Easy Greek Flotilla but not starting in Lefkas. Ideas?

[Tranona]

Vyv, you are exactly right. It's the support that we need.

Re Corfu... I realise that Corfu has a certain reputation for Brits abroad/ party island type holidays. Can anyone tell me if you can avoid this element of Corfu whilst sailing? I would love to go to Parga so a Corfu flotilla appeals.

If you watched the series of late night TV programmes on Corfu you will have seen it dubbed as a land of contrasts. The element you talk about is confined to the extreme south (Kavos) and the north west. You will meet people who go to those areas in the airport and on the plane if you go by charter. North East is the opposite - millionaires playground! In between ( the majority of the island) is well, middle of the road. Friendly locals and "ordinary" visitors, mostly Brits. We went there 12 years running and still did not see everything, nor tire of the delightful places to moor both on Corfu as well as the mainland and Lakka. You don't need to be in a flotilla to go to Parga - just sail there, although it can be a squeeze to anchor close to the beach if there is a flotilla in. Look at the Sailing Holidays intineraries so you can see where the best places are and what is achievable in a week. As easy to do bare boat as a flotilla and in the holidays no problem meeting up with other children.

 

[SimonD]

Whatever you choose, do not, I repeat, do not fly with Monarch. A five hour delay going out was bad enough, but twelve hours sat in Preveza departures coming back was sheer misery. I now know that they have a terrible reputation for punctuality and try getting statutory compensation out of them!

 

[NAJ]

Thanks so much tranona. Very useful info re Corfu. If you were to stay on the island, where would you choose?

Monarch sound awful! And they want 2k for 4 airfares in August!

 

[Tranona]

Land based there is a huge choice. The best villas and apartments are on the north east coast between Corfu town and Kassiopi. Several hotels also in that area. Dubbed Kensington on Sea to reflect the number of high class private villas and estates, but plenty of modestly priced accommodation too. We sometimes stay in a hotel in Kontokali, next to Gouvia marina now we don't have our own boat there. Charter boats are based in Gouvia.

Buy Rod Heikells Ionian Pilot which gives a flavour of what it is like.

Obviously I am biased, but we chartered there in 1998 and by 2001 owned our own charter boat which we used for holidays for the next 10 years and never tired of the place. So much to see and do.

 

[NAJ]

Tranona, now you've got me thinking... Boat ownership...boat share... Just stumbled across an old thread that you've contributed to re your experience of owning a boat in Corfu. Very interesting .

 

[Tranona]

Tranona, now you've got me thinking... Boat ownership...boat share... Just stumbled across an old thread that you've contributed to re your experience of owning a boat in Corfu. Very interesting .

If it fits your long term plans, buying a boat through a charter management scheme as we did can be an excellent deal. However there are significant downsides, particularly if your circumstances change and you need to get out of the deal. For us the positives were that we knew we liked the place, we had very secure jobs, kids had finished university, we had lots of equity in our house and spare income to service any loans and retirement was coming up and reasonably predictable.

The main drawback is the difficulty of selling the boat at the end, although if you roll over into another contract that is less of a problem. Because of my health we were not able to keep the boat in the way we hoped so sailed it back to UK. Fortunately won't be forced to sell it, but the end game was not the planned one! However, while we had it on charter, the interest charges on the loan were offset easily by the savings in charter costs. We got really hit though in currency movements when the VAT became due and a more than 50% increase in marina fees in the 2009 period rather took the shine off running the boat just as a holiday boat.

Having said all that, still have a hankering after another boat out there as we had more use in a year out of our boat there than probably in 5 years of the boat here because of the predictable weather and easy sailing. First time you drop anchor in a place like Agni Bay or back up to the quay in Lakka just to name 2 delightful places, you will appreciate why.

Boat shares can also be good, but need a bit more work as they depend heavily on good relationships with partners rather than dealing with a business, and can have the same difficulties if you want out. Many boats, though are operated in this way. Worth speaking to Chris Hawes of Yacht Fractions who is one of the best people for putting either sort of deal together.

 

[Cariadco]

Hi, Flights to Corfu: Rayanair or Easyjet
Excellent little Hotel, just outside Gouvia Marina: www.hoteltelesilla.com/
Small British charter company (but not flotilla): www.pinnacleyachts.co.uk/

Make sure you visit Agni Bay, Paxos:Fort Gaios and Lakka Bay, then across to Mourtos and work your way back up to Gouvia.

The 'Brit's Abroad' to worry about is in Kavos, but somehow I wouldn't imagine you'll be going there....

I personally recommend all of the above!!!

Regards,