PENANG TO LANGKAWI, MALAYSIA

December 27, 2014     Saturday

We had to get an early start this morning using the tides.  Straits Quay Marina has suffered some silting so one needs adequate water for entering or leaving.  We left at 0712 and had no problems with a 6 ft draft.  The wind was out of the Ne at 10 kts so we set full sail with the main and jib and continued motoring.  Langkawi is 65 nm from Penang so we needed to make good time to make it to the marina before dark.  With full sail and motoring I was able to make 7.3 kts.  The wind held so we made fast at the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club in Kuah at 1700 hrs.  Our friends from “Starship” were there to guide us in and help us to tie up.  Gary, is the engineer that will oversee the repower of “Solstice” with a Beta Marina 43 hp engine.  Also, he found a Kiwi sail maker in Kuah that will give us a quote on a new mainsail and twin jibs.  We will need both for the South African trip.

Langkawi is a “duty free” port so all the liquor, chocolates and everything else is very reasonably priced.  It’s a busy place with lots of boat traffic.  The RLYC marina is a bit rolly due to all the ferry boat traffic but it’s a worthwhile stop for provisioning.  There is another marina on an island just off Langkawi called “Rebak” marina.  It is more remote and quite.  We plan to spend a night there before checking out of Malaysia at Telaga Harbor on the island of Langkawi.  The sailing plan is to sail in company with Gary, Paiwan and their seven year old daughter Jasmine to the Butang Islands.  These islands are about 24 nm to the NW and belong to Thailand.  It is one of Gary’s favorite places.

December 29, 2014

Depart Royal Langkawi Yacht Club at Kuah at 1130 hrs for Rebak Marina.  The distance is about 12 nm.  1442 hrs – all fast at Rebak Marina.  We have several friends here that were part of the Sail2Indonesia Rally 2014.  We’ll spend an evening here and then check out for Telaga Harbor which is only 5 nm from Rebak.

December 30, 2014    Tuesday

0912 hrs -  Depart Rebak Marina for Telaga Harbor to check out of Malaysia.

1018 hrs -  All fast at the fuel dock in Telaga Harbor.  This is a very small but pretty harbor with the Customs, Immigration and Harbor Master all conveniently located.  There is a  fuel dock, restaurant and convenience store but little else.  The harbor is serviced by ferries to the mainland and  Kuah.

1148 hrs -  U/W with “Starship” to the Butang Islands, Thailand

1830 hrs -  Drop anchor off the NE side of Ko Lipe (06-29.731’ N x 099-17.779’ E) in 50’ water depth with 180’ chain out.  It is quite windy here with a 3’ wave chop against tide.  The island is packed with tourists and has all kinds of restaurants and shops.  The plan is to spend New Years here as it is famous for its fireworks.

December 31, 2014  Wednesday

Anchored off Ko Lipe (06-29.685’ N x 099-17.776’ E).  We made a tour of the island.  There must be more that 1000 tourists here all waiting for tonight’s fireworks.  We have been told that the new military dictatorship has prohibited any firework displays.  This island is famous for sending up kites with fiery tales attached.  We have decided not to go ashore to see the fireworks but watch them from the boat.

I wouldn’t recommend this anchorage for anything other than a stop to get provisions.  It’s too rolly for comfort but still tenable for reprovisioning.  It appears that the shore can’t be accessed during low tide.   Big resorts here and ice can be ordered from them and they will deliver to the beach.  The prices have climbed since our exit from Malaysia.

The fireworks display was mediocre if one makes a comparison to the States.  Nevertheless, with a Military dictatorship promulgating no fireworks, it was the best they could do.  The Military Thai Dictatorship wants the Thai people to be happy but no Boom-Boom.