Advice for a New Member

[earlyday]

Hi everyone,

I am currently looking at buying a yacht in Lefkada, Greece and sailing it through the Greek Islands (via the Corinthian Canal) to Kusudasi in Turkey.

The problem is that unfortunately I am subject to the 90-day Shengen tourist visa term limits, of which I have already used 3 weeks.

In light of this, I am hoping to get some indication of a reasonable time frame with which to exit the Ionian, traverse the Aegean and arrive in Turkey. An ideal timeframe would make allowances for the possibility of having to bunker down for a few days at a time to ride out any serious weather, as well as perhaps a day or two in any ports of interest. I am not really keen to push into heavy weather if it can be avoided.

My level of experience is moderate; I have owned and sailed yachts, but never in the Med.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, earlyday.

[Unicorn Dreams]

Welcome Aboard and enjoy CF.

[earlyday]

Thanks for the welcome; I have been reading the on the forum for a wee while and thought I should make it official

Anyone with any indications on the timeframes alluded to in my original post?

[James Baines]

Welcome aboard, I can't help you with your query but would suggest you go to the Navigation forum. I'm sure there will be lots of folks there able to answer your questions. Good luck, James

[swagman]

Hi Earlydays,
Welcome to the site and congratulations on the boat. We've covered that route a few times and if you aim to leave shortly then my advice is to expect stronger weather, easing each month into the summer. From what I hear right now it is freezing in Greece!
In response to the question, it is only a day sail down from where you pick up to the Gulf of Corinth, perhaps stop overnight on the bottom end of Kefalonia if you feel tired.
Then a nice day sail half way along the gulf - stick close to the N coast and you'll get flat water whatever the winds are doing. Maybe stop at Galaxios for meal and nights rest then another day east and into the Canal - and onward to say Agina for another night.
You'll love it.
If the winds are strongish then you'll only get there quicker as you'll be running / reaching all of the way but but my timings are for someone aiming to romp along at 7 - 8 knots.
Then suggest Agina to Samos as a long day sail. Leave early and you'll be in late afternoon. A couple of nice small restaurants right across from the jetty.
Then a day sail up from Samos to Kusadasi but sorry - expect that to be on the nose!
Of course if you chose not to stop anywhere you can do it is 48 hours - but no sense pushing things with a new boat and missing so many nice spots to stop.
Enjoy
JOHN

[earlyday]

Hi John,

Many thanks for the run down - very helpful indeed (I knew I came to the right place!). Sounds like we have plenty of time up our sleeves to enjoy the journey. First time in the Med and so far have been loving it; and coming from New Zealand its not that cold! Thanks again John; much obliged.

If anyone else has any more tips/suggestions I'd be more than grateful.

Earlyday.

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha and welcome aboard!
kind regards,

[Lancerbye]

Welcome aboard. Good luck on your quest.