Flotilla Sailing in Turkey

[SimbaDog]

Thinking of doing a 2 week summer flotilla from Gocek with Setsail, (kids like the company of others on flotilla's).
Has anyone any comments on sailing in that area?
Thanks

 

[Norman_E]

Beautiful area. Gocek is at the head of a large bay, and is sheltered from the sea by Gocek Island. The western side of the bay is called Skopea Limani, and it is sheltered by a line of islands. Easy sailing and probably motoring in that area. I think Gocek is a very good choice if you are relatively inexperienced, as there are few unmarked underwater dangers except for a reef to the east of the little island group (I forget the name) just south of Gocek Island.
In two weeks you will do more than just explore the bays and coves of Skopea Limani, and I would expect that the flotilla will either head west to the Bozburun peninsula, (in which case you may go north to Marmaris or round the peninsula to Bozburun or Sogut. The alternative in two weeks might be to go East along the coast perhaps even as far as Kekova and back. I suggest you seek an itinerary before you book, and ask what alternatives are planned in case the weather at the time is dominated by a strong meltimi wind. I would not be impressed with a fixed itinerary, and would expect to see flexibility, with the flotilla leader basing decisions on the weather as well as the abilities of the flotilla.

 

[Tamarisk1]

As Alan said above you really will enjoy it.
I sailed from there with SS last year (July) and it was a wonderful experience. Easy sailing - yes there is wind - fantastic scenery and the locals are very welcoming.

If you're going for two weeks it may be an idea to stock up where you can for evening meals as the tavernas all seem to serve the same food!

Enjoy!

 

[SimbaDog]

Thanks for those replies:
Norman_E, this is a brand new flotilla for 2007, they say a week in either direction. I will be looking for some wind !
Tamarisk1, Interesting, we did 2 weeks from Skiathos with setsail this year, that was good. Considered Croatia but the marina fees seem a bit over the top!
They are doing this new flotilla next year to go both up & down the coast, sounds quite promising.
Did you find any stops with nightlife as well? Need the odd night for kids!

 

[duncan]

what age kids? I am looking at similar with a 14 and 16 year old but had reservations overalll for the same reason. when the priorities were given as pool tables, play stations (onboard) and broadband I started to reconsider the whole thing /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

SWMBO wants a proper family holiday (as opposed to going to our van in Poole with our boat on the pontoon etc etc) and I am looking at a compromise (ish) ie good weather but a boat!

 

[SimbaDog]

Hi duncan
Mine are 12 & 15
Before we went ti Skiathos this year neither wanted to go, halfway through they said 'can we do this again next year' !
They enjoyed the company of other kids on flotilla.
I would prefer to bareboat but have to say it was OK, not as regimented as I expected, only met up with other boats in evening, on a free sail in middle never saw another flotilla boat for 2 days.
I have been sailing all my life & was suprised how good it was!

 

[duncan]

well I actually got round to discussing with SWMBO last night..........and I don't think it was completely dismissed so will pursue further.

if I have to spend a fortune on a holiday I may as well enjoy the thing myself!

will look for a setsail website - are they recomended above SS?

 

[SimbaDog]

Setsail are a lot more user friendly, the flotilla we did this year was very flixible, none of that follow the leader rubbish!
A morning briefing on where to meet up in evening & things to see & avoid & you could make your own route.
www.setsail.co.uk
Go for it, it's only money !!

 

[duncan]

have looked and requested the glossy..........however at the moment the Sporades flot has my grabbed attention, with the SO35 looking about right............

SWMBO is only going to be interested in being anchored up in delightful coves with sun and sangria, warm sea and no waves!

can this be guaranteed and if so whose breave enough to do it? /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[SimbaDog]

That's the one we did this year, with a SO.
It certainly met your SWMBO's criteria in August this year!
Plus decent wind on some day's for good sailing with the dolphins.
duncan, PM me if you would like more honest info on this

 

[Tamarisk1]

Provenjohn,
The only stop on our trip that proved to have nightlife was the stop in Fethiye (http://www.fethiye.net/fethiye_peng.html) which made a welcome break to the desolation of the sole tavernas on the little islands and coves we visited, though one night was enough and we were back out seeking the little islands again. I do remember that on the last day the flight was in the evening which allowed us time out to visit the famous tombs and turtle beach of Daylan. Take a riverboat to the tombs and mud baths. If you do go there you must visit the freshwater lake - amazing!

Enjoy.

 

[jester1072]

Went with Sunsail on flotilla last year to Gocek and had a great time.

Was told that during the summer, some of their flotillas had an extra member of staff on the lead boat.
They are there just to help with kids on holiday by getting them together for activities on and off the water.

Sounds like it might be useful.

 

[jhr]

Any fool can do that job - it's childs' play.......

I'll get me coat.

 

[kingfisher]

I went sailing to Göcek twice this summer. A few words:
I went in august and september. August was neigh unbearable from the heat. The crew was constantly drinking water. One of the girls was unwise enough to have three glasses of white wine, and got seriously heat stroked later in the day (and be aware, heat stroke symptoms are very much like sea sickness.
Göcek bay is a well protected area. Not much wind, and it comes from different directions. Anchoring is easy, once you know how. The ground is good (sand), but shelves steeply. So you need a lot of scope. Approach the shore in reverse, untill you can count the leaves on the shrubs, and then some more. Drop the anchor in 20m depth, reverse more, and attach the rear of the boat to a tree with 40m of rope. More and more bays have bollards, to protect the trees. Most bays have a garbage container
Important: check the anchor winch before departure. Hoisting up 20m of chain by hand is not fun. Make sure it doesn't snag, make sure you know where the trip switch is.

Destinations:
Göcek has a very civilised waterfront with restaurant. Ask for the fish "tuzdu", which is a large fish in a salt crust.
Port Göcek Marina is a very swank developed marina, with excellent facilities, and dead cheap compared to the solent. You can easily walk to the town by a path along the waterfront.

We didn't make it to Fethiye on our two 4 day trips, but we made it to Dalyan, Istusu beach. A great beach with several bars. Good holding ground west of the beach, even better to the bay to the west of Istuzu bay (Erkincik Limani). Beware: when you go from the Gulf of Göcek to Istuzu beach, you need to pass two capes. Confused seas and winds make for nausious crew. Get the weather report right.

The restaurant in the bay at 36°38'13N, 28°52'58 is to be avoided. However, the one on 36°37'32N 029°04'63 is great. And if it gets too crowded in Göcek bay (which it will), head for 36°32'71N, 029°03'34

 

[Yardarm]

We've sailed twice in Turkey with Setsail and found them excellent with a good choice of boats in good nick. If anything went wrong, they sorted it out very quickly, we had a guy drive a long way to come and mend something on our boat. Not all their boats are owned by them, ours last year was chartered, but it was fabulous, privately owned and in almost new condition:

Our second trip with them was one way from Orhaniye to Gocek in August, we had some good strong winds, sometimes a bit too strong for a cruising holiday. We loved the area round Gocek and Fethiye and I want to go back and spend more time there.

This was Gocek on our last evening.

I've got more pics if you're interested.