FAMILY SAILING


Sailing the Bavaria 38 with Spetses in the background


James steering Peter Pan as Pete gives directions


‘The location was perfect, the staff were knowledgeable and enthusiastic and we managed to keep everyone happy’ bay is skirted with rocky coves


straight line and tacking so it was time to try a more ambitious gybe.


It wasn’t a big splash, more a sedate ‘plop’. She hadn’t moved fast enough to get her weight from one side of the boat to the other and inevitably ended up in the water. The smile on her face as Holly clambered back on board said it all. When the sea is this warm you don’t mind falling in.


A few more runs up and down the teaching area and she soon got the hang of it. At the end of the lesson Jeki explained what Holly had done wrong and praised her for all she had done well. Ocean Elements has a large area of the bay marked as its ‘Sailing Area’. The staff carefully watch their guests on the water at all times, making sure everyone is safe. But there are escorted trips outside this area so you can explore further afield. The


and we saw the submerged remains of the ancient, original Porto Heli.


A large twin-masted tall ship


called Father Murphy was anchored and abandoned in the bay a few years ago. She made a useful landmark and we all called her ‘The Pirate Ship’.


Out to sea


Ocean Elements can also arrange daysail cruises outside the bay with one of the instructors for an extra €350 (£268). Pete, a 19-year-old Yachtmaster, supervised while we took turns to steer the Bavaria 38 as she motored out to sea. Once in open water, up went the sails and we headed towards the island of Spetses. The gently rolling waves only got lumpy when the


How much does it cost?


n Prices £2,596 - £3,876 (Seven nights for two adults and two children with all the activities mentioned and breakfast/dinner and flights/transfers included).


Nautica Bay Hotel, Porto Heli. Comfortable, clean and the staff were very friendly


78 www.yachtingmonthly.com MARCH 2016


n Tel 020 3642 6754 n Web www.alpineelements.co.uk/ beach-holidays/resort/porto-heli.html


hydrofoil ferry went past. We put the boat through her paces and enjoyed the brisk evening breeze.


On the way back it was my son James’s turn to steer. I asked if Pete was a fan of the in-mast reefing? ‘It works well,’ he said, ‘and it means we can quickly get the boat ready to go out. But the lack of battens on the sails does mean they can flap about a bit.’ The sun was going down as we returned to Porto Heli Bay and Pete took the helm to masterfully moor the boat stern-to. A lovely end to a lovely day. Next season, the Bavaria will be at Ocean Elements’ Lefkas base, not Porto Heli. We spent a week at Porto Heli and loved every minute of it. My children and I enjoyed pottering about on the water and my wife made the most of the sunshine. The location was perfect, the staff were knowledgeable and enthusiastic and we managed to keep everyone in the family happy. Mission accomplished. W


Father Murphy, the ‘Pirate Ship’ made a very useful landmark


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