Hi, Adam.
Not seen a Wayfarer in the Ionian yet. Should be great. Where do you plan to go?
A daunting trip, you say ... well, its a long way but its also the reason for the Ionian being worth the trip when you get there. (Seen the Solent in August lately?)
Just think what the ever-growing BayRaider fleet would do to a little place like Loggos if they all took the trip! Heaven Forbid!
However, the main drawback for someone with just 2 weeks for a summer break is the time it takes out of your sailing. My wife and I, unbearably smug with a month or so to play with, find that the trip gives us time to relax and unwind – and actually TALK to each other after a heavy working year. It is, for us, and enjoyable build-up to the holiday on the way out and a useful space for reflecting on the work to come on the way home - but I would not fancy spending 3 or 4 days on the road each way with small children in the back of the car and a deadline to meet. (Been there – done that – got the t-shirt.) You can find peace, tranquillity and good sailing a little closer to home!
Alternatives to towing?
I have flown out to the Ionian for many years prior to owning Four Sisters and have learned to hate airports. I plan in the future to keep a second boat out there to avoid the towing but still intend to drive whenever I can - to avoid check-in desks, cancellations and passengers whining about upgrades - perhaps spending time visiting places we normally tow straight past.
I have looked at alternatives to towing the boat out there myself but as:
...EuroStar wont take us (check out
http://www.raileurope.co.uk/ or
http://www.seat61.com/Europe.htm in case I am wrong)
...I dont trust Four Sisters to survive either a few months in a shipping container or a week on a flat bed truck, (its not the fall, its the sudden stop at the end!)
...It is obviously possible to hire a 30' cruiser in Greece quite easily.
...I have seen one or two privately owned Drascomes ( mostly survivers of the small fleet Sunvil used to hire out) and even a Laser Stratos in the Ionian (Lakka harbour).
...Practically any largish port will have some 15hp speedboats for rent,
...Large holiday centres often rent out windsurfers and sometimes Laser Picos, etc.
...........but if you want a daysailer out there you will have to bring your own.
Driving on French and Italian motorways is nothing like battling through rush hour on the M4 or M25. The roads round Turin and Ancona can sometimes get busy, especially in the Italian holiday weeks, but the worst bit of the journey is definitely the 4 or 5 hours it takes us to get from Dover ferry port to home. (The first Motorway Service Station in the UK is always a depressing reality check.)
Most of the toll roads on our route across France and Italy are a pleasure to drive with plenty of stopping places, good services (usually promoting local produce) and, especially with SatNav, easily found hotels. You dont have to tow your boat through any towns or difficult minor roads unless you want to but it is tempting to visit places like Urbino if you have the time. Your first trip will be a bit nerve-wracking, perhaps, but if you have done your homework, have all your gear and trailer well sorted and a reliable car -with air conditioning- you will be fine.
My advice would be – Go for it! Get there before the BayRaider fleet lower the tone!
Cheers!
Tony
PS
Note to Matt Newland.
I am not really anti-BayRaider, I am just jealous! The BayRaider is possibly the best boat on the market for this kind of trip. Easy to trail and has the performance you need when you get there. I though the Cardigan Bay Lugger was as good a boat for the job as there was – and I still would not swap her – but I have to admit that self draining cockpit, self-righting, ballast adjusted on the fly, efficient windward rig.....weeell, any chance of a test sail in August? ...lasting about six weeks...?
Just thought Id ask.......