Back to sailing at last---that’s the thing!! After all the refitting work out of the water in Boat Lagoon, then in the water at Yacht Haven, we’re now on a short shake-down

cruise to check everything out—and of course enjoy ourselves.

Our first attempt at a shake-down cruise was pretty short.  On 28th October, we motored down the channel from Yacht Haven—just a few miles—to one of our favourite anchorages

---when it came to anchoring, we discovered the windlass was not working—and at the same time the heavens opened, pouring rain, wind up and swell---checked fuses etc—all ok

--so decided to head back to the marina while it was still light.  Sorted the problem the next day---some wiring to the controller almost turned to dust, so rewired.

And on the 31st, we set off again, anchored first night off Koh Naka Yai, after a nice sail down the channel from the marina---admiring our lovely new mainsail, first time out---Ger and I

bent it on just the day before.  And on the 1st November a good days sailing the 30 odd miles to Koh Racha Yai---sparkling day, 10 knot wind and beam reach much of the way.

 

Well we’d never been to the island of Koh Racha Yai before---but had been told about it---and were very pleasantly surprised!! Lovely bay surrounded by trees and a white sand beach at its head. Clearest

water we’ve seen in Thailand. A plush resort on the beach for a good meal plus a beach restaurant for a pretty good—and cheaper—meal. Nice walks around the island. Good enough snorkelling

---coral not worth writing home about, but a fair bit of fish life. And lovely turquoise water for swimming.  So we stayed the next day, and that evening our friends Gordon & Helen on Mantra sailed in on passage from Langkawi—a nice

surprise---so we stayed another day, lunch etc. with them. Liked it so much we stayed yet another day----in fact I’m not sure when we’ll leave this place!!  But plan for tomorrow is to sail about 5 miles south

to Koh Racha Noi, where we think we may be able to snorkel with manta rays and pilot whales----and then...............who knows.

 

So all is good on Simanderal!!