sarahmcc
regular
Reged: 10/09/2007
Posts: 15
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Hi,
We are relatively new to sailing having done a weeks learn to course, a few days and then last October we did the Sunsail Vounaki (South Ionian)flotilla which we really enjoyed. I got lots of useful help with questions I had regarding that so I hope you don't mind me asking stuff again.
We are thinking of doing another flotilla again this year and are wondering about the Northern Ionian one with Neilson or their Croatia one. Really I just wondered about the suitability of these routes for us. Hubby is a confident Day Skipper, I am less confident and we will have our son who is 3 with us. Last year he was fine, clipped on all the time we were busy and quite often asleep in the cockpit in the afternoon as we were coming in which was handy! So I am not worried about him except that he might get bored if the passages on these routes are longer.
Doing the South Ionian route was good for us as we could do relatively short hops, stop for lunch and swimming and then another short hop in the afternoon. I rang Neilson as the only information their brochure gives about the North Ionian is that it is more challenging with longer passages. The lady was new and wasn't all that helpful but told me that passages could be up to 8 hours and the sea could be choppy on the leg to Corfu. Is this true? Please can anyone give more detailed info? With a young child 8 hours sailing is a no-no, also I am not keen if it's likely to be rough.
Would the Dalamatian Coast route suit us any better?
Should we just stick with the Southern Ionian?
Also re. operators, I have also been looking at Sailing Holidays of whom I have heard a lot of good reports of on here, and also Seafarer, Nautilus. Can anyone comment on either of these operators? Also why are there such big price differences between operators for what seems to be the same/similar holiday? For example Neilson seems to be much cheaper than the others.
Many thanks for any advice.
Sarah
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MrCramp
regular
Reged: 02/09/2006
Posts: 614
Loc: Newark/Woodbridge
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Never sailed the area that you are looking at but I have tried to do loads of things with a young family over a 15 year timespan (until youngest was 15).
I would suggest you take things easy. Don't go to an area where you might have difficulty. You are not that experienced so stay well within easy sailing areas, particularly with a youngster.
If it was 2 couples on a boat then that is different, there is safety in numbers, and you don't have a small person to worry about.
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LadyJessie
regular
Reged: 21/11/2006
Posts: 1176
Loc: the Med
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To give you some new areas to exploit: try Sunsail in the Göcek/Fethiye area of Turkey. It is an area that is as easy to sail as the Ionian and have many beautiful bays where you can chose between 'jetty/restaurant' or 'secluded by yourself' moorings. The sailing is superb in sheltered waters.
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Dockmaster
regular
Reged: 18/03/2008
Posts: 170
Loc: East coast
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Have you thought about something like this www.takeabreezer.co.uk Steve is a great guy that will do exactly what you want to do and could teach you an awful lot about sailing in a week. after this you could easily bareboat!
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I could have done anything if I'd had the talent !
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sarahmcc
regular
Reged: 10/09/2007
Posts: 15
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Thanks for the replies. MrCramp, absolutely want to keep it easy that's why I am asking for info as to the suitability of these sailing areas, it's not clear to me if these areas are more difficult or more of the same, would really appreciate any info on example routes of these areas, passage lengths and average conditions. Thanks LadyJessie for the tip about Gocek, I will look into this and check their availability. Dockmaster, thanks for that too, probably not something we'd be interested in at the moment with a 3 year old in tow!
Any more info greatly appreciated, thanks a lot.
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andymcp
regular
Reged: 14/01/2004
Posts: 117
Loc: Glasgow
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Hi Sarah,
I've been to the North Ionian twice, both times with Sailing Holidays. The comment about the distances being longer is true for many of the trips, and compared to the South there can be far fewer places to drop in and have a swim. First time we went from Plataria -> Siyadha -> Stefanos -> Corfu Town -> Lakka -> Mourtos -> Plataria, with 2 nights in Lakka along the way. If you have a guide/chart of the area you should get a handle on distances although excuse my spelling of some of them. We never had a problem with rougher seas - the trip in the south from the bottom of Levkas island across to Kefalonia is far worse IMHO - which I think are a feature more if you wander round to the West of Corfu. What I did prefer about the North was the quieter stops (apart from Corfu town) and the less crowded feel of the place. The sailing was a little busier with ferries, freighters and other commercial stuff but far fewer yachts around in the evenings.
Having been to Greece for a number of years, we're probably heading for the North next year when the youngest will be 5 - he gets a bit bored on the longer trips if we go through the Levkas canal etc. But if your kid is more patient, there's nothing from a sailing perspective to put you off going there. It may take a while longer to reach the swim stops, but it's still a lovely part of the world.
Hope thats of some help,
A
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Tranona
regular
Reged: 10/11/2007
Posts: 1894
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North Ionian is fine. The only long passage is if you want to do Paxos to Corfu as the NW breeze gets up in the afternoon. However, flotillas tend to avoid this. Plenty of variety in ports/anchorage on both mainland and Islands. One week allows plenty of scope. Two weeks normally go down further south to Preveza and Levkas.
Would suggest you look at Sailing Holidays. They have a good choice of boats including some brand new Beneteau 323s. Their brochure is very informative and prices competitive.
Enjoy when you get there!
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Master_and_Commander
regular
Reged: 25/10/2007
Posts: 139
Loc: Southampton, UK
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Hi,
Seafarer - Their prices tend to be cheaper than some of the other charter companies, and they are not as 'into' the social side of the Flotilla. With Sunsail you get the Punch Parties, Barbeques etc, but Seafarer are not as good if this is an important part of the holiday for you.
North Ionian - Not sure about the 8hr run but they are definately longer passages (mostly 5 to 6 hours), the sailing can be more challenging and the winds tend to be a bit stronger. That said it is beautiful and Dolphin Central!
The South Ionian is the place to be for shorter hops and the beautiful myriad of bys to anchor in for a lunch time swim, as with the North you don't have so many, and with the longer hops, don't have time to stop very often.
Croatia - I've never been but I know people who have and I'm told it's beautiful but the sailing can be a bit more challenging over there. It's luck of the draw with the weather to a certain extent as to how challenging the sailing is.
I've done 15 Flotilla's, and for me it's Sunsail or Sailing Holidays and the South Ionian all the way (but then it's all down to what you really want in a holiday.
Give Sailing Holidays a call, all of their London office staff are incredibly friendly and knowledgable and will be only too pleased to offer some advice.
Hope this helps.
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jimbaerselman
regular
Reged: 18/04/2006
Posts: 1789
Loc: Greece in Summer, Southampton ...
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Check the differences between the Greek areas - N Ionian vs S Ionian - on my website. Yes, the N Ionion is more choppy and has more wind. The gap between Corfu and Paxos is exposed to the regular NW winds and is choppy in any more than a F4 (fairly common in the afternoons). So is the passage between Paxos and Parga, as well as the route to Preveza.
The only exposed passage similar in the south Ionian is the trip between Levkada and Fiskardo.
Competition is strong, and standards throughout are very high. There is little to choose between the various companies except price, with higher prices being charged by companies which pay stronger attention to image. It's this branding thing . . . some people need to pay more to show they can do so! You won't fail with Sailing Holidays, Neilson, Sunsail . . . choose according to location and boat size, paying a small 'smart' premium for the Sunsail experience.
Sorry, Croatia and Turkey are not yet on my site, but yes, Croatia does occasonally throw you some rather strong winds, albeit you can keep in flat water. Turkey, excepting the Gocek area, is also a farily windy place.
You'll have fun . . .
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Jim Baerselman
http://www.jimbaerselman.f2s.com/ or Google 'jimb sail'
Compares the Cruising areas of Europe
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