16 September 2013

North Ionian, Paxos, Gaios

The quay in the north of the harbour is for yachts, it seems there is no time restriction,  I asked the lady who collected the money. The quay in the city centre is only for outside the day tripper boat times (17:00 to 10:00). There are water and electricity available.

The 17:00 to 10:00 is when there are tripper boats. On talking with the lady I learnt that when there are not so many tripper boats, you can stay where you are, but no guarantee. Also, the times are not entirely accurate as most of the tripper boats arrive around 11:00 and leave around 16:00.

According to the text on the bill, these quays are now under the responsibility of the Corfu Port Authority S.A.

North Ionian, Paxos, Lakka

Lakka is crowded, but there is sufficient space to anchor. There is also some space at the “city” quay with electricity and water (same installation as in Gaios). The quay has space for about 40 yachts, but more than 50% of the places are reserved for cruising companies.

But in front of the bars it’s free and 205 cm of depth, so we are moored there at moment of writing this, with stern-to. The quay is very low (about 20cm above sea level) so bow-to is not advisable when you leave the boat.

Water is 7€ for half an hour use of the hose from the travel agent, located in the middle of the quay. There is also an official electricity box 4 positions and in the same box is water 4 positions. You have to pay with a kind of credit card, which one can buy in several shops.

We will leave the boat in Preveza and fly home mid-October, until then we will visit some other places here and around Levkas (Southern Ionian).

21 September 2013

Mainland Ionian, Preveza

The Preveza marina is connected to the town and is now named Preveza Marina s.a. E-mail: prmarina@otenet.gr Tel: +302682023095. Opening hours 08:00 or so to 15:00.

They will accept reservations, then they put a sign at the pontoon for you. Lots of yachts prepare here for lifting out at the “other” side of the bay at AKTIO Yard or Cleopatra marina/yard. They made a charge for 12m = 13 € per night incl. good water and 16 amps 230 V. The Marinero speak good English and know all kinds of repair companies.

The jetties are concrete and fixed (not floating) but there are no mooring lines, one just goes alongside, which is nice if you have to do a lot of work. At the end of the jetties, there exists a large parking area, asphalt, very useful to put your sails and fold them nicely for the winter.

A little bit more to the north of this harbour there is a well-protected anchorage, I saw a lot of boats there, it’s open to the south-east, but prevailing wind is NW.

There are lots of telephone shops in the town, electricity material, tools, all no problem.

There are many cafe’s and restaurants at the harbour front, I can’t imagine that all these companies will survive, I guess 6000 people can eat and drink here at the same time.

I have seen at least two good chandleries, at the harbour front. One has a Yanmar sign.

12 June 2014

We are back at our yacht for the summer. We had our boat wintering at Aktio marina, very close to Preveza, at their dry standing. It is, for us, a very good place, also you can sand your boat etc. and every boat has his own electricity and water connection.

Hauling in and out of the water goes quick and professional and at the time you want.

In Preveza Yacht harbour there is only water at the first jetty, due to a conflict between the Townhall, Port Authority and the managing company of the harbour. The price is now reduced to one (1) euro a night. The normal price is 1 euro a meter/night. If a yacht needs a lot of water, then it is possible to moot temporarily at the first jetty. This to be arranged by the manager.

14 July 2014

Southern Ionian, Ithaca, Vathy

We are now in the harbour of Vathy at Ithaca (38 N 21.926  by 020 E 42.934).

We had no problems with mooring at the places where before there seemed to be a problem. There is only one sign on the quay pointing out that that particular space should be left open for more than 50-foot yachts, but now in the evening it is completely occupied with sailing yachts, even parts of the ferry landing are occupied with sailing yachts.

The drawings in Rod Heikels book are way out of scale. There is a place where he draws 3 yachts and there is space for 40, all 12 meters or more in length.

The men of the water and fuel tanker lorries were helping us with mooring lines. We arrived at 16:00 with a lot of sidewind (25 knots in gusts) but they patiently helped us. I did not ask for their names, but it seems that something has changed here. No electricity and water and fuel by mini-tankers, water costs around 10 € for 100 litres, but be careful and ask 3 times before dealing.

Today it is the 14th of July and the quay is full of sailing yachts now at 23:00 hrs.

There are at least 3 ATM machines, all close to the harbour. At least 3 supermarkets with very good quality food less than 300 meters from harbour.

Irregular bus service to other places of Island. Car rental 50 meters from harbour.

Good reception of 3G internet, we use a Vodafone portable wifi hotspot.

On the 2nd day here a man of the port police asked us to bring our boat papers to the office. They checked the papers, mostly (and only) the insurance, we did not have to pay anything. They were friendly (3 persons) and spoke a little English. The whole visit took maybe 10 minutes, including jokes about the weather, it just rained.

At the moment of writing there are a lot more yachts here than yesterday, also the ferry quay is completely filled with yachts, it seems to be no problem.  Up to now, 3rd day here, we did not see a ferryboat, only a day tripper and that one found a place between the sailboats for some hours and left later in the day.

We had yesterday a thunderstorm, with gusts of 38 knots, that seems to happen frequently over here. So we have 50 meters of anchor chain out in 10 meters of depth. Good holding in our spot, but the gusts are, again in our spot, crosswinds. Keep a safe distance from the wall.

21 July 2014

Southern Ionian, Kefalonia, Poros

We are now in Poros (Kefalonia) 38N08.802 / 020E46.776

At the old ferry berth, they installed stainless steel rings, so it is now much easier to moor there. The harbour is mostly shallow 2 – 4 meter, mud and in our position good holding.

There are restaurants and a supermarket near the quay (less than 100 meters).

Water, nobody could inform us about quality, but it tasted Ok, in 4 long hoses around the quay with a high pressure.

Nobody came to ask for money, although there is a manned Port Police / Coast Guard station.

Southern Ionian, Kefalonia, Argostoli

This is the main City of Kefalonia. There is space for at least 300 boats at the city quay, a little bumpy as the wind gusts through and along the harbour, for us no problems to sleep as after 23:00 the wind and waves slow down.

We found 1 (one) water hose with clean, although not guaranteed, drinking water, for shower OK. There are many shops and good fruit and vegetables at the waterfront. Many ATM’s and banks, we did not find a chandlery but the Port Police are helpful and will call some persons or companies to assist when necessary.

Very friendly (in our case) Port Police, we (12 meters) paid 24,58 € for 3 nights but they have a funny way of calculating, the departure day you have to pay also. So 1 night is 2 days payment.

Wherever we had to show the boat’s papers, they were highly interested in Insurance papers and registration paper of the yacht to calculate the mooring fee.  Passports, up to now, since 1st of June, were never asked for, sometimes you have to fill in a crew list, with your passport number, but they did not check it.

Alongside mooring is allowed here but there is a 45% surcharge and catamarans 150%.

It is a busy City and even Cruise ships (the big ones) come here.

The “new” marina is in the same condition as Trizonia.  It is more looking like a scrap heap. I even saw an old coaster and an old day tripper boat.  I went in for a look and did not even stop, turned around and went to the city quay.  It seems that the city and marina company have a conflict. Also, it is a long walk from the city centre, the first part of the walk from the marina is dark and deserted in the evening. Better to go to the city quay.

Southern Ionian, East side of Kefalonia, Eufimia

The local government together with local companies have set up and maintain the visitors quay here. There is an administrative lady (to collect the fees) and 2 men with VHFs to guide and help the mooring yachts.

Water (drinkable) and electricity at the quay, but it is charged separately (some 4 € electr. / day) water minimum 5 € but is metered I believe 1000 litre for 10€ but not allowed to wash your boat.

Along the quay, there are sufficient depths and good anchor holding. Overall, very friendly and helpful people.

Restaurants, ATM’s all within 300 or less from the waterfront. Chandlery too.

7 August 2014

Gulf of Patras and Corinth, Itea

This is a roomy harbour with a lot of local boats, at the inner piers. Visiting yachts have a lot of space on the inside of the outer breakwater, 250 meters long.

We were there 3,4,5, and 6th of August (normally high season), and including us there were 3 yachts moored in the harbour.

There are Port Police but they have no time to visit the yachts, so no charge was made.

No electricity, no toilets, no water although I saw a boat connecting to the garden watering system (illegal??)to fill his tanks, but the taps are locked with a padlock. For water go to Galaxidi 4 miles south.

Good provisions and ideal with the public bus to Delfi which is worth the trip, ticket 1,90 € per person, one way, 16 km 40 minutes. Weekend and working days times differ but mostly between 10:00 and 10:45 a bus will leave from the harbour front. 5 minutes walk from breakwater to the bus station.

Gulf of Patras and Corinth, Messolonghi

When we visited they had just raised the visitor’s price to 1,75 € / meter. So we had to pay for 2-night stay 52 €. Water and electricity with keycards.

There is a chandlery now, with reasonable stock, and some provision shop where you can get basic things, fruit, vegetable, orders for bread. Also in that shop cleaning stuff for boats.

A yacht club/bar with friendly people is also active, they have a car service to the city centre if you eat in their restaurant in the city.

For one night you can anchor in the bay or go to the town quay (with west winds not comfortable). There is Port Police and even if one is in the Marina you have to go to their office 10 minutes walk. We did not go there and up to now, we are not arrested.

It is possible to arrange special taxi prices to Athens, also there is a public bus service from town to Athens. 20 minutes walk to the centre.

Gulf of Patras and Corinth, Patras

Very helpful harbormaster (paid by the city as the harbour is also from the city). 12-meter yacht has to pay 32 € for 2 nights and after 6 nights you get a 55% discount. I do not know how they calculate the fee, but after 7 nights I paid 97,50 €  including good water and 16 amps electricity.

Interesting city. I like trains and there is a special rack and pinion train from the coastal city Diakopto to Kalafryta 750 meters high in the mountains. http://www.trainose.gr/en/thematikatrena/kalavryta. You go by bus from the TRAIN station (NOT the BUS station) in 1 hour from Patras to Diakopto, the 10:00 bus connects in time with the 11:15 Train. and stops 5 meters from the train station, all very comfortable. We did it and found it amazing.

In Kalafryta there is a World War 2 museum.

12 August 2014

Gulf of Patras and Corinth, Korfos

Korfos is located South East of Korinthe  (37ºN45.856  023ºE07.514). It is a nice enclosed bay, good to anchor, clean swimming water.

The local government runs a little jetty about 60 meters long 2 sides. 4,5 meters of depth. Water is at the beginning of the jetty, good quality but very warm.

We paid (12 meters) 4 € per night, very friendly guy, good English, paid by the government, helps with mooring.

Nearby a swimming beach, with small pebbles (not sharp).

Minimarket 20 meters from the jetty, all provisions available.

About 8 restaurants direct at the seafront, one can moor his yacht there and it is for free, but please have a dinner in the restaurant.  I see 50 feet yachts stern to the restaurants, so enough water depth.

The only problem here is the mosquitos, they are really attacking. The cause is the swampy area nearby, the government used to spray with small airplanes but that helps only for a while, some days, and then it starts over again. I had in 10 minutes 23 bites and after the bite is finished the blood was running (drops) out of my skin. Talks with some locals make me clear that this is a real problem. So in daytime, no trouble swimming very nice, but when the twilight starts, you have to be inside somewhere.

Canal from Corinth

We passed the canal yesterday, the 11th of August, we did an overnight stay in Corinth city harbour. There is good quality drinking water with a hose at the middle pier, space for five 15 meter yachts.

Warning: at the middle pier there are only 1.60 meters of water depth, it can vary 80 cm under influence of wind. Some concrete anchor blocks have less water above them and will hit your keel, so enter slowly to the pier.

Alternatively, moor in the commercial harbour, there is a lot of space, but do not use the outer, huge breakwater as sometimes there arrives a 220-meter long ferry. Better ask the Port Police by VHF at channel 12. The first 400 meters of the commercial quay, as seen from the small harbour, can be used either alongside or stern or bows to.  I saw some alongside, space enough.

The city is modern, has several supermarkets, a pedestrian area and a lot of ATM machines.

In the small harbour where we moored, water for free with a hose at the middle pier. Nobody asked for money, the Port Police passed, had a look at us, but say nothing else than “Hello”. Next morning, from this harbour, we called at VHF channel 11 the canal control, told them that we were in the city harbour, and we were lucky, we could come directly to the entrance of the canal, which is only 1.25 miles away.

They prepared the bridge at the western entrance and we could pass without waiting.

At the east side we moored without trouble and pay (for 11,95 X 3,95) 181,86 €  with our credit card, all went smoothly and professional, within 10 minutes.

The canal passage itself is a must, it is spectacular, it is 25 meters wide and at the east side 52 meters high but it looks much smaller and higher. We had a 2 knot current against us.

Gulf of Patras and Corinth, Galaxidi

Nice cosy harbour, Port Police visits the yachts, but not every day. We were there for 3 nights and met about 9 Port Police people, also in their office, they are mostly friendly and sufficient in English. They invite you to come to their office, a 200 meters walk and you may pay. For our 12 meters it was some 7 € per night, including good drinking water and 16 Amps electricity, for nearly every mooring place, no laid moorings.

When you arrive in the harbour there is a man waiting at the quay, called Andreas, and he hopes to sell you diesel oil (BP). He is very helpful with mooring and also connects the water hose and electricity. We bought 120 litres for 1,40 €  /litre good quality, we used already 40 litres of it.

Minimarket at the harbour front, the rest of the harbour front is all restaurants. ATM in the village. There is at the harbour entrance a bar/snack bar with a swimming area, not a real beach but it starts with 20 cm of depth, very popular because all the time we were there it was crowded.

Taxidriver tries to get (seduce) you to Delfi, 60 € for a 4-hour trip.  Better take the public bus to Itea and from there to Delfi, for about 4,5 €.

Gulf of Patras and Corinth, Kiato

We found a place in the small harbour, nearly at the entrance, there is no swell with prevailing NW. Drinking water available in the manholes, easy to recognize because they are leaking all the time. Good illumination at night. No electricity available.

If there is no place here, one can go to the inside of the huge breakwater, good illumination at night.

No Port Police asked us to pay.

We were moored stern to, 3 meters of depth. The only problem is a lot of locals made their own mooring line with all kinds of stuff, big old anchors, small anchors, concrete blocks etc. So when we left we caught two anchors and a big piece of stone, but with our specially created hook, it was a matter of minutes to free ourselves. Luckily there was not a drop of wind at that moment.

Good shopping in town, all kind of shops. ATM’s. Bus to Athens and the other way Patras. 800 meters from the outer breakwater foot there is a LIDL supermarket. In front of the LIDL is also a little harbour, so one can anchor the yacht outside and go by dinghy to the supermarket. I have seen people doing that.

Peter Ter Haar

sy / Funny Girl