Reviews

Great sailing pals come into assist others enjoy this outstanding sailing environment.

November 28, 2023

Both Andy and Dave Hiscock have returned year after year to join my Ionian charters and are the exponents of the use of the R&J Baton Roach sail sat up, see Andy’s past review on this topic.

This past summer they chose the first week in September, a great month for a lower temperature and still warm seas. They were based at the Iris Hotel Apartments, this is our late afternoon meeting place at the pool patio bar where thoughts on the past days sail were chatted over and plans made over a beer and delicious Meza for the forthcoming coming day, it’s also close to Elaine’s supermarket.

They met up with my other Lugger groups from the Geni Garden Apartments and made a suggestion that on the following day they would make themselves available to join 2 of the crews for an instructional session sailing out of Oasis beach. Andy went with Ralph and his wife and Dave took on Dave Keevil.

Lunch stop for the 3 Luggers at Oasis Beach and the inevitable swim off the boats, it’s just a must !

What a great opportunity for these two crews to have a few hours out with 2 very experienced exponents on Drascombe Luggers. This benefited tremendously and pushed the 2 crews forward which enabled them to make great progress.

It has now transpired that Ralph and Dave Keevil plus a pal have booked to return next September and have 10 days sailing out of Kioni on Ithica. All good, the Captains Apartment booked at Kioni, flights done and it’s just now the anticipation of getting down to Ithica. For those who vish to follow Ithica more closely for Lugger sailing, I have on my past reviews an inspiring review made by Neil Wilson in 2019, it’s worth a watch, it’s such an awesome area. Also This video shows the sailing in Ithica that Ralph and Dave have opted for.

This is thanks to Andy Dean and Dave Hiscock for giving of their time to instruct and help others in their quest to make progress in their sailing skills

This is what Drascombe people and the sailing fraternity are about, being prepared to encourage and give back to others the great sense of satisfaction in sailing.

Again to my great pals Andy and Dave

Pam and Pauls Sailing Holiday

November 22, 2023

Looking back now in November from a storm-tossed UK, September in the Ionian seems far away: blissfully warm sailing under blue skies, our very own Drascombe Lugger anchored in a secluded bay, bathing ladder down, crew swimming in turquoise sea.

I’d never met Phil Osborne in person, though I felt I knew him well already. I recently renovated a 52 year old Drascombe Lugger which I’d bought cheaply – I fell in love with her name (Kingfisher to match the lovely but faded turquoise of her hull) and couldn’t resist the lure of setting her to rights again. I found Phil online while I was searching for replacement parts and timber. I could not have found a better mentor. https://justluggerjoinery.com/stories/kingfisher-rebuild/

I soon gained confidence and a skill or two. Phil was very generous with his time and expertise, and through his other company Just Lugger Joinery supplied new Iroko centreplate casings amongst many other things. Kingfisher took me a whole year to restore but last summer we hardly had chance to sail her. She sat on our driveway, beautiful and out of the water. We’d had a tough year with illness and various challenges, and then a summer of ghastly weather. We were frustrated, tired and desperate for a break.

Phil’s suggestion of joining him at the end of the season was a real temptation – one we couldn’t resist – so we signed up.

When we arrived on Sept 24^th, we were whisked from the airport by taxi (included in the booking) to be greeted by a delicious mezze lunch and the friendly smiles of fellow Dragon Drascombers, Captain Phil in his red Dragon Drascombe t-shirt, and our boat, Clara. Phil took us to the nearby supermarket to buy basics, and then across the bay to our simple, spotless and comfortable apartment at Geni Garden where we met Sandra and Katharina who would look after us. The garden was beautifully tended by Kostas and the pool invited us for an evening swim before supper and a glass of wine or two. Let the rest of our wonderful ten days begin!

Day One wasn’t the best. I felt rotten with a bad cold, Paul was tired out. Though we’re experienced sailors, it was months since we’d been afloat. It felt as if we’d forgotten more than we knew! Embarrassing. I couldn’t remember how to lower the engine, and then I couldn’t raise it again. The lowlight was when Paul put the outboard into reverse rather than forward. Phil was sitting in his boat watching our manoeuvres. Why, when you’re on a boat, is someone always watching when it goes wrong? Clara zoomed backwards, boomkin poised like the lance of a charging knight on an unruly horse, towards Katharina who was lying on a mooring. Phil was justifiably unimpressed.

‘Bluddyell, Paul, what you doin’?’

His Welsh voice rang out in alarm and he unwittingly furnished us with the catchphrase of the week when anything was amiss. It’s a phrase that’s come back to England with us and makes us laugh and remember! Luckily, disaster was averted, but it seemed as if we were likely to spend the rest of our stay in Phil’s remedial sailing school room at the safe end of the bay. I think he wondered what kind of duffers he’d taken on.

Although Captain Phil’s induction wasn’t always comfortable, it was invaluable. The lugger requires different handling to sail well. I still recite, 1,2,3 (Mizzen, main, jib), 3,2,1 (jib, main, mizzen) whenever I rig and de-rig Kingfisher. ‘Back the jib, Pam! Back the jib!’ echoes in my head whenever we go about. Being confident with the outboard is vital too.

That evening our equilibrium was restored by a delicious meal at Gialos’ Taverna (a short walk away from Geni Garden) and then a good night’s sleep. Our state of mind and mood were soon as sunny as the weather. Phil was satisfied that we were safe to go and explore, making useful suggestions of where we might go.

An entirely unexpected pleasure of the whole stay was the company of other guests, in particular Ben and Helen from Jersey on our first day. We hit it off immediately; we sailed in company with them all week, and often ate with them either at the taverna or on the balcony of one of our apartments at Geni Garden.

We turned into regulars at Gialos and enjoyed getting to know Kostas and his Mum (who rescued me one night when I spilt an entire glass of red wine down my yellow dress. She beckoned me inside, lent me a dress of her own that fitted me, and with little drama, I took my seat back at the re-laid table and the evening carried on as if nothing had happened!) Everywhere we went we experienced a generous welcome, and a willingness to let me practise my very few words of Greek.

With Dragon Drascombe you can be as independent as you like, joining in or not, as suits you, but, for us, it was special to be part of a small community which we could dip in and out of. Most afternoons ended with a debrief with the rest of the gang over a welcome drink and snack at Hotel Iris on the other side of the little bay. Later we met Elspeth and Rob who were having a week’s personal tuition. We were invited to join them in a carburettor servicing lesson. You get to learn more than you imagine on a DD holiday! Devon and Rutland sailing rendezvous will certainly happen next summer. Perhaps even Jersey too.

Unsurprisingly, the boats were well-maintained and equipped with all the safety gear and kit we needed. It had been a busy season, and we appreciated all the hard work, planning and maintenance behind the scenes that kept things up to scratch. Chart and compass helped us orientate ourselves, the bimini kept us cool and the coolbag kept picnics cool too. We were a cool crew!

The wind isn’t as reliable as in England (where you can mostly be sure of a bit of a blow), and the mornings in the Ionian are mostly dead calm, a light or steady wind coming up most afternoons. We did have one huge storm on Day Two which lasted all day and all night – spectacular as it rumbled and flashed round and round the mountains which make a dramatic skyline circling the bay. In our holiday humour though we simply didn’t mind. We were very glad we had chosen a 10-day stay. Really a week isn’t long enough.

Under motor or sail, walking, reading, swimming in the pool or the sea, eating, drinking good local wine, exploring – we were content. Spartakhori, Ormo Athene, Tallia Island off Meganisi, Nikiana up toward the Lefkas Canal, Sivota, tiny bays and lively harbours – all different and all delightful. There were some wonderful tavernas we’d love to go back to. In fact, there’s so much more to explore, we’ve only scratched the surface. The real draw for us is to follow a bit of the path of Odysseus from Ithaka – so romantic and resonant with ancient myth. Perhaps we could explore a bit further afield.

Thanks so much, Captain Phil and your team! You looked after us wonderfully. Nothing was too much trouble. We have fine memories of our holiday with you, and wear our red Dragon Drascombe T-shirts with pride. Perhaps they’ll soon be as faded as yours!

Pam Stocker

Sail Training in the South Ionian Sea

November 13, 2023

This sail training charter was a unique opportunity for both myself and Elspeth Rob, the following review is a joint assessment and review which highlights the value of my Sail Training Programme.

To commence I will outline the background on what brought about this sailing programme for Elspeth and Rob.

Back last summer they booked a week along with her sister and a great pal, so having 4 in the boat, this indeed for Elspeth was a ‘taster’ and much more of a holiday.

However, on returning to the U.K. she went in pursuit of a Lugger to purchase, as a young woman her Dad bought an early Lugger back in the 1970’s and as a family they sailed this boat out of Salcombe.

So this urge for a Lugger of her own goes back many years

We have all done this, returned from a holiday and have this new enthusiasm forefront in one’s mind, exactly what Elspeth felt and within the winter she found the Lugger ‘ Nutmeg’ purchased her and had great work done to her ready for the summer of 2023

With Nutmeg now in the water on a swinging mooring at Salcombe she was ready to sail

However, this is were the Sail Training concept begins.

It’s comes down to reality when the boat goes into the water and unfortunately the circumstances, weather and tides catch us out because of our lack of experience and sailing techniques, on a good day it’s good but when the prevailing conditions are not good it then becomes a serious issue

So confronted with these problems this summer with trying to sail with Rob at Salcombe , despite being a very motivated and determined woman , Elspeth could see her purchase of Nutmeg, it’s re firb and her determination to have great adventures with the Rob in the Lugger had been stopped in its track. Not a disaster but not feeling confident and so not enjoying the experience

It’s a learning curve

So now I pass you over to Elspeth for her rationale on why she opted to take part in a sail training program in the South Ionian Sea.

I was so disappointed and frustrated by our experience with trying to sail Nutmeg this summer, I contacted Phil for his advise. The ownership of the Lugger was for a dream come true, it’s what I did with my family as a young girl and now I wanted to share this experience with Rob.

The 10 day sail trading charter was formulated then by Phil at Dragon Drascombe.

All done flights booked and really looking forward to this event.

We were greeted on arrival at Preveza airport by our taxi driver Stathis, a very charming , polite young man who engaged very well in English and drove us to the Gialos Taverna in a very safe manner

This was our first stop before being taken to the Geni Garden apartment and well worth the stop after an early Bristol flight. Yes, despite its magnificent outlook over Vliho Bay we were entertained with a Meza lunch, presented by Kostas and prepared by his Mum Arastaia, such a great Taverna , just 10 minutes approx walking from the apartment or a motor up in the evening in the Lugger

The food is just superb.

Rob and myself were eager to be coached in a one to one situation, starting with the very basics of Seamanship and sailing techniques.

It soon became apparent after the first day or so that we had picked up from others or along the way very I’ll founded practices and techniques all of which had contributed to our frustration and anguish in trying to sail our Lugger during the summer

It’s a vicious circle, if you cannot cope with the Sailing and it becomes stressful between you both then it ceases to become enjoyable.

This is what I want to put right

Getting back to our first day and arrival at the Gialos. From our lunch Phil whisked us by his tender down to the Geni Garden apartment where we settled in, not forgetting the first of many dips in their pool.

Following a quiet hour or so to recover after the early morning start

Phil took us over to the local supermarket to stock up with supplies.

The Geni Garden apartments are just outstanding, the rooms are as clean as a ‘new pin’ and with Sandra’s constant attention to detail all our needs were catered for, including the delivery of bakery products at 9 am for our breakfast on the balcony

First class service Sandra

Getting back to the sailing now, one aspect that struck me on just the third evening whilst we were having supper at the Taverna was Phil had updated us with sketches of boat sailing positions that related to the the different set of the sails for these sail positions. We soon discovered that this was not uncommon, Phil is just full on with his commitment to his clients and sailing

These basic line drawing sketches were very new to us, I didn’t realise from past sailing that the set of the sails varied as to what position of sailing you were on.

It sounds logic now and what a difference it made to our approach when sailing.

In the past we just pulled in the bits of string and hoped we would sail, no more of that now it’s so logical to analyse the relationship between the point of sailing to the wind and the set of the sails

A big bit of progress Mr P.

Our 10 days with Phil of Dragon Drascombe has changed and seriously affected our approach to sailing in a positive way

As a couple we now feel more confident together in the boat, each understanding

what we need to do as a team in sailing the craft , safely and efficiently

We both now mesh in together on practices without any formal commands, this has been a big issue in the past

In summary, we had Phil’s undivided attention throughout the charter period, visiting Meganissi and the Spilia Taverna for lunch, further south towards the bottom of the island to see and sail in the area of Saint Nicholias caves and further east to Desimi Bay.

Great days out, good food and great sailing tuition

This experience was such a refreshing approach to sailing with the emphasis on technique and logic and being reinforced all the time so it became a standard norm , cutting out the obscure terminology and getting stuck in to the basics of how a boat moves through the water

Such a worthwhile and valuable experience for us both and I would instantly recommend it highly to those who are eager to get into Drascombe sailing but feel inadequate and lacking in confidence

Elspeth and Robert Pinckney

Richard, Gareth and Andrew

October 5, 2023

I am writing to thank you for the excellent week that I spent with my two brothers (Gareth and Andrew) recently with Dragon Drascombe (13-20th September).

Initially the main reason for arranging this was as part of celebrating my middle brother’s 70th birthday – as we have started doing for each other and that was certainly successful.

I had also hoped that I would learn some proficiency at sailing a Drascombe Lugger – I had mentioned to you at the time of booking that I had bought one and had it stored at a site in Pembrokeshire where I have a holiday home. I told you that I had only used on a few occasions and had not got on very well with it but that I felt that the tides in Pembrokeshire I had to allow for were not helping. So I hoped that trying to sail a Lugger without tides in the Ionian would allow me some progress.

That is where I think we managed some crossed wires and together with my saying I had done some flotilla sailing, I must have led you to think that I had reasonable sailing abilities! Obviously, you soon realised that I didn’t as far as the Luggers are concerned! That was something I had hoped I could learn and improve on in the Ionian. I am was happy that I completely understand the theory behind how sails work and points of sailing, etc but I think that my wind awareness, especially in lighter winds was not helping. Also, my brothers were feeling on holiday and were not prepared with regard to aspects of sailing and didn’t have much experience anyway.

So your tuition, both by motoring alongside us and advising and then by spending some time on board with us was extremely helpful and that certainly helped us while sailing mainly on a beam reach and repeatedly practising coming about.

I hope that by then you were a bit happier with us and it was so nice to be able to go off for the day and enjoy some sailing and the ability to stop at some lovely coves and beaches.

All in all the week was excellent and our stay at Geni Gardens was equally as good as had already been described to us in reviews on your website and our personal experience certainly backed that up.

We also enjoyed mixing with the other people present during that week and their company was great and we enjoyed some lovely evenings together.

I hope that I might get to repeat the experience at Dragon Drascombe – maybe not as three brothers, but perhaps with a friend.

As a thank you for your help, advice and putting up with us I have made a payment into your bank account – I hope this will be seen as an expression of thanks but also perhaps as some reimbursement towards your time spent in teaching us.

I sincerely hope that you will be able to keep the fantastic package of Dragon Drascombe going for a long time into the future. It must be a unique set up!

I hope to meet you again and that I might be allowed to return to further experience your amazing setup.

With my thanks and very best wishes,

Richard

“Dear Richard.

Indeed Richard it was initially a challenge and not expecting your crew of brothers to have had little sailing experience on small boats, just on yacht flotillas. However, within 2 days you had mastered the procedure of operating the outboard, managing the sails and all the basic boat handling techniques, resulting in a number of great days out on your own exploring the islands.

Well done to you all and I’m sure it will have laid the groundwork for you to sail your own Lugger in the waters of Pembrokeshire next summer. We all had to start at the bottom and work our way up through the challenges that sailing small boats has thrown at us.

My thanks also Richard for your kind and generous bank transfer, it wasn’t necessary because I enjoy introducing people to sailing and more so on Drascombe Luggers.

As you will note from my website I have a few charities that I donate too , but the one organisation that I support each year with a gift from the profits of Dragon Drascombe Ltd is TARGET OVARIAN CANCER.

It stems from the treatment my daughter Stephanie is still currently having from that disease.

Your generous donation will this week go directly to this organisation to help fund this important research work into the disease.

My many thanks again Richard, it was great meeting you all.

If I don’t see you down in Pembrokeshire this winter for a splash out in your Lugger, then hopefully we will meet up again in the South Ionian Sea.

My very best

Phil”

Sandy and John

October 5, 2023

Hi Phil
By now you will be very busy with the next group of sailors and we hope it is going well for you.
We wanted to say ‘thank you’ for the ‘Dragon Drascombe experience’- we really enjoyed it and it was great to be able to explore the area even though the wind was so erratic. To have deep warm waters, no tides and a variety of local places to visit was a real bonus and our accommodation was top class.
Please give our best wishes to Rob and Martin and you take care.
Sandy & John

Sandy and John’s visit really highlighted the social aspect side to Drascombe holidays. Meeting with other groups of Drascombe sailers who are generally like minded and great company. Discussing the days sailing and picking up tips from each other and sharing experiences. This all helps to make these Drascombe sailing holidays what they are.

Helen and Ben

October 5, 2023

We have just returned from 10 days of exploring the Ionian Islands in ‘Katerina’, one of Phil’s Drascombe Luggers based in Nidri – what a perfect holiday! We stayed in the Geni Garden Apartments (perfect location and perfect for our needs) and our lugger for our stay was moored on a pontoon in front of the apartments. Phil meets you on arrival and gives out all the necessary information on rigging and sailing the luggers, daily weather forecasts and information about the islands within reach for the day sailing. Phil also provides you with a chart, pilotage book, cool bag and picnic set for your boat! We sail a Cornish Coble in Jersey so, once assessed, Phil was happy to let us sail away.

We went much further than I had imagined we would be able to and visited, Spartakhori, Port Atheni, Sivota and Meganisi, in addition to spending days anchored in tiny bays, swimming and relaxing. Sandra at Geni Gardens takes daily orders for bakery goods so, in addition to croissants for breakfast, we could order pies for picnics and could also shop for extra picnic ingredients by hopping aboard Katerina (or taking a lift with Phil!) for the two minutes back across the water to Nidri and a local supermarket. Sometimes we had lunch at tavernas in small ports we visited – sometimes we made a picnic for our day out on the boat and then ate out in the evening, walking the 10 minutes along the road to Gialo’s Taverna for traditional, home cooked Greek food on the waterfront.

It’s hard to explain how well Phil’s set-up works. The location is perfect and the area and islands are stunning. The boats are well-maintained and Phil checks them over each evening. The sun was shining, the sea was warm, we had gentle breezes (and a couple of times a little more than gentle!) and sometimes just glassy seas for motoring gently along and swimming. If you enjoy dayboat sailing, like warm weather, swimming and relaxing in beautiful bays, you won’t be disappointed!

Thank you Phil for ensuring everything ran so smoothly – we had a perfect holiday.