Anyone been to Lake Victoria?

Derek.Moody wrote:
 > In article <1080670919.28659.0.DeleteThis@lotis.uk.clara.net>, Doki
 > <URL:mailto:doki@spamtroNspidar.com> wrote:
  >> Has anyone ideas on how difficult / easy it would be for a sailing
  >> novice to get a boat on Lake Victoria? And how likely things are to
  >> to go horribly wrong?
 >
 > Sailing is OT here...
 >
 > I have no idea of the hire/sale situation on the lake, sorry. One of
 > my acquaintances dines out on the story of a rough crossing in a
 > railway ferry. It's big enough that it must be treated as a sea so
 > you'd be wise to get some tuition & practice before you go.

I assumed that whatever you did on a boat was sailing. I've no intention to
be messing around with great bits of cloth, engines are what I want . I
think chartering someone else who knows about these things is the best bet.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Anyone been to Lake Victoria? 

In article <1080740020.71249.0.RemoveThis@dyke.uk.clara.net>, Doki
<URL:mailto:doki@spamtroNspidar.com> wrote:
 >
 >
 > Derek.Moody wrote:
  > > In article <1080670919.28659.0.RemoveThis@lotis.uk.clara.net>, Doki
  > > <URL:mailto:doki@spamtroNspidar.com> wrote:
   > >> Has anyone ideas on how difficult / easy it would be for a sailing
   > >> novice to get a boat on Lake Victoria? And how likely things are to
   > >> to go horribly wrong?
  > >
  > > Sailing is OT here...
  > >
  > > I have no idea of the hire/sale situation on the lake, sorry. One of
  > > my acquaintances dines out on the story of a rough crossing in a
  > > railway ferry. It's big enough that it must be treated as a sea so
  > > you'd be wise to get some tuition & practice before you go.
 >
 > I assumed that whatever you did on a boat was sailing. I've no intention to

Just to confuse the issue some of us here would say we were 'steaming' -
even if the engines were diesel.

 > be messing around with great bits of cloth, engines are what I want . I
 > think chartering someone else who knows about these things is the best bet.

If you're doing more than pottering the coast then yes, very wise. The
charts are supposed to about a hundred years out of date so local knowledge
is about as good as you're going to get.

Is this work, or are you just planning to get a closer view of the crocs and
hippos?

Cheerio,

--
  >> derek.moody.RemoveThis@clara.net<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Anyone been to Lake Victoria? 

Derek.Moody wrote:
 > In article <1080740020.71249.0 RemoveThis @dyke.uk.clara.net>, Doki
 > <URL:mailto:doki@spamtroNspidar.com> wrote:
  >>
  >>
  >> I assumed that whatever you did on a boat was sailing. I've no
  >> intention to
 >
 > Just to confuse the issue some of us here would say we were
 > 'steaming' - even if the engines were diesel.

Hmm. A steamer would be entertaining, but I wouldn't trust one unless I'd
got Fred Dibnah to hand, or at least on 20 minute standby.

  >> be messing around with great bits of cloth, engines are what I want
  >> . I think chartering someone else who knows about these things is
  >> the best bet.
 >
 > If you're doing more than pottering the coast then yes, very wise.
 > The charts are supposed to about a hundred years out of date so local
 > knowledge is about as good as you're going to get.
 >
 > Is this work, or are you just planning to get a closer view of the
 > crocs and hippos?

Hopefully getting a good look at the creatures, avoiding anyone getting
kidnapped / murdered or going tonto and croaking out "The horror, the
horror" as they die. Any ideas on pirates / smugglers that I've seen
mentioned in guide books?<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Anyone been to Lake Victoria? 

In article <1080775156.97618.0 RemoveThis @dyke.uk.clara.net>, Doki
<URL:mailto:doki@spamtroNspidar.com> wrote:

 > Hopefully getting a good look at the creatures, avoiding anyone getting
 > kidnapped / murdered or going tonto and croaking out "The horror, the
 > horror" as they die. Any ideas on pirates / smugglers that I've seen
 > mentioned in guide books?

Don't forget my info is second hand:

The lake is international, there are islands all over it, many out of sight
of other land. Given past troubles in the region I'd be astonished if there
were not some pretty lawless areas - and some well armed characters. I
expect most of it is safe with delightful inhabitants. Try to learn a little
Swahili or one of the local language(s) before you go if you want to make
the most of the trip.

Best consult the Foreign Office and Embassies for authorative advice.

Cheerio,

--
  >> derek.moody RemoveThis @clara.net<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Anyone been to Lake Victoria?