Ionian Sailing - what base is best?

[mph]

I'm considering buying into a boat share in the Ionian and wanted to know if anyone on here could give some advice on where to base the boat?

Has anyone got opinions about Nidri/Levkas or Preveza as a base?

Nidri is at present near the top of the list but I'd like some comments/opinions...

Thanks in advance etc...

 

[Stevie_T]

Depends very much on what you are looking for

If you wish to be afloat in a marina most or all of the year then I would suggest Lefkas, good central location, facilities etc.

Preveza is really only any good imo if you wish to haul out when you leave the boat, the 3 yards at Aktio are good for this and comparitively cheap and security is fairly good. Access in/ out of the water is fairly efficient, Preveza yard and Cleopatra (where we are) have good travel lifts, both offer discount for RYA or CA membership I believe. Aktio yard is possibly the cheapest and uses a trailer and so the boats tend to be stored a bit closer together.
However if you wish to fly out for a week or two only and expect to sail and get lifted back out then it could be logistically more difficult.

Preveza Marina, I wouldn't even think about it, unfinished, no management and berths are held by the local mafia, charter companies, visitors not particularly welcome and I wouldn't trust the security (there is none that I can see) for a leaving long term.

Nidri, hmm, not sure. I would say getting a proper berth would be nigh on impossible and leaving on the quay can be very exposed. People do leave long term at anchor up in Vliho but that is a personal risk and not sure it would be a good idea for a boat share.

All of the above just my opinion, been in the area for 2 years and I am sure others will have better ideas.

 

[davidbains]

Presumably the existing part owners already have their preferences, and it also depends on how many weeks a year the boat is being used. Wintering lifted out at say Preveza marine is a good safe reasonably priced option. In season the skippers will spend a lot of time at anchor, but no doubt periods in Levkas marina would help at changeover. Otherwise the boat could be left in Tranquil bay under guardiennage. The boat can't really be left on Nidri quay unoccupied. You'll also need to check out the current situation on Vliho quay.

 

[Davy_S]

I would say, Lefkas without a doubt, you are into the best cruising area, plus the staff at Lefkas will look after your boat in the winter whatever the weather and they have a good travelhoist.

 

[Tranona]

Support advice already given. Lefkas marina is notionally full for permanent berths. Location depends on your preferred sailing and amount of time on each visit. Lefkas is a good base for the inland sea and the mainland coast further south. However, access is limited to charter flights from UK to Preveza of Athens then bus - OK once in a while, but tedious.

Also consider Corfu, plenty of places to occupy a week, two weeks allows going south of Lefkas for more variety. Access is much better with many more charter flights and now Easyjet 3 times a week.

I have based in both but currently in Corfu.

 

[chrisgee]

One of the advantages of joining a syndicate is that your annual running costs are shared ,probably 4 or 5 ways , this makes imo a no contest in using a Marina. You have security, a good place to changeover, get work done etc etc. Levkas is much better than Gouvia in terms of position, cleanliness and is well run. I would be wary of using Nidri , the quay can be a nightmare in the quite regular high winds and be careful who you use for guardinnage. Are you joining an existing group , in which case will they not already have a plan in place?
Good luck anyway -- it`a great area to cruise and you`ll enjoy evry bit of it. I`ve been around there for years although have now moved on to Turkey -- if you any more info about the boats, the people et etc just ask.

 

[jimbaerselman]

Good picture drawn by the other posts.

Before Levkas marina was operative, many kept their vessels on Levkas quayside, with guardiennage arraged through (any of) several local firms, pulling out at Preveza for the winters. This is a much cheaper option than the marina if expense is an issue.

Dismiss Nidri quayside. You can't lay moorings off there. And anywhere in the whole Ionian you can't rely on just your own anchors against a quayside - they'll be lifted or shifted by other yachts as they depart . . .

An exception is Tranquil bay, just opposite Nidri. Drive the boat onto the mud, with two anchors offshore and a line ashore. Very secure.

I also note that several live-aboards have laid their own moorings in Plataria (mainland coast opposite Corfu) and Mitikas (Inland Ionian, mainland oppposite Kalamos) and leave their boats un-tended for periods during the summers at no cost. My web site may give more ideas.