Not enough space in the Med. for this antipodean sailor.

mocruising

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Last night we planned to stop in at Kucuk Kuyruk or Kizilkuyruk Koyu in the Fethiye Korfrezi on our way back up to Bodrum from Antalya. Kizilkuyruk Koyu already had several yachts in each bay so we motored in to the bay of Kucuk Kuyruk where we noted there were only two yachts moored back to the rocks. We were in the same bay last July and there were about 15 yachts and gullets moored up there. As we readied our gear (Anchor and stern ropes and chains) an Australian woman (Assumed as the yacht was Australian registered) called across to us in a most rude fashion inferring that "Would we not all be better off in a Marina."

I have to say in the last ten years cruising the Med. from Gib. to Turkey this is the first time we have been set upon and verbally abused for going about our normal cruising life style, and it left a rather unpleasant taste in our mouths.

Needless to say we moved on and left the bitch to her own devices.

PS Normally we find the Aussies most accommodating.
 
We went wintering in Turkey ( Fethiye-Göcek bays ) for 10 years.
Wonderful. Most of the time we ware the only yacht in the whole area.

In the last year we ware ordered out of a bay twice by the coastguard.
The new rich Turks had discovered yachting, ware buying super yachts.
Based in one of the six marina´s in Göcek they powered in a few minutes to a bay they liked, moored and “celebrated “ weekend. Say no more.
In both cases we were moored in that bay when the super yacht arrived, twenty minutes later the coast guard arrived, ordering us to move somewhere else.
The first time the officer in charge said there was a complaint about noise ( We, two old people on a small sail boat ) and then became a bit annoyed and told me the owner of the super yacht was “Very important man “ and we had to move,, Point.
In Turkey discussing with a coastguard officer is not done.
An entrepreneur in the Turkish yachting business told me later the Turks did not need us ( Foreign liveaboards ) any more. There own millionaires had discovered yachting and ware throwing with money.

Together with the starting blue card paranoia this behaviour was the reason we decided to leave Turkey.
 
Why do I get this feeling of foreboding about going there next year.

Go anyway. Turkey is beautiful, the people are wonderful.

Just be reddy for a lot of hassle with authorities and avoid the “Crapule Deluxe” or new rich meeting places.

Go and see for yourself, leaving is easy when living on a yacht
 
FFS!, go and enjoy it. There are isolated incidents like this everywhere.

Absolutely right. Our worst experience of being made thoroughly unwelcome was in the Isle of Man. Nothing to do with the general populace, who could hardly be more friendly, just one unpleasant, nasty person. Happened to be the Commodore of the local motor-boat club but again, not necessarily representative of his fellow members.
 
Needless to say we moved on and left the bitch to her own devices.

.

so she prevailed. You should have stayed put. What was her angle any way? Was she on another boat or ashore? Did she think you were invading her personal space? My own personal reaction to such retorts is to throw it back. Wouldn't SHE be better off in a marina? Or you could have said "Sure - are you paying?"
I know desiderata recommends to avoid loud and aggressive people who are "vexatious to the Spirit" ( or something similar). Good advice - but if they seek YOU out - fire back with both barrels!!
 
She was on a boat. That's exactly what the wife wanted to do but we had guests (Brother and Sis. in law) so to avoid any further un-pleasantness we found another bay.

I think her angle was there are so many bays and it being out of season she wanted that one to herself and her partner. He never said a word during the whole confrontation.
 
For what it's worth I think you did the right thing. The incident obviously annoyed you, quite rightly, but moving to another bay especially with family aboard was the best option. Now if it'd been just the two of you, well guns a blazing! Now then, how can we save that poor hen pecked partner?
 
Absolutely right. Our worst experience of being made thoroughly unwelcome was in the Isle of Man. Nothing to do with the general populace, who could hardly be more friendly, just one unpleasant, nasty person. Happened to be the Commodore of the local motor-boat club but again, not necessarily representative of his fellow members.

Yes it can happen anywhere. We once anchored in Chapman Pool with two other yachts. There was plenty of room but the single hander on the small yacht came up on deck and shouted to my wife "F*** Off". We didn't but did think of doing so. An hour later another yacht moored the other side of him and got the same welcome. They moved. We met them later along the Coast and shared a bottle of wine with them - they were lovely and were 'bruised' by the experience. It only takes one or two ignorant people...
 
Sailing outside the Gocek are in Turkey and we were overtaken by a private Gullet on a slightly different course. When alongside us they sounded their horn and indicated for us to move over. I shouted back via our loudhailer that the owner should get a new skipper who new the rules of the road. The owner replied "It's our country - we do what we like".

I have had this "attitude" twice in Turkey. Next year we leave and go to Greece. Turkey is very cheap for the winter but summer sailing just can't compare with Greece.
 
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