Safety between Suez and India
 

Looking to find out if anyone has recently gone down Suez through Red Sea and crossed Gulf of Aden past Dijbouti/Ethiopia/Yemen etc.

I'm going to attempt to sail from Scotland to Philippines next year and as an inexperienced person think this is less risky than crossing Atlantic and Pacific. I am buying a 26ft Hunter 26 with 9.9hp engine.

Any suggestions or knowledge of Red Sea/Yemen/ Oman route safety or tips?

Re: Safety between Suez and India
 

Don't rush between Scotland and the eastern Med, that way you should resolve the inexperience issue, though you'll also probably discover that you've not got a suitable boat for crossing the Indian Ocean.

Re: Safety between Suez and India
 

Got it !

Time is no problem and I can take whatever time I need to gain experience in calmer waters.

I take it you may think 26ft is not a big enough boat?

What about safety on the route down Red Sea etc?

Thanks

Re: Safety between Suez and India
 

If you haven't already bought it, I'd continue to look. A small Hunter is the last boat that I'd consider and an outboard powered boat as well. Might look for Look around and get familiar with all the boats out there. Especially look for a boat with a small cockpit and secure companionway. I'd want a diesel because there will be a lot of time and conditions where you'll need the engine and an outboard hanging off the stern is not a safe alternative. In the cabin look for storage compartments not wide open space that can only be filled with air or a flying body. A boat that is safe at sea and suitable for extended voyaging, especially in a small boat will not have a wide open interior. See if there are any Contessa 26s that you can have a look at. A number of them have made long ocean passages.

That's a pretty ambitious sail

Re: Safety between Suez and India
 

Thanks, much appreciated. I was looking at Hunter 26's with built in engine but accept that as you outline, this is not a long distance practical boat.

I was only thinking 26ft because I assumed small was easier to sail short handed and also cheaper on maintenance.

Re: Safety between Suez and India
 

Nothing wrong with small - I prefer them myself - but as noted earlier a Contessa would be a far better choice for offshore sailing; I did many miles in and would heartily recommend the Albin Vega.

Re: Safety between Suez and India
 

Sign up for emails from these guys and check their site regularly

https://www.asket.co.uk/post/2017/08...maritime-secur


Also there is a Facebook page for such crossings - I believe noonsite has the link

Re: Safety between Suez and India
 

you would be a lot safer in an Albin Vega , check out the lists of boats that do the jester challenge ,that will give you a better idea of safer small boats

id also avoid the islands to the south of the philipines , that area around sulu is not safe , they use a big curved knife to hack your head off down there .South western Mindanao is high risk

Re: Safety between Suez and India
 

I'd be more concerned about your boat choice ( combined with inexperience) than I would about any possible piracy issues - they tend to look for larger fish.

What you're describing is day sailor - what you need is a blue water pocket cruiser with a decent diesel engine. A 30' boat can be easily single handed if you know what you're doing. Your biggest challenge could well be crossing the Med - a lot can go wrong in there.

Re: Safety between Suez and India
 

THanks.

Yes, most people say go slightly larger and more robust.

How do you avoid the dangers of the med? Travel in a group? What areas are worst for piracy?

Re: Safety between Suez and India
 

I would second what Roverhi has said. I am assuming that the Hunter is the UK version and I wouldn't choose it for that journey. Coastal sailing around the UK fine, but no to anything else. Be aware the Red Sea can be very windy, with weeks of South going winds in the F6 bracket.

What's the budget and lets see what else we can come up with in the UK.

Pete

Re: Safety between Suez and India
 

The med isn't a problem other than there is either too much wind or nil so you will have to motor alot. Others will need to comment on the right season to do the Indian Ocean.

Pete

Re: Safety between Suez and India
 

Thanks.

I actually live on the other side of Saudi in Bahrain so I'm slightly surprised Red Sea is so windy. I scuba dived there a couple of times but that was mid July.

Budget is around $30k with $15-$16k for a boat and the rest for spares, repairs and additions.

Re: Safety between Suez and India
 

You are correct about the easier and cheaper maintenance (also insurance, canal transit and marina fees). Several other people have responded to your original post, writing that by the time you get to the Indian Ocean you’ll have gained a lot of experience, and I agree with that. And I know that people have circumnavigated in Hunters. But 27’ is, in my opinion, a tad small and light for the voyage you are contemplating. I have sailed the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean, aside from the security issues, these are challenging passages - climate in general, wind patterns in particular, white knuckle navigation between Suez and Asmara, mindless bureaucracy etc.I suggest you search out a few voyage blogs written by sailors who have done these legs recently, there are some well written journals online and you’ll be able to get a good sense of what lies ahead.

You say you enjoyed diving in the Red Sea with calm seas and little wind, but I’ve done that route a couple of times with enough wind to blow a dog off his leash. ��

Re: Safety between Suez and India
 

Well, this could have a lot of useful stuff on board and is priced to sell. Assuming it's not clapped out, will get you there and the extra length will mean faster passage times.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...4402840553367/

You need to read https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tania_Aebi account of her around the world trip. Its a really good read and ought to be available cheaply second hand in the UK.

Pete