New to sailing

[Timbo]

Hello All
I am not actually going to do any sailing as I am interested in a motor yatch, I have never owned a boat and I have only sailed on a few occasions 30yrs ago. I am retiring to Koh Chang Thailand and have a house right in the harbour of an old fishing village with its own mooring and the idea of a boat won't go away. I will set about doing some courses but would like to start thinking about where and what is required for safe and fun filled life on the briney. I am in a large bay where there are lots of small fishing boats still working and in the six years we have been here I have not seen any disasters even when the weather is really bad in the rainy season ( its a Rain Forrest Island).
The area is ripe for exploring diving and snorkelling and I intend (with a bit of advice from here I hope ) to get at it, I am giving myself a year to do some courses and learn some basic boat maintenance and hopefully go out on various boats to see how they behave.
Any tips gratefully received
Timbo

[imagine2frolic]

Welcome, and there are several people in your area that post here. I am sureyou will get tons of information from the forum. BEST WISHES in finding the right boat for you.

[Sunspot Baby]

While in Malaysia, I saw many local cruisers using local built boats to which they had added some amenities. Seemed pretty neat.

George

[Pblais]

The fundamentals of boating apply to to all boats power and sail. We have a wealth of information when it comes to the basics of recreational boating.

in the six years we have been here I have not seen any disasters even when the weather is really bad in the rainy season

I would not let 6 years be a guide to the potential for serious weather. I think recent events in Myanmar show that trends range over longer periods of thime than 6 years. You would need provisions to secure any boat from potential serious weather no matter where you lived. No place on the water is without some risks. All boaters need a plan for securing their boat in times of serious weather.

[Timbo]

Paul
Roger that I agree, I did not mean it to sound complacent, just that it is in general the safest bay on Koh Chang I am lead to believe and this is where the new marina is located at Salopek Bay.
Many thanks for your input
Timbo

[Ex-Calif]

Timbo - Sawadee Kap and welcome aboard.

Are your plans to stay in and around your harbor or are you looking to cruise the region?

If just snorkling and diving locally you could get any number of 25-28 foot "plastic" boats with Mercruiser type power. Many of these are galley, head and accomodation equipped for weekenders and overnighters.

To stay gasoline and go long distances you are talking some pricey boats probably greater than 45 feet in order to hold all the needed gasoline. There are multi-engine sportfishers available in the region that might work, but be prepared to feed the beast.

For longer range cruising, diesel displacement boats are the way to go. Some can still be pricey but I have seen a few 32-36 foot trawlers come available.

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha Timbo,
Welcome aboard! That sounds like a great place to live. I hope you can find the boat of your dreams.
Kind regards,
JohnL