Sailing in Greece

[saily]

We have just about abandoned the idea of our "summer cruise" down to the West Country unless the long range forecast improves drastically, (we had a wash out last year, and don't fancy another one this year), and are starting to think about booking a saily holiday abroad. Have been to Croatia several times now and fancy something different, probably Greece or Turkey. I know this subject has been covered many times, but any recommendations for locations and flotilla companies to use. We have used Sailing Holidays a few times and recommend them ourselves, but they don't have dates available that we require. Notice Setsail have a Skiathos Flotilla, is this area any good. We are both quite experienced and don't really want anything that is recommended for beginners. Any recommendations would be gratefully received. We are moving house at the end of the month so want to avoid Sunsail prices for obvious reasons. Thanks!

 

[Whitelighter]

We did a Skiathos flotilla with Island Sailing about 15 years ago, and it is a very pleasant area to cruise in (m,y parents like it so much they now have a house and boat out there!!) To be honest, no-where in Greece is going to challenge you from a sailing point of view, the the area around Skiathos has some interesting Islands, there is a huge beach within range (think it is Koukonaris (spellin?)) and a couple of un-inhabited islands.

It is good for families as well as couples, but would suggest the itinery allows for a few days of free sailing where you can do your own thing for a bit. Perhaps these would be the days to test your sailing and do some longer passages.

As a crusing area I would reccommend it.

 

[LymingtonPugwash]

Speak to Trevor on +30-694-505-9166 in Greece.
He is one of very few Brits officially licenced to charter in Greece.
Lovely gentleman with base in Kalamata and can offer either bareboat or skippered.
Also... very importantly, he doesn't charge anywhere near Sunsail prices!

Also, you can either fly directly into Kalamata airport from quite a number of UK airports, with a flight only deal from Excel, Thompson, etc.... or you can fly into Athens and make it up to Kalamata from there easily enough.

 

[tangofour]

Only problem with Greece last week were the temperatures topping out at 47 degrees!

 

[alistairedw]

Hope it cools down a bit! I am out there on flotilla with the family in early August.

Presumably that kind of heat is associated with high pressure and no wind?

 

[duncan]

there are a few of us here on the setsail skiathos flot in August - we made the call a bit earlier!

right now most are full from the experiences of a family member trying to book last week but bareboat is available

 

[dulcibella]

Apart from officious officials, manic harbourmasters, Europe's second-worst wine (after Norwegian), second-worst food (after Dutch) and rampant xenophobia (not for nothing is that a Greek word) it is really excellent. Of course, against that one must set the sailing conditions especially in the Aegean and the Dodecanese (Calm to F8 in 10 mins and then back to no wind as soon as the reefs are in - a friend of mine claims that the only sensible rig is trysail and engine all the time). All in all, it's a great place. Go there - you can only improve it!

 

[Thaumaturge]

Try latesail.com and use their "Name your price" facility, you'll be pleasantly surprised at what the 'big' companies like Sunsail will accept for last minute arrangements.

Good luck and good sailing!

 

[snorkmaiden]

Try going directly to Kiriacoulis or Vernicos charters. They often have very good last-minute rates. We got an early season Bavaria 36 for a few hundred quid. www.kiriacoulis.com and www.vernicos.com
Kalispera

 

[Neraida]

I would avoid August in the Aegean. Meltemi winds can guarantee a gale almost every day, no matter how hot it is.

 

[snorkmaiden]

PS Both the above are bareboat, not flotilla. Kiri gives free T-shirts and has several bases in the islands. Vernicos has great maintenance.
Greece is fantastic! Sail at night for a breeze (maybe) and to avoid the heat.
And don't take Med sailing for granted. There can be very big winds out of nowhere even on sunny days, but you have probably encountered those in Croatia. Check out the Meltemi dates.

 

[Emjaytoo]

With your experience, why go flotilla? We have done 2 bareboat charters (and we had little experience on our first one!) with Sapphire yachting in the Sporades. Stewart and Pam are great and really helpful.
Last year (September) we had the windiest conditions they had had all year (F 6 - 7) and it was great. If it wasn't for the fact that we've just bought a new boat, we'd be going back there again this year.
If you want more details, feel free to PM me.

 

[r_h]

[ QUOTE ]
I would avoid August in the Aegean. Meltemi winds can guarantee a gale almost every day, no matter how hot it is.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's absolutely true further south in the Aegean, but in the Sporades you'll get F4-6 pretty much every afternoon.

 

[jimbaerselman]

There's a lot of horse**** spoken about the meltemi. It is rare for it to blow above F7, although terrain will create local hot spots (between Andros and Tinos, between Naxos and Paros, off the western edges of some islands and so on).

As evidence of this, there's a thriving bareboat charter trade around the Cyclades, with yacht sizes mainly above 34ft (their concession to the short waves whipped up by the stronger winds).

And the heat wave that just passed through Greece was quite excceptional; temperatures in Kalamata for four days reached an all time record high, unlikely to be repeated this year.

For info comparing most of the cruisig areas of Greece, go to my website.

 

[duncan]

still not done the dragon area yet though Jim - I am sure you will get round to it some time!

 

[jimbaerselman]

Rapaz is up among the dragons at the moment . . .

 

[zyx]

Would you be the Jim Baerselman who started Falcon Sailing way back maybe late seventies early eighties? Guess that you must be the name is too unusual and your interest in Greek waters sailing is a give away.
We met briefly when you made a surprise visit to your Nidri base, we were on a villa flotilla package, one week ashore with accommodation in a small apartment and the use of Wayfarer dinghies and those god awful Sea Panther sail boards.
Second week was a cruise around the islands in a Cobra 850 with a pot luck crew who turned out to be totally incompatible.
All a long time ago, we are now retired and living on Lefkas we have a 27ft yacht and life is good, just wish that we were as young as we were when we met you. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[jimbaerselman]

You've got me in one. I remember your boat, but can't put a face to you..>

We're planning a visit to the Ionian around mid September. Can you recommend anyone with a yacht available for hire? four of us, 32ft would be fine.

JimB