PAGE 4 • SUMMER 2007 THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SAILING ASSOCIATION
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Photos by Capt. Stephen Glenn Card
ADVENTURES IN CRUISING
continued from page 1
Athens is bustling and friendly with great food,
cappuccinos, frappes, and myriad historical sites and
ruins. It’s well worth spending a day or two here in
advance of a charter, which also serves to get over jet lag
to avoid seasickness.
Our charter began September 16, so we were still in
Meltemi season. For the uninitiated, the Meltemi is a
strong blow from the north that affects the Aegean Sea
and Saronic Gulf. If we caught a Meltemi, we could hug
the Peloponnisos coast and islands of the Saronic Gulf
and manage. If it caught up to us in the Kyklades
(Cyclades), out in the Aegean, it would be a rough ride.
(Top) Three of the group enjoy the local swim hole on the island
of Spetses. (Below) Crew members take in the scenery in an al
Our vessels were Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 49s with four
fresco dinner aboard the vessel.
cabins and four heads, “Azul” and “Escapar.” They were
well equipped and in generally excellent condition;
The islands were wonderful with warm weather,
nothing failed during the trip. The pre-charter briefing
manageable numbers of boats and the excellent food one
and post charter debriefing and inspection were
would expect. The distances between ports and islands
meticulous and thorough. Nothing was left to chance
along the Peloponnisos is shorter than some other areas in
that the boat would not be ready for the next charter.
Greece, allowing for plenty of time to explore ashore, find
swimming and snorkeling spots, or just have a leisurely
Winds were lighter than we’d hoped that week, ranging
meal. Every island seems to have wonderful churches, and
from motoring through zephyrs to occasional breezes in
often monasteries, to visit, and there are ancient sites
the mid teens. That was better than meeting Mr.
scattered around as well. “Town” always centers around
Meltemi, as Jen and Mark dubbed it after doing just that
the harbor, and the harbors tend to be small. Mooring is
the next week. They were along on our trip to earn
tight, but the commute to town is by paper airplane.
Bareboat Charter certification and continue on with their
own charter the day after ours ended. That’s a little
Keep in mind that while the distances are average to
ambitious for most people, but they’d set the goal early
short for Greece, they are long for many other areas.
on in the season, taking Basic Keelboat and Basic
Readers who have cruised in the British Virgin Islands
Coastal Cruising as well as practicing. The only thing left
may be in for longer legs than usual.
to chance was the weather. continued on page 7
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