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Jim B
 
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Default Looking for a good bareboat location



If you are into partying and don't mind flying half way around the
world, the British VIrgin Islands are the place.


Pretty crowded though. Perhaps more space and variety - still enough
partying - further south around the Grenadines. Big season between December
and April - more humid after that.

I see a lot of Oz charterers around the Greek islands. A bit of winter sun
for Oz southerners, but the Mediterranean is a long way to travel. They seem
to like the consistent big northerly winds around the Cyclades during July
and August, when you may be hit with two or three days of 35kt winds when
even the ferries stop sailing.

This is not an area rich with sandy beaches
and out of the way anchorages though. You usually tie to a town or village
quay and become part of the local scene. Great variety, from millionaire's
Mykonos to backpacker's Ios, from populations of 4 manning a yotties taverna
to 30,000 (almost tourist free) on Syros. Full season starts mid May, ends
mid Oct.

My favourite for quieter cruising in Greek waters - slightly less wind and
many smaller islands - is north from Kos along the Dodecanese (off the
Turkish coast). Season mid-May to mid Oct, with occasional unsettled weather
in the first and last months. Try Moorings from Kos, internal flights from
Athens.

Saronic (just south of Athens) and Ionian (west of Greece) are lighter wind
areas, very popular, very crowded with flotillas of smaller cruisers.

--
Jim B, Yacht RAPAZ,
Summers in the Med, winters in UK
jim[dot]baerselman[at]ntlworld[dot]com









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Jim Woodward
 
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Default Looking for a good bareboat location

(comments based on our 1995-1998 circumnav, not on local charters)

We much preferred the Societies to Tonga. Tonga is a monarchy where
the Royal Family owns 75% of the land. It was the only country, of 32
on our trip, where multiple officials actively solicted "gifts". (In
fairness, I must add that on Niuatoputapu we shared a magnificent
coming-of-age banquet put on by the local church -- the people there
were wonderful.) If you look at a chart, you will find that there is a
variety of places to go, but a sameness to them. There's little to do
ashore (two good restaurants in the Vava'u Group, IIRC).

The Moorings has a base on Raiatea, from which you can cruise Raiatea,
Huahine, Tahaa, and Bora Bora. More variety both at sea and ashore
than Tonga.

We preferred Turkey to Greece, but both are good choices. You will
find opportunities to anchor out in Turkey, sometimes alone, sometimes
with other boats.

The BVI are charter boats gone wild, crowded and difficult -- haven't
been to the Grenadines, but they have to be better than BVI. There's
also Saint Martin, Antigua, Guadalupe.

I also have to mention Maine. While there's a 30% chance of fog in
the summer, when it's clear, it's one of the best cruising grounds in
the world. October can be gorgeous and fog free, if you don't mind
cool.

Jim Woodward
www.mvfintry.com

"Jim B" wrote in message ...

If you are into partying and don't mind flying half way around the
world, the British VIrgin Islands are the place.


Pretty crowded though. Perhaps more space and variety - still enough
partying - further south around the Grenadines. Big season between December
and April - more humid after that.

I see a lot of Oz charterers around the Greek islands. A bit of winter sun
for Oz southerners, but the Mediterranean is a long way to travel. They seem
to like the consistent big northerly winds around the Cyclades during July
and August, when you may be hit with two or three days of 35kt winds when
even the ferries stop sailing.

This is not an area rich with sandy beaches
and out of the way anchorages though. You usually tie to a town or village
quay and become part of the local scene. Great variety, from millionaire's
Mykonos to backpacker's Ios, from populations of 4 manning a yotties taverna
to 30,000 (almost tourist free) on Syros. Full season starts mid May, ends
mid Oct.

My favourite for quieter cruising in Greek waters - slightly less wind and
many smaller islands - is north from Kos along the Dodecanese (off the
Turkish coast). Season mid-May to mid Oct, with occasional unsettled weather
in the first and last months. Try Moorings from Kos, internal flights from
Athens.

Saronic (just south of Athens) and Ionian (west of Greece) are lighter wind
areas, very popular, very crowded with flotillas of smaller cruisers.

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