Our Sailing Activities

"Makara"

We designed, built & operate a traditional Vietnamese “ghe nang” sailing boat which until we built ours in 2009 has not seen for the last 40 years! diesels overtook sails so  sailing ghe nangs disappeared.  Now with declining fish stocks & high fuel prices perhaps sails will return for more sustainable fishing?

We have been helped in recreating this classic vessel by older shipwrights & crew from Hoi An who as young men built & sailed these fast & tender craft. 

The US Military in its “Blue Junk Book” published in 1962 suggested that the “ghe nang” is one of the fastest monohulls in the world - this is not true today, but she still gives a very good account for herself despite the ancient Champa design!

This boat is from Danang, Cham Islands & Hoi An and was used in Spring & Summer for fishing.  Sailing alone the adjustable rudder & stemboard were lifted and this vessel would drift to leeward pulling a purse seiner net set to windward.  We do not go fishing.

We do NOT have any engine onboard - we use sails or oars - this is to experience a traditional Vietnamese vessel & find some peace & quiet on the water! 

Our 10.5 metre ghe nang “Makara” - the Champa name of a Sea Monster God - is licensed to carry 12 passengers + 2 crew upto 10 miles offshore.  We have some modern safety & conveniences onboard such as a manual flushing marine head (toilet), small cooking stove, overhead cover (sun & rain protection), navigation lights, etc.  Our boat has the traditional matted bamboo hull (with fiberglass added inside to provide watertight compartments for safety).

Sailing all year

We will be sailing all year around Cham Islands - storms in Autumn & Winter permitting.  Spring & Summer we will be sailing along China Beach.

Rates per person for 2010

Sail cruise

We offer the following sailing cruises (50% deposit with reservation):

• Full day Cham Island cruise (starting 8 am & finish by 5 pm) including vegetarian lunch (either at Bai Huong village or onboard) US$53/ passenger (minimum 2 passengers)
• Half day China Beach Cruise 11 am - 3 pm US$37/ passenger (minimum 2 passengers)

Sail training

We offer sail training programs based on a minimum of 2 persons (maximum 12) being trained to crew, helm and row the ghe nang and other traditional Vietnamese watercraft from Hoi An (including round bamboo boat & river sailing boat).  We make passage around Cham Islands and stay overnight on Homestay at Bai Huong village (50% deposit with reservation).  Prices not including accommodation:

• “Introduction” sail training 2 nights 3 days US$185 / passenger (min. 2 passengers)
• “Intermediate” sail training 4 nights 6 days US$350 / passenger (min. 2 passengers) includes at least 1 night onboard

Introduction

We operate a engineless 5.5 metre Hoi An wooden river boat with one crew to row & sail up to 5 adult passengers.  This boat has a traditional Vietnamese lug sail & was the test bed for our larger 10.5 metre ghe nang "Makara".

Tours

We offer tours with crew on the the rivers around Cua Dai.

Rate per hour (with crew)

US$13/ hour