Thailand Sailing Charters - Info Needed

[Fishman_Tx]

I have a neice going with her significant other to Phuket, Thailand in January for some vacation fun and they are interested in a sailing cat charter(not a group thing) with a captain to take them around to all the nifty spots to snorkel, dive, etc.
I need suggestions from all you Thai/Asia area cruisers and expats on references for a reputable boat and skipper for a short trip of 2-3 days at most. An "expatriot" would do as well as a local.

Thanks!

[Fishman_Tx]

anybody?

[MarkJ]

We are not there yet... but I can make stuff up if you like

We will be there by December so I might have some ideads then, but that may not give her enough booking time.

I hear Similan Islands are very nice. Great for diving. I hear the the James Bond islands are a tourist trap.... but could you go to Thailand and not see them?

The distances are not vast but there is no access around the top of Phuket. Silmilan to bottom tip of Phuket is 60 mns. Tip to Phi Phi Islands only 25 miles.
So if the boat sails at night 2-3 days is fine. But otherwise you may be restricted to one location. If they are total divers I think it would be Similan islands

[cat man do]

Just a word of caution on Phi Phi island, some strange things going on there

Stories here

Boats a plenty for day trips along Rawai waterfront

MapJack (Beta) - Your City Online

These guys have skippered boats for longer trips, good design, not sure about charter company

boat charter on sailing yacht and catamaran, yacht building Phuket/home

[bewitched]

Scott Duncanson at:

www.latitude8yachts.com

He's been there years and if he can't help, he will know someone who can

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by cat man do

Just a word of caution on Phi Phi island, some strange things going on there

yeah, a whole pile of blogs. No 'serious' media coverage.

People die on holidays! Road accidents are the biggest killer of forigners...

Read some of the stuff below.... its from an Australian Government website giveing a travel advisory for Thailand Travel Advice for Thailand - Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Crime

Sexual assault, food and drink spiking, assault and robbery against foreigners occurs in Thailand, including around popular backpacker destinations such as Khao San Road in Bangkok and the night-time entertainment zones of Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket.
Over the past two years, Embassy consular officers have assisted several Australians who were victims of sexual assault.

The Full Moon Parties at Koh Phangan and in other locations regularly result in reports of sexual assaults, deaths, arrests, robbery, injuries, drug abuse and lost travel documents.

Petty crime is common. Money and passports have been stolen from rooms (particularly in cheaper hotels and hostels) and from bags on public transport

An increasing number of Australian travellers are reporting harassment and threats of violence by jet ski operators on tourist beaches, particularly in Phuket. Some travellers have reported that, after returning hired jet skis, they have been confronted by gangs claiming that the tourist damaged the jet ski. There have been reported instances of such gangs threatening violence, including at knifepoint, if a large sum of money in compensation for the alleged damage is not paid.

Credit card and ATM fraud involving 'skimming' machines, which can store card data, can occur.

Many travellers fall victim to scams after accepting offers from people recommending or offering various goods or services, particularly with shopping for jewellery and gems.

You should only travel in authorised taxis in Thailand. Some foreigners who have used unauthorised taxis have been robbed and assaulted.

.
Motorcycle accidents are very common in Thailand, particularly in resort areas such as Phuket, Pattaya and Koh Samui.

In addition to the jet ski incidents noted above, there have been a number of serious accidents involving jet skis in Thailand. Foreigners are regularly detained and arrested by police following jet ski and motorcycle accidents until compensation can be negotiated between parties.


Ferry travel in Thailand can be dangerous, as vessel passenger limits are not always observed or sufficient life jackets provided. Ferry accidents have killed and injured a number of people, including tourists. A number of Australians were affected when a ferry caught fire and sank in April 2007.
The safety standards you might expect of transport and tour operators, including adventure activities (eg. scuba diving), are not always met. Sufficient safety equipment may not be provided and recommended maintenance standards and safety precautions may not be observed.

My bolding of text.

Being a tourist is dangerous! But its not too bad Certainly food for thought!

[Fishman_Tx]

Thanks Guys, I really appreciate it!

[sneuman]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

yeah, a whole pile of blogs. No 'serious' media coverage.

People die on holidays! Road accidents are the biggest killer of forigners...

Read some of the stuff below.... its from an Australian Government website giveing a travel advisory for Thailand Travel Advice for Thailand - Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade



My bolding of text.

Being a tourist is dangerous! But its not too bad Certainly food for thought!

I lived there for 4 years but only did charters from the eastern side of the Gulf. As for the rave parties at Koh Panghan (north of Samui on the western side of the Gulf), not much to worry about if you a) stay clear of them or b) don't drop ecstasy.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by sneuman

As for the rave parties at Koh Panghan (north of Samui on the western side of the Gulf), not much to worry about if you a) stay clear of them or b) don't drop ecstasy.

What?????? NO Rave parties?! How can I survive???

Actually we don't pay to go to Rave parties we just anchor close to power boats

[sneuman]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

What?????? NO Rave parties?! How can I survive???

Actually we don't pay to go to Rave parties we just anchor close to power boats

LOL.

[Contessa]

Hello to all of you !
I am just new on this forum.
Actually I have a wooden sailing yatch, but I sailed on the near of Pattaya (for the moment). Because I just bought her in September.
I use to go to some nice island such as Monkey Island, Koh Rin, Koh Larn.
I enjoyed all the time sailing, but sometimes I have to pray for some wind !!
I have been to Thailand in September. I wanted to go from Pattaya to Koh Samui, but Unfortunatly it was the rainning period !!!
Better to stay on the near.
January-Feb..I think it's a good period to sail..

[SettingSail2009]

I have chartered sailboats twice in Thailand and have only amazing things to say about it.

If you take a look at my blog you'll find a few useful links there, along with some information.

The only thing is that I was sailing out of Koh Chang along the islands south of there in the Gulf of Thailand. It was pure heaven and we didn't see another sailboat or charterboat the whole time we were there.

PM me if you have any questions.

[sneuman]

Originally Posted by SettingSail2009

I have chartered sailboats twice in Thailand and have only amazing things to say about it.

If you take a look at my blog you'll find a few useful links there, along with some information.

The only thing is that I was sailing out of Koh Chang along the islands south of there in the Gulf of Thailand. It was pure heaven and we didn't see another sailboat or charterboat the whole time we were there.

PM me if you have any questions.

Was it bareboat or did you have a skipper? If so, was it John Magel?

[SettingSail2009]

Originally Posted by sneuman

Was it bareboat or did you have a skipper? If so, was it John Magel?

It was bareboat, so I didn't meet any skippers.

[kmason]

Probably a moot point now but I chartered a 40 FP cat out of Phuket last July 4. It was the best vacation I've ever had. I hired a local (Thai) skipper as part of the charter and he was spot-on for all the best snorkeling, beaches and fun places to hang out. Went to Phi Phi island and never had a hint of a problem. It rained a couple times but never for very long or hard; it mostly cooled things down a bit and was very welcome.