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I spent a day aboard a 38-foot catamaran for a day of meandering
in the waters off Phuket’s east coast. The boat’s name
was ‘Hanuman’, and she was an Athena 38; built in France
by Fountaine Pajot in 2003. According to the builder’s website,
the Athena design “successfully combined beauty of form with
intelligence of design, making manoeuvring, mooring, anchoring and
stowage exceptionally easy, with the promise of happy days of cruising.”
That’s a good promise.
Light-years beyond previous experiences
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| Phuket Island east
coast |
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We set off from the Phuket Yacht Haven – its fleet of beautiful
floating residents serving as an object lesson for the ‘stay
in school’ message – at a respectable hour in the morning
with a two-man crew. This is unusual, as the Hanuman normally sails
sans crew. She’s reserved for guests who want to be captain
of their own ship. But my boating experience is limited to sitting
on a kayak while someone else paddles; proper sailing would be a
stretch, so, for today, staff is provided.
I was blissfully unaware of our destination – or even if we
had a destination – and it didn’t matter. Near the wheel,
at the rear of the boat, is a horseshoe arrangement of padded seats
wrapping around a table, all graciously protected from the sun by
an overhead shade. With four cosy cabins, two bathrooms, and a kitchen,
the boat is well equipped for a multi-night group outing. The clever
storage areas – lots of latches, no wasted space – are
an inner-child’s dream, making the boat’s interior like
a spaceship – futuristic ingenuity. This was my home for the
day.
Lazing, lunching, and loving it
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| Koh Naka Yai |
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After a couple hours of slow motoring we arrived at Koh Naka Yai,
a small island off Phuket’s southeast coast. Boarding the dingy,
we stormed a stretch of sand that was crowded with empty beach chairs
and nothing else. The only other person was a vendor selling coconuts
from a makeshift shack. As other sailboats drifted by in the background,
we began the beach ritual: swim in amazingly clear water, dry off,
soak up some sun, repeat. Phuket seemed years away.
Meanwhile, the crew was busy preparing lunch. Far too much Thai
food sat ready to be devoured when we returned to the boat. Fresh
fish, two chicken dishes, and stir-fried veggies were served at
the rear table, where the island sea views changed, as if someone
was flipping through channels on the television, as the boat gently
rotated.
We sat there for two more hours – swimming off the boat, lounging
on the bow, trying out the beds below deck, munching fruit –
before returning to Phuket. More boats eventually arrived at the
beach, but we were already finished with it. The freedom to beat
the crowds, and to go where they aren’t, is what separates
‘luxury’ from ‘nice’. This was luxury.
Too many choices
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| Power Catamaran
Althea |
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In addition to the crewless ‘Hanuman’, three crewed (captain,
crew, cook) yachts are also available that take the concept of luxury
and multiply it. The ‘Cataleya’ is similar in style to
‘Hanuman’, but is 17 feet longer and can accommodate more
guests. ‘Althea’ trades sails for twin 310-horsepower
Volvo engines in a 44-foot waterborne mansion. But for the ultimate
in luxury, the 89-foot ‘Lady Anita’ is a wooden yacht
with five air conditioned cabins – each with a private bathroom
– that has ample room for ten very fortunate (emphasis on ‘fortune’)
passengers. Itineraries are customizable to fit your needs.
Charting a private yacht is an experience that’s beyond compare.
Granted, the waters around Phuket – especially the Phang Nga
Bay – are breathtaking under any circumstances. But the ability
to take it in on your schedule, and follow your every whim and fancy
from deserted island to secluded cove, is a luxury everyone should
experience just once.
How to get there
Phuket
Yacht Charters
Sailing or Motor Yacht - Crewed or
Bareboat |  |
| Chartering a yacht
with a professional captain, crew and a cook is just one more way to get a feel
of cruising in Asia. No sailing experience is required, just the desire to be
pampered and to enjoy oneself is all that is necessary.
Prices from 560 US$*
for 24 Hours
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more... | |
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