On Wed, 7 Jan 2009 09:38:48 -0800, "Capt. JG"
wrote:

"katy" wrote in message
. com...
Bruce In Bangkok wrote:
On Wed, 07 Jan 2009 08:33:41 -0500, katy
wrote:

What's the big black boat across the fairway in the picture?

That is a "Junk". The inverted commas are because it is really just a
semi-traditional hull with a big engine and junk type fully battened
sails. It is a day cruise charter boat and is quite successful, going
out nearly every day with, say 10 - 30 passengers.

The sails are only for show, they haul them up in the morning and they
are small enough that in any wind short of a hurricane they can stay
up and not impede the boat which motors all the time.

Apparently it is quite a good trip as I have heard the tourists coming
off the boat enthusing over what a nice day they have had.

Cheers,

Bruce
(bruceinbangkokatgmaildotcom)

hahahaha...we have the tourists here who say the same thing when they get
off the charter cruise ...she does put up her sails and turn off the
rngine but we have pretty tame sailing here and they all think they've
been out in a gale! Once in a while one of the time share peeps will
wander down to the docks trying to get private boats to take them out for
a fee...we all point to the charter boat...they really aren't interested
in hearing about licensing and captaincy etc...


We have charter boats somewhat like that here... however, they do actually
sail and it can be quite a dramatic experience for the uninitiated. The only
time the engines are typically on is returning or leaving the dock.

The "black boats" apparently were designed, from day one, as
sightseeing boats. The company owns four of them, two here and two in
Ko Samoui, and while they vary a bit in hull shape are essentially the
same - 200 HP diesels and small sails.

They haul the sails up before the customers arrive and take them down
after they get back, but they do look like a proper junk... if you've
never seen a junk :-)

Cheers,

Bruce
(bruceinbangkokatgmaildotcom)