cruise2asia.myfreeforum.org

Firstly, BIG thanks to Gordon on sy Ascension and Bob on sy Stardust gave some tips and answered questions from the group.

Gordon has produced a CD with lots of cruising information on from both Ascension and other cruising boats. This is doing the rounds of Yacht Marina at the moment. We’ll have one for Netsel soon.

We’ve asked Geoff and June from Concerto to see if they can organise the guys in Netsel who have cruised in India to talk to the group. Once that’s organised we’ll let you know when and where. If you have any further ideas for meetings, feel free to set something up.

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These are my notes on the Q&A, if you have anything to add, please make your comments by using ‘reply all’ so everyone gets to see the information

Reefs

The Red Sea is full of reefs.

Don’t rely on Charts and electronic charts as they are not always accurate. Sometimes, they are dead on, other times they are hundreds of meters out. Other times whole reefs are unmarked! You have to use your own eyes to be sure of where you are going. If you can’t see under the water; don’t go!

Tip: Use Google Earth to get ‘real’ pictures of reefs around anchorages. You can save images to your pc which you can refer to later.

Try to arrive at anchorages by 1500 so you can still see the reefs under the water.

If the water is green or brown – don’t go there!

Red Sea reefs are not as visible as pacific reefs

Keep the sun behind you if possible for best visibility

The Red Sea pilot is good for waypoints to anchorages or channels. Often these are not visible until you are on top of them. The visibility is often impaired by dust in the air.

- you can day sail down the red sea between anchorages

- BUT have a contingency for your destination in case wind/sea turns against you making your primary destination impossible

- Wind can go from nothing to 25-30kts in minutes

- If you get calm weather windows – take them, especially at the Bab el Mandeb.

- There is a lot of shipping at the Bab and they come at you quickly. AIS is very useful (but war ships & fishing boats don’t have it)

Weather forecasts somewhat unreliable– grib and internet ok. But wind often understated by 10 or so knots. 15kts forecast was actually 25kts

Physical signs of bad weather? In the north its affected by the weather in the med. In the south, take notice of what is going on in the Indian ocean.

There are lots of fish in the Red Sea – get your lines and tackle ready! The best lures are the brightly coloured squid type.

Make sure you have a boat stamp with the following details on it:- Boat name, Registration Number, Country of Reg’n, Port of Origin, Skipper name or place to sign.

Piracy/safety

Remove unused electronics from sight and pack away so less likely to be taken if boarded. Keep some broken equipment that looks good slightly hidden so that anybody on board takes them first.

When using radio contact do not give lat and long. Decide on a waypoint and give position relative to that point - everyone else in your group knows where you are but anyone listening in doesn’t.

Anecdotal tale: A yacht was approached by a boat at night, the yacht shot at the local boat thinking they were under attack. The local boat called the Navy and had the yacht towed into port under guard!

Fear of piracy is over-stated – don’t get hung up about it. There are risks, and there are things you can do to minimise them.

Military in many areas are not uniformed, and are in unmarked or seized vessels, so don’t look like military, so its difficult to know what to do – if you are approached by a guy with a gun, is it legit or an attack?

Gas supplies are available but fill up in Egypt prior to leaving.

Fuel:

average cost 25euro c /litre.

Don’t buy it at the fuel dock in the marina in Egypt, buy from the petrol stations at a much lower price. The marinas will even arrange it for you!

Diesel is available in Massawa, but it’s a bureaucratic nightmare, so avoid if possible. It took stardust and ascension 2 days! Suakin ok for fuel. The agent is called mohammed.

Fuel was available in most places. Eritrea seems to be the place where the least is available.

Get a Baja filter and use it to filter fuel before it goes into your tank. Any water or other particles will not go through the filter.

See http://www.practical-sailor.com/sample/Fuelfilter.html.

Water

available in most places by tap or jerry can or bottled (exc Eritrea)

Again, filter it before it goes into your tank.

Currency:

Carry plenty of small denomination US dollars as well as large ones for payment of fees.

Stardust carried a large amount of cash, Ascension didn’t and got cash along the way.

Cash available in most places , although not Eritrea.

Fees and visas usually payable in usd. Get an agent (usually called mohammed!) to do clearances. Its worth it.

Oman you can do yourself

Gifts

Carry cheap snorkels / face masks for presents, cigarettes, t shirts, aspirin, Tylenol.

There was little hassle from officials anywhere and Baksheesh was not usually asked for.

They were asked not to take photos in Sudan – apparently they assume that all white people work for the CIA!

Gordon was also chased for trying to take a picture of a large piece of interesting artillery – not advisable!

Thailand:

Was thought of by Bob and Gordon as a wonderful cruising ground, great people and fantastic food.

Marinas are not cheap - 600usd per month (43’)! Good job that there is usually somewhere to anchor!

Haul out are generally cheaper than yacht marina.

Good wood work and paint work in Thailand, electrical and mechanical work not so good.

Stardust had their decks done AND gel coat and hull repainted! Stardust recommended Phuket Interwood (see http://phuketindex.com/phuketinterwoodwork/).

He reckoned the price was about 25% of what he would have paid in the USA. (please make an orderly queue behind Roam II!!!)

There are chandleries but they aren’t wonderfully stocked so most people ship stuff in

Visas: on arrival you get a 1 month visa which is renewable by leaving the country for a day (like turkey). If you can get one before you arrive, you can get a ‘2 plus 1’ visa – a 2 month visa which is extendable by 1 month.

Boat permits last 6 months and are renewable within Thailand.

Malaysia:

Again a great cruising area. Langkawi is a day sail from Thailand with duty free prices.

Cruising: when night sailing, keep a good look out. Don’t rely on other boats’ lights, they have all sorts of lights and colours and go in all directions, especially fishing boats.

Nets are often buoyed at intervals so the net sinks far enough to be able to pass in the middle of the floats. Sometimes the fishing boats’ tenders will come and tell you its ok and what to do, other times you are on your own.

That’s about it from our notes, if we have missed anything, please let everyone know.

Best regards