Esper Refit 01 - introduction to our extensive yacht refit

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We will be running our refit updates concurrently with our normal sailing blog (which include a few spots around Langkawi and a sail to Penang). We aim to publish the refit updates every Sunday.

Introduction

Esper has been hauled out at PSS Boatyard in Thailand for an extensive refit. The work scheduled so far will include:

removal of masts and rigging
removal of teak deck
osmosis treatment to the hull
fill, fare and respray of topsides, deck, masts and booms
rebuilding of external storage boxes
fitting new navigation system
If the budget allows, we would also like to undertake some interior carpentry, including:

new sole boards
reveneering
repositioning of chart table
removal of forward heads
redesign of forepeak
resurfacing of galley and rear heads
engine service
Each week we plan to update followtheboat with a progress report of work done to the boat, including a number of photographs and video clips. This will culminate in an article for Sailing Today.

PSS Boatyard

Phithak Sinchai Shipyard, or Phithak Shipyard and Services to English-speaking mariners, is based in the village of Ban Chebilang, approx. 15km north-west of Satun, south Thailand.

It traditionally served the huge number of fishing boats in the area but in recent years has proved its mettle in providing services for the leisure industry. Wood, steel and fibreglass are all catered for. More details of the location can be found here.

Chebilang is a lively fishing village. The cafes immediately opposite the yard offer the workers excellent food. We can heartily recommend Dom’s place at the end. Her culinary skills deserve international recognition and she surprises us every day with a new dish.

Checking In

I mention checking-in since a few people asked about rumours circulating re bringing a boat in to Thailand. From what we understood at customs, we have a license to keep the boat in the yard for six months, which may be extended for a further four. Since we don’t intend to be here that long this isn’t relevant to us but we are sure the boatyard would be able to help and advise on this issue should it be required.

We were picked up by Moo the moment we could get off the boat who escorted us to immigration, customs and passport control. Note that in Satun these offices close by 4.30pm. Yes, his name really is Moo! Full Thai names are unpronounceable, so we’ve had to get used to abbreviations like Moo, Pon, Un, On, Ton…

Satun and Accommodation

Since the boat is being stripped we opted to find accommodation in Satun, the closest large town to PSS. I’m pleased to say that Satun is not your typical Thai tourist resort. It is predominantly Muslim and there is little for the passing traveller except the experience of an authentic Thai town. We love it here and it is one of the reasons why we chose PSS. Aside from the boatyard facilities, location was important to us since this will be our home for the next few months.

We checked out a couple of houses within the centre of Satun but found them to be dark and depressing. We were after two bedrooms, one to be used as storage, but stumbled upon a new build one-bedroomed joint with verandah in the north-east of Satun. Location was perfect and it’s off-road enough that we’ll be able to let Millie roam the enclosed garden! We’ve hired a scooter so getting around is easy enough.

The commute to ‘work’ is an absolute joy. We’re quickly in the countryside where the main road to Chebilang takes us through rubber plantations and rivers.

The journey back in the setting sun is even more beautiful, especially after an ‘end-of-work’ beer with fellow liveaboards.

Haul Out

PSS is located on an estuary, so there are tidal considerations for those with a significant draft (sail boats). We anchored outside the entrance to the estuary to the north (this avoids the many fishing boats that shoot up and down the estuary coming in and out of Chebilang) and spent a night listening to curious noises coming from the surrounding mangroves.