Which flotilla company?

alistairedw

alistairedw

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I am planning a two week flotilla holiday in Greece in 2006.

We went this year with Sailing Holidays and had a good time in the North Ionian. However we were on a Jaguar 27 so the conditions on board were a bit basic for SWMBO.

There will be six of us going his time so we will need a much bigger boat.

Does anyone have any recommendations?
 
I went to the Ionian with Neilsons about four years ago, Thomas Cooks own company. Boats were a bit old.

I have been twice with Sailing Holidays since and would not now use anybody else. I have been on a Beneteau 361 in the Ionian, and a Feeling 33 in Croatia. I did have a look at the Jaguars when we shared a quay with them in Greece; the bigger boats are much less spartan.

The Feelings in Croatia are being replaced with Bav 33s this year.

Sailing Holidays are very helpful and user friendly, we can't wait to go again.

We would also warmly recommend Croatia - the Kornati Islands are an archipelago of 1100 islands so navigation is interesting; the winds are stronger, and the scenery is stunning.
 
If your looking for value, speak to Sue or Howard at Artemis Sailing Holidays. Their boats are not the latest models around but are sound, they use a Dutch flotilla company which will cost extra on top of the boat rental.........but will still beat most prices!

Regards......Dave
 
Sailing Holidays do have larger boats in the Ionian but it must be said that although I dislike their mob-handed behaviour in the Solent, Sunsail do have a very smooth operation in the Ionain with very new yachts although you mightn't like the nannying.

As others have said, Nielsons offer good value for money in that area out of Nidri and may give you a balance.

These Nielson clients, off Kephalonia last year, have managed to loose a bit of cloth (or two, if you look very closely!)

Steve Cronin
IMG_0139.jpg
 
Scumsail and Moorings have combined which may be an advantage in some places. Scumsail owners aim to have no boats older than 3 years old in their fleet next year. Went with them to Croatia this October - expensive but good boat. Guess you pays your money and takes your choice!
 
A small point which no-one has mentioned... if you are a party of 6...think about getting a boat with more than 6 berths especially as you are intending to have 2 weeks.S/hols have Bav 42 and 44 s and if you are splitting the cost between a number of people it may be money well spent. 6 bodies on a 6 berth boat will be very cosy!
 
We found Neilsons were excellent - much cheaper than Sunsail, out of the high season. The boats were a tad old, but well maintained. A couple of things broke on hours, and their engineer fixed it in no time.

If you prefer bareboating rather than flotilla, Nautilus Yachting are worth talking to.
 
Thanks for pointing this out. I am looking at boats with 8 berths which should hopefully be comfortable for 6.

This year my daughter slept in the cockpit of the Jag virtually every night, so if she does this again there should be loads of room.

Unfortunately the Bav 42 and 44s have already been snapped up so I think the best Sailing Holidays option would be the Ben 361.

Sunsail have Oceanis 393 available. SWMBO likes the idea of two 'bathrooms'.
 
If you were considering a bareboat then I'd also recommend Nautilus - we've been with them for the last 4/5yrs.
I would also stress that 6 on an 8 berth boat will still be very"cosy". We normally have an 8 berth boat for 4 of us. If it is 3 couples then a 3 cabin boat will be ok and is far better than having someone sleeping in the saloon. I'd also agree that with 6 then 2 heads would be essential especially if women are involved /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
You don't mention the make-up of the crew but if it is two families with kids the the Benny 331 or 361 with Sailing Holidays should be ok.

If you're looking for a totally laid back "another day, another bay" type holiday then try the South Ionian flotilla.......... short hops so plenty of time for lunch/swim stops.

If you're feeling more adventurous (bigger crew) go for the Whole Ionian flotilla............. but make sure SWMBO agrees!!

Croatia IMHO is better than Greece (sailing and food) but SH have cut down their involvement there due to bureaucratic problems. Also more expensive due to marina fees.

Hope this helps,
Paul
 
Crew will be 2 couples plus two teenagers.

I agree that the South Ionian looks the best bet. I like sailing all day but daughter plus SWMBO eventually get bored and I am encouraged to fire up the engine.

On the other hand I do enjoy the occasional lazy day. I think the best part of the Ionian experience is anchoring in a nice little bay, diving off the back and then returning to the boat to liberate a beer from the fridge.

Hopefully by Summer 2007 I will be ready to make the leap to a bareboat charter.

Thanks for the advice.
 
Have chartered a sunsail 393 in the past. A very nice boat but be aware that the front Double bed is very narrow. We swapped with our daughter in the end as I kept falling out!
 
As a satisfied customer, I can recommend Sailing Holidays.
They were very helpful, fitting us in when my work schedule did not fit their start dates. They do Independant Sailing which allows more experienced skippers to go off on their own but still keep in touch with the Lead Boat. This is a good stepping stone from Flotilla to Bareboat. We had an excellent 2-weeks in the N.Ionian last year - first few days with the flotilla, rest of it on our own.
Usual disclaimer etc

Ed
 
yep, biggest boat possible. is there a 45.2 thing? That's not bad, and a min i think for 6 being comfy. Else a fifty footer summink if they have it. Sunsail is brits, moorings more international so think i wd go sunsail for social thing on flot. I wd also take sneaky spirits for evening drinkies - sunsail base charges double everywhere else and you have to be there first and last day. It's dead dark at nite in sunsail base so a 12v light on long wires good idea too. For coming back in, come in late on last day after practising driving the boat backwards under motor at some speeed so you can wham the thing in and freak them a bit :-)
 
Currently in a similar planning phase - but just for one week - around June time.

This will be SWMBO's first proper outing afloat so I need to make sure it's a success. Newish, clean boat, not too much sailing, nice weather etc.

Heard mainly good things about Sailing Holidays (who I will probably end up booking with) but also a bad report or two.

I'm thinking North Ionian - unless anyone has any better suggestions for a week.

Cheers,

. . Greg
 
Greg,

If it's SWMBO's first proper outing then the 1-week North isn't the best route. Mrs McP is a keen sailor and still thought the runs a bit long. We then went S Ionian and it was much better suited.

Centreboarder, I can't recommend Sailing Holidays enough. If they have a 361 available, book it. And if you're S Ionian around the end of June/start July, look out for the 5 jocks in a 331 (either to avoid, or to step aboard for a cold one). /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
My family loved the North Ionian, although we did the two week flotilla rather than just a week. Watch out for the northern end of the Corfu Channel if you do the N.I or else SWMBO may quickly decide sailing is not for her. Our lead boat skipper warned us that wind can go from F2 to F7 very quickly up there. Venturing a bit further north than is advisable I later discovered that he wasn't kidding. Our poor little Jag 27 ended up sailing at a very exciting angle and SWMBO + daughter were seriously unimpressed.
 
Sorry we are going to miss you. We will be out there late July.

Perhaps we could play hunt the beer? You leave a bottle labelled 'For Centreboarder' on a bar counter somewhere in the Southern Ionian and I try to find it!
 
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