Getting Prepared to return to Luggering About In The Sun
A very warm welcome to my 10th year anniversary of the formation of Dragon Drascombe Ltd.
This is my new addition to the charter fleet for May 2025. This 1967/8 Lugger has gone through a rebuild process since November 2024 to date and now will be available for charter groups starting in early May. What one will note from my Tiki Rebuild blog is the vast amount of work that goes into bringing these old craft back into such pristine condition, but this is what my sister company Just Lugger Joinery&more does, raising the bar with excellent quality joinery and fittings for Drascombe Luggers.
Significant progress has been made as is evident from the website and client reviews on the variety of charter packages that we are now operating. These include:
- Sail tuition for family groups or interested couples wishing to explore the sailing experience
- Experienced groups / couples with yacht sailing experience, but who wish to downsize to more manageable boats in the wonderful sailing environment of the South Ionian Sea
- For Drascombe owners in the UK and the Netherlands I offer both Nidri-based charters and ‘Island Hopping’ programmes to Ithica and Kephalonia
- It is well established that my regular crew groups return to participate in Vlycho-based apartments, and from these bases sail across to Meganissi for B&B overnight stopovers, then progressing to the Episkopi Greek Cottage for a finishing charter. It’s just great, read more on Chris Goodmans review of June 2024
Safety and Comfort in Our Boats
Whilst every care is taken to make sure the boats rigging and maintenance is in first class order, very occasionally a shackle goes missing and so needing on the spot rectification. My safety boxes include most of what I estimate is required to undertake short term replacements, i.e. shackles, small bits of string and rope to do a temporary repair, and a tool kit for simple on the spot work on the outboard, although I prefer this last aspect to be done by myself. The most effective way of solving any boat issues is to call my mobile from which I can get out to your boat and attend personally to any malfunctions.
For the comfort and safety of the crew I include a basic first aid kit in the box along with a compass and whistle. Along with a navigation chart of the area and Pilot Manual there will be a manual gas operated lifejacket supplied for each person of the boats crew. On open waters, that is out of Vlycho Bay, the life jackets should always be worn. They are not large buoyancy aids but small discrete jackets.
For the comfort of sailing these boats I supply a deck cushion for each person. There is a swimming / boarding ladder with every boat, along with a Bimini sun shade.
Another creature comfort item which is invaluable when sailing out in the Ionian Sea is a cool bag / picnic set with cutlery and crockery for pleasant lunches when anchored off in a bay under the shade of the Bimini. This can be stored in the aft Lazarette. For those that are familiar with the Lugger and its physical set up there is only the aft Lazarette which has a large capacity, albeit the fuel tank is also sharing that area with the picnic set. There are however the 4 side cockpit lockers which will take small to medium size dry bags. With each boat there will be 2/3 dry bags for use with carrying items of clothing etc.
I’m afraid I have to restrict rucksacks being taken on board since trying to squeeze them into my lockers does do significant damage to the frames and hatches. I would urge groups to bring small to medium size dry bags with them, 25-35L is sufficient to fit into these lockers.
Apartment, Lugger and Airport Transfer Packages Still Available
Not to be missed, a week in mid to late May / early June sailing from the excellent Geni Garden Apartments:
24 to 31 May. A package for 2 persons in a sea facing apartment, total cost £1790, including all local taxes and VAT
28 May to 4 June. A package for 2 persons, details as above, total cost £1860
31 August to 7 September. At Geni Garden I have a 4 bed family apartment in 2 sleeping areas, sea-facing and great value. Package price is £2460 including all local taxes and VAT
A sea facing apartment with large live-on balcony at Geni Garden for 2/3 persons is still available for 21 to 28 September, 28 September to 5 October, and 5 October to 12 October. These packages are for one week each, or could be linked into a 2 week booking with a reduction. Each weekly package cost is £2080, including all local taxes and VAT
For this season I have been able to pre-book apartments at The Athesis Apartments with Effie. It’s an excellent venue being on the Nidri side of Vlycho Bay and having the Lugger moored overnight on the Eucalyptus Pontoon just 50m from the Athesis pool patio bar.
I have specific dates below for a package in 2 bed studio apartments available, these being
18 to 25 May and 24 to 31 May. These weekly packages for 2 persons are £1890, including all local taxes and VAT.
However, if you have specific dates in mind and an apartment style other than a 2 bed studio apartment, then PLEASE CALL me to discuss availability.
Please be advised on our ‘Terms and Conditions that apply to health and mobility issues which need to be noted. Also the above package costs only allow for an initial short introduction to the boat with reference to its rigging, engine procedure and relevant details of how the boat is set up. It does not include sail tuition or basic instruction. If required with advanced notice and booking these aspects can be added to the standard package at an additional cost. Please call to discuss your individual needs to sail training and instruction.