From Thailand to Eastern USA

[Halcyon Yachts]

We will be helping someone relocate their yacht from Thailand to Eastern USA. It seems there are several options for routing, non of which are straight forward.

1) Via Panama
2) Via Suez
3) Via South Africa

The Panama option is shortest, but crossing the Pacific east bound is never ideal. Suez is basically out due to Piracy. Via South Africa could be appealing, but it is perhaps a bit early in the season...

Does anyone have any comments or advice (or has done this before)? Which way would you go?

The owner ideally wants the delivery to start soon.

Many thanks,

Pete

 

[TQA]

Some idea of the size and capabilities of the boat would help.

 

[BurnitBlue]

South Africa.

Or sneak up the Red Sea. I would guess that the threat of Piracy does not deter everyone so there will be enough for a convoy. Noonsite may have details of one forming for 2014.

 

[Downsman]

I've never sailed a yacht South of the Line so I cheated and dug out my 'Sailing Ships Routes of the World' Admiralty 1950.. If it helps at all, the advised route is shown, May to September. South from Thailand passing close to Nicobar Isles down to about 15 degrees South then turn WSW to Cape Town.
From Cape Town the route is NW towards St Helena Isle but the route splits about 20 South-5 East, one section passes St Helena, Ascension Isle and later St Pauls Rocks then turns NE towards Europe. The route best for you is the Southern branch towards Recife in Brazil and continue NW passing/leaving the Leeward Islands at about 6-700 miles to the West and continue about NW to the US coast.

I'm guessing that route is shown as preferred to avoid going East from Thailand and the nightmare for engineless square riggers, of island dodging until probably the Molucca Passage.

 

[temptress]

South Africa.

Or sneak up the Red Sea. I would guess that the threat of Piracy does not deter everyone so there will be enough for a convoy. Noonsite may have details of one forming for 2014.[. The risks are too great.

I would route via
SA and the CARRIBEAN. East bound in the Pacific can be very hard on boat and the crew and the distances large.

 

[rogerthebodger]

" The rusks are too great "

The red sea is a no no but South Africa has some very good Rusks as below

http://www.bokomo.co.za/products/view-brand/bokomo-rusks

We get lots of RTW either in Richards Bay or Durban then onto Capetown.

Good stop over to stockup (with lots of Rusks) / repair before the long haul to Carribean

If you do come our way look me up either in RB of Durban.

 

[Halcyon Yachts]

Thanks everyone...

Pete