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Post by vasko on Jul 27, 2019 15:40:29 GMT
Krioneri - perfect place for overnight stop in gulf if Patras - great food, great beach, if you have long hose you can get water around the fishing boats or the house behind the quay - space for 5-10 boats stern to or 2-3 sideways, reasonable shelter, Amazing scenery! Depth about 3.5m in the harbour - no passing boats -e.g plenty of space ...
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Post by chuckr on Aug 11, 2019 13:52:30 GMT
Went into Itea and no charge (at least no one came for the money or papers) and we took a bus to Delphi. We did listen very intently for the Delphi Oracle and thought we heard "reef early reef often" --
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Post by alenka on Aug 11, 2019 16:27:47 GMT
I have to confess Vasko Google map street view is hardly inspiring and I doubt it will offer much protection when a big westerly kicks up!
Most people opt for Messolonghi just a few miles to the west which offers all around protection and options of a marina berth, alongside the public quay, or anchor in the lagoon. The marina is quite expensive. I have never been asked for money on the quayside but the bollards are more intended for ships and spread wide apart which can be tricky for shorthanded crews
There are multitude of tavernas around the harbour and many more options in the town.
These days I just bite the bullet and head straight to Trizonia
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Post by vasko on Aug 11, 2019 20:35:34 GMT
I have to confess Vasko Google map street view is hardly inspiring and I doubt it will offer much protection when a big westerly kicks up! Most people opt for Messolonghi just a few miles to the west which offers all around protection and options of a marina berth, alongside the public quay, or anchor in the lagoon. The marina is quite expensive. I have never been asked for money on the quayside but the bollards are more intended for ships and spread wide apart which can be tricky for shorthanded crews There are multitude of tavernas around the harbour and many more options in the town. These days I just bite the bullet and head straight to Trizonia We had about 25kt west and it was OK may be 45+ can be a issue ... |
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raythesailor
Junior Member
Posts: 12 
Jeanneau Model: Jen 45.2,
Yacht Name: Josephine
Country: British
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Post by raythesailor on Aug 20, 2019 12:05:25 GMT
There have been reports of thefts in Mesolonghi.
Also when I was there at anchor the mosquitoes were very bad.
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Post by vasko on Aug 20, 2019 17:23:47 GMT
In case someone want to transit ionian to aegean
(Like me) Ionian-Krioneri-Kiato-Egina-Kythnos-Syros is the sensible way to go..
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Post by alenka on Aug 21, 2019 10:44:33 GMT
My Personal View is that the Gulf of Patras and Corinth have very little to offer cruisers who like to meander. The distances between suitable stops dictate you have to keep speed up one way or another. For me the offerings either side of this stretch of water are far better than the bits in the middle.
Mesolonghion is the first proper stop when transiting west to east. It is a university town so very different in flavour to tourist Ionian. Yes, there have been reports of theft there, but this problem is by no means unique and affects other towns on the mainland. Even places like Parga and Vonista have had such reports made; And Athens is a different story altogether.
If you are on the quayside and concerned about security you can eat in a number of close by tavernas and keep an eye on your boat at the same time. The marina is pricey for what you get but secure'ish.
I have never stopped in Patras because the marina was damaged some years ago in a storm and never been repaired. Although there is space in the main commercial harbour others tell me the walls are very rough concrete and destroy topsides and fenders given just half a chance. You also have to pay for two nights regardless!
Navpaktos is just too small for us to consider.
Trizonia is a gem, especially following a much overdue tidy up of the marina, which for most of the summer is free to use. Although the marina still lacks kerb appeal the village and its water frontage, just a few metres walk through a gap in the properties, makes the island well worth a visit.
It's only a few hours hop around the coast to the the real jewel in the crown for the entire journey, Galaxidhi. Not overly large it is akin to a very small Fiscardo but with cheaper shops and tavernas. Great walks around the headland. You will normally be met on arrival by one or two unofficial harbour masters who will help you moor and try and sell you car hire or taxi services to Delphi - one of the worlds most important historical sites with much to see.
If you cannot find a place to moor and don't fancy anchoring in the bay then it a very short hop northwards to Itea. A large harbour and marina (of sorts). I would suggest you do not call the port on VHF as you will only get conflicting instructions... Yes we have plenty of space, no we are full... all in the space of a few minutes. Even when they claim they are full the entire southern wall is often almost empty. Just go in and park up. If you don't go looking to pay harbour fees they don't seem to come out and collect. First appearances of this town suggest you are spoiled for choice with tavernas but in reality many are just snack bars. Great for burger and chips but not much more.
The hop down to Kiato is long. Often a slog into winds that regularly reach 25-30kts by lunch time. So an early start, just after dawn, is always our aim. Again it is a pretty characterless town with only limited places to eat within a leisurely walk of the quayside.
Under threat of mutiny from crew I have never been into Corinth. They tell me there is more life is a tramps vest and veto any stopover!
Once through the canal many head for Korfos, Nea Epidhavros or Palaia Epidhavros. If you have not cleared the canal by 2pm then don't hang about. My favourite is Palaia Epidhavros and least favourite Nea Epidhavros, which if I never see again will be too soon!
At the large taverna overlooking the quayside I have had some of the best food and worst food in Palaia Epidhavros. Great views but those eateries further back seem more consistent and better value. Again, many will try to sell you a taxi ride to the world famous amphitheatre, but if you ask around there is a limited bus service for a fraction of the taxi fare.
Whilst in the vicinity an overnight in the very small harbour of Vathi (Methana) (a few miles to the south) should be on your hit list. And if you heading towards Athens or Angistri the next day try a mini detour to Nisis Dhoroussa anchorages for lunch.
Of course there are many other stop overs in the Gulfs. Most get little more than a paragraph of description in the pilot guides which suggests to me that they are not overly popular.
As I said at the outset this is just my personal likes and dislikes. Others will disagree.
This year we sailed Nidri to Trizonia non-stop. With a building wind in the afternoon we managed 9.2kts briefly in the last few miles with 35kts true from straight behind. No such luck or speeds on the next leg from Trizonia to Epidhavros with dead calm conditions all the way.
Our eventual return run started with an adventurously long daytime leg from Palaia Epidhavros to Galaxidhi. Alas, high winds from all directions built up a pretty confused sea state and also made sailing at speed near impossible - at least in the desired direction - so it was hour after hour of engine. Galaxidhi was full when we arrived so a detour up to Itea was in order. The next day the sea was still running a big swell and with building winds we had another lumpy run to Trizonia but without engine.
Casting off in Trizonia predawn it was back out into uncomfortable seas once more, but with the promise of 27kts (forecast) from the east for two thirds of our run to Sami on Cephalonia it looked as though we should eat up the miles. A little under halfway there we were back in dead calm conditions and relying on the engine.
One crew member positively hated this passage. In fact, had it not been for his lack of experience we were considering a non-stop passage through the night. If you are tempted to do this just be aware however that even in the narrows of Rhion bridge the local fishermen still drop an abundance of lobster pots with rather small markers! It is not a run I would relish under power in the dark!!
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Post by billy on Aug 21, 2019 15:08:32 GMT
Thankyou all
and especially 'Alenka' for sharing your wisdom & experience.
Alas we're on a brief 2 week charter so won't venture so far. The Corinth canal is very much on my To-Do list.
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Post by vasko on Aug 23, 2019 2:31:31 GMT
btw: 5-6 years ago Kiato was looking kind of abandoned place... but this August was completely different - vibrant town with many new buildings , hotels and bars, plenty of shops, place to eat etc. - was really surprised.
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Post by alenka on Aug 23, 2019 7:27:19 GMT
Wow Vasko. They must have worked like crazy since I was last in there two years ago!
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Post by vasko on Aug 23, 2019 14:14:40 GMT
Wow Vasko. They must have worked like crazy since I was last in there two years ago! May be last time I was out of season (October) this time in August all was alive - also space in the yacht harbour and on the breakwater ... and some work is going on - large amount of newly produced ready concrete block to be deployed... |
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