SkiffAsia

Just got back from four days with SkiffAsia in Phuket - I know Gael wrote a page on them in January Y&Y but here is the family viewpoint:

FANTASTIC!!

Accomodation - They have 2 villas available, both two bedroom.  We stayed in the Oyster Cove villa which has a pool as well.  The accomodation was in perfect condition, with a bowl of fruit on the table, the fridge stocked with drinks and even a packet of cornflakes provided for breakfast on the first couple of days.  It was a massive 5 minute walk from the villa down to the SkiffAsia base.  All linen and towels are provided.  Bedrooms are airconditioned for those who don't like the tropical heat at night.  A miad came in every day to change the linen and clean up so no housework to worry about either.

The boats - Optimists, 4 Bytes (with standard and c2 rigs available), 2 29ers and 4 59ers.  All the boats were in perfect condition.  You just decide what you want to sail and it is then rigged for you and off you go...For a bit more single handed fun they are now rigging up the 29ers with twin tiller extensions so you can helm from the wire with or without a crew.

Sailing area - the immediate area off the beach is sheltered and is great for kids and beginners.  There are oyster beds about 100yards off shore which are protected by buoys so you have to sail around these to get out to the main bay.  The water is generally very flat and there is acres of space.

Wind - apparently most consistent from December through to April, and then again around July / August but this is not quite so reliable.  The wind was best in the morning and then died for an hour or so over lunch before filling in from the south around 1:30 to 2:00p.m.

Getting around - the guys at Skiffasia arranged airport transfers for us and then arranged a taxi each evening to take us to a restaurant for dinner.  The taxi driver would then pick us up from the restaurant and take us back to the villa.  The choise of restaurants and quality of the food was superb.

Little extras - every day there was a camera out on the water with photo's being taken of every one.  At the end of the trip we were presented with a CD of all the photo's to take home.  The club house has a TV and DVD player with loads of great films (sailing and non-sailing).  There is food and drinks at the club house, and for the non-sailor's there was a supply of fresh fruit provided to prevent the hunger pangs developing between meals.  Cold beer served in glasses from the freezer ready for wen you get in off the water too...

All in all we were extremely well looked after Phil, Russel and Robert were superb hosts and we did not have to worry about a thing while we were there.  The sailing was superb and even the non-sailors in the family gave it 10/10.  The only question now is how soon we can go back...