Crew Wanted: Crew AND Boat Wanted - Madagaascar July / August 2010

[YAKERNZ]

Wanted cruising yacht or powered boat to provide emergency cover for a unique kitesurf expedition off the east coast of Madagascar. Support initially required from Ille Sante Marie through to the very northern tip of Madagascar (Cape Ambre) via Diego Suarez. Targeting end of July or beginning of August to coincide with trade winds and humpback whale migration in Sante Marie. Northern part of Madagascar is wild and un-touched area of the island so is sure to be a unique adventure. Looking to do this on a non-commercial basis but am prepared to help defray some of the costs for boats that might already happen to be traveling in the area.

An extension to this trip is being considered across the Mozambique channel. Powered boat capable of keeping up at 20 knots is required for this leg.

[atoll]

dream on,yachts generaly sail at speeds between 4-8 knots.
very few yachts visit ille sante marie,best bet is around nosse' be,or mayotte to find support vessel.
though french navy would be about the only people in the area with a vessel capable of the 500 miles@20 knots ,assuming there is any wind in the mozambique channel,of following kite surfer.............

[YAKERNZ]

Atoll thanks for your message. As you quite rightly pointed out there are not many boats that come as far south as Ille Sate Marie hence my reason for the post. I am also well aware of what the capabilities of yachts are having raced head to head with them ( yakers.co.nz ).
Realistically my speed over the course of a day is more like 10-13 knots SportsTrackLive | yakernz | Kiteboarding | Auckland | Coastal Classic | coastal classic, kitesurfing
There are boats out there that are capable of that speed but usually come as a price. Ocean Adventurer - The Ultimate Surfing Diving Fishing Flyfishing Kitesurfing Expedition Adventure Motor Yacht - Home
I wouldn't expect a crusing yacht to keep up but am looking for something that could provide emergency cover.

Are you based in the Madagascar area?

[atoll]

not recently,though do know the area,reasonably well.
my brother runs a hotel in mayotte,and both he and my self have done a lot of sailing in the area.
try looking on face book groups pages,for Reunion island and mayotte island.
also yacht club de mayotte,is one of the best yacht clubs on that side of the indian ocean,think they have a web site,good places to find contacts,though french is the language of use.
other wise it would be possible to rent a local fishing boat,what they call a "barque yamaha" ie small skiff with 40-70 hp out board,assuming they havent run out of fuel in mada.,as quite often happens.
this is probably the most realistic option for safety ,though range is limited,could pick you up, though conditions of cap de ambre can be interesting.
constantly blows 40 k/ts plus waves 4-6 m current up to 7 knots..................