For this 2 week Refresher Sail Training for Bruce and Anne my aim was two fold.
Firstly to give them enough knowledge and practice to handle the Lugger in a safe and effective way.
Secondly over the following week to enjoy a holiday afloat in an outstanding and varied area of topography.
To achieve this, one has to apply a thorough introduction to the Lugger and its quirks, then to instil the basic dinghy sailing techniques to this sailing process. This is achieved by being on the boat with the Helm and Crew a lot of the time and interchanging their rolls so each becomes conversant with all the techniques, not just one roll.
These boats are large dinghies, not yachts, so important aspects like ‘going about’ have a more significant technique relating to the balance of the boat during this manoeuvre than do on a larger yacht, which in itself has its own ballast.
The area of Vliho Bay, as you will note in the short video, is just perfect for sail training.
It’s an enclosed large area of water, towards the southerly end is just 3 mts deep so yachts do not congest the area and one can tack back and fore with plenty of space to practice manoeuvres.
The 2 weeks spent with Bruce and Anne on Annie B was a throughly enjoyable experience for myself, brought back my sail tuition experience and honed other aspects. I’m sure they will move forward now and progress in terms of getting afloat more often.
“ What a great combination and excellent opportunity to update and improve long past sailing experience of over 20 years ago and within its programme to enjoy the area and use it as a holiday experience. Having the sole use of our own Drascombe Lugger enabled us to refresh our somewhat rusty sailing skills, learn about the nuances and advantages of having a mizzen as well as providing the opportunity to develop handling skills under motor; all under Phil’s experienced tuition. Phil provided us with the necessary basic skill sets and confidence to explore further afield on our own.”
“It is a beautiful area with plenty of opportunities to practice anchoring off beaches for a lazy picnic lunch and swim in the clear blue waters, as well as mooring up in the harbour at Meganisi, bow to, using a lazy line. With no dwelling on the technical names and aspects but getting down to the basics of how to sail a small boat, these peripheral concepts soon slotted in with practice. Phil proved to be an incredibly caring, kind hearted chap. We probably learnt as much from chatting to Phil over a beer at the end of an afternoon’s sailing, as we did whilst out on the water.”
“He is a font of knowledge not only on Drascombe’s but so much else besides. To be based at Geni Garden Apartments on the spur of land to the east of Nidri, at the sprawling hamlet of Geni worked so well. The apartment was immaculate and our hosts delightful with the added bonus of being able to order fresh croissants and pastries for each breakfast. After being on the water during the day, we enjoyed a short stroll each evening to the Gialos Taverna. What a fabulous place in the most amazing location! Our host Kostas could not have been more charming, the food was both delicious and excellent value and to be able to dine on the pontoon right next to the water’s edge was very special.
On two of the days, we took the opportunity to explore local tracks up through the incredible flora & fauna where our efforts were rewarded by lots of different butterflies, insects and wild flowers. The views from the hill above the apartment were amazing looking out not just across Vliho Bay but also across to the nearby islands including Meganitsi. Be sure to sail over to Spartochori on Meganisi where having moored up, one can climb up to the village which is delightfully unspoilt and has the most beautiful church, adorned by amazing frescos. The highlight of the holiday came one afternoon, sailing back from Meganisi, when a giant loggerhead sea turtle, about a metre long, surfaced next to the boat.
What a great combination for a holiday, it certainly surpassed all expectations!Well done Dragon Drascombe and a big thank you to Phil for all his efforts.Lugger Sailing in The South Ionian Sea”
