Sometimes it?s great being a reporter. I had been invited to be a VIP guest and take a cruise on a luxury W58 Zephyros Windy Boat and after a long hard week at work, I was looking forward to it.

Sales & Marketing Manager, Jariya Sungtong, or Khun Bow met me and walked me on board. Luckily it was a lovely sunny morning and there were not many other guests because, hey, I was a VIP and there?s a certain level of luxury that I had become accustomed to (in just six minutes).

Khun Bow said, ?I trust you can see how nice and well-maintained our Windy 28 (2002) and Windy 58 (2004) are. All Windy Boats are hand-built by skilled craftsmen at our modern production facilities on the south coast of Norway.?

I listened with interest as although I had been sailing many times, these boats were something else and I couldn?t wait to get going. The name Windy Boats, at least to me, conjures up images of a humble sailer drifting on the waves while waiting for gusts. But these cruisers, Khun Bow explained, ?combine fine woodwork and exclusive textiles with modern construction materials, advanced control and propulsion systems, for a truly outstanding boating experience.? She reminded me that the two boats are also on the market for sale, I haven?t checked my bank account in a while but I?m pretty sure there?s not enough their to cover the cost of the Windy 58 that starts from 56 million baht or theWindy 28 that starts from 5.5 million baht.

Perhaps sensing this, Khun Bow said, ?We also charter our Windy Boats.? She urged all interested to visit the Windy Boat?s office at Boat Lagoon Marina and ?experience for yourself the Spirit of Scandinavia?.

Our cruise took in the sights of Naka Island and Phang Nga Bay. I had a great time eating and appreciating the views around and took lots of pictures - some that you can see here. I also got the chance to ride on the smaller Windy 25 and follow the 58-footer to take some pictures.

They really are beautiful and the classic-sport-modern designs enable the Windy Boats to look stable and safe and more importantly not out of date, because I am a VIP (for two hours 32 mins).
The cruise was very comfortable from the very moment we set sail and the Windy Boats are suitable for cruising in hard winds or on big waves. The engine is very quiet.

While everyone was enjoying their lunch, I went to sit next to ?Shore?, the strong 36-year old captain, to ask him a few questions - as a reporter of course. He told me that he had been cruising for more than 17 years and that he is used to out at sea for more than a month at a time.

If I had to be at sea for more than a month at time, I can?t think of anywhere that I would prefer to be than on a Windy Boat. After about four hours we returned to Phang Nga Bay and I set foot on dry land.

Both cruisers are available to charter at Phuket Boat Lagoon.
Call K Jariya on 080-529 6928 or email jariya.sungtong@windyboats.asia.