Moving to Gouvia

[Adrian]

Due to changes in family life, we have come to the conclusion that having the boat in the Solent and visiting for weekends throughout the year is simply a waste of money, the kids aren't old enough to be left on their own but already have hectic sport and social lives most of which happen at the weekends (we've managed about 3 weekends since July). We've deceided to move somewhere warmer and use the boat for 1-2 week holidays throughout the year.
After some initial research Gouvia has come up at the top of the list due to it's cost, 1/3 what were paying at HPM, air links to the UK and sailing destinations (spent a fortnight in the area this summer on flotilla)
The costs look like a no brainer even with the flights.
Is there anyone who "commutes" to Gouvia throughout the year who can help with the following?
How easy will it really be to get a berth in Gouvia? Would I get one for next year?
How quickly do the EJ flights sell, would we have to book all flights at the
beginning of the season?
If the EJ flights sell up what are the other options?
What are the out of season flight options?

I suppose I'm almost looking for the catch as it looks too good to be true...........

Thanks
Adrian

Boat Hanse 312 9.5m lift keel

 

[sarabande]

isn't duncan99210 over there sometimes ?

 

[CharlesSwallow]

Due to changes in family life, we have come to the conclusion that having the boat in the Solent and visiting for weekends throughout the year is simply a waste of money, the kids aren't old enough to be left on their own but already have hectic sport and social lives most of which happen at the weekends (we've managed about 3 weekends since July). We've deceided to move somewhere warmer and use the boat for 1-2 week holidays throughout the year.
After some initial research Gouvia has come up at the top of the list due to it's cost, 1/3 what were paying at HPM, air links to the UK and sailing destinations (spent a fortnight in the area this summer on flotilla)
The costs look like a no brainer even with the flights.
Is there anyone who "commutes" to Gouvia throughout the year who can help with the following?
How easy will it really be to get a berth in Gouvia? Would I get one for next year?
How quickly do the EJ flights sell, would we have to book all flights at the
beginning of the season?
If the EJ flights sell up what are the other options?
What are the out of season flight options?

I suppose I'm almost looking for the catch as it looks too good to be true...........

Thanks
Adrian

Boat Hanse 312 9.5m lift keel

There isn't one!

I will be travelling to Gouvia on 07/12 to have our boat lifted out. This is with Aegean via Athens (3.45hrs stop-over going out; 45 mins on the return. Booked it today and it cost me £234 return from Heathrow.

Yes, we "commute" doing around five trips a year in season. We drive out occassionally via Venice & Minoan Lines ferry

I too live in the Midlands and kept a boat on the Hamble (PHM) until 2001. Sold it lock, stock & barrel and bought a new one for delivery to Greece -Athens at first but lack of security moved us to Gouvia in 2003-4. Would recommend Jet2 from East Mids for the summer season as preferrable (& cheaper) to easyjet. You will certainly get a berth for next year, no problem. Join the CA and get an extra 6% discount as well as the "annual rate".

Looking forward to seeing you.

Chas

 

[Adrian]

There isn't one!

I will be travelling to Gouvia on 07/12 to have our boat lifted out. This is with Aegean via Athens (3.45hrs stop-over going out; 45 mins on the return. Booked it today and it cost me £234 return from Heathrow.

I too live in the Midlands and kept a boat on the Hamble (PHM) until 2001. Sold it lock, stock & barrel and bought a new one for delivery to Greece -Athens at first but lack of security moved us to Gouvia in 2003-4. Would recommend Jet2 from East Mids for the summer season as preferrable (& cheaper) than easyjet. You will certainly get a berth for next year, no problem.

Looking forward to seeing you.

Chas

Thanks Chas, that's just the sort of reply I was hoping for!

Some recent posts suggest security "issues" at Gouvia, to put it in perspective how would the risk compare with the Hamble?

Looking more lightly I'll be there next year,

 

[Tranona]

We had our boat there for 9 years. What you popose is quite reasonable, although you may find many things more expensive than you think. Never any problem getting a berth there and the security issues are not in our experience serious.

Easyjet in our experience is excellent. Usually we have paid less in the last couple of years than we did when there was only charter flights, and fligfhts are daily - although outward is rather uncivilised. As Charles says out of season you can usually get reaonably priced via Athens.

You don't say what sort of boat you want, but there is always a plentiful supply of ex-charter boats that are good value, and you can get gardinage for when you re not there.

 

[dslittle]

No catch!

Due to changes in family life, we have come to the conclusion that having the boat in the Solent and visiting for weekends throughout the year is simply a waste of money, the kids aren't old enough to be left on their own but already have hectic sport and social lives most of which happen at the weekends (we've managed about 3 weekends since July). We've deceided to move somewhere warmer and use the boat for 1-2 week holidays throughout the year.
After some initial research Gouvia has come up at the top of the list due to it's cost, 1/3 what were paying at HPM, air links to the UK and sailing destinations (spent a fortnight in the area this summer on flotilla)
The costs look like a no brainer even with the flights.
Is there anyone who "commutes" to Gouvia throughout the year who can help with the following?
How easy will it really be to get a berth in Gouvia? Would I get one for next year?
How quickly do the EJ flights sell, would we have to book all flights at the
beginning of the season?
If the EJ flights sell up what are the other options?
What are the out of season flight options?

I suppose I'm almost looking for the catch as it looks too good to be true...........

Thanks
Adrian

Boat Hanse 312 9.5m lift keel

We were there for six years on exactly the basis that you are considering going out five/six times a year for differing periods. Initially had to rely on 'charter flights' but became much more flexible when EJ started going over on a daily basis. Have never had problems booking (even at short notice) and generally reasonably cheap. Our yacht was looked after by a Brit couple who I would recommend highly. Never had any security problems, Great fun sailing to nice venues and sunny. Taxi transfer to Gouvia about 20 euros/15 minutes, we could leave our house and be on the boat in about five hours. DON'T GO IN JULY/AUGUST THOUGH!!!

PM me if you want more detailed info. Good luck

 

[annamals]

We did it for a couple of years. In the end we were glad to get away as we found the marina singularly unhelpful and the quality of work shocking - not that there isn't quality work to be had in Kontakali, it's just whatever system of back handers was in place seemed to have let the worst workmen get the official contracts in the marina.

Don't discount Preveza further south. Flight may be a little more tricky off season but there's more choice of marina/boatyard and we found them a blissful change after enduring Gouvia's management. Airport €5/20 min walk from the boatyards.

But it's all eminently doable - good luck!

 

[duncan99210]

We're doing the 'liveaboard' thing out here rather than what the OP proposes, so not comparing apples with apples.....

Travel: easy in season with Easyjet and Jet2 plus the holiday companies. Out of seaon, everything is via Athens with Aegean Air. You can just get the flight to Athens and change to Easyjet there or go all the way to heathrow with Aegean Air. Alternatives do exist, such as ferry and coach travel but costs as much and takes a lot of time. €20 taxi fare from the airport is pretty much the standard – don’t expect the driver to turn on the meter!
Marina: facilities are reasonable and electricity and water are included. Lift in/out is relatively expensive but well done. I’ve no experience of getting work done, as I do most of my own maintenance, but I’ve heard reports covering the full spectrum from good to awful... Probably like most places, you need to take care about who does the work.
Shops: there’s a supermarket on site during the season – convenient slightly more expensive than local shops and there’s a large supermarket 5 minutes walk away which has all you could wish for at local prices. There are a couple of chandlers, including one run by a couple with excellent English which are no more expensive than the others in Corfu town. There are also a couple of places which can order you engine bits if required, along with sailmakers and the like.
OK, hope that helps a bit. For more info, please PM me.

 

[blueglass]

Also based in Gouvia and have bo hesitation recommending it. Security IS poor, but security is poor in every marina I have ever been in - don't worry about it - this as as safe a place as anywhere and a damn site safer than some I have visited. That CA discount I think Charles mentioned above is also available with RYA.
I disagree with comments above on quality of work from contractors - we have found some good people although asking the marina for their own guy is not always the best bet.
There is no waiting list and amazingly and almost uniquely - they answer emails and will book you in so that you don't have to just roll up in hope.
Also - we DO come out in July and August - gets a bit hot and a few more numpties about on charter boats but you will soon learn where to go during these months to avoid the worst of the "crowds". its all relative anyway and never ever gets as busy as the Hamble. If it gets too hot - jump overboard for another swim!

 

[blueglass]

Marina: facilities are reasonable and electricity and water are included.

For clarity to the OP, only the non potable water is included, Drinking water is charged for and is quite expensive. Compared to UK however this is more than negated by the free electricty.

 

[jimbaerselman]

I've commuted backwards and forwards to various ports in Greece for over ten years. It is easily done. But connection time is the main issue . . . buses and ferries are excellent, but infrequent to many places.

If you are only going to travel there and back between mid May and end September, then areas served by holiday charters will work well. Corfu, Inland Ionian, Kos, Samos, Crete could all be on your list. But all these locations are expensive to travel to and from in peak season (July, Aug) and very crowded then. Other islands (Leros, Syros, Paros, Naxos) are only worth considering if you don't mind a day extra travel time to match ferries or internal flights.

Year round scheduled Athens flights, bought well ahead, are excellent value, highly reliable and painless compared to cheapos and charters. So destinations a convenient bus or fast ferry distance from Athens appear on the scene; Patras, Kalamata, Porto Heli, Koiladhia. And if you dry cruise (hauling out during absences) many more sites open up; Aegina, Salamis, Chalkis.

A final consideration is that further south, the season is longer by at least two weeks each end, and in Kalamata, Kos and Crete, this is marked. Just ask when the rains started in Corfu this autumn! I left Kalamata on 10 Oct; we had just had the first rainfall of the season the Sunday before.

There's quite a bit more about Greece on my web site, and lots more on the Cruising Association website, which also covers many issues about owning and running boats overseas.

 

[Adrian]

Thanks to everyone for their replies, next step is getting the boat there, as much as I'd like to take it myself I just don't have the time, so it looks like we'll be going the sea/road route, so anyone done this can point me in the right direction?

 

[Tranona]

Thanks to everyone for their replies, next step is getting the boat there, as much as I'd like to take it myself I just don't have the time, so it looks like we'll be going the sea/road route, so anyone done this can point me in the right direction?

Just done the opposite route. estimate road to SofF around £4500 plus cranage each end. Then minimum 7 days sailing (probably mostly motoring) as over 1000 miles to Corfu. Sea delivery around 4 weeks estimate professional crew with expenses around £5k.

You may wish to reconsider taking a small 31 footer (assuming you are thinking of the boat in your profile). Even for 2 people it is on the small side. 34-38ft gives you so much more usable space for living in hot climates. Plus you will need to upgrade for things such as bimini. electric windlass, extra battery, fridge if you don't have it and so on. Easy to spend £5k+ on what many consider the basics.

Taking a boat from UK makes sense if getting there is part of the project and you do it over a period of time. If the intention is to just keep a boat there for a few weeks use a year, probably better to sell your boat here and buy one out there. You might also consider doing what we did and buy a charter boat. There are flexible deals which can allow quite significant owner usage. The great advantage is that while you are not using the boat it is well looked after, usually at no cost to you. In my experience charter boats stand up well and for you the advantage is that you do not have to waste any time when you do use it as it will be prepared and ready to go. It worked very well for us and you would not think our now 10 year old boat did 7 seasons chartering.

pm me if you want any further information and contacts on either buying a boat or getting into charter mangement deals.

 

[CharlesSwallow]

I've commuted backwards and forwards to various ports in Greece for over ten years. It is easily done. But connection time is the main issue . . . buses and ferries are excellent, but infrequent to many places.

If you are only going to travel there and back between mid May and end September, then areas served by holiday charters will work well. Corfu, Inland Ionian, Kos, Samos, Crete could all be on your list. But all these locations are expensive to travel to and from in peak season (July, Aug) and very crowded then. Other islands (Leros, Syros, Paros, Naxos) are only worth considering if you don't mind a day extra travel time to match ferries or internal flights.

Year round scheduled Athens flights, bought well ahead, are excellent value, highly reliable and painless compared to cheapos and charters. So destinations a convenient bus or fast ferry distance from Athens appear on the scene; Patras, Kalamata, Porto Heli, Koiladhia. And if you dry cruise (hauling out during absences) many more sites open up; Aegina, Salamis, Chalkis.

A final consideration is that further south, the season is longer by at least two weeks each end, and in Kalamata, Kos and Crete, this is marked. Just ask when the rains started in Corfu this autumn! I left Kalamata on 10 Oct; **we had just had the first rainfall of the season the Sunday before.

There's quite a bit more about Greece on my web site, and lots more on the Cruising Association website, which also covers many issues about owning and running boats overseas.

** Don't try to put the boy off Jim!

We were in Corfu right up to Nov2 and had magnificent weather. Yes it rains in winter there (Deo Gratis) but you get some really good weather too. Early part of the year is the worst but the whole picture is infinitely better than keeping a boat on the Hamble. Our (then) 30footer was going to cost us £10,000 for the 2001-02 season at Port Hamble, which, as well as the weather, crowdedness and general boredom is why we left. For all year sailing and ease of access however, I would recommend the Athens area but for gentle sailing and better security, nowhere beats the Ionian and Corfu has by far the best all-year round access in that area. (BTW, where on Leros, Syros, Paros, Naxos is there a secure marina to leave a boat for long periods?)

Chas

 

[charles_reed]

** Don't try to put the boy off Jim!

We were in Corfu right up to Nov2 and had magnificent weather. Yes it rains in winter there (Deo Gratis) but you get some really good weather too. Early part of the year is the worst but the whole picture is infinitely better than keeping a boat on the Hamble. Our (then) 30footer was going to cost us £10,000 for the 2001-02 season at Port Hamble, which, as well as the weather, crowdedness and general boredom is why we left. For all year sailing and ease of access however, I would recommend the Athens area but for gentle sailing and better security, nowhere beats the Ionian and Corfu has by far the best all-year round access in that area. (BTW, where on Leros, Syros, Paros, Naxos is there a secure marina to leave a boat for long periods?)

Chas

Messolonghi? Y;-)

 

[Cariadco]

Amazes me....

Hi, I've had boats in Gouvia marina for the last 15 years, and have had no issues whatsoever with the Marina Management/Staff. I do find it amazing, the difference of opinion regarding the marina, and I suppose that's a good thing.
As I've mentioned on this forum before, when all is weighed up, the cost of the mooring, easy flights (Summer and Winter), the availability of excellent technical help (KF Marine as one example), the quality of Gardinage!!(Ahem, I will be offering my services for this, next winter) Kontokali Village, the ease of sailing the Corfu area (go down south for more sailing action though), I really find it difficult to find somewhere better.
Maybe that's why I've decided to put down roots in Corfu, bye bye Rat race, feet up, and get the missus to open another Mythos for me.......
As you can gather, I'm a big fan of the place, and fully recommend it.

 

[jimbaerselman]

Don't try to put the boy off, Jim!

That wasn't my intention - I was just trying to point out that the weather factor gives a longer cruising season further south, which is why more southern locations are worth considering. 38 N seems the magic dividing latitude.

Yes it rains in winter there (Deo Gratis) but you get some really good weather too. Early part of the year is the worst but the whole picture is infinitely better than keeping a boat on the Hamble.

Yes, good summary! Med winter is rather like a sunny Solent spring time!

(BTW, where on Leros, Syros, Paros, Naxos is there a secure marina to leave a boat for long periods?)

All places, however secure, have a small risk of "inter-boat" security risks. Leros relies on "small community" security. Everyone knows everyone else. Naoussa on Paros, and Naxos are similar, small marinas with many scruffy boats, unlikely to attract transients or professionals, but yes, no formal security. Syros (small, crowded with a 35,000 population, many transients, very frequent ferries) is a much higher risk, and has small, locked shore compounds around which prowl hair-raisingly ugly dogs, tamed only when staff are on site.

 

[nimbusgb]

We did it for a couple of years. In the end we were glad to get away as we found the marina singularly unhelpful and the quality of work shocking - not that there isn't quality work to be had in Kontakali, it's just whatever system of back handers was in place seemed to have let the worst workmen get the official contracts in the marina.

Don't discount Preveza further south. Flight may be a little more tricky off season but there's more choice of marina/boatyard and we found them a blissful change after enduring Gouvia's management. Airport €5/20 min walk from the boatyards.

But it's all eminently doable - good luck!

If you are in the right marina at Preveza they will turn out to meet you at the airport if you ring during the week before ...... no charge. At the end of your holiday they will run you to the airport too.


Of course there's also Messolonghi

 

[nimbusgb]

Thanks to everyone for their replies, next step is getting the boat there, as much as I'd like to take it myself I just don't have the time, so it looks like we'll be going the sea/road route, so anyone done this can point me in the right direction?

Roughly SouthEast

 

[billcole]

You may wish to reconsider taking a small 31 footer (assuming you are thinking of the boat in your profile). Even for 2 people it is on the small side. 34-38ft gives you so much more usable space for living in hot climates. Plus you will need to upgrade for things such as bimini. electric windlass, extra battery, fridge if you don't have it and so on. Easy to spend £5k+ on what many consider the basics.

QUOTE]

One advantage if you do stick below 10 meters is that you don't have to have a DEKPA to get stamped by the Port Police all the time.

The bimini and the electric anchor windlass are absolutly essential though. We currently manage without a fridge as deep frozen bottles of mineral water are readily available. One or two of those a day keeps our icebox cold, and costs about one euro/bottle more than buying it unfrozen, although some form of electric refrigeration is on the list to buy sometime !