Thailand to East Africa - 3 routes

Created by sue. Last modified on 2008-06-30 17:37:38
Contributors:
Topic: Indian Ocean
Countries: Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Thailand

This is an update on our route from Thailand to East Africa via the Southern Ocean.

Boat # 1: We departed Pulau Pagai on May 4th, along with two other boats. We sailed South at a heading of 210 deg until 09 deg S and then headed West on a broad reach. Seas were mixed with a 3 to 4 metre Southern swell and a 2 to 3 metre SE sea, resulting in a constant roll. Winds stayed steady at about 15 to 20 Kn with some squalls and ever-changing currents.

We passed 75 miles south of Diego Garcia and then after passing the Centurion Bank shaped our course for the Seychelles, arriving 26 days after departing Sumatra. We averaged 120 miles a day.

Boat # 2: Stayed at 05 deg South and had light E to SE winds with a 2 to 3 metre Southern swell, mixed sea and squalls. They made only 50 to 60 miles per day, motoring some days with a very uncomfortable roll. They were in the ITCZ most of the time.

Boat #3: Stayed at 07 deg South with 15 kn E to SE winds. Similar conditions as Boat # 1 but a slighly calmer sea. They averaged 110 miles a day. At about 200 miles SE of the Chagos Group, at 07 deg S, 73 deg 30" E, they shaped their course for the Solomon Islands.

Talking with the two other boats we all felt that this was a very do-able route and 7 to 8 deg South is a good Latitude to follow for either landfall.

Fair winds,
Randal