her with the floating crane being used for the pier dredging.

Motor Yacht Pegaso visits

The sleek triple deck 40 m. motor yacht Pegaso from Canada visits Samui and is anchored off Chaweng.  

Motor Yacht Lone Ranger
anchors off Chaweng

The 85 m. motor yacht Lone Ranger anchors off Chaweng and bristles with satellite antennae.

She looks like an ice breaker and is actually a converted ocean going tug and has an impressive fleet of toys on the back deck including a 35 ft sailing yacht, 45 ft motor cruiser, two big R.I.B.'s, one a 30 ft. powered by a 400 hp Yanmar Hamilton jet.

The boat plans to be here for six weeks and then off to cruise the Pacific.

Thai Captain hard at work