Turkey charter

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cdogg

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Not wanting to risk another summer's sailing without at least some sunshine (highly likely, based West Coast of Scotland) My wife and I are considering leaving our own yacht in the marina and taking a Sunsail charter from Gocek in early May. The first week we would join a flotilla (for the company mainly) and the second consecutive week bare boat.

Any comments on the Gocek cruising area. The main hesitation I have about flotillas, having read the likely itinerary, is most days the sailing seems to be only 2 - 3 hours with daily mooring having to be achieved by about 3pm as mooring space gets very busy. One blog critic complained about only managing time to have one swim at an anchorage during the whole week.

Advice, tips, experiences etc. would be appreciated
 
I sail in the area quite often, and frequently arrive at restaurant jetties, much later than that, but that is because I try to avoid the ones with flotillas in them. My advice is to bareboat charter for two weeks. Plenty of places to sail and you will not be restricted to such a limited area as you are with one week flotilla and one week bareboat.
 
I've enjoyed a couple of flotilla holidays but they are not really suitable if you like doing more than a short hop from one harbour to the next. Also you can use smaller less crowded stopovers if you are on your own. Flotilla leaders have to seek out harbours with space for a dozen boats and usually request you to be in by early afternoon which is often when the best breezes are starting.
 
Our boat is based in Marmaris in the care of a charter company and we have spent quite a bit of time exploring the area. Gocek is only a day sail away and is beautiful. There are dozens of little bays to visit all around the area, so probably no surprise that the flotilla isn't going very far between stops. That's not to say, you can't go sailing for longer and meet up with the flotilla a little later. I am sure the lead crew will always be able to find a spot for you (you may have to endure some heavy humour for the week if you do this every day though!).

We went on a Sunsail flotilla when my brother in law was the engineer on the lead boat (we got to ride along for free (thanks Sunsail :))) and have to say it was brilliant. Nothing like my preconceptions. I still prefer the idea of setting my own pace though, and would concur with the other poster that bare boating would certainly give you more flexibility, allowing you to stay a couple of days in one place if pushing onwards every day becomes a little tiresome for your crew (I'm happy sailing, but my wife likes to stop and explore, so having our own boat and setting our own agenda suits us (or so I'm told)).

There are loads of charter companies in Gocek, Fetiye and Marmaris to choose from, so Sunsail need not be your only option (and a lot of the others offer better boats, flexible dates, and better prices, as well as their own flotilla's).

Whatever you choose, the area is guaranteed to give you some great sailing. I liken it to the Hauraki Gulf in NZ, but with better evening stops (if you do go bareboat, stretch your legs a bit and get over to Ciftlik and Bozukkale before hooking around to the Hirosanu Korfezi too. As I say, the sailing is great).

PT.
 
cdogg said:
Not wanting to risk another summer's sailing without at least some sunshine (highly likely, based West Coast of Scotland) My wife and I are considering leaving our own yacht in the marina and taking a Sunsail charter from Gocek in early May. The first week we would join a flotilla (for the company mainly) and the second consecutive week bare boat.

Any comments on the Gocek cruising area. The main hesitation I have about flotillas, having read the likely itinerary, is most days the sailing seems to be only 2 - 3 hours with daily mooring having to be achieved by about 3pm as mooring space gets very busy. One blog critic complained about only managing time to have one swim at an anchorage during the whole week.

Advice, tips, experiences etc. would be appreciated
Click to expand...

Forget the flotilla idea. In early May there will be plenty of company wherever you go and you can choose where you like.

I'm sure that there will be a smattering of forumites in the area as well .

P.S Early May was a little bit on the parky side last year as I recall,so bear that in mind.
 
Thanks for the advice and ideas guys. No one has mentioned my chosen time of year - how does the beginning of May sound ? We like it warm 70s - 80s but not any hotter.
Cheers
 
cdogg said:
Sorry, just noticed your P.S. Coming from the frozen north of Scotland I find it difficult to relate to 'parky' - could you add degrees to that please ?
Cheers
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Normally we go out at the beginning of May & it is pleasantly warm..enough to have t shirts only and ok for a morning swim.This year we needed a light fleece during the daytime & had to put a blanket on the bed at night.
It did warm up very quickly about the end of the second week,and continued hot from then on. (My Criterion for hot is when I can't walk on the deck in bare feet.)
 
Hi cdogg,
sailing anywhere in the Aegean is great after the UK weather.flottila sailing suits best those of very limited experience. If you would like to sail in Greece You are welcome to join me on my Moody 34 from the island of Leros on a shared costs basis. I visit the surrounding Islands Lipsi.Patmos,Arki,Levitha,Guidarosand many more in a very relaxed mode. anchoring in the beatifull bays. you are welcome to contact me by e mail at;
Morivag@gmail.com Wishing you warm waves ! from barryalan
 
barryalan said:
Hi cdogg,
sailing anywhere in the Aegean is great after the UK weather.flottila sailing suits best those of very limited experience. If you would like to sail in Greece You are welcome to join me on my Moody 34 from the island of Leros on a shared costs basis. I visit the surrounding Islands Lipsi.Patmos,Arki,Levitha,Guidarosand many more in a very relaxed mode. anchoring in the beatifull bays. you are welcome to contact me by e mail at;
Morivag@gmail.com Wishing you warm waves ! from barryalan
Click to expand...

Thank you for your kind offer, but we are now booked up for our first sailing venture to the Med. and the rest of the 2012 season we will be sailing our own Bavaria on the West Coast of Scotland.
Cheers
Cdogg
 
If you've booked it but the company is flexible about bareboat vs flotilla, do seriously consider taking the whole 2 weeks bareboat. 2 weeks gives you time to get west to Kekova roads at a very relaxed pace, stopping at Kalkan and Kas (and Kastellorizon depending on your charter agreement and/or your attitude to correct paperwork). This thread has has some accounts to make you look forward to the trip whatever you choose but do look at Jimbaerselman's site linked from post #10 with a summary of the highlights of the Lycian coast.
 
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