Welcome again to past and new followers of Dragon Drascombe who share the same enthusiasm for the iconic Drascombe Lugger sailing boat.
These Luggers have become synonymous with this classic rig, sail colour and the whole design of a boat which is easy to rig and handle, with an emphasis on safety and being sail-friendly. These boats are just perfect out here in the South Ionian Sea for day sailing and exploring coves, inlets and local Islands. With a range of high-end apartments available, be it at Geni Garden, The Athesis, or for studio accommodation at the Gialos Apartments, one can day sail then return to the apartment, shower and later visit one of the local taverns for a welcome relaxing supper.
My season always starts with a 6-day road trip from Wales in my trusted camper / home with my companion Bengy. He is now 11 years old and from the Nidri area, found in a boatyard as a 3 month old puppy. He now looks forward as I do to be back in the warmth.
This year as is noted throughout the winter in my ‘Rebuild of Tiki’ blog, I will be towing a trailer with Tiki and lots of boating stuff inside.
A journey that is briefly interrupted with a meet-up near Lille in Belgium with Michel, the Director of Drascombe Nederland, to hand over more of JLJ’s joinery, fittings and spars. He is my sole distributor of everything Drascombe covering The Netherlands, Belgium, France and Germany. Business is very brisk in the area and going well.
Follow later this summer when a 6-boat contingent from The Netherlands of Drascombe Coasters, Cruisers and one Drifter will visit my base at Nidri for the 5-week Great Dragon Ionian Cruise. I foresee this being a regular event for the Drascombe Calendar, with others flying in to join the 2026 Cruise using the Luggers of Dragon Drascombe based at Nidri. Keep watching my website for the 2026 programme.
The journey was good, albeit long and with poor weather, and it was pleasing to leave the ferry at Igeomenitsa and spend my first night back at my boatyard / summer home.
With the help of my Greek friends, we had 5 Luggers ready and launched within 6 days, in particular the inaugural launch of my newly rebuilt Lugger Tiki. She certainly look just great moored on the Eucalyptus Pontoon, just 50m from the Athesis apartments.
I now have 4 permanent beam-to moorings on this pontoon which is so convenient for my crews who wish to stay with Effie at the wonderful Athesis Apartments. Being a beam mooring it it much easier to access the Luggers, and only 500m flat walking into Nidri town.
With space in the hull of Tiki for additional luggage/packages I took the opportunity to bring supplies out from Wales for Sallie Hunter who operates the animal rescue Little Friends of Lefkas. They do a great job at the shelter. Two very kind couples whose own pet dogs had recently passed away donated lots of blankets, toys, food, accessories, cash and in the case of Carol, her dog’s diabetes medications. All was so gratefully received.
Sallie has a link in Holland for re-homing dogs, this via the organisation Stichting Wereldhonden (World Dogs Foundation) and the wonderful work that Jacqueline Weller does (00 31644 584597). My aim this summer is to ask the contingent of 6 Dutch Drascombe boats that are travelling by road / ferry to Nidri in early September to bring with them in flat pack form, the air freight travelling cages/little kennels we have for sending our dogs and puppies from Nidri to Holland. Getting these items back afterwards is always a problem. So with their help we can get these very lightweight, flat-packed cases returned to Nidri. A big thanks to Sallie and helpers for their continuous working looking after these strays at the Shelter.
My first charter group were to have Tiki. Paul, Toni and adult family who first came out in 2021 on one of my charters, arrived on 10 May with old pal Ben and son, who sailed Lugger Heulwen. By this stage in mid-May the weather is starting to settle, there were a few light showers but generally the conditions were good and it proved to be a great week.
Back in September of 2024 I started to put together a specific Beginners Sail Training Programme, this was for 24 to 31 May. This would run as the sole charter during that week with no distractions from other groups to look after. My aim was to start at the beginning with the basics, and basing the training on the Lugger in particular.
The Lugger out in this area throws up certain prime principles which are essential, and that do not apply to learning to sail on lakes, marinas or harbours in the UK. This feature is the safe and successful use of an outboard engine to get off and return to a pontoon, mooring buoy or beach. Being able, with a good degree of competence, to lower the engine, start it and navigate out of Nidri Bay amongst other moored craft and out into open waters ready to sail. This is, as one appreciates, the only mode of power when the wind drops or you need to go against the wind to get back to base.
As a starter Noel and his 11 year old son Frank enrolled in late 2024. This week of Sail Training ended up with 3 Luggers also including Jamie with his 11 year old son, and Richard and wife Helen who used the week as a refresher for Richard and an introduction for Helen. For this week I brought out from Cumbria, Dave a good friend and experienced Lugger sailer, he skippered the Lugger that sailed to Ithica last September for 10 days. This meant Dave could introduce the boat to Richard on the first day. I had Noel and Jamie with the 2 lads on the first day, this followed on the second day with a split. Jamie and Raff stayed with me in Heulwen, and Dave jumped in with Noel and Frank. By the end of their third day, both beginners boats were on their own with myself zooming around in my tender offering advice. A great week, and it was so satisfying seeing the respective dads and sons picking up the techniques and working together as a team.
We had a welcome last evening ‘Kleftico’ and of course supper at The Gialos Taverna to celebrate such a successful week. My hope is that as a family they can pursue dinghy sailing clubs in the London area to carry on and learn more of the techniques, and crew for other boats.
This has proved to be a very successful method and I intend to offer this opportunity for early this coming September for up to three 2-person boat groups over one week, or if required, to extend to 10 days with the remainder of time one can explore the Islands of this South Ionian Area.
Noel sent us this review afterwards:
It was an excellent week. Frank loved the challenge, and it was really good to see him grapple with the bumpkin. He has expressed himself very keen to do some more sailing, so hopefully he has been bitten by the bug. We would be very keen to come out to the Ionian again, perhaps to sail to Ithaca. We will be in touch.
Noel Casey
For those groups who are looking to travel to the Ionian and finding the London Airports expensive, why not look at flying into the Airport of Corfu. These flights are frequent and less expensive. From there you will get the regular commuter ferry to Igeomenitsa from which my taxi will be waiting to transfer you down south to Lefkada. There is an extra supplement taxi charge for the additional distance. Why not, as most have done in the past, stay on Corfu for an additional few nights and explore the island?
June Availability
For those looking for a late booking offer this month, I have 2 apartments and boats available for 15 to 22 June, these packages are £1880 per 2-person boat group
These packages include
- Transfers to and from Preveza (PVK)
- A studio apartment at the Athesis for 2 persons
- The fully equipped Lugger with all fuel supplied
This includes all local taxes and VAT
No beginners, all must be a competent crew of 2 persons
There is the same package available from 22 to 29 June, but based at Geni Garden, cost £1950
Again, not for beginners and must be a competent crew of 2 persons.
Available in July and August
There are still a few openings for July for family groups or intermediate sailing crews. These apartment packages start at £2180 depending on the number of persons and sailing ability.
For August I have the following availability for Geni Garden and the Athesis
- 31 August to 7 September at Geni Garden in a 2 person sea-facing apartment £2180
This package is for sail proficient people - 3 to 10 September at Geni Garden. A 3-boat crew of 2/3 persons per boat to participate in sail trailing as beginners or as a refresher week with onboard tuition, £2980
- Geni Garden and Athesis available for September/October below and prices start at £2050 dependant on group number and sailing skills
Available
7 to 14 September
10 to 17 September
14 to 21 September
17 to 24 September
24 September to 1 October
28 September to 5 October
1 October to 8 October
8 October to 15 October
Or variants of these dates to suit one’s availability
My big thanks to all for following and participating in both Dragon Drascombe Ltd and Just Lugger Joinery&more
My very best wishes
Phil. Osborne