Overwintering in Greece

[sunshinesailing]

Overwinter in Greece

Messolonghi Christmas 2010. The group in front of the room enjoying Christmas day refreshments and snacks.
Merry Christmas to all

http://www.ybw.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=8820&stc=1&d=1293291039

 

[lurob]

Starting to narrow things down

Thanks for all your replies. With Xmas & New Year out of the way, we're back to planning and starting to narrow things down just a little.

We've pretty much ruled out the Ionian & Gulf of Patras as a winter base. The options we're currently looking at are Crete, Attica, Peleponnese or even Kos. We have also decided that we will probably be living aboard most of the time, but want somewhere that it is safe to leave the boat for a few weeks if we decide to head off on a cycling trip.

Any info/suggestions as to where's good and where to avoid would be gratefully received.

 

[jimbaerselman]

Greece Wintering

Start with this page on my web site, and drill down through the "more . . ." links at the end of each paragraph:
http://www.jimbaerselman.f2s.com/greek cruising areas.htm
For the last two years I have been copying this site into the Cruising Association (CA) web site (it's much better organised than mine for this stuff!), then, with the help of some 800 CA Mediterranean Section members, adding much more detail, and integrating it with their database of layup sites and local representatives. Sadly, you won't see deeper than http://www.cruising.org.uk/cruising_information/cruising_guides/med/greece as a non-member, but even that page may contain some useful stuff for you.

Have a good browse!

 

[lurob]

Thanks for that, Jim. I'll have a good look at your site.

One other thing I forgot to mention is that we're looking for somewhere to winter where there is a bit of a liveaboard community, rather than being in a 'ghost' marina...been there, done that in Badalona!

 

[lurob]

Possible Plan B

A possible Plan B is to lay the boat up from Nov-Feb. What reasonably priced (i.e. cheaper than remaining afloat in a marina) & safe boatyards are there (not Ionian though as we hope to have moved further south/east by winter)?

 

[Mr Cassandra]

Not wanting to steal your thread . Has anyone wintered in Patmos?

 

[Melody]

I can recommend either Planaco or Kanonis Boatyards on Aegina Island, near Athens, for leaving your yacht out of the water. 45 minutes from Piraeus and airport bus and easy to reach from the Corinth Canal. There is a third yard, Asprakis, but I would be careful about using him unless you get everything in writing beforehand and ask about VAT.

There's not really a 'liveaboard community' here but there are several ex-pats of various nationalities who live on the island and own yachts and we're a pretty friendly bunch. Usually one or two yachts stay here for a while as well. It's more of an island to enjoy Greek life than to be surrounded by liveaboard sailors.

If you speak nicely to us we may be able to provide a berth on our pontoon in the main harbour for a few weeks. You'll have to pay the port authority but it is not much per night I don't think.

 

[lurob]

Thanks for that info, Melody, sounds interesting. I'll PM you in due course if that's ok.

Lu