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Post by MalcolmP on Nov 12, 2019 12:14:18 GMT
For various reasons we are now heading to Greece for 2020, so looking for somewhere to berth we arrive in July. Planning to stay in Ionian initially and over winter 2020/21 somewhere hopefully safe.
I know that Vasko doesn't rate Gouvia (is that on price or other reasons too?) but think Hoppy found it OK? Main downside seems to be lack of flights from UK to Corfu in the winter, but that seems true for all locations apart from Athens.
Would welcome suggestions
Thanks Malcolm
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Post by panoramix on Nov 12, 2019 20:03:42 GMT
My boat is in Gouvia for the last three years. It is indeed a very expensive marina. €5000 a year for 37 feet.
The marina is very well sheltered for all winds. Lot of workshops in and around the marina. Small village nearby with shops,restaurants and supermarket.
In wintertime you will have to fly via Athens and go by bus or plane to Corfu. During the season lots of cheap flights to EU countries and UK.
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Post by fakinx on Nov 12, 2019 20:26:30 GMT
Have been once on Korfu but never in this marina. Price is even higher than Croatia which I’m rating an expensive place. Dear God how times are changing...
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Post by alenka on Nov 12, 2019 20:54:30 GMT
Hi Malcolm,
Gouvia is by no means a bad marina. It is a little out of town but a regular bus service is to be found just outside the gate and a taxi ride use to be under €20 each way. I say use to be because taxi fares in Greece are a variable feast.
There are all the usual facilities within the marina, Laundry, cafes, restaurants, swimming pool, etc., etc. All quite good and not overly expensive. Additionally a lot of chandlers are just outside the gates, as indeed a selection of more taverna type restaurants. This area is not 'my' favourite bit of Greece but others will disagree. In fact I have heard Corfu island described by some as being a bit lacking in facilities for boats. The north and west coasts are exposed, the east a bit drab.
Don't get me wrong, I will still be heading up there next year to take in the old town, Paxos, Sivota Mourtos, etc.
Marinas are to be found in Preveza, Lefkas, Meganisi, Mesolongi and by next year Vasaliki 'should' be finally open. Preveza and Lefkas have easy access to the airport. Meganisi (Little Vathi) is on an island (requires a ferry ride) and some say you don't get a set berth - your boat can be moved around a fair bit when you are not in attendance!
Vasaliki is a bit of a stretch from the airport but the town has a nice feel to it. Mesolongi is rather remote and the town is more of a city than a tourist area. Some people love it so it is a bit of a marmite option.
I would put Lefkas at the top of my list. It is smack in the middle of the Ionian so you can turn left and go north or right and go south. The town has a nice tourist feel to it. Good protection is most conditions. The big problem is that Sunsail moved in a few years ago and space can be quite rare. I would ask for a berth sooner rather than later.
Preveza town marina is just about complete and owned by Cleopatra marina on the opposite side of the estuary. Cleo is mainly a dry land storage facility but they too also have a small on-the-water marina. It is modern, clean and efficient. They have a reputation for doing things very well and if you were considering the summer afloat and the winter ashore I would talk to them. You should be aware that the water based side of things on that side of the estuary offers no natural protection from the west. But like Lefkas you have the choice when you cast off of heading north or south. Most head south.
Getting to and from Greece is a real pain especially now that both Thomas Cook and Monarch airlines have collapsed. Flights with EasyJet start in March from Gatwick but not until June from Manchester. Most end at the end of October. If you want to get to your boat in winter you have to go either to Athens or Thesaloniki and hire a car. The bus from Athens to Preveza does not seem to be well timed to Uk flight arrivals so you end up staying in a hotel the first night.
As a wild card I would suggest a berth on the IBA pontoon down in Nidri. Normally around €20 a night for 13m but a friend did negotiate a whole summer stay there a few years ago.
See you for a beer maybe in 2020!
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Post by vasko on Nov 13, 2019 7:08:22 GMT
If you do want a UK/France type of marina the only viable options are - the new marina in Preveza and Gouvia - both quite good as marinas and facilities - my complain to Gouvia is different - it is sooo good there that you do not want to go out sailing at all for Preveza the only complain is price... also a good option is to leave the boat on gardiennage in VYC ( Vliho Yacht Club) when you are away - they have transport to the airport also there is a good public transport from there - should be in the area of 150 EUR p.m. Corfu and Prevzea has a down side to be far away from the nice part of the Ionian and you are always wasting a day(Corfu 2 days) to get there and back hence VYC option - also you in can leave the boat in Palairos there is a local businessmen there that can take care of it while you are away
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Post by alenka on Nov 13, 2019 9:12:31 GMT
If you do want a UK/France type of marina the only viable options are - the new marina in Preveza and Gouvia - both quite good as marinas and facilities - my complain to Gouvia is different - it is sooo good there that you do not want to go out sailing at all for Preveza the only complain is price... also a good option is to leave the boat on gardiennage in VYC ( Vliho Yacht Club) when you are away - they have transport to the airport also there is a good public transport from there - should be in the area of 150 EUR p.m. Corfu and Prevzea has a down side to be far away from the nice part of the Ionian and you are always wasting a day(Corfu 2 days) to get there and back hence VYC option - also you in can leave the boat in Palairos there is a local businessmen there that can take care of it while you are away Vasko, I am very surprised you omitted Lefkas as it is considered by many to be the best choice for location and facilities albeit that it lacks a swimming pool, unless you use the facilities at the onsite hotel. As you say it is quite a hike from Gouvia to the nice bits. True Lefkas cannot compete with the special ambience of old Corfu town but then Gouvia is not really that close to the centre of town either. I have been told that winters afloat in Gouvia can be bitterly cold with the winds that come off the Albanian mountains just across the water. Gardiennage is offered in many of the small harbours by a local and I would advise caution when using their services. These operations are unofficial and uninsured. They rely on the port police being too lazy to come out and collect harbour dues. If the police change their attitude whilst you are away you could come back to an extra bill for several hundred Euros. Also the restaurant owners in Paleros, Sivota, Platiria, etc., are getting very angry about the number of unoccupied boats taking up harbour space and preventing others getting ashore to shop and eat. Incidentally, if you ever arrive in a Greek harbour and told that you cannot park by someone who looks less than official (with no proper ID) because the spot is reserved I suggest you tell them to go away. Unless you are using a lazy line space on a public quayside cannot be reserved. There are exceptions to this, mainly Sami and Ay Eufimia, where the harbour masters go to a great deal of trouble to place boats in an appropriate position to maximise space. Equally people that demand money for taking your lines and helping you to berth are rarely nothing more than opportunists. The main problems occur in Zakinthos, where coincidentally theft from boats is not uncommon.
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Post by vasko on Nov 13, 2019 9:27:01 GMT
juts to summarize - I'm talking about personal choice only (e.g. it is just my opinion which may be wrong):
European/UK style marinas : Gouvia, Preveza , Cleopatra(really far away from anything else but the airport - but have a option to keep your boat on the hard for a very cheap price while you are back in UK) - I somehow do not classify Lefkas as a EU/UK style marina service ( I may be wrong)
Professional with insurance VYC ( Vliho Yacht Club) - this will be my preferred choice- I think Vicky/Rory and their team are a lot more trustworthy then the people in most of the posh marinas
Free places - two not finished marinas around Argostolli one with water and electricity and both with leave a board community - also the boat can be taken on the hard there with free staying on the hard
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Post by MalcolmP on Nov 13, 2019 14:23:25 GMT
Thank you all for your replies and sharing your knowledge as always, very helpful
After doing some more research on Corfu, we are now thinking it sounds too bleak for over wintering for us, not only the rain and wind but also lack of easy flights as we like to get away from UK at least a couple of times in the bleak midwinter...
So thinking Ionian may now be pushed back to 2021 and we will overwinter in 2020 in southern Sicily. Both Licata and Ragusa seem to have positive reports and there are good flight options from Catania airport. Hopefully we can then do an early season passage down to Malta to see MickeyB in 2021 too.
Corfu is still on the list as is Corinth and Aegean...so many places and we go so very slowly
Thanks again Malcolm
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Post by MickeyB on Nov 13, 2019 14:51:46 GMT
I haven't been to that many marinas as I tend to like being on the hook, but Ragusa I have been to. Bar the silting in the entrance (keep PORT big time) and the really strange little red bouys floating around (indicating HUGE concrete bolders inches under the surface) the marina is superb.
One thing I love about the marina is the size of the main pontoon. From memory, they stuck 3 pontoons together width-wise, the entire length of the marina. Been told it is cheap for over wintering but no experience.
If you do go, the lovely ladies in reception wear a red and blue uniform, and one of them is simply stunning. Worth the visit just for that.
Looking forward to seeing you in Malta if you Malcolm, or anyone else, makes it to our tiny rock.
Mike
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Post by MalcolmP on Nov 13, 2019 15:02:53 GMT
I haven't been to that many marinas as I tend to like being on the hook, but Ragusa I have been to. Bar the silting in the entrance (keep PORT big time) and the really strange little red bouys floating around (indicating HUGE concrete bolders inches under the surface) the marina is superb. One thing I love about the marina is the size of the main pontoon. From memory, they stuck 3 pontoons together width-wise, the entire length of the marina. Been told it is cheap for over wintering but no experience. If you do go, the lovely ladies in reception wear a red and blue uniform, and one of them is simply stunning. Worth the visit just for that. Looking forward to seeing you in Malta if you Malcolm, or anyone else, makes it to our tiny rock. Mike Thanks Mike, yes heard about the silting in entrance, hopefully they will have it sorted by next season and we only draw 1.6m. We really like the idea of seeing Malta, so on the cards for Spring 2021 for sure
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Post by alenka on Nov 13, 2019 21:53:50 GMT
Malcolm,
There are winter live aboards in Greece but not many of them. The weather can be unsettled but not too extreme. As you quite rightly say getting there is a real pain in Winter.
In your situation I might consider arriving in Greece early May, sailing the Ionian May and June then heading off through the canal to The Aegean in July when the Ionian side gets very busy with Italians. By September I would be heading into Turkey. I have spent many a pleasant winters day around the Gocek area and although no where is immune to winter storms the days are often warm, sunny and , require only a jumper at night.
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Post by MalcolmP on Nov 13, 2019 23:01:08 GMT
Malcolm, There are winter live aboards in Greece but not many of them. The weather can be unsettled but not too extreme. As you quite rightly say getting there is a real pain in Winter. In your situation I might consider arriving in Greece early May, sailing the Ionian May and June then heading off through the canal to The Aegean in July when the Ionian side gets very busy with Italians. By September I would be heading into Turkey. I have spent many a pleasant winters day around the Gocek area and although no where is immune to winter storms the days are often warm, sunny and , require only a jumper at night. Sounds like a good basis for a plan, thanks for the tips.
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