Moving boat, Greece to Majorca - how/when ?

[eebygum]

Hi,
I'm looking to help move a mates boat from Greece (Island of Trizonia) to Majorca, 26' sloop. We don't have much time (kids/jobs etc.) and would like to get there reatively quickl. When we retire we will go back more slowly

How long would it reasonably take ? I'm used to night sailing in the UK so not uncomfortable with night passages so don't need to island hop.

When would the earliest time it would be reasonable to sail in the spring ?

If we have to do it in a series of say 3 or 4 1 week hops....any suggestions on the best stop off points and where can you keep you boat when you fly back to the UK ?

I'm used to sailing around North Wales so all help gratefully received.

Thanks

<hr width=100% size=1>
Age is a question of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.

 

[Sea Devil]

I think trizonia is in the Gulf of Corinth?

If I am right you should be able to do Trizonia to Messina in one hit - good marinas etc in that area if a bit expensive.

From Messina to South west coast Sardinia is a fairly easy hit with opt outs - several marinas there.

South East Sardinia to Balearics is not much more than an overnighter (or 2) if I remember rightly.

I did it last year and it took a couple of weeks with lousy weather and getting stuck a couple of times but beware some of the prices in Marinas in Italy/Sciliy are dramatic! I only went in one at Palermo the rest of the time anchored. that would not work if you need to leave the boat and fly back...

regards

Michael

<hr width=100% size=1>If you have time visit my web site
www.michaelbriant.com/sailing

 

[jeanette]

I was in the Med recently helping a friend deliver from Cartegan to Corfu - I did the Scicily to Corfu leg.

I concur entirely with the comments about exhorbitant mooring costs in Scicily - we were once charged for 2 nights at 40Euros per night for 27 hours (0300 - 0700) for 42ft.

The trip took a lot longer than planned due to lack of wind in many places and insufficient fuel to continue motoring. The trip took 3 weeks with stopovers for crew changes and some engine troubles.

My experience leads me to say plan your stops carefully and allow plenty time for problems, re-stocking, refuelling and light winds.

There were 3 long passages, all suffering from light winds in July - if the skipper hadn't been trying to keep to a schedule he would have found it less stressful and had little time to relax and enjoy the trip.

I don't know of any 'cheap' stopover places in Italy - we didn't find any. Also, flights in/out are tricky. Brindisi and Palermo offer RyanAir flights but marina charges could make it tricky.

Night sailing was easy, there is very little traffic except through the Straits of Messina which by Solent standards it was still negligable.

Fuel was difficult to get hold of in one tiny marina and had to be ordered - check the pilot and don't assume a fishing port will have fuel on the quay.

Have a good trip - I enjoyed mine - the scenery was spectacular, the water beautiful and the fresh tuna very tasty indeed

<hr width=100% size=1>Jeanette

 

[rrees]

Did it 2 years ago went to France

The gulf of Corenth can get some funny weather so be very careful there
The leg over to Messina was spectacular
When are you looking to go
We had no problem with the refuelling but did carry 100l in cans to top us up

Richard

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Swampyhotdog]

Hello There,

Below is an excerpt from my log.
My boat is a 36' jeanneau, and for most of the trip we had the wind blowing F3 ish against us, and we were averaging 5 knots, but that should give you an idea of the time it might take you.

If you need any more info, or even need a hand let me know.

Cheers,

Stu


9/20/2003 Left Nidri (Greece)
9/21/2003
9/22/2003 Arrive Reggio Calabria (Mainland Italy)
9/23/2003 Left R. Calabria
9/24/2003 Arrive Palermo (Sicily)
9/25/2003 Left Palermo
9/26/2003
9/27/2003 Arrive Cagliari (Sardinia)
9/28/2003 Left Cagliari
9/29/2003
9/30/2003
10/1/2003 Arrive Peurto Adriano (Majorca)


<hr width=100% size=1>As with most posts here - my personal opinion - take it or leave it.
Stu

 

[temptress]

I've delivered boats all over the MED usually in the winter. You can cross any bit of water at any time of the year with the right planning. Biscay can be simple in a January calm or a rough ride in a summer gale.

26 ft Sloop. What class is she? How is she setup for night sailing? Do you have 2 or more good sea berths?

It's simple passage planning. Expect to averade say 4.5 knts divide that by the distance add say 30% and you have a rough idea of the delivery time.

It is possable to move boats around the Med at any time of the year although Devember to Feb is less stable - more like an English Spring, wiht sevre gales possable.

Are you planning to do this as a cruise or a delivery? As a cruise it may well take you till next spring waiting for the perfect weather and visiting the place son the way.,As A delivery a week or two should see it through at this time of year but this could double if the weather trunds foul.

Do you have storm jib/trisail on board? How is the boat setup for protential heavy weather? From Say Southern Italy/Malta to the Baleric you have to watch the ports of refugue as not all of them are good in strong med winter weather.

If you want to do it as a series of weekend trips with mates then wait until next spring.

good luck,



<hr width=100% size=1>Temptress of Down
Southsea Marina
Hants
UK