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To flotilla or no?
Cruising Helmsman July 2018FLOTILLA SAILING
IS NOT EVERYONE’S
CUP OF TEA
BUT, FOR LESS
EXPERIENCED
SAILORS, IT CAN
BE AN EXCELLENT
INTRODUCTION TO
CRUISING.
PRACTICAL
OUT THERE
WHO amongst us has not dreamt
of sailing the Greek Isles? Images
immediately spring to mind of one’s self
lounging on the deck, looking Photoshop-
gorgeous of course, glass of wine in hand,
gentle wind blowing through the hair
against a background of azure sea and sky.
Not to mention the rugged scenery, quaint
villages, tavernas on the beach and not a
shark or stinger in sight. Oh yeah!HOW, WHAT, WHERE?
When we made the decision to sail the
Greek Islands, there were lots of options
to consider. Should we bareboat charter,
go for the cabin charter or join a f lotilla?
Where shall we go: the Dodecanese, the
Aegean, Cyclades or Ionian?
Your choice depends on how much
sailing you have done, the level of
experience, everyone’s available time and
what all your interests are. Are you the
party type or the sort who prefers the
heavenly solitude of a quiet bay? Are you
into history and want to do some land-based touring of ancient sites? Are you a
hard-core sailor looking for long legs of
challenging sailing? So many possibilities;
it is really worth doing your research.FLOTILLA IT IS
My experienced sailing partner wanted to
bareboat and sail in the most challenging
sailing fields but, after a little arm-
twisting from me, he agreed to try out
the f lotilla experience. As someone who
only started sailing in her 40s, the idea
of leaping into a bareboat charter with
just the two of us was a little daunting. A
f lotilla sailing holiday would allow us to
still sail our own boat, but with the added
benefit of sailing in company with local
guidance and support.
Flotilla sailing holidays usually
involve cruising with a group of seven
to eight boats, although our f lotilla was
on the larger side with 12. Each f lotilla
has a lead skipper and first mate who
sail ahead each day to arrange the
destination mooring, which is handyARNA RADOVICH