Raja Laut

The private charter yacht "Raja Laut" is a classic gaff rigged schooner, built in 2006 in Malaysia [ [http://www.asiaone.com/Travel/Places%2B%2526%2BInterests/Interests/Cruises/Story/A1Story20080701-74030.html Designer cruise on Raja Laut ] ] . Raja Laut was designed specifically for private charters and expeditions in tropical waters [ [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1594988,00.html Cruise Control - TIME ] ] , and follows in the wake of similar ships that undertook journeys of exploration through Southeast Asian waters during past centuries. Her hull & rigging was inspired by the designs of classic European yachts & small trading ships of the 19th Century and the vessel combines a classic feel with modern technology - for example, making her own drinking water and equipped with satellite communications and internet. At over a hundred feet long she is one of the largest classic yachts of her kind sailing in Asia today.

Name

The Malay name Raja Laut, which translates to ‘King of the Sea’, is a reference to the real life "Rajah Laut" Captain William Lingard, the 19th Century adventurer-trader. Capt. Lingard was well known in Singapore and throughout the Malay archipelago. For many years he sailed his own ships and cargoes between Singapore and Borneo and had amassed a considerable fortune.

It was on one of his numerous voyages to Borneo that he fought a large and powerful fleet of pirates, rescuing a surrounded Dutch brig. For his conspicuous bravery on this and other occasions he received the thanks of the King of Holland, and was decorated with the order of the “Lion of the Netherlands”. It was on account of his fearsome reputation that he acquired the name of “Rajah Laut” among the Malays [http://books.google.com.my/books?id=i1Ty1dv-9AIC&pg=PA30&lpg=PA30&dq=william+lingard+conrad+borneo&source=web&ots=Zu2vtMv4As&sig=e9xj6jYencZtkJWW8dVFLVuwtjE&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=4&ct=result#PPA32,M1] .

The Joseph Conrad character, Tom Lingard, is partly inspired by the real life Lingard, and first appears in the novel Almayer's Folly by Joseph Conrad, set in 19th Century Borneo [http://books.google.com.my/books?hl=en&id=i1Ty1dv-9AIC&dq=joseph+conrad+third+world+perspectives&printsec=frontcover&source=web&ots=Zu2vtUw7Bn&sig=hR5R2-ejESoL6522wdJQpaW_818&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result#PPP14,M1] . Tom Lingard also featured in the Joseph Conrad novels: An Outcast of the Islands, and The Rescue. The three novels are what is sometimes referred to as "The Lingard Trilogy", a group of novels based on Conrad's experience as mate on the steamer, Vidar, one of his earliest experiences in the British Merchant Navy at a time when the British Empire spanned a quarter of the globe. [ [http://www.britishempire.co.uk The British Empire ] ]

The name and style of the yacht Raja Laut is in tribute to the adventure and maritime tradition of South East Asia. It also is a tribute to the longevity of the gaff-rigged schooner, whose tried and tested designs were a mainstay of the golden Age of Sail.

Design

The hull design is typical of traditional wooden schooners from Europe and America, in addition the midsection lines are based on those from the Spray, built by Joshua Slocum, the first man to sail around the world singlehanded. The Spray hull design is known for its stability.

The overall design is typical of the "South Seas schooner", such as the schooner Pato whose hull was designed along the lines of an early Americas Cup winning schooner. The schooner Pato was built in the Philippines & also sailed by Joshua Slocum.

The hull of Raja Laut was built of hard and resistant timber, a type of ironwood known as Belian or Ulin. The hull is considered strong and watertight hull, with all fastening in '304' stainless steel. Emphasis on timber quality and symmetry of construction mean the hull lines provide for a smooth flow of water and a great degree of stability. [ [http://www.rajalaut.com Private Yacht Charter in Southeast Asia ] ]

The schooner was built by her French designer, Georges Carraz, who has lived and worked in Southeast Asia for 30 years, and has during his time developed an intimate knowledge of the people and of the boat building traditions of this region.

Her hull lines are typical of the European or American schooners, while her interior decor reveals the influences of Asia.

Raja Laut Cruising Area

Expeditions can take the vessel through the islands of the Andaman Sea, Malaysia or into Indonesian waters. Exploration extends underwater with scuba diving.

See Also

*List of motor yachts by length
*List of cruise ships
*List of large sailing yachts
*Naval tactics in the Age of Sail

External Links

References