Ilréa In Support of Thailand

Jean-Luc had his catamaran built in Thailand a few years ago, so it was only natural that he based his multihull in Phuket. He has enjoyed many winters sailing with family and friends, but as he has reached a certain age, the skipper has decided to sell his Catathai and is now looking back on the seasons he has spent on board discovering this sailing area which is close to Malaysia, Sumatra, Indonesia, and Bali.

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Published 28/11/2025

By Gilles Ruffet

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Issue: 205

Published: jan. / feb. 2026

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Who: Jean-Luc and his crew
Where: Phuket
Multihull: Catathai 43 (for sale)

The Multihulls World community may recognize my catamaran; it appeared in a photo in MW175 to illustrate an article on Thai boatyards. Based in mainland France, I would sail Ilréa in Phuket during the winter (the favorable period during the northeast monsoon, which runs from December to April). This program is actually an alternative to the classic trip of several months - or even a sabbatical year - in the Caribbean. It’s an opportunity to discover a little-known and little-visited sailing area... and yet, in my opinion, Thailand has many attractions and advantages.
Once we touched down in Phuket, we were right there, as the catamaran is moored just 15 minutes from the airport. We can stock up on supplies in the big stores using a taxi.
The sailing area, which is cyclone-free, is quite easy to navigate with fairly steady northeast winds of 5 to 20 knots, rarely more, and predictable weather.
There are many islands, allowing for short trips and anchoring every night, either on buoys or, more often, on safe, shallow seabeds.
On the first evening, we would head to Phang Nga Bay, which is somewhat like the twin sister of Ha Long Bay in Vietnam. We could stop there for the night. Before that, we would visit the famous hongs, caves and natural lakes inside the islets. Fishermen come up to you to offer you large shrimp. Further down, we arrive at the famous island of Koh Phi Phi, then Maya Bay beach and finally Koh Lanta with its long beaches with wooden restaurants and bars. What we quickly noticed is that there are very few pleasure boats, (even in the most touristy areas), that most anchorages are free and that the environment is as calm as it is safe.
In this tropical area, the landscapes are varied: after Phang Nga Bay in the north, punctuated by rocky peaks plunging into the sea, we move on to Krabi and its red cliffs, then the long beaches of Koh Lanta... Further south still, you reach the crystal-clear waters of Koh Rock and ...

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