Yacht Charter - India

passage planning - information for travel agents

The following information is provided in order to help travel agents and others understand the realities of sailing trips and sailing yacht holidays.

 

The Wind and Sea

A sailing yacht is very dependant on wind and sea conditions. It is not possible to sail directly into the wind - at best the yachts can sail 50 ° into the head wind. Also sailing in this direction can be quite unpleasant since not only is the spray head on but generally one is sailing into the waves making for an uncomfortable journey. As a result passages must be planned to take account of prevailing wind and sea conditions. This means that the Cochin-Agatti passage is not a direct line between Cochin and Agatti - but a triangle with a passage first northwards towards New Mangalore, then across to Agatti and then a fairly direct return to Cochin. The outbound passage from Cochin takes 3 days and the return leg from Agatti 2 days.

 

Speed and distance

The Kondo Syokai yachts are light and fast sailing yachts - but they are sailing yachts and not motor yachts. Although they have a small engine - a 27 HP Simpson Marine diesel - the engine is only used to assist the sails and for manouvering in close quarters.

The maximum safe sailing speed of the Kondo Syokai yachts is 8.5 knots but for passage planning we assume only 3.5 knots. A knot is a nautical mile per hour and 1 nautical mile is 1.15 statute miles. 3.5 knots is therefore just over 4 miles per hour, about 90 statute miles per day (24 hours) and this is the speed we assume when calculating the time it takes to complete a journey. Don't be fooled into thinking this is slow - 4 knots on a cruising sailing yacht is very pleasant and over 5 is quite exhilarating and 8.5 more than exciting. If the wind drops and the speed falls below 3.5 knots we can start the engine and motor-sail to maintain speed. This is not often required - for example our last Cochin-Goa passage, a journey of 350 miles, took 3.5 days and we used only 20 liters of fuel.

NOTE: when making a passage the yachts sail both day and night - non-stop - so when we talk about a days passage we mean 24 hours.

 

Delays

Since a sailing yacht is very dependant on weather and sea conditions it is essential to include a margin for delay when planning a trip. 24 hours is the minimum to be allowed for. This can normally be easily incorporated by including a day relaxing in the port of return.

 

Passenger considerations

 

Capacity

The yachts are registered with DG Shipping India and are allowed to carry 8 persons - usually 2 crew and 6 guests.

 

Facilities

The yachts are equipped with a small galley for preparing food and drink on-route and have shower and toilet facilities. Whilst guests are provided with bunks for sleeping, in our experience most prefer to sleep on the deck and enjoy watching the stars and sunrise. During the day a canvas cover is stretched over the aft deck and guests enjoy lying down on cushions under this - shaded from the direct sun.

 

Luggage

- Since space on the yachts is limited guests should only bring 1 rucksack sized bag with them, preferably a soft case.

- Dress should be light but cover arms and legs to prevent sunburn.

- Shoes are not required on-board but if worn should be waterproof.

- A warm sweater or similar is good for the night which can be cooler.

 

Food and drink

Simple food is prepared on-board with 1 cooked meal per day - the other meals being snacks. Tea, coffee and mineral water is provided on request - conditions permitting.

 

Safety

The yachts are registered with DG Shipping India and undergo annual inspection.

 

Safety Equipment carried

- 12 man SOLAS A pack life raft

- 150 N Crewsaver automatic life-jackets

- Life buoys

- Danbouy

- Flares

 

Navigation

The yachts are equipped with GPS, digital and paper charts covering the area of operation. Radio communications is by VHF. Other navigation equipment includes Silva marine compass, echo sounder and radar reflector.