Sailing Sea of Joy

Sailing Round Sicily

2011-09-10T16:52:00.001+03:00

Sunrise

On August, 19th 2011 we started our first - but surely not last - circumnavigation of Sicily counterclockwise. Gusti & Richard Stastny, an experienced sailing couple, were on board with me right from the start. We left our new home-port Licata for Marina di Ragusa, where we moored in the "Porto Touristico" for two days and took a rental-car for a visit of Modica, Ragusa, Comiso, Vittoria and Scoglitti.

Syracusa

August, 21st we sailed east past Gela, Pozzallo and PortoPalo, rounded Capo Passero, and then sailed northeast to Syracusa, where we moored at "Marina Yachting SR" in front of the old walls of Ortigia. We visited the city and had a nice dinner at "Taverna Sveva".

Fish Market, Catania

Early next morning we continued our city-tour and finally left Syracusa with a nice wind and sailed to Catania, Mount Etna straight ahead. In Catania we moored at the end of the main harbor at the pontoon of "Diporto Nautice Etneo". In the evening we visited the city and had a very good fish dinner at "Osteria Antica Marina". Early next morning we bought fine food, fruit and vegetables at Catania's fish and food market - a remarkable and enjoyable experience!

With nearly no wind we motored further northeast passing some mundaene seaside resorts such as: Aci Trezza, Aci Reale, Stazzo, Riposto, Giardini Naxos, and finally anchored in Taormina Bay near the railway-station. After climbing through a narrow tunnel under the street and railway we catched a taxi to visit famous "Theatro Greco" just in time for sunset. We walked through the crowded streets of Taormina and finally got back on board for a good sleep.

With just enough wind to sail we continued up to Reggio di Calabria, where we spent the night in the small yacht harbor inside of the commercial harbor, but not missing a late visit to the excellent "Baylik Restaurant", where the nice host drove us back to our boat after our dinner. So we did not have to cross the complicated maze of highways and railroad tracks again by foot.

Pta. Peloro

August 25th was a unforgettable day for me: With a nice northerly wind we tacked northward across the Straits of Messina between Skylla and Charybdis and a lot of ferries, cargo-ships and other sailing boats. At noon we rounded "Capo Peloro" and continued west to Milazzo, where we moored at "Porto Santa Maria Maggiore" and waited for two additional crewmembers to arrive on board: Till Radermacher and his girlfriend Margit. Together we visited the fort and the churches of Milazzo, bouhgt some supplies and had a excellent dinner at "Al Bagatto".

Stromboli

With no wind at all we motored north to Stromboli, where we visited the island and anchored for a short night at the NE corner of Stromboli. Very early next morning at 03:30 MEST we sailed slowly to the northwestern side of Stromboli to have a good view of the eruptions and aflame lava streams and to hear the hissing and thunder of this impressive vulcano. With sunrise we left via Panarea to Isola Vulcano, where we had a late breakfast and a swim at Porto Ponente and then continued to Porto Levante for an other swim and a healthy mud-bath. After rounding the south of Vulcano we continued to Lipari, where we moored at "Porto Pignataro". For dinner we took a walk to Lipari town for a excellent Pizza at "Pizzeria Pescecane".

Cefalu

On August, 28th we tacked against weak northerly winds to Salina and continued west to Filicudi, where anchored in the south of the island east of Peccorini Porto; mooring right there is just not possible. Next day we continued west to Alicudi and then sailed south-south-west to the beautiful city of Cefalu, where we moored at "Porto Nuevo Presidiana". The the old port is now used only as a town-beach and is far too shallow. We also visited the impressive Norman catherdral and the old city. A very good dinner we had at "Trattoria L'Antica Corte" (Pizza and CousCous di Pesce). Early next day we wanted to climb "La Rocca", the Norman citadel, but we had to wait until 09:00, when it was opened by a guard. Nevertheless a worthwile climb to the fort with impressive views of the city, the sea and the ancient temple of Diana. At noon we continued further west via ugly Termini Imerese and the completely full Marina of "San Nicloa d' Arena" to the harbor of Porticello. As this harbor was also full, we anchored south near a boatyard, where we could land with our dinghy to stroll around this important fishing harbor and to have an excellent fish-dinner at "Trattoria Arrhais".

Cappella Palatina, Palermo

August 31st was the last leg with my crew on the way to Palermo, where we got a mooring-place in the central harbor at Salpancore. We took the new bus to Monreale to visit the famous cathedral and the old famous mosaics. In the evening we came back, strolling through the backstreets of Palermo and finally had a good pizza at "Pizzeria Pergamene". Early next day my crew left by bus for Catania airport and I visited the beautiful buildings in Palermo: Palazzo dei Normanni with most beautiful mosaics in Cappella Palatina, the great Cattedrale, a lot of old churches, Theatro Massimo, Catacombes dei Cappuccini, La Zisa and the lively markets Del Capo and Vucciria. Food was marvelous at" Sant'Andrea" and "Antica Focacceria San Francesco".

Convento dei Cappuccini, Palermo

To bring back the boat to Licata I had to continue single-handed for rest of this cruise via Trapani and Sciacca: In the early morning of September, 3rd it was good to have some wind to sail westwards via Capo le Vito to Trapani, where I moored at the shakily but nice pontoon of Columbus Yachting. There I had to stay for two nights because of bad weather, so I had time enough to visit this nice city and to taste real Trapanese food at "Cantina Siciliana" and "Taverna Paradiso". On September 5th I continued west to the Egidian Isles, first passing the nature reserve Maraone and visiting Levanzo, rounding the most western cap of Favignana "Punta Sottile" and finally mooring at a buoy near Punta Longha south of Favignana. Next day with nice northwesterly winds I sailed via Marsala, Mazara del Vallo and Selinunte to Sciacca. As there was no free mooring place I had to anchor in the harbor and had a cold dinner and a good sleep. Early next day with a stronger northwesterly wind I continued along the beautiful sandy coast of southwestern Sicily via Capo Bianco and ugly Porto Empedocle to the little harbour of San Leone, where the nice crew of "Mediteraneo Yacht Club" helped me mooring in strong side winds up to 30 knots. In the evening I enjoyed a delicious fish-dinner at "Ristorante Il Pescatore" again.

Marina Cala del Sole, Licata

A nice westerly wind helped me to finish the last leg on my single-handed cruise back to our new home-port Licata, where I was welcomed by the helpful team of "Marina Cala del Sole" led by Dott. Antonio Pasqualino in the afternoon of September, 8th 2011.

This cruise took 3 weeks with 120 hours sailing a distance of 635sm. You can look at the track with Google Earth: sojSicliyAug11.kmz

See some Photos on PicasaWeb:

Sailing with a 4-women crew

2011-07-27T14:50:00.001+03:00

This cruise was very special, as I sailed with a very competent crew consisting of 4 confident women working in the consulting business. They came on board in Mgarr, Gozo, Malta on July 11th. As it was very hot we sailed to Blue Lagoon for a swim and returned to Mgarr in the evening for a nice dinner at "Porto Vecchio". Next day we went via Comino to Grand Harbor Marina and visited Vittoriosa and Senglea.

On July 13th we declared exit at Mgarr, went for a short swim near Fungus Rock and finally crossed Sicily Strait during a enjoyable full-moon night. In the morning we arrived in San Leone, moored the boat at the Mediterraneo Yachting Club. They called us a taxi and soon we visited the impressive Valley of the Temples in Agrigento. In the evening we had an excellent dinner at "Ristorante il Pescatore" in San Leone.

Next day we sailed upwind to Punta Grande, taking a swim and then sailed downwind via Port Empedocle to Licata. There we went into the new Marina "Cala del Sole", where marina manager Dr. Antonio Pasqualino welcomed us with his staff. This is a brand new and beautiful marina: http://www.marinadicaladelsole.it/
So I decided to use this marina as our new home-base for the next 12 month.

The proficient marina staff provided us with a nice rental car and so we visited Noto, Modica, Ragusa, Villa Romana Del Casale, Piazza Amerina, Enna and Catania.

I enjoyed this remarkable cruise very much: 166sm, 1 week. Here is the GPS-track for Google Earth:
sojJul11tracks.kmz

June in Sicily's Narrows

2011-07-27T14:37:00.004+03:00

In June 2011 my family and I sailed from Gozo two times to Sicily and back to Malta.

First we explored Gozo and its excellent restaurants: Porto Vecchio, Ta' Frenc, Tmun in Magarr and Victoria. We sailed round Gozo, visited Xlendi, Fungus Rock, Marsalforn, Ramla Bay, made several trips to the Blue Lagoon, which regrettably became more overcrowded on each visit.

On June 1st we sailed from Gozo to the new Marina Licata on the south coast in Sicily, were arrived at midnight, beeing the first and only boat in this large marina. In the morning we were welcomed by Dr. Antonio Pasqualino and his nice marina staff with excellent Cannoli Siciliani, fresh croissants and a printout of an Austrian newspaper. After replenishing our provisions in the new marina supermarket we strolled around Licata, its churches and castle and finially had a exceptional dinner at "L'Oste e il Sacrestano".

Next day we sailed downwind to Marina di Ragusa, had a very good fish-dinner at "Trattoria da Carmelo". The nice marina staff there arranged for a rental car and we visited Modica, Notto, Syracusa and Ragusa, where we had dinner at "Il Barocco".

On June 5th we sailed back via Mgarr to Msida Marina. From Msida we sailed south to Marsaxlokk (excellent fish at "Tartarun Fish Restaurant") and then with powerful westerly winds dashed north on the west side of Malta back to Blue Lagoon.

7th of June we went back to Msida Marina - now managed by Creek Developments, where I had Sea of Joy's mainsail repaired by the competent sailmaker Anton and a service of the steering gear by Whitesails. Unfortunatly my old outboard engine was stolen during one night - while we were sleeping on board! So I had to buy a new one (Tohatsu 4PS).

On June 18th it was time for an other cruise to Sicily, Via Mgarr we sailed to Porto Palo, where we spent the night anchoring. Next day we sailed with a strong southerly downwind to Syracusa where we moored SoJ for 3 days at Marina Yachting Siracusa, explored the city and had very good antipasti & pasta at "Sicilia in Tavola". In the next two days we visited with a rental car Palazzolo Acreide, Ragusa, Modica, Contrada Vendicari and Noto, where we had a remarkable dinner at "Trattoria del Crocifisso" and the famous ice-cream at "Corrado Costanzo". Next day we went Mount Aetna to Rifugio Sapienza at 1900m. Up to 2500m we took the cablecar and then climbed the last 500m to Torre del Filosofo and the southeast crater. Then we took a swim in beautiful Taormina beach.
Here you can look at Aetna's actual situation via webcam: http://www.guide-etna.com/webcam/.

June 22nd we sailed south via Contrada Vendicari to Marina di Marzamemi and spent the night there after pasta and pizza at "Giramapao". Next day we sailed back across Sicily Narrows to the Blue Lagoon in Comino and finally moored Sea of Joy securely in Mgarr Marina.

The first trip took place from June 1st to 10th logging 235sm and the second with 200sm from June 17th to 24th, 2011. Here are the 2 GPS-tracks of those cruises, which you can play in Google Earth:

sojTracks2011-06-01-12.kmz

sojTracks2011-06-13-25.kmz

Exploring Gozo & Valetta

2011-05-23T19:16:00.001+03:00

Sunday 8th of May like many people in Malta we used for a sailing trip round Gozo, visiting Ix-Xini, Xiendi, Fungus Rock, Marsalforn, ir_Ramla Bay with orange sand and finally throwing anchor in the famous Blue Lagoon west of Comino, where we roasted our leg of lamb from Chania with vegetables and potatoes and spent a quiet night.

Monday 9th of May we motored to Valetta for a harbor-cruise, filling up diesel at the tanking ship and mooring for a hike round Valetta in Msida Marina for 6 hours. In the afternoon we visited Grand Harbour and then sailed back for Gozo, where we finally had our last dinner in Mgarr at Porto Vecchio restaurant, which was extraordinary good.

Tuesday morning we cleaned the boat and at noon took the ferry to Cirkewwa, where we boarded an anchient bus with open doors and enjoyed an adventurous trip first to Valetta and then to the airport at Luka.

In these 2 days we logged 70sm. Here is the GPS-track as a kmz-File, which you can download and play in Google Earth: 2011-05-08-09gozoMalta.kmz

Comfortable Crossing to Malta

2011-05-23T19:10:00.002+03:00

In Chania our last crew member Karl Hitschmann came on board and Klaus Darilion left us for some relaxing days in Crete. After an outstanding dinner at "The Well of the Turk" we had a long sleep in the busy harbor in Chania. In the morning of Tuesday, 3rd of May after a nice breakfast we bought a leg of lamb, some nice fish and some cheese in Chania's famous market hall and finally declared exit with the obliging officers of the Greek coastguard.

At 11:30 local time we set the second reef for our 500 miles crossing to Malta. For the first 12 hours a nice force 6 south westerly wind gave us a cosy lift on our planned course on 280 degrees. But during the night the wind turned west - forcing us to a rather north-westerly course right to Ns. Sapientza on the westerly tip of Peloponnisos. But soon the wind turned farther nord - so we could tack and continue on our old course right in the direction of Malta. From now on it was a comfortable crossing with steady winds.

We sailed through day and night without any change of sails, meeting only few ships and accomplished about 140sm per nautical day. Soon our watch schedule became routine with a daily changing combination of two crew resting and two crew keeping lookout for three hours at night and four hours during daylight.

In the night of Friday 6th of May we sailed near fields of anchoring tankers ablaze with light west of Malta when the wind decreased and we had to start the motor for the last few miles. Finally we reached the harbor of Gozo, Malta's nothern island and moored our boat in Mgarr Marina after 3.5 days of contemplative sailing.

Declaring entry was extremly easy with a friendly coustoms officer right in the marina. After getting some sleep we explored the island and had a very fine dinner at Tmun restaurant in the harbor of Mgarr.

We logged 540sm sailing 3 days and 20 hours. Here is the GPS-track as a kmz-File, which you can download and play in Google Earth: 2011-05-03-07chania-mGarr.kmz

Ardous sailing to Chania

2011-05-23T19:05:00.001+03:00

On Saturday, April 30th my crew arrived from Vienna via Heraklion: Albert Burgstaller, Klaus Darilion and Aaron Kaplan.

Sunday morning 1st of May we set sail for Chania with a good but incorrect weather forcast. Instead of sunny and south 5 bft wind weather soon became bad and we had thunderstorms and gusty winds up to 40 knots first from south, but in the evening turning westerly.

So we had to beat all night and finally arrived tired after 130sm in Chania 10:30 in the morning local time.

Here is the GPS-track as a kmz-File, which you can download and play in Google Earth:
2011-05-01agNik-Chania.kmz

Easter Works in Agios Nikolaos

2011-05-23T18:59:00.000+03:00

Late for the beginning of the season we started the usual maintenance works on April, Monday 18th. Sea of Joy was lifted out of the water by the travellift in Ag. Nikolaos marina. With the help of the competent team of Oh-Kay Service led by Udo Oesch new antifouling, fitting of new anodes, propeller cleaning and greasing was finished in 3 days and a new anchor winch with remote chain counter was installed - the old one had a crack right through the steel housing.

All works completed we enjoyed a nice easter week on land with roundtrips and hiking all over Crete after enjoying a remarkable easter night in Ag. Nikolaos:

The famous burning of Judas in the city lake accompanied by impressive fireworks.

Sailing around Crete in October

2010-11-06T11:58:00.003+02:00

Sailing around Crete is a challenging experience, especially in often changing and rough weather conditions end of October. So I did this cruise with a very experienced crew: Christiane and Gerhard Rothfuss and sailing doctor Gerhard Westphal from October 17th to 28th 2010.

We started northwest from Ag. Nikolaos on Sunday afternoon, 17th October, rounded Ag. Ioannis Point and stopped for the night in Milatos harbor, having excellent fish at Socrates Taverna. In strong southerly wind and heavy thunderstorm we continued to Heraklion harbour, where we found a mooringplace on the western side of the ferry harbor only. After a good dinner at Peri Orexeos Restaurant and a night with a lot of swell we proceeded to Rethymnon. With some problems regarding defect mooring lines we got the last place alongside in the so-called "marina".

Under clear sky and warm sun we set sail to round Akrotiri peninsula on October 20th. At noon we were stopped by a Nato-boat called "Firing Control" and escorted to Marathi north of Souda bay. We had to wait there safely at anchor until the Nato firing exercises with a lot of fighter-jets, drones and target-ships were finished at 3pm local time. Interesting was that nobody announced those exercises before on VHF 16 or 12 as specified in the pilot guides. So we arrived late for a meeting with some friends in Chania harbor at 9pm.

Thursday we tacked against strong south-westerly winds to the lonley bay of Garamvousa, were we anchored alone in the South Bay near the most northwestern rock of Crete. In this solitude Gerhard Westphal concentrated and cooked his legendary "Erdäpfelgulasch" for us. Thus invigorated we could continue next morning south on the west coast of Crete, rounded Elafounisi and finally went alongside in Paleochora harbor. We took a walk round this nice village and had delicous dolmades and tasty lamb chops at Dionysos Taverna.

North winds increased during the night. So we had to leave by motoring "in to the bow-spring-line" / "Eindampfen in die Vorspring" and sailed east with varying northeast- & northwesterly winds along the south coast of Crete until in the evening we stopped at the secluded Bay of Kali Limenes. There Christine cooked a lot of pancakes, each of them disappeard as soon as it was delivered to the hungry crew. Sunday 24th we continued further east to Ierapetra, where we anchored near the city quay and replenished our provisions.

As strong southerlies were announced by Olympia Radio we hurried round Ns Kavaloi, the south-eastern tip of Crete and anchored in the large bay of Kato Zakros, where we hoped to get some lee from soutwest winds. We took a walk to the Minoan Palace of Zakros and into the impressive Gorge of the Death. Then we had nice lamb chops at Nikos Restaurant. In the night the swell became very strong. To avoid damage we had to leave Tuesday 26th at 5am and sailed north in up to 36 Bft south wind with a lot of rain. So at sunrise we rounded Cap Sídheros north east of Crete and before noon went alongside the north-east quay in Sitia harbor and had a late breakfast. Then we went for a walk round Sitia, visited Fort Kazama, and had a delicous Psarosoupa at the new O Mihos restaurant.

Next morning with much less wind we sailed to Spinalonga Bay, visited the Venetian fort and later leper colony and spent the night at anchor near Elounda. Sea of Joy was rinsed clean by a long and intensive thunderstorm during most of the night. Thursday 28th we finsished our cruise round Crete with the last short leg back to Ag. Nikolaos.

My nice crew helped me taking down the genua and prepearing Sea of Joy ready for the winter. Friday 29th a lot of wind was announced. We took a roundtrip by car visiting Lato, Moni Exakustis, Myrtos, Ierapetra, Praisos, Moni Tuplou and having a good fish for dinner at Ta Kochilla restaurant in Mochlos harbor.

This was a challenging cruise round Crete in 11 days, we logged 407sm sailing 76 hours. Here is the GPS-track as a kmz-File, which you can download and play in Google Earth: tracksSojKretaOkt2010.kmz

Samos via Rhodes to Crete

2010-10-04T21:24:00.005+03:00

On August 13th for the last time in the next future my wife Ilse and I sailed downwind from Samos Marina to Marathi Bay on Arki Island. We moored there for two days, enjoying the sandy beach and the food at Pandelis. We continued to Emporio Bay on Kalymnos, where we also moored for two leisure days, swimming and eating at Harry's Paradise Restaurant.

Further south downwind we sailed to the southern coast of Kos, where we spent another two placid days near Ag. Stefanos. In the evening of August 18th our daughter Sophie arrived by plane from Vienna. Next day we motored to Pali harbor on Nissiros and enjoyed the beautiful sunset and the old town Mandraki. Next morning we visited all important sites of Ns. Nissiros, including Emporio, Nikia, Mandraki, three monasteries, black beaches and the famous volcano by car.

Again further south we anchored in Eristou Bay at the west coast of Tilos and continued next day to Potamos Bay in Chalki, where we had a nice walk over to Chalki town. Heading west we anchored for one spooky night in Alimia South Bay and hiked up to the old castle.

On August 25th we reached Panormitis Bay in Simi and visited the famous monastery next morning. Then we motored with nearly no wind to Simi Harbor, having a nice swim at Ag. Emilianou en-route.

In the beautiful waters round Ag.Marina we spent two lovely days and then left Simi for Rhodes, where we moored in Mandraki harbor for four days. Next day Sophie left for Vienna and Ilse and I took a trip round Rhodes by rental car.

Our son Matthias together with Isa Rieder and Christian Gilli - a team of three arduous biologists - came on board next day.

September 1st we sailed to Lindos, where we visited the famous temple, castle and town. Next night we spent at the south Bay of Prasso, a windsurfing eldorado. We continued to the east coast of Karpathos and anchored near Dhiafani harbor. After a visit to Karpathos harbor in the large bay of Pigadia we anchored for two relaxing days at Amorphos Bay, then continued to Ormos Khelatron at the southern tip of Kassos.

On the evening of September 7th we finally reached the eastern coast of Crete north of Vai at Erimoupolis Bay. After a hike through the palm valley of Vai we sailed northwest to Sitia harbor, where we moored alongside the northern quai. Two big tacks against fresh northerly winds took us next day to vast Elounda bay.

The last day of our cruise we visited the leper-island of Spinalonga and finally moored in our reserved dock in Ag. Nikolaios Marina. My wife and I left September 11th for Vienna, the rest of our ambitious crew followed two days later.

This was a very peaceful cruise over 450 sm with 88 sailing hours.
Here is the GPS-track as a kmz-File. which you can download and play in Google Earth: sojSamosKreta2010.kmz

Aegean Summer Cruise

2010-10-02T14:06:00.004+03:00

This was my third roundtrip from Samos to Santorin and back - and it was a very comfortable cruise; we had mostly light winds and so we had to motor a lot.

On July 23rd we started with Aaron Kaplan and Klaus Darilion from nic.at from Samos with northerly winds to Kos. In Kos Marina we touched unintentionally the stern of a catamaran when we tried to change gears from reverse to forward. The steering cable to the gearbox was broken.

After we had this cable changed by a very competent engineer, Mr. Antonios Markoy, we continued with low winds to Panormitis Bay in Simi. Next day we sailed to Mandraki Harbor in Rhodes, were we anchored in front of the 3 windmills, visited impressive Rhodes Old Town and had a very nice dinner at Marco Polo Restaurant.

3am early next morning we set sail to Livadhia harbor in Tilos. A resolute German lady showed us the right mooring place. We took a walk and then had a crisp roasted lamb for dinner. Next day we continued north, tacking against a stiff north wind.

In the evening of July 28th at Ag. Stefanos at the southern coast of Kos we met our last crew member, Richard Wein from nic.at.

Next morning we sailed west with a force 6-7 meltemi to Maltezana Bay in Astipalaya. After visiting Skala Astipalaya we continued next day to Skala Anafi, where we had a quiet night because of the decreasing wind.

On July 31st we reached Marina Vlichada, where we found a secure mooring place for three days. We took a car for two days of sightseeing and then we had a crew-change: Aaron, Klaus and Richard left for Austria and Shirani Ediriweera and Kurt Drexler from Vienna and Martina Salzmann and Günther Rettenbacher from Salzburg boarded Sea of Joy on August 2nd.

We started from Vlichada with a sightseeing cruise through the caldera of Santorin and headed north to Manganari Bay on the southern Tip of Ios. After spending a nice day in Ios town harbor we continued next day to the southern Bay at Schinousa island.

August 6th we motored to beautiful Katapola harbor in Amorgos and next day we anchored in Kalotiri Bay, which appeared to us as a mountain lake in the Austrian Alps.

Next day we sailed east to Levitha, where we visited Taverna Levitha, owned by the two families living on this interesting island. Their liver stifado and goat-stew was exquisite.

Against northerly winds we tacked to Marathi on Arki, where we had a delicious large fish for dinner for all 5 of us at Pandelis.

The last stop was Agathonisi harbor in front of Glaros restaurant. After a nice sail with a lot of tacking in Samos Strait we moored safely back in Samos Marina on August 11th evening.

We logged 530 sm and sailed 101 hours.

Here is the GPS-track as a kmzFile, which you can play in Google Earth: sojNic2010.kmz

South Aegean Roundtrip

2010-07-08T13:26:00.009+03:00

From May 30th to June 16th my wife Ilse and I did a very pleasant cruise

With very light winds we started from Samos to Mykonos, visiting Panormos Bay and Tourlos Marina.

Via Delos we sailed downwind to Naxos, where we moored in Naxos Harbour again. There we hired a car and did a 2 days roundtrip on this beautiful island.

Here is the kmzFile for Google Earth about our Naxos tour.

Via Ios we reached Santorin and moored in Vlychada Marina, where we again did a 2 days roundtrip by car.
Here is the kmzFile for Google Earth about our Santorin tour.

Eastwards with a stop at Astipalaya we reached Emporio on Kalymnos.

Taking north we visited Marathi and finally returned to Samos Marina.

This enjoyable cruise took us over 377sm and 68 sailing hours.

You can view our cruise in Google Maps or play this kmzFile in Google Earth.

Spring Cruise to Santorin

2010-05-15T20:03:00.003+03:00

On Saturday, 1st of May the first two crew members arrived in Samos by plane without problems (neither vulcano-ash nor strike): Gusti and Richard Stastny. They helped me to ready the boat and to hoist the genua. On Sunday 2nd we sailed with light northerly winds to Fourni, where we were friendly received by police and coastguard. After a detailed inspection of boat and papers everything was fine and our travel log was stamped twice: one for entry and one for exit of Fourni harbour. Having completed formal duties it was a pleasure to stroll round Fourni with no tourists and then having our traditional meal of lobster & fish at Miltos restaurant.

Early on Monday 3rd we continued west with no wind at all south of Ikaria and Mykonos to Rineia, where we anchored in the quiet South Bay and enjoyed an onboard-dinner with spaghetti aglio&olio.

Tuesday 4th morning we motored back 2 miles to Delos, where we anchored in Delos channel. We made our dinghy ready, but the outboard motor did not start - there was oil in the combustion chamber, which I could not remove. So we rowed to the landing site and enjoyed ancient Delos with only few tourists.

After noon we sailed south to Naxos harbour, where we found a free mooring space directed by the friendly harbour manager, Mr. Kostas. He also organised the service of our outboard engine by Mr. Michailis. So we had a full day to visit Naxos town, archaelogical museum, Della Rocca-Barozzi Venetian museum and the island's landmark, the unfinished temple of Apollo. We also replenished our supplies in Atlantic supermarket and visited two good restaurants: Maro's and Mezze2. There was a national strike announced all over Greece, but in Naxos everybody worked as usual, only the Greek national bank was closed.

Thursday 6th we continued south, visited some nice bays in the south of Naxos, where we found a nice new harbour in Ormos Kalando. Then we cruised round the "small cyclades" (Schinousa, Koufounisia and Keros).
With a light north wind we sailed futher south, where we anchored south of Ios in quiet Manganari Bay. Gusti prepared a sumptuous hefty dinner with potatoes, onions, tomatoes, peppers and eggs. For dessert we had lots of pancakes with apricot jam.

In the morning of Friday 7th we sailed south, entered the Santorini caldera from north and made a roundtrip via Oia, Fira, Arthinios and Akrotiri to the south western cap. As suspected, no anchoring was possible. We continued near the southern coast, where we found nice bays and finally arrived at Vlichada Marina. There were heavy dregging works in the narrow entry, but we lifted our keel and soon were safely in the round harbour, where helpful harbour manager Mr. Minas assigned us a mooring space near various fishing boats.
For the evening we went by taxi to Monolithos for a stroll on the beach to the excellent restaurant Mario No.1, where we had an exceptional good and juicy dorade for the three of us.

Saturday 8th the other two crew members arrived by plane without problems: Bogda & Wolfgang Schwabl.
We visited Thira, took a bus to Emborio and had a nice walk through Santorini's volcano wine gardens back to Vlichada. Richard hiked a car, so we skipped the last half hour of walking downhill to the marina. Dinner was at Dimitrius restaurant with a nice view over the marina.

Very early on Sunday 9th we set sail with a northwesterly 5-6 bft wind, always nice from the side, via Anafi and finally arrived in Skala Astipalaya. We climbed up to the Venetian castle, strolled along ancient wind mills around the nice and quiet town, and finally had dinner at Maistrali restaurant.

Early on Monday 10th we visited a lot of nice bays in the south of Astipalaya. Again a 6 bft north-west wind carried us directly to the west coast of Kalymnos, where we took a very reliable iron bouy in Emborios Bay. After a nice evening walk we had a very unusual good mezze-dinner at Harry's Paradise restaurant.

Tuesday 11th we sailed to Patmos, having to tack for the last part. But we arrived in time in Skala Patmos, so that Bogda and Wolfgang could visit the monastery and the apocalypsi cove. Dinner was on board: "vegetables au gratin" - celery, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, onions, courgette with parmesan and a nice sauce bechamel.

On Wednesday 12th we sailed round Arki and then took a bouy at Pandelis in Marathi Bay. After the usual afternoon walk with the goats round Marathi Island we were friendly received by the Pandelis family and had a very good dinner as usual. Mr. Pandelis built a new terrace and has more flowers in his garden than ever.

Thursday 13th we had to motor back to Samos Marina, where the crew enjoyed first a desparately longed for hot shower and then good dinner at Samos Marinas Steak House. Early on Friday 14th my crew left by plane via Athens back to Vienna.

For me it was a beautiful cruise about 400sm and 69 sailing hours with two nice couples. Richard and Wolfgang are members of the advisory committee for the "netidee" founding program, which is presented by the Internet Foundation Austria.

You can view the track in Google Maps or play this kmz-File in Google Earth.

Starting the 2010 Sailing Season in Samos

2010-05-01T17:52:00.000+03:00

Comparatively late I started the yearly service works for Sea of Joy in Samos on Monday, April 26th. Winter storms destroyed the wind instrument and 2 fenders were lost, one scissure on the sprayhood, some scratches on the stern, two rotor blades on the wind generator broken, but anything else in good condition.

With now 1560 operating hours on the motor I had to change the propeller shaft seal again. Sanding and anifouling paint, cleaning and greasing the propeller, repairing the wind instrument, changing all protection anodes, disassembling, cleaning and greasing the winches, servicing the anchor winch - it was a week full of activities. But now the boat is ready for the sailing season.

Windy and ambitious cruise

2009-09-30T13:47:00.016+03:00

This was the last cruise before winter. The distinguished Crewmembers were:

Aaron Kaplan,

Andreas Wildberger

Christian Singer

and KarlHeinz Wolf.

Only small winds at 4 bft were announced in the morning of Friday, 18th September. So we decided to go to Kokkari in the north of Samos, taking a bath at Megali Lakka onroute. Afternoon the wind grew to 6 Bft from northwest, so my crew was tested by high waves and hard tacking. In Kokkari we were the only sailing boat anchoring in front of the restaurant row, but we had faboulous T-Bone Steaks medium rare at Dyonissios as usual. The night was rather choppy, the wind kept blowing. So we changed our route in the morning and went back east, stopping for dinner and a long swim at Kasonisi in the east bay of Samos.

After fixing a small problem with the anchor relais we spent a quiet night at Pythagorion Marina and next day sailed downwind to Leros, where we anchored in front of Pantelis Harbour and climbed up to the beautiful castle. After a windy night we set sail with reef 3 and tacked for 5 hours thru heavy 7 bft winds to Marathi in the Arki archipelago. After an evening walk we had a nice dinner at Pandelis. Next day we continued northeast to Agathonisi harbor, anchoring in front of Glaros restaurant, where we enjoyed an excellent dinner with superbly grilled dorades and lamb. The last day was very pleasant sailing back to Pythagorion Marina.

Thanks to my ambitious crew, who also helped me to prepare Sea of Joy for a long winter pause.

18th – 23rd September 2009, 170sm, 33 sailing hours

You can view the track in Google Maps or play this kmz-File in Google Earth.

You can also view a video about this cruise on youTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9JKfrbCH_A&fmt=18

Roundtrip to Amorgos

2009-09-30T13:37:00.006+03:00

All crewmembers came from the Austrian domain registry nic.at: Axel Mayrhofer, Klaus Darilion, Klemens Pidner and Till Radermacher.

With only small winds we sailed south to Leros. On route a new crew member joined our rainy cruise to Leros - a small bird named Icterine Warbler (Hippolais icterina).

In Leros we anchored in heavy rain in front of Pantelis harbor. Soon all lights on the island went out due to a power problem. But late at night starting with candlelight we got our usual excellent meze-dinner at Dimitris Karaflas . Next day we sailed against a 5-6 bft northwest wind to Levitha, where we moored at one of the red bouys in the east cove. After a nice evening walk we had a good dinner with goat and liver-stifado cooked by the island farmers family.

Next morning we continued tacking further west with a lunch-stop at narrow Ormos Pningos at Kinara and finally anchored at a sheltered sandy beach north of Aigiali on the north coast of Amorgos. Starting early next day we had no wind at all and motored all the way to Fourni harbor, where we ate lots of small red fish at Miltos restaurant.

Starting again with no wind we crossed over to the west coast of Samos, where we stopped for a swim at Megalo Sheitani – the most beautiful beach of Samos. Moderate winds brought us further to Kokkari at the north coast of Samos, where we anchored in the small harbour and enjoyed the usual good barbecue dinner at Dyonissios restaurant. On the last day we rounded the northeast corner of Samos, stopped at Megali Lakka for a nice lunch and a swim and finally ended with a speedy sail thru Samos Straits at Pythagorion Marina.

My crew made the best use of all available chances: they tacked when there was lot of wind and they cooked and dined when there was no wind.

11th – 16th September 2009, 213sm, 45 sailing hours

You can view the track in Google Maps or play this kmz-File in Google Earth.

The Stastny Cruise

2009-09-30T13:21:00.002+03:00

The Stastny family is a family of distinguished sailors: Gusti, Julia, Raffael and Richard. I admired their professional sailing of Sea of Joy. We started south visiting the nice east bay under Ns Nero in the north of Agathonisi and anchored finally in front of Pantelis harbour on Leros. Dinner was at Dimitris Karaflas famous meze-restaurant.

After visiting Pantelis castle we continued west tacking against a 6 bft northwest wind to Levitha, where we moored at one of the red bouys in the east cove. After a good evening walk we had dinner at the island farmers family restaurant with perfectly grilled fish and meat. Next day we turned north and sailed to Grikos Bay in Patmos.

Having visited Patmos monastery and apocalipsy cove we sailed with strong northwesterly winds to Marathi in the Arki archipelago, where we enjoyed the usual evening walk and a good dinner at Pantelis restaurant.

Next day we decided to sail through Samos strait to Posidonias Bay. On the last day we did a nice sightseeing sail along the south coast of Samos with an anchor-break at Kiriakouli Bay for lunch and a good swim.

I want to thank the professional Stastny crew for this beautiful sailing week.

4th – 9th September 2009, 168sm, 36 sailing hours

You can view the track in Google Maps or play this kmz-File in Google Earth.

Istanbul to Samos

2009-08-30T14:46:00.008+03:00

After visiting the impressive sites of Istanbul and dining in fabulous restaurants, my wife Ilse and I started our trip cruising from Atakoy Marina through Bosporus Straits to Poyraz, looking into the Black Sea, and then further to Princess Islands, where we anchored in Cam Limani in the South of Heybeliada. We expected a quiet beautiful bay, but reality was different: crowded, loud disco-music, dirty water, lot of wind.

So we started early next morning and sailed with 6Bft from starboard to beautiful Port Maramara, where we replenished our provisions and had dinner at Calif restaurant.

Next day we continued sailing to Gelibolu, where we anchored west of the harbor. We had very good fish at the famous Ilhane restaurant and enjoyed a quiet night.

In the morning we hoisted our Genua only

and dashed thru the beautiful Dardanelles, using the current to a max speed of 10kn. Afternoon we arrived in Bozcaada harbor and had a real gourmet dinner at Lodos restaurant.

Next morning we sailed to the south of Bozcaada, anchored for a swim and then had troubles getting our anchor up, which was stuck between rocks. Only after two courageous runs with full power forward over the anchor we were able to get it back from beautiful Bozcaada island. We continued to Behramkale and anchored east of the harbor, which seemed far to small for us. Because of a strong northwest we decided to stay on board and cooked a creative risotto with cucumber.

Early in the morning the wind calmed down,

so we were able to visit ancient Assos and had a beautiful view over Lesbos Strait. After a refreshing swim we continued to Ayvalik archipelago, spent afternoon at Guemues Koyu and finally anchored in Alibey harbor. After a delicious dinner at Bay Nihat restaurant we had some problems finding our dinghi, because some harbor doors were closed and a motorboat wanted our mooring place. Finally back on board we spent a stormy night, but our good anchor held unperturbed in Alibey harbor.

Arriving at Dikili, the manager of the cooperative of the local fishermen gave us the last mooring place in the crowded harbor directly at the fishrestaurant. Next day he organized a taxi for our visit of ancient Bergamon,

which was most impressive in comparisson to our visit 30 years before. After the second night in Dikili we had to go thru the Turkish exit-procedures with the usual visits to police, customs and harbormaster. We had the impression being the first people to do this in a year because most officials seemed to see our Turkish travellog for the first time.

Likewise time-consuming were the Greek entry-formalities in Mitilini after our short passage to Lesbos, where we finally moored stern-to in the large and noisy harbor. We took two days visiting all archeological sites and museums. Most impressive was Teriade museum south of Mitilini with a collection of works from Picasso, Chagall, Matisse etc. A nice culinary surprise was dinner at the Lemoni kai Prasino Piperi restaurant in the southwestern corner of the harbor.

We continued north relaxing and swimming in Pamfilla bay and then west where we moored in Petras. For the passage to Limnos we started early and arrived in Freshwater Bay in the afternoon, where we anchored near a beautiful sandy beach and relaxed there for three quiet days, enhanced by a short roundtrip and an excellent fishsoup in Moidros Bay.

We explored the south coast of Limnos, swimming and spending one night in the east Bay of Ormos ThanosEast, and finally arrived in Mirina harbor, where we anchored and climbed up to the beautiful castle.

After spending a windy day in Ormos Platy we sailed with strong northerly winds through very high and confused seas back to the west of Lesbos, where we anchored in the clear and cold waters of the beautiful Bay at Sigri.

Next day on the way to Kolpos Kallonis I heard a strange beating sound while motoring. I found the starboard aft mounting of the Volvo diesel becoming loose and fixed it provisorlily while anchoring near Eressou beach. Then we entered Kallonis Bay and anchored at Apothiki in very strong winds.

Continuing east next day with a closed reefed genua I suddenly saw, that the mounting of the genua furler was loose on one side. Counting myself lucky I was able to fix the other side with a spare screw and motored into Plumari harbor. Thanks to a very able mechanic we were able to fix the bolt of the mounting of the genua furler after releasing the backstays a bit. In the evening the nice mechanic came again and adjusted the motor mounting which was not adjusted due to my rough-and ready fixation the last day. Plumary is a nice town, we spent two days there relaxing and replenishing our provisions.

Leaving Plumary with repairs done we reached the eastern Bay of Ormos Tarti, where we anchored and relaxed. But the wind grew stronger again and next morning we left south for Chios. When the wind slowed down we decided to go to Marmaro Bay, but coming nearer the wind grew very stronmg again. So we had to change course again for Mandraki harbor south of Oinoussa. Mandraki was full with motor yachts and we were sent away. But we found a quiet place next to the harbor, where we went for a swim and spent the night undisturbed.

When the wind increased again, we sailed down south to unfinished but secure Marina Chios,

where we lay alongside for three days, renting a car and doing first a roundtrip south to Nea Moni, Lithion, Mesta, Phyrgos and Karfas. The next roundtrip was north to Anavatos, Limnia, Kampia, Viki, Nagos, Kardamyla and Marmaro Bay.

Weather forecast announced much stronger winds for the future, so we started our last leg to Samos with northerly 7Bft winds and arrived there in the evening at Posidonias Bay, where it was quiet and nice. So we spent two days there before dailing the last 5 miles into Samos Marina.

It was an eventful cruise with lots of wind and some quiet and relaxing days.

You can view this cruise in Google Maps

You can play this kmz-File in Google Earth

Samos to Istanbul

2009-07-07T10:20:00.007+03:00

On Friday 26^th July 2009, after having cleared police, harbormaster and customs, S/Y Sea of Joy left Pythagorion harbor through Samos Strait at noon and tacked against westerly wind to Cesme Harbor, where we finally moored near midnight.

Next day we bought the Turkish travel log at the marina office and worked through the tedious entry formalities, visiting police, customs, health control and harbormaster in Cesme. At noon we left north and reached Kavurlukoz harbor, where we were the only sailing boat. The owner of the harbor restaurant started his barbecue and prepared for us a tasty lamb and chicken dinner.

On Sunday we visited Eskifoca, stopped for a swim in beautiful Bademli Channel, nearly got stuck in heavy silted Bademli harbor, and finally squeezed in between small fishing boats in Dikili harbor, where we enjoyed fresh grilled fish at the local harbor restaurant.

Monday morning we restocked our provisions and continued north with weak westerly winds, explored the wonderful Ayvalik archipelago and moored in Adibey harbor, climbed the hill to the old windmill and dined at the famous Bay Nihat restaurant.

We left early Tuesday morning, followed some dolphins near the northern coast of Lesbos, turned north at Babakale and reached Bozcaada harbor, where we enjoyed a swim in clear water and a tasteful dinner at Yakamoz restaurant.

Wednesday we started before dawn to make as much way as possible through the Dardanelles. In weak winds we kept to the south side and explored a maximum current of 2.5 knots near Canakkale at noon. When the wind grew stronger from NE we could tack our way through the northern part of the Dardanelles.

We anchored in the quiet bay of Kemer, where Gerhard prepared his famous “spaghetti con aglio, olio e pomodoro” .

Nice north easterly winds continued on Thursday, so we could sail the whole day in the Sea of Marmara, visiting beautiful Pasalimani and tacking on the northern coast of the Kapidag peninsula, sometimes accompanied by a swarm of friendly dolphins. We spent the night anchoring in Cakilkoy harbor.

Next day we started early sailing further east. When the wind grew weak, we motored NE right to Atakoy marina.

On Saturday we made the usual Bosporus trip, passing the famous Blue Mosque,

then Galata Bridge, Dolmabahce palace, and finally Rumeli castle up north

Turning south on the asian side back via Beylerbeyi to Ueskuedar, passing Kiz Kulesi to Fenerbahce Marina.

As a total we logged 485sm for this cruise, which took us 88 hours of sailing in 9 days. My ambitious crew made this possible: Congratulations and thanks to Albert Burgstaller, Gerhard Heumayer and Kurt Drexler (from left to right) !

You can view this cruise in Google Maps

You can play this kmz-File in Google Earth

Heavy Sailing south of Samos

2009-06-20T16:56:00.009+03:00

In the week from June 11th to 18th, 2009 S/Y Sea of Joy sailed with a very ambitious couple, Elisabeth and Andreas Haemmerle, in rather strong winds south of Samos.

Leaving Marina Pythagorion we sailed to Ns. Samipoula and then southwest to Fourni, where we pulled up alongside in Fourni Harbour and enjoyed delicous lobster and fish dinner at Miltos Taverna. Next day we sailed southeast to Lera Lipsi, a beautiful bay in the southeast of Ns. Lipso, where Andreas cooked a fabulous lamb in the oven.

The third day brought us to Skala Patmos, where we met S/Y Charisma, a catamaran skippered by Karl Hitschmann and his crew. After a visit to the monastery we had a good dinner with our friends. Next day we sailed southeast to Ormos Pantelis on the East coast of Leros, where we anchored and enjoyed a superb dinner and view at Dimitris Karaflas Restaurant.

Next morning we visited Leros Castle and then sailed to Marathi in the Arki archipelago, where we had an nice dinner with the crew of S/Y Charisma at Pandelis. The last day we sailed back northeast to Pythagorion Marina. The last five miles we had a very hot and strong notherly wind. We had our last dinner in the Marina at the excellent "Steak House", with the award-winning cook Mama Anna and grill-master Andreas served couteously by Heleni and Philip.

We logged 175sm on this eventful and harmonious cruise. You can view its track in Google Maps or play this kmz-File in Google Earth.

Spring Cruise round Samos

2009-06-20T14:44:00.010+03:00

From 4th to 11th of June 2009 we did a nice spring cruise. We started in Marina Pythagorion, rounded the East of Samos tacking in nice winds and anchored in Kokkari for a good dinner. Next day took us westward to beautiful Megalo Sheitani Bay and then to Agios Kirykos, Ikaria, where we were the only sailing boat this night.

We continued westwards to Mikonos and spend the night anchoring in nice Elia Bay and then sailed back to quiet Stavros Bay in Patmos. Next morning we anchored in Skala Patmos to visit the monastery and continued to Marathi Island in Arki, where we had a nice dinner at Pandelis. The last leg was back to Samos, where we had a nice last sailing on the South coast to Marina Pythagorion.

My attentive and competent crew:

Andrea Köhler-Ludescher
Stefan Köhler
Richard Stastny

proved themselves very seaworthy and seemed to enjoy this 218sm cruise.

In addition to being good sailors, Stefan is chairman and Richard crew member also on board of the advisory committee of the Austrian Internet Foundation's sponsoring project "netidee" .

You can view the track of our cruise in Google Maps or view this kmz-File in Google Earth.

Next cruise June 4th 2009

2009-05-17T14:48:00.003+03:00

Our next cruises will be in the area of Samos.
End of June we sail to Istanbul.

Easter 2009 in Samos

2009-05-17T14:33:00.012+03:00

Greek Easter in Samos was a nice experience. Weather was rather cold. Swimming was possible, but at 16° Celsius very frosty. So we did a lot of hiking all around Samos.

Here are google-map-links to 2 wonderful round-trips we did in Samos:

potamiRound, see a picture of Megalo Sheitani Bay:

pefkosRound, here is a picture of Pery Beach in the South of Samos

Here is a small map of this hike:

pefkosRound auf einer größeren Karte anzeigen

End of April we did the usual antifouling and service work in Marina Pythagorion. Now Sea of Joy is fit for the season.