Ionian in April- first time sailing-what to pack??

[NAJ]

We are going on a family learn to sail holiday in kefalonia in 2 weeks time ( with our 9 and 11 year old children). We know the weather will be hit and miss at this time of year but are prepared to take a chance.

We will be living on board and so need to pack light, but are unsur what to take. Has anyone got any tips about what sort of clothing we should pack or early season sailing in Greece? There seems to be loads of specialist clothing around but I'm not sure how much of this is necessary.

Also, this may be a silly question, but with sea temps of around 16 degrees, would swimming be an option? Perhaps with shorty wetsuits?

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[nimbusgb]

Shorty or even a full one! Depends on how hardy you are. Below 20 and I don't go in!

Pack a jumper, at least a raincoat or cagoule.

Jeans and deck shoes.

Shorts and T shirts.

Evenings / mornings could well be cool.

the good news is the mozzies will not be too bad.

Don't go buying specialist gear for the Ionian just yet.

 

[Whiskey Bravo]

You're correct, it can be a bit hit or miss, but I wouldn't bother with wet suits. If the weather's sunny it'll be ok to swim, if it's rainy you probably wouldn't feel like it anyway.
Agree you don't need specialist gear, ordinary cagoules will be fine. I always take flip flops as there so easy to put on, especially when weather is damp and can be left on deck if wet, avoiding getting lots of wet shoes down below. There won't be any heating on the boats, so a couple of fleeces is a good idea plus normal summer clothing. I always find zip-off trousers come in handy, zipping the legs on if the evening gets cool whilst ashore, or if the mozzies start to bite.[but not many when you're going.]
There may be sea urchins around if swimming from rocks, so some people take those shoes you can swim in, I've not bothered personally, but they are readily available and cheap out there if you don't want to pack in your luggage.
Enjoy yourselves.

 

[Tony Cross]

It will probably be a tad chilly in the evenings so jumpers are essential, I agree with a fleece each too. It may also rain on the odd day but I wouldn't bother bringing any specialist wet-weather gear (oilies etc.) just something to keep the rain off. A hat for everyone will be essential, even in April the sun can be strong. Suntan lotion will be essential too.

Wetsuits I doubt you'll need, though the sea will be cold, probably about the temperature you'll find the sea in the UK in June. In any case on a boat you simply jump in, swim around for a bit and then climb out!

Do NOT bring hard suitcases, pack everything in soft-sided bags and try to bring the absolute minimum you'll need. There isn't a lot of storage space for bags on a boat!

Don't bring lots of shoes, most of the time on the boat you'll be barefoot (but you will stub your toes - a lot) and in the evenings a pair of flip-flops will do! Nobody dresses up in the evening (well not many anyway) and SWMBO will not need any high heels

You're picking a good time to visit the Ionian, there will be no crowds and you'll get in everywhere you want to with no trouble. You may find some taverans/bars are still closed or undergoing their winter renovation, Greeks tend to leave these things until the last minute!

You'll have a great time...

 

[macd]

The weather's pretty up-and-down at present (although the house martins have arrived in Lefkada, a good sign). There will be the likelihood of lows coming through, plus possibly squally showers and maybe thunderstorms. Some means of getting daily weather forecasts would be advisable: perhaps an iPad/Android?

And tea bags.

I wouldn't go swimming for a couple of months, but then I'm a softy.

 

[vyv_cox]

In the Aegean last April the weather was particularly poor. We wore long trousers for the first time in the last five years in Greece. There were torrential rainstorms and wind up to a measured 58 knots. In previous Aprils the weather has been superb, so the message is - be prepared for almost anything.

 

[V1701]

Crocs are good, grippy on board, stop toe stubbling & you can walk miles in them. Enjoy, I'm going out for 3 weeks from mid April as well, fingers X'd for good weather...

 

[NAJ]

Wow! What a great response- thanks so much for your advice. I can't tell you how useful it is.

I'm just off to check the forecast, but want quickly wanted to ask about gloves and waterproof trousers...what sort of gloves would you suggest and would you bother with waterproof trousers at all? Thanks again

Oh, and Tony, I AM SHMBO

 

[Whiskey Bravo]

If you have very lightweight waterprof trousers they may be worth taking but unlikely you'll use them. The only gloves you might want are more for protection when pulling ropes/anchor chains than anything else. Fingerless are easiest to use. Decathalon sell them a lot cheaper than chandlries, or try cycling shops.

 

[Tony Cross]

Oh, and Tony, I AM SHMBO

Big mistake....huge

 

[macd]

NAJ/SHMBO: you've no doubt checked recent forecasts by now, but night-time temps are typically in the low-teens, so you'll need a fleece or pully. Concur that lightweight overtrousers, at most, will be needed. Daytime air temp is high teens to 20, which feels warm if sunny and still, much less so if overcast and breezy: fleece and wind/waterproof jacket needed. Best gloves I've found for anchor work are budget motocross gloves, but gardening gloves are even cheaper.

We had a fairly hefty and sustained blow from the NW last night, although the most common strong winds in winter are from the south. When the prevailing direction becomes NW, you know summer's here.

If conditions remain unsettled and occasionally squally, your main issue may be bailing out of an anchorage if the wind turns unexpectedly onshore. Looks like you won't have much moon for part of your trip, so it would be wise to routinely make a note of a safe compass heading for this purpose. Other than that, a great time to be in the Ionian.

If you should see Cierzo on your travels, do say 'hi'. We have plenty of warming (and cooling) drinks.

 

[mjcoon]

... Best gloves I've found for anchor work are budget motocross gloves, but gardening gloves are even cheaper.

I always take gardening gloves. But some harbours can have very grungy mud (best not to think about what it consists of!) so absorbent gloves can need washing each usage. Perhaps take heavy-duty rubber gloves too? They have other uses around the yacht as well...

Mike.

 

[lefkasman]

NAJ/SHMBO:
We had a fairly hefty and sustained blow from the NW last night, although the most common strong winds in winter are from the south.

Now that's what you call an understatement ! Vliho looks like the aftermath of the battle of Trafalgar, plenty of work for sail makers from those too lazy to remove their sails at the end of last season, its still gusting hard at the moment but forecast predicts a reasonably light wind over the weekend strengthening to a possible 7/8 Southerly on Monday the 25th so stand by for a battering from that direction.

 

[st599]

It will probably be a tad chilly in the evenings so jumpers are essential, I agree with a fleece each too. It may also rain on the odd day but I wouldn't bother bringing any specialist wet-weather gear (oilies etc.) just something to keep the rain off. A hat for everyone will be essential, even in April the sun can be strong. Suntan lotion will be essential too.

Wetsuits I doubt you'll need, though the sea will be cold, probably about the temperature you'll find the sea in the UK in June. In any case on a boat you simply jump in, swim around for a bit and then climb out!

Do NOT bring hard suitcases, pack everything in soft-sided bags and try to bring the absolute minimum you'll need. There isn't a lot of storage space for bags on a boat!

Don't bring lots of shoes, most of the time on the boat you'll be barefoot (but you will stub your toes - a lot) and in the evenings a pair of flip-flops will do! Nobody dresses up in the evening (well not many anyway) and SWMBO will not need any high heels

You're picking a good time to visit the Ionian, there will be no crowds and you'll get in everywhere you want to with no trouble. You may find some taverans/bars are still closed or undergoing their winter renovation, Greeks tend to leave these things until the last minute!

You'll have a great time...

No one goes barefoot on any boat I'm skippering. Take shoes.

 

[macd]

forecast predicts a reasonably light wind over the weekend strengthening to a possible 7/8 Southerly on Monday the 25th so stand by for a battering from that direction.

Preparing to stand by. Permission to do so on licensed premises?

 

[Davy_S]

We took a battering on Kef last night! It is going to warm up with Southerlies though, roll on summer.

 

[lefkasman]

Stranded...

Preparing to stand by. Permission to do so on licensed premises?

Of course the Yacht Club is the best place to weather any storm, in fact it looks as if this Wharram Cat tried to cross the road to get in there

 

[macd]

Of course the Yacht Club is the best place to weather any storm, in fact it looks as if this Wharram Cat tried to cross the road to get in there

Woops. Wasn't someone supposed to be looking after that one?

 

[Highndry]

Faster drying cargo pants much better than jeans. Oh, and take polarised sunglasses or you'll get headaches from the glare. And pack travel towels rather than big fluffy things - useful way of saving weight.

 

[lefkasman]

Woops. Wasn't someone supposed to be looking after that one?

Probably, but in all fairness its doubtful, well even foolhardy to attempt to provide assistance in those near storm force conditions, fortunately there does not appear to be excessive damage to the cat, there are several yachts high and dry on the far side of the bay owing to dragging moorings, but the majority of the damage seems to be to unsecured sails which in many cases have been reduced to ribbons.