Sailing an SO36.2 in Turkish waters
Aug 13, 2013 11:51:32 GMT
Post by tedp on Aug 13, 2013 11:51:32 GMT
In July and August, 2013, we sailed a rented SO36.2 in Turkish and Greek waters. Together with another couple we rented the boat from Budget Sailing, a charter company based in Göcek, Turkey, near Dalaman airport. The boat was a slightly battered 1996 boat which proved to be an excellent sailer. We had a few windy days with strong gusts and the old boat was very easy to handle without any tendency to round up like my own SO32. Inside, the 36.2 is very roomy, with three sleeping cabins and the galley to one side. The cockpit was a little awkward though due to the huge table fixed ahead of the wheel.
Above: our rented SO36.2 in Kalkan, Turkey.
Budget Sailing proved to be a very reliable charter company run by a Turkish/Dutch couple. Their biggest boat is a nice SO40.3. We had one or two small problems with our boat but all were solved within 24 hours after phoning them. The boat's inventory was quite adequate for coastal sailing.
We sailed our own route from Göcek down to Kekova Island and back. The coast is very rocky and mountainous and full of sheltered bays and coves. The bay between Göcek and Fethiye is sheltered and the funnelling wind gives excellent sailing. In some of the tiny bays there are restaurants offering delicious local food.
From Göcek or Fethiye there is a 40 or 50 mile route to Kalkan, Kaş and Kekova island which has a sheltered roadstead behind. Out to sea the wind was often lacking but there was usually a deep swell coming from the southwest.
Above: anchored at Gemiler (St Nicholas Island) in Turkey.
Apart from the beautiful scenery and the deep blue water there is much more to see such as remains of the old Lycian cities dating from 500BC, a Byzantine pilgrim island from 700AD, a deserted Greek town near Cold Water Bay, rock tombs and sunken cities. When swimming, take a piece of bread and the fish will come and eat it from your hand. Occasionally you will see a sea turtle. Ashore there is much to do. Almost everywhere are good restaurants offering local food which is quite safe to eat, not expensive and excellent quality.
We crossed to the easternmost Greek island of Kastellorizo with its picturesque harbour and swam in the blue cave down the island's coast. Mind you will have to visit the harbour authorities and customs when coming from Turkey. This will take you about an hour collecting the necessary documents. For various reasons it is not advised to cross directly to or from Kaş which is only a few miles away, so we came to Kastellorizo from Kalkan and carried on to Kekova. Although Greece is of course very different from Turkey, the hospitality and friendliness is the same in both countries.
Above: the harbour at Kastellorizo, Greece.
Sailing and anchoring is a funny business in this area. There are no noticeable tides although there is some current around the headlands. In summer there may be little wind. Anchoring is done in the Mediterranean way: drop anchor in deep water, about 20 metres, then you reverse quickly towards the shore or the quay, braking the boat using the anchor. A line is brought ashore so the boat points out to open water. In some places anchored mooring lines are available, and boats are usually fitted with a powerful windlass, as heaving 50 or 60 metres of chain and an anchor by hand is no joke.
Above: the view from Kastellorizo, the eastern outpost of Greece.
The weather is extremely hot and very steady during the summer months. In spring and autumn it can be showery with violent gusts. In July and August, daytime temperatures are about 40 Centigrade and all boats carry a bimini. You keep out of the afternoon sun and usually you're in the water rather than out of it. The sea is way over 25 Centigrade and very pleasant to swim in. You often sleep on deck as the boat can be hot below decks.
In all we had a wonderful sailing holiday which we will remember with much pleasure.
Kekova bay and island seen from the old fortress of Kaleköy in Turkey.
Above: our rented SO36.2 in Kalkan, Turkey.
Budget Sailing proved to be a very reliable charter company run by a Turkish/Dutch couple. Their biggest boat is a nice SO40.3. We had one or two small problems with our boat but all were solved within 24 hours after phoning them. The boat's inventory was quite adequate for coastal sailing.
We sailed our own route from Göcek down to Kekova Island and back. The coast is very rocky and mountainous and full of sheltered bays and coves. The bay between Göcek and Fethiye is sheltered and the funnelling wind gives excellent sailing. In some of the tiny bays there are restaurants offering delicious local food.
From Göcek or Fethiye there is a 40 or 50 mile route to Kalkan, Kaş and Kekova island which has a sheltered roadstead behind. Out to sea the wind was often lacking but there was usually a deep swell coming from the southwest.
Above: anchored at Gemiler (St Nicholas Island) in Turkey.
Apart from the beautiful scenery and the deep blue water there is much more to see such as remains of the old Lycian cities dating from 500BC, a Byzantine pilgrim island from 700AD, a deserted Greek town near Cold Water Bay, rock tombs and sunken cities. When swimming, take a piece of bread and the fish will come and eat it from your hand. Occasionally you will see a sea turtle. Ashore there is much to do. Almost everywhere are good restaurants offering local food which is quite safe to eat, not expensive and excellent quality.
We crossed to the easternmost Greek island of Kastellorizo with its picturesque harbour and swam in the blue cave down the island's coast. Mind you will have to visit the harbour authorities and customs when coming from Turkey. This will take you about an hour collecting the necessary documents. For various reasons it is not advised to cross directly to or from Kaş which is only a few miles away, so we came to Kastellorizo from Kalkan and carried on to Kekova. Although Greece is of course very different from Turkey, the hospitality and friendliness is the same in both countries.
Above: the harbour at Kastellorizo, Greece.
Sailing and anchoring is a funny business in this area. There are no noticeable tides although there is some current around the headlands. In summer there may be little wind. Anchoring is done in the Mediterranean way: drop anchor in deep water, about 20 metres, then you reverse quickly towards the shore or the quay, braking the boat using the anchor. A line is brought ashore so the boat points out to open water. In some places anchored mooring lines are available, and boats are usually fitted with a powerful windlass, as heaving 50 or 60 metres of chain and an anchor by hand is no joke.
Above: the view from Kastellorizo, the eastern outpost of Greece.
The weather is extremely hot and very steady during the summer months. In spring and autumn it can be showery with violent gusts. In July and August, daytime temperatures are about 40 Centigrade and all boats carry a bimini. You keep out of the afternoon sun and usually you're in the water rather than out of it. The sea is way over 25 Centigrade and very pleasant to swim in. You often sleep on deck as the boat can be hot below decks.
In all we had a wonderful sailing holiday which we will remember with much pleasure.
Kekova bay and island seen from the old fortress of Kaleköy in Turkey.