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Gulf Craft abroad
July-August 2011
tors are three phase 380 volts, and there is one heavy-duty (100A)
three-phase shore power supply to run everything on the boat when
in a marina.
Our first stop was at the brand new Pangkor Marina at Lumut. The
entry position is N 04-12.767 E 100-35.100, but arriving at low tide,
the approach we found was too shallow, despite our draught of only
1.2 metres. We called the Manager James Khoo, who bade us, “Wait
a minute,” before appearing in a fast boat to lead us in. On shore,
James explained the buoys for the channel had yet to be laid, but it
had been dredged to 2.5m. The marina is very new, but the essential
things are in place, a good restaurant with bar! The fuel dock was
not quite ready, so the staff happily filled us from 20-litre drums
trundled over using marina trolleys. Quite a job considering we needed
over 4,000 litres… but the staff cheerfully put their shoulders to
the task, while we dined in style.
After a comfortable night in the marina, we waved farewell to John
and headed off. Checking the gauges, I mused on how the fuel
consumption of the C32 CATS is very good. The engine management
system keeps a strict control at all rpm’s, so you never see smoke,
even at cold start, as the electronics do not allow any unburnt fuel to
escape into the exhaust. From the performance chart, you can see
how the fuel curve flattens between 1700rpm and 2100rpm – meaning
the range of the boat does not change from 18.7 knots to 23.9 knots.
So, choosing our speed according to sea conditions, we set a course
for the Royal Langkawi Marina, one of my favourite ports in Asia.
On this leg, the weather was not pleasant, it was dull and miserable
and with a force five headwind just off the bow. With a lot of water
being thrown about, we reduced speed to 23 knots. Surprisingly, only
the odd shower of spray reached us on the flybridge, though the
windscreen was being well doused. The large wipers coped with this
onslaught without any problem and visibility from the lower helm
was still very good in these wet conditions. Carefully checking for
window leaks, I found none, the boat was totally dry. This goes down
as a credit to the diligence of the production-line staff.
Langkawi marina was a welcome sight as we nosed into the narrow
buoyed entrance. By now the sun was shining on our salt-caked
yacht, so as soon as the lines were secured we stripped down to
shorts and commenced scrubbing… its then that you realise, with an
88ft Majesty, there is a lot of boat to wash! We moored stern to the
line of restaurants that fringe the marina and had the privilege of dining
that evening no more than 20m from our boat. With blue underwater
lights matching those on the aft deck, the boats attracted
a lot of attention. Feeling like VIPs, we enjoyed an evening soaking
in the envious glances, atmosphere and idyllic surroundings.
The next morning, our fuel fill took forever. I think we found the slowest
fuel pump in Malaysia. The majority of the three-hour filling
time, however, passed amusingly as the fuel station staff were totally
perplexed by the fact we wanted to pay using local currency. Continuously
counting the huge pile of cash and incessantly calling their
manager, we eventually managed to complete the fill and trade and
be on our way.
Phi Phi Island in Thailand made for our final overnight stop, and the
prospect of riding the anchor off the shore of one of the world’s most
beautiful islands is no desperate hardship. With the sun shining and
sea calm, we just set a course and purred along at 26-knots, serving
tea on the flybridge and not spilling a drop. During the passage, I had
learned a lot about the Majesty 88. Initially, I was surprised that the
yacht was not fitted with stabilisers, but after 800 miles in varying
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