Land 'sailing' for two months

HCMC traffic during a tropical downpour

Our sailing blog will be land based for the next two months but in keeping with the SCYC we will endeavour to keep a nautical theme though in reality this trip is not about sailing. Came to HCMC on study tour of used boat market for prospective purchase of the keel boat for Shamballa Cruising Yacht Club. Found lots of stink boats, mostly at the bottom of the Saigon River, http://vietnamnews.vn/search/?q=boat%20sinks  .  The place is crying out for a good marina and some sailing yachts. Mind you if the harbour traffic is anything like the street traffic, a yachtie might be better off facing cyclones in the South China Sea.
Hoi An showed some possibilities for the cruising yacht trade.  This little wooden motor boat could be a contender.

Tourist cruise boat at Hoi An

Or maybe start a ferry business taking commuters to the islands around the river.

Ferry on Song Thu Bon River in Hoi An filled with commuters and their motorbikes

Or maybe a fishing boat, mind you there are no nav lights, no life jackets but a great dunny out the back.

Fishing boat at Cua Dai - note dunny out the back decorated with life rings

However some of the bridges might be a bit tricky to sail through.

Old bridge in Hoi An

Even so the ocean certainly looks inviting.

Beach near Hoi An

But for now Bob and Eileen will have to be content traveling as the locals do - on motorbikes.

Bob and Eileen on our way to My Son