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Junks in China and other Asian countries

  • 06 Oct 2015 21:02
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    Reply # 3563961 on 3551550
    Deleted user

    I've come across http://chinesejunkboats.tripod.com/id2.html before, and stumbled across it again a couple of nights ago. It appeared to specialise in selling orignal eastern junks. I emailed the site for more info doubting it was being maintained and quickly got the following reply, which David Hoe says I can quote. Thanks, David. It's interesting to loook at the asked/sold prices...

    "Hello Brian,  Well thank you for your interest ... the website has a multi-purpose function ... one is to sell Chinese junkboats (which is slightly different than junkrig sailboats) ... another purpose is that these junkboats get sold and then later come back on the market ... so the website has become an archive of sorts for junkboats that are/have been 4 sale ... I don't take down the listings even after a boat has been sold ... people find it interesting to see what is / was available for purchase etc. ... currently I don't know of any newer listings that I could add to the website ... if you know of such please let me know and I will list them ... thanks. 

    PS:  Have you seen the 30 meter new build junkboat (other sizes) being built by Dr. Wayne Moran in China?  ... absolutely amazing.

    Regards,  David K. Hoe, CSVScj4s, Honolulu, HAWAII"

    His email address is chinesejunks4sale@yahoo.com

    Last modified: 06 Oct 2015 21:22 | Deleted user
  • 06 Oct 2015 04:41
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    Reply # 3562252 on 3551550
    Anonymous member

    Thanks for the information!

    It would be nice to see true working sail of any kind in action. In most circumstances, I suppose it has made sense for working craft to convert to engines, and I don't expect them to forego that extra earning power just for my curiosity and nostalgia.

    I'll keep all of this information in mind when planning my travels. I'm currently learning Chinese in Beijing while working remotely, but plan to go elsewhere in the winter and spring.

    It would be interesting to link up with other JRA members, too. I've mostly dreamed alone in my corner all these years, and I think meeting people living their own dreams would be inspiring.

    I'd like to buy another boat within the next two to three years. If I wait for the perfect time, I will never do it.

    Best,

    Max
  • 05 Oct 2015 18:34
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    Reply # 3561340 on 3551550
    Deleted user

    Hello Max,

    The last time I checked, there was an authentic Malay Junk in Langkawi, west coast Malaysian island near Thai border.  It was built on an island near Terranganu, (East Coast of Malaysia) and is owned by Christophe Swarboda. It is his second Malay Junk. He had a smaller one built before this one, that he and his family circumnavigated in. No idea where that first one is.

    There is an old junk in Stanley Harbour Hong Kong, that needs some work, and that seems to be the only junk in HK that isn't a Tourist boat.

    Philippines have no junks only bankas, very occasionally with crab claw sail, and the 'junks' in Indonesia are gaff rigged, and once again, dying out. Bali had crab claw sails on their fishing bankas, and there were a a lot of them on the NE coast. Looked like a regatta. We went out with one of the fishermen and it fair flew along. good haul of skipjack tuna too!

    Rene and I will be back in Malaysia mid November until late February. Crib is currently in East Malaysia and we hope to be heading for Langkawi. Do get in touch if you are likely to be nearby and would like to meet up with us.

    Lesley and René
  • 05 Oct 2015 00:28
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    Reply # 3559766 on 3551550
    Anonymous

    Links in John's post corrected.

    Chris

    Last modified: 05 Oct 2015 00:29 | Anonymous
  • 04 Oct 2015 23:41
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    Reply # 3559707 on 3551550
    Anonymous member
    Your links don't seem to be working, John.  However I looked at the Duk Ling website and discovered the the term apparently means Clever Duck in Chinese.  The OED gives the etymology of duck as having Germanic origins, derived from 'diving bird'.  How confusing!  The website is well worth visiting, if only for the charming use of English in the introduction.

    I think your idea of a small junk and mine are a distance apart, John!  She looked pretty big to me.  I was interested to see that she was once a working junk - good to know that at least one has survived.

    Last modified: 04 Oct 2015 23:43 | Anonymous member
  • 03 Oct 2015 13:53
    Quote
    Reply # 3558270 on 3551550
    Anonymous member

    Max,

    A large junk recently  completed in Zhoushan which I believe belong to Dr. Moran. image here

    There is a small junk "Duck Ling" available for cruising in Hong Kong. Link of the website is http://www.dukling.com.hk/

    A genuine junk is available for liveaboard diving tourists in Thailand. Link of the website is http://www.thejunk.com/

    Junks are also found in Halong Bay of Vietnam. But I don't feel that they are genuine junks. They are just out of proportion junk sails on motor boats.

    John Kwong

    Last modified: 05 Oct 2015 00:28 | Anonymous
  • 03 Oct 2015 10:47
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    Reply # 3558018 on 3551550
    Anonymous member

    Hi Max

    Sorry I don't have any specific information on Vietnam.  But a google search might be worth a shot.

    Best of luck

    Peter

    Edit: Quick search turned up this seems like a good place to start......

    Last modified: 03 Oct 2015 10:50 | Anonymous member
  • 30 Sep 2015 11:51
    Quote
    Reply # 3553040 on 3551550
    Anonymous member

    Hi Peter,

    Thank you for your response. It's sad that working junks have disappeared from China, but I can't say I blame them. "Progress" sweeps us along or aside.

    Do you know where I might have luck finding junks in Vietnam? I'm vaguely planning on being in the north of that country sometime around late January or early February.

    Best,

    Max
  • 30 Sep 2015 00:20
    Quote
    Reply # 3552579 on 3551550
    Anonymous member

    Max

    Junk activity in PRC is almost non-existent.  Everything that once had a sail has now got an engine.   However there is a 23m junk being built in Fujian for a Taiwanese guy, and Wanye Moran (who is/was a member) has had a 30m Junk built in Fujian.  

    John Kwong is in Hong Kong and is doing his best to keep some of the traditions alive.

    Outside of China you may have more luck.... Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam are worth a look.

    There was a project being run by one of the members called 'Hunting Junks'.  I'm not sure if it's still running.  But Renee was/is sailing around Malaysia.  She may have more information.

    Sorry I cant give you more positive news.

    BTW I'm in Shanghai.

    Peter
  • 29 Sep 2015 12:47
    Quote
    Message # 3551550
    Anonymous member

    Dear fellow members,

    I'll be in Asia for a while (1 yr +), and I'm wondering if it's still possible to see working junks anywhere in China or other Asian countries. I'm living in China but I plan on travelling around a bit, too. I'd like to plan my travel around junk-seeing, if possible.

    I've just renewed my membership after several years of inactivity. I posted this question to the junkrig yahoo group, and Paul Thompson suggested I ask it here. My sailing dreams are returning after a lull of a few years. I had bought a Colvin Gazelle in 2009 and lost it to an undeclared existing mortgage lien (yes, stupid).

    Best,

    Max
       " ...there is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in junk-rigged boats" 
                                                               - the Chinese Water Rat

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