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● Record breaking transat in a Mini 6.5
Think you’ve ‘done’ Greece? Think again and let Rod Heikell guide you around Greece’s Eastern Sporades – a hidden gem of a cruising ground
Janet McMeekin embarks on an action-packed flotilla adventure in Thailand
Having never set foot on a catamaran, when I arrived in Thailand for a 10-day sailing holiday, I had no inkling that this trip would rapidly unfold into one of the most spontaneous, varied, and exhilarating experiences of my life.
Keen to seek out some winter sun, while browsing the Seafarer Sailing Holidays’ website as hailstones battered my office window, I was instantly drawn to the words ‘Sail away to a paradise of turquoise waters and emerald islands’. I mean, what’s not to like? My interest was instantly piqued.
A subsequent phone call to the knowledgeable Seafarer team –whose calm expertise I totally trust – took an unexpected turn. Instead of chartering another monohull, as my husband, Phil and I had done previously, they suggested something completely different; joining the lead flotilla boat (a skippered catamaran) for a cabin charter on their newest Thai route.
If you have read my previous Sailing Today features, you may recall that I’m still relatively new to sailing, having embarked on my first flotilla holiday just three years ago. Since then, I’ve been on a fairly steep learning curve. By contrast, Phil is a qualified skipper and accomplished sailor with many nautical miles under his belt.
Just to clarify, I’m definitely not a lazy person and always pull my weight in all walks of life. However, the prospect of temporarily relinquishing the responsibility for passage planning, mooring, provisioning and onboard cooking was undeniably appealing.
e Beneteau Oceanis range is now on to its eighth generation of boats - yet the marque continue to push the boundaries as Sam Je erson discovers
Bigger is better? at certainly seems to be the ethos of multihull manufacturer Bali. When you have 52’ of length to play with, that means an awful lot of cabins as Sam Je erson discovered
Poole is a busy commercial shipping port, in particular is home to the main RoRo terminal for cross Channel ferries, so it pays to be particularly vigilant when approaching the harbour entrance. Listening out on VTS (VHF Ch14) harbour operations for shipping movements before you approach is worthwhile because you can then plan your entry. There is also a chain ferry at the entrance to be aware of, plus the ebb can run at 5kts, and there is a 10kt speed limit throughout the harbour. The advice is to drop sails on the approach, and motor through the harbour entrance. Don’t forget also, to call up ‘Poole Quay Boat Haven’ on VHF Ch80 to check availability and berthing instructions.
On the approach to the harbour entrance, Bar Buoy No 1 marks the start of the Swash Channel. A small craft channel runs along the western side of the Swash Channel and is recommended for leisure vessels. It is marked on its western side by a series of lit and unlit red piles on the training bank and bounded on the eastern side by the red can buoys of the Swash Channel. Vessels using this channel should re-join the main Swash Channel between Number 8 buoy and Number 10 ready to traverse the Harbour Entrance.
An alternative to the main Swash Channel, for those familiar with the area and coming along the coast from the east, is to head for the
entrance via the East Looe cut. This runs west over the sands before dog-legging round to the southwest close along the shore. It is quite shallow and should be navigated with caution and avoided by deeper draught vessels. It can vary in position, so latest Local Notices should be checked. Follow the Middle Ship Channel round to the north and then west until you reach the south cardinal Stakes buoy Number 29. Follow the ‘Little Channel’ towards Town Quay and the entrance to Poole Quay Boat Haven is clearly visible on the right-hand side. Enter the marina leaving the north-south harbour breakwater wall to starboard.