charter, flotilla, whatever summer 2007 med advice

[duncan]

well it's finally come to a head and I have been instructed that despite having a mobile home in Poole with a (power) boat on the pontoon 300yds away I have to arrange a 'proper holiday' for SWMBO and 3 kids next summer (14/17/19).

This has arrisen as a result of this August's weather.

SWMBO now works again and has to book a holiday so the flexibility that has enabled us to avoid this situation has gone.

Not wanting to head for the beaches of Turkey or Greece (I am guessing these will be my optimum venues for price/travel) without a boat it suddenly occured to me that I might manage a flanker of sorts with guaranteed sun, warm clear water etc and a boat!

Any advice on where to look and what to look for would be really appreciated.

My one other alternative seems to be loading up the car with the tender and OB and driving to Spain..............but that's a last resort /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

btw have ICC for sail and power if this is a factor

 

[tcm]

ionian is cheap, though balearics competitive and better plumbing, nightspots etc for junior types perhaps. With five for a while i would get bigun, 45 footer. You need a qualification for hiring a sailing boat - a credit card. Flotillas with the likes of sunsail are nice for ready-made social scene.

 

[duncan]

cheersMatt

 

[homa]

Why not "have your cake and eat it" - try a Sunsail Club holiday

It's a hotel based holiday with unlimited use of their yachts, dinghies and windsurfers plus free Kids clubs.

Have done a few over the years

The kids have a great time away from Mum & Dad.
SWMBO gets to lounge by the pool or have a manicure,facial or whatever and occasionally comes out sailing with Dad.

Dad has a great time having a blast on everything that floats.

You can even take a yacht out for the day, there are day flotillas, free teaching sessions, racing in most classes, whatever takes your fancy.

They do Scuba and water skiing if you are that way inclined.

Colonna (Antigua) even has motor boats that you can borrow for the day.

 

[hlb]

Bare boat in the Ionions. Less yere a complete numpty, you dont need flotila, indeed the flotila leaders try to get rid of anyone that has a clue. You will be going in the same direction as them, so can meet up any time. Plus the leader will help with problems at any time. However in our case, he did more harm than good. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

There will either be no wind, or to much wind, but nearly always going the wrong way, so think of it as a slow mobo. However distances are short. Depends on the kids alot. You can anchor in small bays on an island with just a taverna on the beach. Or bigger places with a bit more going on.

It's not big on night life and disco's, though you will find some.

It's a few year since I was there. (twice) But if yer happy with a tin shed on the beach, a few beers and simple food, bit of music interspaced with a bit more choice. It's majic. Looking for the high life, look some where else.

Pitty you missed the summer here. It worked out great for us, but to hot!! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[Rob_Webb]

Hey Duncan, nothing like being back in Edinburgh with winter drawing in to get you dreaming of next year's summer cruise - I can just imagine it!

What you really need is a view like this from your office (and your boat berthed beneath you):

 

[duncan]

once was enough thanks Rob!

I am happy enough pottering around Poole whatever the weather so it's not my dream but SWMBO want a proper holiday..........

like this Ionian thingy option - where do I get a boat or find out more?

 

[Rob_Webb]

Must admit that Sunsail Club thing does sound a good option, whoever wants to paper themselves around the pool can do so, whilst you and the boys go and play with the big boys sailing toys - and hey, if you 'accidently' get stuck out there for 3 days on one of the boats then, well, at least you'll all be enjoying yourselves. Just make sure you carry plenty of 'provisions' just-in-case!

 

[bobgosling]

I have been trying to find a holiday like that for ages. Most of the "Sailing Club" type holidays taht I have looked at seem to only have Dinghies rather than proper yachts. And then, if you have access to a proper yacht but SWMBO doesn't want to crew what can you do ? Would they let you go out single handed ?

 

[duncan]

[ QUOTE ]
but SWMBO doesn't want to crew what can you do

[/ QUOTE ] hoping the bar will prove the crew meeting point............

 

[bobgosling]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
but SWMBO doesn't want to crew what can you do

[/ QUOTE ] hoping the bar will prove the crew meeting point............

[/ QUOTE ]

I found out on my last day in a Corsican resort that the reps had got together to charter a large ( 45ft ) yacht but had to cancel because none of them had an ICC with them. If I had spent more time in the bar I would have found out about it sooner.

Not sue if SWMBO would have let me out on a yacht with a dozen gorgeous young holiday reps anyway ...

 

[duncan]

[ QUOTE ]
Not sue if SWMBO would have let me out on a yacht with a dozen gorgeous young holiday reps anyway ...


[/ QUOTE ]

touch freudian perhaps?

in principle I agree though

 

[Melody]

Remember it will be very hot in August and boats don't have air-conditioning!

 

[Bejasus]

[ QUOTE ]
Remember it will be very hot in August and boats don't have air-conditioning!

[/ QUOTE ]


err..sez who?

 

[duncan]

I think the reference was in respect of most flotilla boats.......