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

[nimbusgb]

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.

A grand or so for a genoa and people can't be bothered with the 20 or 30 minutes to drop,flake and stow it when leaving their boats for weeks at a time. Beats me.

 

[Laysula]

We always take a bag of nappy sacks as you cant put bumpaper down the loo. Keeps the heads smelling sweet.

 

[Whiskey Bravo]

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

Shoes with bikinis? Not a good look

Seriously, most Ionian sailing is so gentle that barefeet are not a problem, different matter around the UK though. Just need to adapt to prevailing conditions without being inflexible.

 

[mjcoon]

Shoes with bikinis? Not a good look

Do you not wear high heels when modelling bikinis on the catwalk? I'm sure someone would take a Good Look...

Mike.

 

[Whiskey Bravo]

Do you not wear high heels when modelling bikinis on the catwalk? I'm sure someone would take a Good Look...

Mike.

If they did they'd need more than Stugeron!!

 

[lefkasman]

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.

PS to above apparently the Wharram cat beached smack in the middle of the local inshore fishing boat fleet, the locals have been trying to salvage whats left of them, good case for adequate insurance, should be interesting.

 

[duncan99210]

Last year in April as we made our way from Messilonghi to Corfu en route to Italy, we got the full range of weather conditions from nasty wet stormy days spent in oilies on anchor watch to blisteringly hot days in shorts and tee shirts (manhandling jerry cans of fuel from petrol station to dinghy to boat....). My advice would be to follow the layer principle and pack for an English summer: windproof/waterproof outer layer, fleece/body warmer, jersy/sweatshirt and tee shirt with trousers and deck shoes. Then add in a couple of pairs of shorts for if you strike lucky and sandles/flip flops. Swimmers if you're brave/foolish.

Anything else you forget, you'll probably to able to buy ashore at a reasonable cost, as the place should be waking up from the winter shutdown. Most places won't be fully open until May but there'll be enough bars/cafes/restaurants open to cater for you and there will not be any crowds about the place. Enjoy.

 

[PeterR]

The weather might be doing almost anything at that time of year but what I can guarantee is that it will be too cold to swim – unless you are one of those people who take a daily dip right through the winter.

We tried it in early May and no one lasted for lasted for more than a minute.

 

[charles_reed]

Shoes with bikinis? Not a good look

Seriously, most Ionian sailing is so gentle that barefeet are not a problem, different matter around the UK though. Just need to adapt to prevailing conditions without being inflexible.

Methinks WhiskeyBravo is making a safety statement - on the whole I agree with him, broken toes can be quite crippling. Personally I find Croc-type sandals the best - protect the toes and can be easy slip-on/off with the heelstrap raised but stay on with the strap down. Flip-flops/thongs are useless.

 

[charles_reed]

Do you not wear high heels when modelling bikinis on the catwalk? I'm sure someone would take a Good Look...

Mike.

Scene Piazza di Spagna - crowded pavement, used best scrum tactics to get to the front - photoshoot for Gucci.

This young lady was strutting up and down the pavement with 9" heels and a Gucci G-string, and nothing else on.
The pic later appeared in "The Economist".

 

[Whiskey Bravo]

Scene Piazza di Spagna - crowded pavement, used best scrum tactics to get to the front - photoshoot for Gucci.

This young lady was strutting up and down the pavement with 9" heels and a Gucci G-string, and nothing else on.
The pic later appeared in "The Economist".

I bet that made the Pound rise against the Euro
No wonder the economy's going down the pan.

 

[NAJ]

Just popping back to say another thank you. There's some great advice on here, amongst the banter

We leave on Tuesday and I'm relieved to see a slight improvement in the forecast ( which at its worst was showing 6 days of rain!) so fingers crossed...

 

[AMCD300]

Just popping back to say another thank you. There's some great advice on here, amongst the banter

We leave on Tuesday and I'm relieved to see a slight improvement in the forecast ( which at its worst was showing 6 days of rain!) so fingers crossed...

Good luck, we are going to Vliho (Levkas) at the end of May - I would love to hear about your trip and any recommendations you have.

Andy

 

[lefkasman]

Just popping back to say another thank you. There's some great advice on here, amongst the banter

We leave on Tuesday and I'm relieved to see a slight improvement in the forecast ( which at its worst was showing 6 days of rain!) so fingers crossed...

Just had a quick look at the local forecast for next week ... flat calm, sunny about 18c, water temperature unfortunately still hypothermia inducing, 8mm wet suit essential, enjoy your holiday.

 

[AMCD300]

Just had a quick look at the local forecast for next week ... flat calm, sunny about 18c, water temperature unfortunately still hypothermia inducing, 8mm wet suit essential, enjoy your holiday.

+1

Not too jealous - we are driving from Naples to Munich to go to Legoland...

Levkas in May - can't wait

Andy

 

[NAJ]

Thanks. we have actually been to Lefkas twice on holiday but didn't sail and really enjoyed it. Oh and last summer flew in to Naples for our hols in ischia and Sorrento (not that that's especially relevant)

oh and we now just have a little lifejacket problem... As explained on my new thread!

 

[Pekae]

Very useful thread - Thanks to all. We're headed to Vliho last week of May, too. Me to do my Day Skipper and my wife and daughter doing their Comp Crew, prior to us getting our own boat next year! Should be a blast.

 

[NAJ]

Well, we are back! Had a fabulous time and are looking to book a flotilla during the summer hols if we can afford it.

If anyone is interested, I can heartily recommend Sea- Trek adventures in , for learn to sail family holidays.

Thanks again for all the tips

 

[macd]

Glad to hear all went well and you had a good time. Perhaps inevitably, the weather has since perked up after the mixed bag I presume you had.

 

[NAJ]

Thanks Macd, and yes the weather was mixed- we had a particularly interesting storm on Sunday. We were lucky to be doing alongside practice in the harbour when it blew in. Others in our group weren't so lucky!