Thursday 31 January 2013

Gear For Sale - Pumps, Solar Controllers & More

Ley and I hate throwing good equipment away, yet somehow each year we accumulate items that just don't have a home aboard.  Over the past few months we've accumulated quite a hoard, and we want to get rid of it !

So, if you need a 12v watermaker pump or a 3/4" water strainer, or new valves for your inflatable dinghy, we've got a deal waiting for you.


Check the full details by clicking here.


If you need a solar controller, small pressure storage vessel, priming tank or a DC ammeter, give us a call. Its all functional and in good condition, some is new.

We'll gladly accept beer in lieu of cash - A$20 equals one IBU (International Beer Unit), which is 24 cans.  You get the idea.... and postage is extra !


A Room With A View

Ley reminded me the other day that it has been a few years since we were "serious" cruisers.  It's taken three months since we re-launched at Boat Lagoon, but it now really does feel good to be cruising "properly".  We're discovering new places, meeting new cruising friends and getting back into the regular swing of life afloat.

So I thought we should share this image, taken during our rigging inspection a few days ago at Ko Phayam. Those who've been following our work will pick the new solar panels on the bimini, but no one can pick the 30 or so plastic cable ties that needed replacing between the bottom of the mast and the top.  Fortunately I love the view.

Sunday 20 January 2013

Thai Trawlers

Clean & Tidy,  But The Smell ..... !
In this part of the world cruising sailors quickly become familiar with the local Thai trawlers and squid boats.  At sea they often move in unpredictable and haphazard directions, keeping us on our toes as we pass them off the coast.  They also often work in pairs, trawling a huge net between the two boats, and we do know of yachts that have been "netted" in this way - not a lot of fun !

Friday 18 January 2013

Can You Keep a Secret ?

Buffalo Bay
We're anchored in a slice of paradise at Ko Phayam, near the Burmese border.  After a week, we now find a new excuse each day not to leave. There are a few jobs to finish where we need a quiet anchorage - tick. We have friends arriving soon...still waiting - tick. There is another side of the bay, yet to be explored - tick.  We could go on ....

We do love it here, and have to ask ourselves why it has taken us 7 years to sail here. It is some comfort that we met another boat that has been in Asia since the mid 1990's arrived here for the first time the same day we did.  Is this the best kept secret in Thailand?  Many say that Ko Phayam is now like Phuket was 30 years ago.

Our first anchorage was at Long Beach, which many cruisers have christened as "Wide Beach", as it shallows very slowly and at low tide the dinghy drag back from the high water mark is across a firm 50 meter beach. We rented a motor bike, criss crossed the island on the narrow concrete paths and dirt tracks.

There are no cars here, a few tractors that cart around drinking water and generator fuel, and many motor bikes. The paths took us through acres of cashew nut and rubber tree plantations and also natural jungle.

We rode across to the pier and the main village, purchased fresh fruit and vegetables, explored all points of the compass and then collapsed at the first village. Neil recovered with a massage, Ley with her book.

Friday 11 January 2013

Cruising Into the Mist

Clear Water & Sandy Bottom At Nai Yang Beach
Last week we departed Phuket for a short cruise along the north western coast of Thailand, up to (but not over) the Myanmar border.

Our first anchorage was Nai Yang beach, where life is very sweet. The water is exceptionally clear, the bottom is sandy and a reef wraps around both corners giving reasonable protection.  There is a great afternoon market on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, mini marts, cheap massage and literally a hundred restaurants either on the beach or lining the one and only road.

We had great wind on our sail to Nai Yang and then the following day to Ban Thap Lamu. 8 to 12 knots, usually from a friendly direction, so our sailing moments have changed into endless hours of delightful sailing in flat water.