Sam Holmes Sailing · video

What this video covers

Sam Holmes sails to Ko Panyi (also called Gypsy Island), a village built on stilts over the water in Thailand by nomadic Indonesian fishermen roughly 200 years ago, after land-ownership laws barred non-Thai nationals from owning land.13:42 The passage runs at 7–9 knots for most of the trip, with both daggerboards down and a freshly repaired screecher.0:58 Wind builds from around 12 knots to 16–17 on a beam reach, prompting two reefs in the main and two in the jib; Sam sets a personal threshold of 18 knots for a third reef to stay ahead of squalls.2:54 Fishermen laying nets across the river require a careful watch early in the passage.0:31 A stop at a national park island features a notably large hollow tree; Sam notes the $20-per-visit national park fees charged at multiple islands in the area.6:00 At Ko Panyi, the dinghy ties up for 1.50 baht.3:38 The village has a floating soccer field, a mosque, convenience stores, and resident families.14:02 A side trip by dinghy at low tide reveals cave drawings on nearby rock faces, though high tide is needed for full access.12:52

More from Sam Holmes Sailing

We hit a log sailing by strange Indonesian sea platformsAug 2026Replacing a window while sailing through pirate waters and wildlife of BorneoAug 2026Sandakan and Wildlife of BorneoAug 2026Kota Kinabalu Bound: Sailing, Survivor Island, Squalls, and Bugs, 3d printingJul 2026

From Sam Holmes Sailing — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analyzed video.

The Sailing Directory Newsletter

One email with the fleet's best finds — the moments, boats, and stories worth your watch time. Enter your own address to get your own copy.