Sporades

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jacaldo

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Well we've finally booked a charter for next year out of Volos for two weeks with the intention of visiting the Sporades. We have not been to this area before so I would appreciate any advise or information regarding the area, weather and safety, we go at the end of August on a Jeanneau sun odyssey 37 chartered from Mixit sailing. We may have the choice of changing the pick up to Skiathos, would this be better? I have done a lot of reading up on the area, the Meltemi seems to be the big problem. My wife and I have sailed on our own in the Ionian for the last 10 years and would like to visit other areas. Thanks in advance.
 
jacaldo said:
Well we've finally booked a charter for next year out of Volos for two weeks with the intention of visiting the Sporades. We have not been to this area before so I would appreciate any advise or information regarding the area, weather and safety, we go at the end of August on a Jeanneau sun odyssey 37 chartered from Mixit sailing. We may have the choice of changing the pick up to Skiathos, would this be better? I have done a lot of reading up on the area, the Meltemi seems to be the big problem. My wife and I have sailed on our own in the Ionian for the last 10 years and would like to visit other areas. Thanks in advance.
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We did a flotilla in this area most recently in 2008, see Sporades, Greece; July 2008. This mentions a gale that was well forecast but did cause us to have a day in port.

We visited Volos, but not because it is pretty - it is a big commercial port. But there are nice small places elsewhere in the Gulf and of course outside amongst the islands; our track shows where we went.

Mike.
 
We expect to have stronger winds and have had a few days in the Ionian that we have been stuck in port due to bad weather (caught out in the Vliho storm last year) but because we knew the area we had no problem finding a safe anchorage. I do not know the Sporades, are there many safe anchorages around the islands?
 
>We may have the choice of changing the pick up to Skiathos

If possible do that then you can spend more time in the Sporades and, if bareboat, also drop down to Skyros which is an amazing island.
 
Did a week with a Benny461 from Sunsail back in '03. Delightfull. It was in early september, so after the Meltami. We had a mix of sailers and non-sailers on the boat, but it was never a prob because of the weather. Stunning views and great anchorages. Read 'Gates of the Wind' by Michael Carroll, for a bit of romantic (60s) background. We had a great night just off his house at Panormos. As it was towards the end of season, there was a very calm, almost deserted feel about the area.

Highly recommended.
 
It's lovely there, but try for Skiathos pick-up.
One word of caution, don't go into Skopolos Town if there's a strong onshore wind, you may be in there for some time. Even the huge ferries use the other side of the island in those conditions.
 
DownWest said:
... It was in early september, so after the Meltami.
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But don't rely on that! The most exciting sail I ever had was in September in the 1970s in the Sporades after a 3-day gale. The fetch from Halkidiki is considerable so the waves built up; we reckoned they were half-way to the crosstrees. (Only a small boat so just one set, I expect; everything is relative!)

Mike.
 
Whiskey Bravo said:
It's lovely there, but try for Skiathos pick-up.
One word of caution, don't go into Skopolos Town if there's a strong onshore wind, you may be in there for some time. Even the huge ferries use the other side of the island in those conditions.
Click to expand...



4695895934_aed0a22b1e_b.jpg
 
View from the front of the boat

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7544154@N07/4612493036/in/photostream

I was a bit surprised to see this photo of Vigdis - here's the view off the bow a day or so before - it was pretty windy week and we put out two anchors on Vigdis.
We have been into Skopelos town several times and it's one of our favourite places but we have also ridden out two storms there, both in May/June. In 2006 it blew F9 and caused a lot of damage on land as well as to boats. It blew the bimini off our hire boat and some charter yachts on Skiathos were swept away down the Evvia Channel, but we have also been there in "no wind" conditions.

To answer the OP's question:
Skopelos island has harbours at Loutraki, Neo Klima and Agnondas in addition to Skopelos town.

Skiathos - Skiathos town has a quay and is convenient for shopping and restaurants. It's a good place to start from. Volos is a big port. On Skiathos it's also possible to anchor off Koukounaries beach, but the harbour is tiny.

Alonissos - Patitiri harbour is often crowded but it's nice to walk up to the old town.
Steni Vala is idyllic but small. We have also anchored in Votsi.

Peristera has several anchorages as has Panagia. On the latter North Bay is a bit remote and you have to take care not to get locked in there by the weather.

Skantzoura is supposedly off limits (Nature Reserve) these days, but boats still go there and anchor for lunch.

The Gulf of Volos has anchorages at Palio Trikeri, Amaliapolis and a quay at Akhillion.

It's a lovely area to sail in. See May 2010 of ...

http://yachtvigdis.wordpress.com
 
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Thanks very much for the information, looking at your blog reminds me that there is a lot more to Greece than the Ionian. I think we will stay with Volos at the moment for our pick up point, I like the idea of exploring the gulf, something we may not do if picking up at Skiathos. The Meltemi had been my major concern before booking but there seem to be plenty of safe anchorages, I know from experience in the Ionian that the forecasts can be less than accurate no matter how many you look at. One other question, with flotillas in the area do you have to look at being in and tied up or anchored early. This year we went out to the Ionian in May then August, it was much quieter in August than expected, no problem getting in anywhere, but because we know the area we knew we would always find somewhere, the Sporades is very much a smaller sailing area. Thanks
 
tennisgirl1 said:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7544154@N07/4612493036/in/photostream

I was a bit surprised to see this photo of Vigdis - here's the view off the bow a day or so before - it was pretty windy week and we put out two anchors on Vigdis.
We have been into Skopelos town several times and it's one of our favourite places but we have also ridden out two storms there, both in May/June. In 2006 it blew F9 and caused a lot of damage on land as well as to boats. It blew the bimini off our hire boat and some charter yachts on Skiathos were swept away down the Evvia Channel, but we have also been there in "no wind" conditions.

To answer the OP's question:
Skopelos island has harbours at Loutraki, Neo Klima and Agnondas in addition to Skopelos town.

Skiathos - Skiathos town has a quay and is convenient for shopping and restaurants. It's a good place to start from. Volos is a big port. On Skiathos it's also possible to anchor off Koukounaries beach, but the harbour is tiny.

Alonissos - Patitiri harbour is often crowded but it's nice to walk up to the old town.
Steni Vala is idyllic but small. We have also anchored in Votsi.

Peristera has several anchorages as has Panagia. On the latter North Bay is a bit remote and you have to take care not to get locked in there by the weather.

Skantzoura is supposedly off limits (Nature Reserve) these days, but boats still go there and anchor for lunch.

The Gulf of Volos has anchorages at Palio Trikeri, Amaliapolis and a quay at Akhillion.

It's a lovely area to sail in. See May 2010 of ...

http://yachtvigdis.wordpress.com
Click to expand...


Have another pic of the flottilla :)


4695872704_935851ccd0_b.jpg



4692483231_cf84b7b0ab_b.jpg
 
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jacaldo said:
Thanks very much for the information, looking at your blog reminds me that there is a lot more to Greece than the Ionian. I think we will stay with Volos at the moment for our pick up point, I like the idea of exploring the gulf, something we may not do if picking up at Skiathos. The Meltemi had been my major concern before booking but there seem to be plenty of safe anchorages, I know from experience in the Ionian that the forecasts can be less than accurate no matter how many you look at. One other question, with flotillas in the area do you have to look at being in and tied up or anchored early. This year we went out to the Ionian in May then August, it was much quieter in August than expected, no problem getting in anywhere, but because we know the area we knew we would always find somewhere, the Sporades is very much a smaller sailing area. Thanks
Click to expand...

Skiathos used to get busy on Friday afternoons because some flotillas finish there, but some harbours are big e.g. Skopelos Town and Loutraki, and there isn't usually a problem. The number of flotillas varies from year to year; the flotilla in the photos earlier was a Neilson delivery flotilla heading for Halkidiki, so a bit unusual in its size.
 
jacaldo said:
Well we've finally booked a charter for next year out of Volos for two weeks with the intention of visiting the Sporades. We have not been to this area before so I would appreciate any advise or information regarding the area, weather and safety, we go at the end of August on a Jeanneau sun odyssey 37 chartered from Mixit sailing. We may have the choice of changing the pick up to Skiathos, would this be better? I have done a lot of reading up on the area, the Meltemi seems to be the big problem. My wife and I have sailed on our own in the Ionian for the last 10 years and would like to visit other areas. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

Area: lovely. We went from Skiathos to Skopelos, Alonnisos (round the south side) and Kyra Panagia, then back across the north. I wouldn't start on the mainland if you can avoid it: you'll tie up your sailing time away from the most beautiful areas.

Weather: very unstable. We were in the October half-term break, but a storm came sooner than forecast and the wind rose from 0 (we still have the photos of our daughter diving in crystal-blue water in Kyra Panagia to the east) to a constant 51 knots over the windex, in 3-4 hours. Biggest seas I've ever been in, with that wind rolling in over miles from the north. Not fun; shouldn't have been in that situation. Check what the locals say about the weather in that season, and remember it's wilder by far than UK weather.

Safety: on a rental yacht you don't get a barometer. On a rental yacht the lifejackets are hidden away under the saloon seats. (Yes, it was unprofessional of me not to have looked them out sooner, and by the time I did I had crew slouching down there vomiting on the dog who was cowering under the saloon table.) On a rental yacht the furling, which is frequently the in-mast variety, easily jams. Get to know the kit.

Good luck and have fun!
 
BelleSerene said:
Area: lovely. We went from Skiathos to Skopelos, Alonnisos (round the south side) and Kyra Panagia, then back across the north. I wouldn't start on the mainland if you can avoid it: you'll tie up your sailing time away from the most beautiful areas.

Weather: very unstable. We were in the October half-term break, but a storm came sooner than forecast and the wind rose from 0 (we still have the photos of our daughter diving in crystal-blue water in Kyra Panagia to the east) to a constant 51 knots over the windex, in 3-4 hours. Biggest seas I've ever been in, with that wind rolling in over miles from the north. Not fun; shouldn't have been in that situation. Check what the locals say about the weather in that season, and remember it's wilder by far than UK weather.

Safety: on a rental yacht you don't get a barometer. On a rental yacht the lifejackets are hidden away under the saloon seats. (Yes, it was unprofessional of me not to have looked them out sooner, and by the time I did I had crew slouching down there vomiting on the dog who was cowering under the saloon table.) On a rental yacht the furling, which is frequently the in-mast variety, easily jams. Get to know the kit.

Good luck and have fun!
Click to expand...
Mmm, There was I just settling in to the idea of slightly breezier sailing with the odd stay in port to shelter, now it's life jackets and vomitting, oh god, seriously though thanks for all the replies. We've had a good few stormy sails in the Ionian over the years and managed to safely get through them but at the end of the day we are only on holiday and no way do I want to scare my wife, or me for that matter, so here's to decent weather and good winds.
 
jacaldo said:
Mmm, There was I just settling in to the idea of slightly breezier sailing with the odd stay in port to shelter, now it's life jackets and vomitting, oh god, seriously though thanks for all the replies. We've had a good few stormy sails in the Ionian over the years and managed to safely get through them but at the end of the day we are only on holiday and no way do I want to scare my wife, or me for that matter, so here's to decent weather and good winds.
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In the Sporades (and the Adriatic for that matter) autumn unsettled weather sets in two to four weeks earlier than Athens and southwards. So, expect first consistent breaks in the weather from late September.
 
jimbaerselman said:
In the Sporades (and the Adriatic for that matter) autumn unsettled weather sets in two to four weeks earlier than Athens and southwards. So, expect first consistent breaks in the weather from late September.
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Well hopefully we'll miss the Autumn weather.
I've dipped into your sight over a number of years, very informative.
 
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