July isn’t known for being a dry month in Thailand…
However, I had 5 days off and was keen for another sail. I also wanted to produce another review of a yacht, this time using video. So a quick call was made to DYC’s “Owners Rental Department” in France with a request and off we went a few days later.
Little was I to know that the weather was extremely rough and wet. Severe squalls constantly passed through the area, causing the tragic loss of life to over 40 Chinese tourists only days prior to our arrival. Many other boats got into trouble that same day.
At about the same time, 12 boys and their coach got trapped by rising floodwaters in a cave in Norther Thailand. An amazing team of people and the ability of the boys and their team leader to stay focused finally saved their lives after many days underground. Sadly, one of their rescuers passes away during the process.
It is a stark reminder that the elements have their own schedule and there is no messing around with the weather. In light of the above, we basically abandoned our routing plans and stayed in the more protected waters of Phan Nga Bay. Here the waters were calmer and provided some awesome sailing with safe anchorages behind islands such as Na Ka for the night.
The original plan had us leaving on a Bali 4.5 but there were issues with that yacht after it returned from a previous charter … so we went on a 2014 Lagoon 450. These are strong boats, there is no doubt. With the right team looking after them, they will last and last well as is evident in the following video (I will do better on the audio next time, I promise) ….
By comparison: In April this year I chartered a 2014 Lagoon 421 out of Airlie Beach, Australia. Maybe it’s the different climate or different clients. Maybe ‘Traviata’ was the favourite yacht of the base … but she definately had an edge over St Amour, even though this Lagoon 450 was better equipped for life style with genset, AC and watermaker.
Here is something to note: Dream Yacht Charters does not, like some operators in Thailand, charge extra (as in ‘per hour’) for the use of the generator … it’s a good thing. You need the AC! Yep, I am spoiled but it also keeps your fellow crew and guests comfortable who might otherwise not be so comfortable on a boat in the tropics!
I have booked the Bali 4.5 for july next year in Thailande for July in 2019.
Any advice?
Where will be your boat?
What was the problem with the Bali?
Hi Philipe,
July can be wet in Thailand but you can get some very nice weather as well. At least its not so crowded. As far as our boat, the Helia, is concerned: it will be based somewhere in Croatia. I haven’t been told exactly at what base yet even though I would like to have it moved to Rhodos in Greece for family reasons. See how we go.
The Bali had an issue with one of the toilets which would have been fixed a few days later no doubt. I didn’t ask any further questions. The base manager just offered me the Lagoon 450 and I was very happy with it. Looking at them side by side on the dock, the Lagoon appeared to be a much “happier” boat and it sailed well. Hope this helps. Enjoy your holidays. Always good to be out there on the water.