Hong Kong to Singapore by Powerboat

Created by sue. Last modified on 2008-07-18 15:45:20
Topic: Malay Archipelago
Countries: Hong Kong, Singapore

We have a 75' powerboat with single engine and limited fuel. We are planning to sail from Hong Kong to Phuket via Singapore.

As our boat is basically designed for coastal cruising, we are wondering whether we should go via Hainan and the coast of Vietnam to Singapore, or via Subic Bay/ Malaysia.

I've heard stories about piracy on the coast of Vietnam and as the prefferred port of entry is all the way south (Nha Trang), we are thinking of sailing via Malaysia, Borneo.

Could you advise?

Best regards,
Marius

Marius,

Entry formalities in Vietnam are still very complicated, which is a good reason to go via the Philippines. An even better reason is that boats from Hong Kong sail frequently to Subic Bay.

If you are a member of the Royal Hong Kong Club (or have a contact there), you should try to talk to some members who have sailed to Manila or Subic Bay recently. I was there in December last year and I know that several had been to Manila recently (there is even a race from HK to Manila). So even if these are sail boat owners, they could give you some valuable advice.

If you have no luck, try to contact Bill Kimley, who is a club member and who I know has been across to Subic Bay on many occasions on one of the power boats he builds at Zhuhai, in mainland China.

Regards,

Jimmy Cornell
noonsite