In the Sauna
Yup, we are back living in the sauna. I am sure there are a few out there who have heard that it is hot down here but here I go again. This time though I am not going to complain! I am trying to figure out how to save myself a return air flight back to Canada to cool off.
It’s one thing to have high temperatures and very high humidity but to have it without wind puts it into a different realm. And SE Asia does not have the trade winds. Here the average wind speed is about 3 knots. The wind does blow above 8 knots on occasion but that usually comes with black clouds, horrendous gusts of 40 knots+ and copious amounts of rain. This is a monsoon area and right now we have the SW monsoons for which the Malaysian peninsula is partly protected from due to Sumatra to the southwest. Phuket is not protected and as a result gets more rain and more wind.
Combined with two large household fans, 6-12 volt fans, 4 hatches we try to stay cool.
However, it is not enough. We have succumbed and purchased an air conditioner. Many of those sailors who have been here for any length of time have succumbed; that is, apart from the Aussies who seem inured to the searing sun, the lack of wind and the excessive humidity. I think if it wasn’t for the lack of wind I could work with it but especially at night when what little wind there might be disappears then it is downright uncomfortable.
Air conditioner over the hatch but not working quite yet
Now, though, we turn on the aircon at 1700hrs, cook dinner, clean up and relax in cool comfort. The aircon goes off in the morning and we emerge from our cave.
Almost installed and working
Air con baffles made from coroplast for installation and insulation
Why? We do not want to get too used to aircon and so get out, work on the boat in the morning and then spend part of the day in the park chasing hornbills, visiting other boats, hunting for supplies or bicycling around.
Soon we are hauling out to repair our centreboard. Hope that is a short period of time and then we are back in the water and headed for Thailand.
What are we going to do when we move and have no dock power? I guess just find a good anchorage with clear water where we can swim at any time of the day.
Sage on sail 
All these things us land-lubbers take for granted 🙂 Not that it’s all that comfortable in London, Ontario today. 30 deg with 70% humidity. Ugh. It was 21 deg this time last week!
Not sure how I would handle that kind of heat and humidity. Weather is cool and wet in Victoria. Don’t know if you’ve heard, but Calgary, is a flood zone. Downtown was completely shut down and the Stampede is threatened. Saddledome flooded to the 8th row seating. Good luck with the air conditioner.
Sounds like you are figurin’ out how to handle it. Great chatting the other day from Dave and Marcia’s. We’ll have to do it again some day soon!
I’m in Kingston and it’s nearly that hot and humid here. Went sailing in a rainstorm on the weekend, and drifted in slow circles for a while in a torrential downpour before giving up and motoring to our destination. At least it cools down with the rain.
Tony
that is hot eh
hope you guys get to cool down soon
i guess by about the fourth ice cold beer drinking them to cool off just does not work.
Dam shame that
be well take care
be Cool Man
Peace
Don
Hi Tony, Hope you are cooling down now and trying to obtain some relief , we wish we could send some temperate weatther down to you both from Victoria. Hope all is well with you both despite the humidity . Dale Chandler could not complete his rounding of the Vancouver Island due to engine concerns. but hopes to do it next year Regards to you both ,keep cool folks Bill and Lisa.