Sharing information?

[SamanthaTabs]

So folks, joking aside (and thanks for the summer weather). Ok, there must be loads of full time liveaboards on here who anchor in beautiful places; know where all the "need to know" things are including all important gas bottles et al. There's got to be a way to share our knowledge, who knows it may be useful?

Many of us spend the occasional hour or so with other yachties, pencilling in pilot books but surely that information could be then posted into sub categories on sites like this depending on area?

I do subscribe to CA and post comments there, also find other people's comments very interesting. This forum has countless members, many of us abroad. Surely there is a way of categorising this information on the site rather than trolling through monohull vs. multi?! (Multi btw

 

[tcm]

i spose this is a specific "chat" site where questions can be posed/answered/searched, fab exmaples every day (qv the guy going to Scilly on scuttlebutt forum)

otherwise desperatesailors.com for caribbee, jim b's site for the med, grehan for the med inland france, loads and loads more. Asking other yotties in the bay remains a good option tho!

 

[vyv_cox]

We have found that Cruisers Wiki http://www.cruiserswiki.org/wiki/World_Cruising_and_Sailing_Wiki does a pretty good job, at least for Greece. This year we have visited and anchored in several places not mentioned in Heikell nor CAptains Mate but almost all were in the wiki. We probably should sign up and contribute to it, as some of the entries could do with updating, but we didn't find the time on the water.

 

[rivonia]

Agree with most of the replies here. However it is a fact that a lot of us liveaboards "Do not freely give info" onto sites that are open to all. REASON- the anchorages that we discover and are passed on over the years from one live aboard to another, is that if they became well known then every Tom, Dick, Harry and Mary would turn up. Not what we want.

So seek and ye shall find-but ever so slowly.

Peter

 

[nortada]

Every Tom, Dick, Harry and Mary Welcome.

However it is a fact that a lot of us liveaboards "Do not freely give info" onto sites that are open to all. REASON- the anchorages that we discover and are passed on over the years from one live aboard to another, is that if they became well known then every Tom, Dick, Harry and Mary would turn up. Not what we want.

So seek and ye shall find-but ever so slowly.

Peter

Every Tom, Dick, Harry and Mary welcome but suggest Peters go elsewhere.

Totally disagree this dog in the manger attitude. Fortunately, in over 15 years as a live-aboard (12 of which overseas) we rarely, if ever encounter, this situation.

Given the length of time at this game we usually give much more than we get & intend to continue to do so.

Back to the OP, we find a thread on this & other forums will usually provide all of the info we require but some places Lagos - Portugal, for example, provide a very useful service with a bulletin board for questions

 

[Tony Cross]

Agree with most of the replies here. However it is a fact that a lot of us liveaboards "Do not freely give info" onto sites that are open to all. REASON- the anchorages that we discover and are passed on over the years from one live aboard to another, is that if they became well known then every Tom, Dick, Harry and Mary would turn up. Not what we want.

So seek and ye shall find-but ever so slowly.

Peter

I wish I hadn't told you where Lidl's was now.

 

[jimbaerselman]

I find the most agonising decision about long term cruising is deciding which regions to spend the next season or two in.

Of course, everyone has different criteria for deciding where they want to spend the next season, or lay up, or whatever. To start with, are you well funded? or working on a shoestring? Are you working, or retired?

And then there are the matters to do with cruising preferences. Is climate important? Do connections with UK matter? Do you need crew changes? Can you look after all your own maintenance, excepting disasters? Is your boat self sufficient, or do you need access to electricity and water? Do you prefer to avoid passages longer than 24 hours? longer then 3 days? Night sailing? Are you an intrepid explorer, or do you prefer up to date and accurate info before going to a harbour or anchorage?

So, to judge advice, recommendations or reports from a single person, first you have to know "where they're coming from" - as the jargon has it. That's one of the greater strengths about about the Cruising Association seminars - on the Med, Baltic, Biscay and Blue Water (google "Blue Water Seminar"). At such seminars you discuss the virtues and vices of cruising regions with a lot of people, face to face. So you can find out where they're coming from, and whether their criteria are similar to yours.

But once I've decided where to cruise, I love finding things and places for myself. This is due to what I call the "Rough Guide Effect". If a place is chronicled as "a great spot to visit", be it a restaurant, a lay up spot, a small quay, whatever - next year or two it will have changed.

So I guess I'm with the Tom, Dick, Harry and Mary view when it comes to the detail of which gunk-hole to creep into. But I do like accurate info about infrastructure of a region - the stuff I've listed above. Tailored for me, of course! Then I'll go around seeking the nicest places, which (for me) are almost always some distance from the quay, or tucked within a rocky and off-putting entrance. And I'll only tell others about it if I'm not likely to return. Selfish sod, eh!

 

[Tony Cross]

I find the most agonising decision about long term cruising is deciding which regions to spend the next season or two in.

Of course, everyone has different criteria for deciding where they want to spend the next season, or lay up, or whatever. To start with, are you well funded? or working on a shoestring? Are you working, or retired?

And then there are the matters to do with cruising preferences. Is climate important? Do connections with UK matter? Do you need crew changes? Can you look after all your own maintenance, excepting disasters? Is your boat self sufficient, or do you need access to electricity and water? Do you prefer to avoid passages longer than 24 hours? longer then 3 days? Night sailing? Are you an intrepid explorer, or do you prefer up to date and accurate info before going to a harbour or anchorage?

So, to judge advice, recommendations or reports from a single person, first you have to know "where they're coming from" - as the jargon has it. That's one of the greater strengths about about the Cruising Association seminars - on the Med, Baltic, Biscay and Blue Water (google "Blue Water Seminar"). At such seminars you discuss the virtues and vices of cruising regions with a lot of people, face to face. So you can find out where they're coming from, and whether their criteria are similar to yours.

But once I've decided where to cruise, I love finding things and places for myself. This is due to what I call the "Rough Guide Effect". If a place is chronicled as "a great spot to visit", be it a restaurant, a lay up spot, a small quay, whatever - next year or two it will have changed.

So I guess I'm with the Tom, Dick, Harry and Mary view when it comes to the detail of which gunk-hole to creep into. But I do like accurate info about infrastructure of a region - the stuff I've listed above. Tailored for me, of course! Then I'll go around seeking the nicest places, which (for me) are almost always some distance from the quay, or tucked within a rocky and off-putting entrance. And I'll only tell others about it if I'm not likely to return. Selfish sod, eh!

So....does that mean that your website doesn't tell the whole truth?

I'm just kidding of course.

 

[jimbaerselman]

So....does that mean that your website doesn't tell the whole truth?

Indeed, true.

It's impossible to keep up to date with individual businesses like bars and restaurants - even marinas, as managers change. So where possible I link to other sites which provide detail. Note the website aim:

We describe and compare the many European cruising regions to help choose where to go

That means I don't have to do pilotage, and can get away with opinion. As for restaurants and bars, yes, I do make references if I think they need some help to survive! And, as a crumbly, there are an awful lot of places I'll no longer be returning to, so I'm happy to talk about those.

I often wonder how many people who cruise the Inland Ionian have picked up on my recommendation of the little restaurant in Mytikas. Or Voula's Prawns in tomato sauce, in Nidri. Both worth special journeys - which I make once a year!

 

[telford_mike]

Indeed, true.


I often wonder how many people who cruise the Inland Ionian have picked up on my recommendation of the little restaurant in Mytikas. Or Voula's Prawns in tomato sauce, in Nidri. Both worth special journeys - which I make once a year!

I picked-up your recommendation for The Lord Falcon in Fiscardo a few years back, and have been returning every year since, so thanks for that one Jim

 

[SeamanStaines]

We shared this one on here, not exactly crowded

 

[TQA]

There is indeed such a site; it is called ActiveCaptain www.activecaptain.com/‎.

Currently most of the information is related to the USA but the coverage is world wide.

 

[Carmel2]

More than happy to share. Only yesterday a chap sent me a pm about the ground we are covering, as he intends to do the same, only happy to oblige. If you're not happy with this then don't be too surprised if when you ask it all goes a bit silent.

 

[hartcjhart]

We shared this one on here, not exactly crowded

View attachment 33914

one in the med and one in aussie??

 

[SamanthaTabs]

Perhaps if I were more hermit like I'd keep beautiful anchorage information to myself, I'm not . It's not a case of every Mary and dick arriving - most people we meet who cruise full time spend a couple of days here and there.

My initial thought was if there could be a thread page loosely dedicated to each area (yes the med is big so a certain amount of "trolling" would be required) then people, who wish to, could share their experiences. Boring as it sounds many liveaboards would appreciate laundry; food market; butchers etc stuff. Some sites use either maps or a basic understanding of HTML, I'd prefer to login and write my ditty before the next swim if required.

To those who don't share, I'm eating the last rolo

 

[rivonia]

Every Tom, Dick, Harry and Mary welcome but suggest Peters go elsewhere.

Totally disagree this dog in the manger attitude. Fortunately, in over 15 years as a live-aboard (12 of which overseas) we rarely, if ever encounter, this situation.

Given the length of time at this game we usually give much more than we get & intend to continue to do so.

Back to the OP, we find a thread on this & other forums will usually provide all of the info we require but some places Lagos - Portugal, for example, provide a very useful service with a bulletin board for questions

Well after over 40 years of sailing from and to various continents i find that my oppinion is usually well thought of in nautical terms. LAGOS in Portugal is the PIT's (my opinion)

All the anchorages that we have discovered have been passed on to the true live aboards that we have met and grown to like over the passing years and likewise they have reciprocated. BUT never to the general public.

We would discuss over a sundowner and share the the passages that we had made-as it has been for many many generations.

Please do not knock the knowledge

Peter

 

[rivonia]

I wish I hadn't told you where Lidl's was now.

Thanks Tony Ha Ha

 

[nortada]

Who thinks well of your oppinion - you

Well after over 40 years of sailing from and to various continents i find that my oppinion is usually well thought of in nautical terms. LAGOS in Portugal is the PIT's (my opinion)

All the anchorages that we have discovered have been passed on to the true live aboards that we have met and grown to like over the passing years and likewise they have reciprocated. BUT never to the general public.

We would discuss over a sundowner and share the the passages that we had made-as it has been for many many generations.

Please do not knock the knowledge

Peter

What are nautical terms?
In your opinion, why is Lagos the pits?
Who are true live-aboards as opposed to the general public.
Not a London cabbie so what knowledge am I knocking?

By the way, based on your post, what is your first language

 

[chinita]

LAGOS in Portugal is the PIT's (my opinion)

Good. Give it a wide berth on your way back.

 

[DaveRo]

We have found that http://www.cruiserswiki.org/wiki/World_Cruising_and_Sailing_Wiki does a pretty good job, at least for Greece. This year we have visited and anchored in several places not mentioned in Heikell nor CAptains Mate but almost all were in the wiki. We probably should sign up and contribute to it, as some of the entries could do with updating, but we didn't find the time on the water.

Since we discovered Cruisers Wiki last year we've been updating it after we get back home (well tennisgirl has).
http://www.cruiserswiki.org/wiki/Special:Contributions/Vigdis

The situation in harbours and marinas is changing rapidly, and Heikell is often out of date. One useful feature of cruiserswiki is that people can just record that they've visited a place and that the details are broadly correct. For example, several places in the Gulf of Corinth
http://www.cruiserswiki.org/wiki/Korinthiakos_Kolpos
were visited in 2011 by Athene of Lymington (hi, and thanks if you're reading this) but that was 2 years ago and we weren't sure what we would find at Itea (plenty of space) and Trizonia (not much).

Spelling is a problem Mes(s)[a|o]long(h)i has a page - if you can find it!

Some places badly need their own pages. Khalkis for example:
http://www.cruiserswiki.org/wiki/Gulf_of_Evia#Halkis
There's lots of useful things people could say about Khalkis which would benefit people here - the real location of the port police and new marina setup for example. We found a gas-bottle exchange shop and a three laundries which we could contribute. (I'll create a page if I can find the time.)

Agree with most of the replies here. However it is a fact that a lot of us liveaboards "Do not freely give info" onto sites that are open to all...

I take the opposite view: I only freely give info onto sites that are open to all. The only concern I have is that someone will put a paywall round this freely-given data.

Why would people not want to share the sort of information I mentioned about Khalkis? We'd all benefit. So, even if you don't want to divulge your favourite anchorages I would encourage everyone to contribute to cruisers wiki and share such practical information.