From Malta to Beirut
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Category: General
Forum Name: Cruising
Forum Description: Chat about Cruising
URL: https://www.myhanse.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4848
Printed Date: 27 March 2026 at 03:51
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Topic: From Malta to Beirut
Posted By: Hiram
Subject: From Malta to Beirut
Date Posted: 28 February 2011 at 11:19
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Hello all and welcome to this new Topic!
Thanks to the Webmaster and all who thought this was a good idea! Well I will start this topic as I need your thoughts; all of you who have been sailing much longer than I have and know the Med well. I will be picking up my 470 from Malta on the 2nd of June and will sail to Lebanon. I decided to pick up my family in Greece around the 10th of June and take time to enjoy sailing my new boat. My question: 1- The first week of sailing, I have the option of sailing directly to Greece, or go to Sicily then around the South coast of Italy then to Greece. I have at least one week, so I could take my time. What would you recommend as route and where to stop along the way. 2- Where to pick up the family and what is the nicest route through Greece (Islands) then Turkey to get to Cyprus then Lebanon. (Meltemi?) Any comments, advice, experience is welcome! Thanks Hiram http://www.thefantasticfilmfactory.tv ------------- "Tanit" Hanse 470e Beirut It's much better to be in the Bahamas dreaming of a hot shower than to be in a hot shower dreaming of the Bahamas. |
Replies:
Posted By: panos
Date Posted: 28 February 2011 at 20:00
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Hi, 10 days are barely enough to sail from Malta to the Aegean, if the weather is unstable (as it is in June). I suggest you sail directly to Pylos (southwest of Peloponnese Greece which is a very safe Harbor and marina and as such a perfect landing point after your first passage. Then you can sail to Mιlos (southeast Aegean sea) . The golf and harbor of Mιlos are very safe and there you can pick up your family since it has a good connection to Athens.  Once you are in Mιlos all Aegean and the Turkish coast are easily accessible by island hopping. Dont underestimate the difficulty of the Med and the Aegean. The wind is unpredictable and gusty and the waves short and steep. Also the harbors and few Marinas crowded and sometimes gusty. But it is possibly one of the best place on earth for sailing and vacations. ------------- Panos Hanse 630e - selling her - |
Posted By: Johan Hackman
Date Posted: 28 February 2011 at 20:04
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Hiram, what a joy to see that your splendid idea about a cruising forum came into flesh so soon after you cracked the idea!
While not being able to answer your questions I am happy to see that the forum now hosts a member from Lebanon. I for one have not heard about a Hanse owner from Lebanon before but this community seems to extend further and further. I am very excited about it. I live in a less exciting country covered in ice and snow but I will contribute to the cruising forum as soon as it melts. Johan -------------  http://www.johanhackman.se" rel="nofollow - http://www.johanhackman.se |
Posted By: holby
Date Posted: 28 February 2011 at 22:20
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Hiram,
Well done to you and the Webmaster for starting this new section in the forum.
Sadly i have no knowledge of cruising in your area but I will watch and read with great interest, as my area of Cruising is in the Irish Sea, and hopfully this year cruising the west coast of Scotland.
Please keep us posted.
Thank you again for your suggestion of a cruising section, I think it will be a great success.
Dave ------------- Hanse 301, tiller steering, Volvo 2010 (10hp) 
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Posted By: Wild
Date Posted: 02 March 2011 at 21:28
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Hiram,
Panos have right about Pilos unfortunaly he also have right about the Aegean sea, in the summer when the Meltemi blows, most of the time from the northwest to northeast, the sea can be very confused.
From the Peloponnises peninsula to Milos can be hard to beat in this winds, a alternative route is heading to Crete then Karpatos,Chalki and then going down on the Turkish coast (Marmaris,Göcek) up to Cyprus.Most of the time on this route the Melteni is not so strong any more like in the middle Aegean.
But you will miss a few nice Greece islands and if you are lucky there is now Meltemi at all.
After Pilos and Kalamata(Peloponessis) and Agios Nicolaos (Crete) do not expect too much of the greek marinas in the Cyclades till you reach Kos Marina. ------------- Wild and Wet Belgium 545e#268 |
Posted By: jlskipper
Date Posted: 05 March 2011 at 06:35
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Well ,Hiram I plan to you a quick cross to sicily as much as I know you won't like to sail much at first step.So the ideal is to go to syracuse ,then you cross to pilos wich is a nice spot and go over the peloponese wich is nice and beautiful or going north to lefaka wich is great also and go thru the corinthe cannal " a great experience " ------------- JLSKIPPER LEBANON |
Posted By: panos
Date Posted: 05 March 2011 at 11:16
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Hi, The proposed route from jlskipper is the safest,easiest and the one preferred by most Greeks crossing to Malta, Italy and West Med. But takes longer than 10 days (probably 2 weeks) so I do not suggest it. A professional skipper (not interested in sightseeing and vacations) would stop overnight in Syracuse-Lefkas-Trizonia-Aigina (near Athens). 5 to 6 days in total not counting waiting because of bad weather.  ------------- Panos Hanse 630e - selling her - |
Posted By: Hiram
Date Posted: 05 March 2011 at 12:20
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Panos, JL and "Wild",
Thanks a lot for the information. I think I will then take 3 weeks, plus or minus, to get to Beirut. I would like to stop as much as possible and have real meals, lunches or dinners, but not necessarily visit towns or sites. My goal is to get as much experience as possible sailing, and enjoy my new boat! Seeing the natural beauty of the countries I'm passing by would be nice. (tasting the wine is also important!) So would you guys then recommend JL's route? Anything extra en route you would also recommend as marinas, restaurants? Panos, I saw pictures of you racing, beautiful yacht, my plan is to get a 630e after honing my skills on the 470. ------------- "Tanit" Hanse 470e Beirut It's much better to be in the Bahamas dreaming of a hot shower than to be in a hot shower dreaming of the Bahamas. |
Posted By: Wild
Date Posted: 06 March 2011 at 11:52
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hello Hiram,
I dont know how much experience you and your family have in sailing.
From Malta via Corinthe canal to Beirut = 1.250 miles less or more in direct lines. Every day 7 hours of sailing makes arround max 60 miles a day, so you need min 21 days on sea.Leaving and entering a marina or bay, every day take time, sometime more than you expect.Bunkering of food, drinks, fuel etc. take time.If your family is not used of sailing 7 hours every day it will by not a very pleasant vacation for them.After a day for more than 7 hours in a bad sea, the will be not happy to start again early in the morning the next, the next and the next day.I hope for you they are used to live aboard for a longer period and enjoy this maidentrip.
In this season I count on 5-6 days you will need shelter for bad weather makes 27 days.
I gess you will make some longer trips(+24 H) and spend less time in the restaurants and wine bars I think.
 With a sailboat you know when you leave, you never know when you arrive!!!! ------------- Wild and Wet Belgium 545e#268 |
Posted By: Johan Hackman
Date Posted: 06 March 2011 at 12:43
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Wild, I think you have a very good point and you explained it well. I don't know how many of you keep a paper-and-pen log book. I do, even if it tends to more of a diary than a log book as such. At the end of the year I sum up all the sailed and motored distances, nights spent aboard etc. It gives quite some interesting information. Even if I think a regular sailing day means a sailed distance between 30 and 40 M with time given for a long breakfast, a walk with the ship's dog and dinner in the next harbour the average distance is much shorter. I usually spend two month aboard during the summer and the sailed distance divided by the total number of days (including days with too much wind, too little wind and days I remain in harbour for whatever reason) is no more than 17 M. I use that figure for planning. In ten days I don't plan to get much further than 170 M. If I planned for longer distances I would have to rush and that would take the fun out of sailing. Not to say anything about Hiram's plans, but to give some food for thought from a lazy Swede.  Johan  ------------- http://www.johanhackman.se" rel="nofollow - http://www.johanhackman.se |
Posted By: CharlesP
Date Posted: 06 March 2011 at 14:10
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I agree. My daily average over two months is the same as Johan. However, distances between ports and weather do greatly affect the average during shorter periods. For example, during one 8 day period of day sailing my average was 40 miles a day; during the next 14 days it was 0 while waiting for a weather window.
Should Hiram expect to encounter much adverse weather for his various alternative routes that would keep him in port, and for how long? Charles ------------- 'MERIDIAN LADY' 320 Nr 536 2010 Medway |
Posted By: jlskipper
Date Posted: 06 March 2011 at 19:01
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Dear Hiram that's my propose route to you and the option to decide later on depending of weather to come.
Day 1 :Sail to Siciliy Day 2 :reaching Syracuse Day 3 or 4 :Heading to Pilos 2 days at sea with an experimented skipper on board ! Day 8:Leaving Pilos to go around the Peloponese 2 days Day 11 reaching Milos Day 12 :Keos Day:13 :Astipalia Day 14 :Rhodos Day 16 :Karkan,Castelorizon Day 18 :Kekova Day 20 :Limassol,Cyprus or Larnaca Day 21 :Beirut I've sailed last year from Almeria ,Spain to beirut in 21 days.53 ft.Thru noth Sicily,Lefaka,Patras,Corinthe,Rhodos Cyprus. And Barcelona/Beirut in 2009 in 45 Days on a 42 ft. Menorca,Sardaigna,south coast in sicily,Pilos,Milos,San torini,Anafi (cool),Astipalia (dangereous),Rhodos,castelorizo,Kekova (beautiful),limassol,bei ------------- JLSKIPPER LEBANON |
Posted By: panos
Date Posted: 07 March 2011 at 08:06
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Hi, You can't treat a delivery trip as a harbor hopping vacation. Hiram wishes to have a vacation with his family visiting some Greek islands in the Aegean and also the southwest Turkish coast. The rest of the trip is just a good quality delivery trip. So I propose to cut the hole passage in three parts: 1)boat delivery from Malta to Mιlos with one or two stopovers for supplies and boat maintenance (if needed). The stops at Syracuse (Sicily) and Pylos (Peloponnese). The Pylos stopover is rather obligatory. Total trip duration 5 to 7 days out of which 4 full sailing days. Average distance per day sailed= 500/4=125 or 5 knots. 2) vacation trip from Mιlos to Rhodes island by island hopping. Average distance between stops to be planned as 35-50 miles (5-8 hours) every two days. Hiram and family will need 8 to 10 days for this part of the trip. 3) Delivery trip with family to Lebanon with possible two longer and two short stopovers. Total trip duration duration 7-10 days. There are some chances of crew mutiny after the final leg to Rhodes, so a plan B must be ready. So the total passage will not take longer than 3-4 weeks. Two experienced adults plus a deckhand should be onboard. This trip is not for the average family!!!! ------------- Panos Hanse 630e - selling her - |
Posted By: Hiram
Date Posted: 07 March 2011 at 08:48
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Wow! A very helpful bunch of sailors!
Well A Reality Check!!! I now believe I was over expecting. JL thanks for the posts and your experience of doing the trip, you were delivering boats, so your objective was to get back as soon as possible. Charles, Johan, "Wild", a big thanks for the logic of the trip and the comments. Panos, I think you are right, it would be best to divide the trip into three parts. And maybe just have my wife on a shorter part of the trip. I have twin 18 year old boys and want them to have the experience of sailing, since they will be working on getting the RYA certificates, I think this trip would be beneficial. Mutiny? Very possible!!! : ) JL, we should meet this week as you should be the experienced skipper on board! Hope you have time for it and accept some holiday time. Shawn, we might have to add a PS3 on board to make sure there is no mutiny! ------------- "Tanit" Hanse 470e Beirut It's much better to be in the Bahamas dreaming of a hot shower than to be in a hot shower dreaming of the Bahamas. |
Posted By: taduka
Date Posted: 07 March 2011 at 14:21
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Hiram
Looks Panos shares my views on this subject. Shawn |
Posted By: jlskipper
Date Posted: 08 March 2011 at 06:13
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Last year I've avoid the turkish coast because I heard that
It became a lit bit a hassle to do some paper work .We have to enter from some places that have immigration offices. What do you recommand ?entrance in Marmaris and exit from Finike ? ------------- JLSKIPPER LEBANON |
Posted By: Wild
Date Posted: 08 March 2011 at 08:01
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Hello It is not a big problem to do the entering inTurkey.
The only thing who is changend the last years is that you need a agent to do the paperwork,transitlog, you can not do it by yourself anymore.In Marmaris Yacht Marina(100 Euro)it will take a day or so.In Datça not far away from Marmaris there is a agent http://www.SEHERTOURS.COM - WWW.SEHERTOURS.COM who can fix it in a few hours(last year 80 euro)
Leaving you can do in Fenike.Normaly you dont need a agent to leave. ------------- Wild and Wet Belgium 545e#268 |
Posted By: Hiram
Date Posted: 08 March 2011 at 09:24
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We decided to go through the Corinthian Canal, and head to Simi.
What 6 islands do you recommend us to visit on the way, if we allowed for a one day stay on each island. ------------- "Tanit" Hanse 470e Beirut It's much better to be in the Bahamas dreaming of a hot shower than to be in a hot shower dreaming of the Bahamas. |
Posted By: Wild
Date Posted: 13 March 2011 at 15:08
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Hi Hiram
You can go the northern way:Canal of Corinthe-
Agina:Egine is a pleasant place to spend the evening in the bizzy harbour with nice restaurants.Crowdy in the summer of sailors from Athens so be there on time.
-Kythnos:Very nice anchorges on both sides of the island(Agios Nicolaia)
-Paros(Anti-Paros) and Naxos:just 1or 2 hour sailing between those to islands so you have the choice.
via the small island Iraklea to Amorgos:there is a bay with a lot of space to anchor at the end of the bay you find a village(Katapolo) with a small quay.On the most northern tip of the island there is a splendid bay(Just for 1 or 2 boats)only in very good weathercondition you can go in but do it.Amazing place.
-Astypalaia:In the past sometimes triky but now there is right under the Cora a new breakwater good protection bud gusts from the mountains.5 min walk to the very nice Cora,good restaurants, nice view on the harbour and the island
-Nisyros:do not go to Mandraki go to Paloi the harbour there is much saver.Visit the vulcano 30 min by car or scooter
-Symi:go stern to the quay it is a very nice town but noisy stay there during the day and if you want a good sleep at night go anchor in the bay Perthi 1 hours away and take the bus to Symi town.(10 min)Take a look in Panormitos bay.
If you go for the southern way
Agina, Poros, Hydra(lot of charter boats), Milos with his save Milos bay
-Folegandros:on the top of the Cora a few luxury hotels with very nice views over the sea.-
San Thorini(Thira)This is a must. beautiful surronding but very tourism.We get in by night it to the vulcano crater.This is a ghostly experience. IMO it is not save to take one of the big moorings in front of the town only if somebody stay on board,there is a smal marina on the south side but the dept was problem when I was there(2 meter max I think)
Anafi:if you can live this island on the side (no good protection) and go directly to Astypalaia then Nisyros and Symi.Give me a call when you are there maybe we can meet in the area
Enter Turkey by Datça or Marmaris.
------------- Wild and Wet Belgium 545e#268 |
Posted By: Hiram
Date Posted: 13 March 2011 at 17:57
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Thanks Wild!
A lot of info to go through. I'm placing placemarks on Google earth to get an idea of the course. PM your name and phone number, hopefully we'll be able to offer you some Lebanese wine! ------------- "Tanit" Hanse 470e Beirut It's much better to be in the Bahamas dreaming of a hot shower than to be in a hot shower dreaming of the Bahamas. |
Posted By: Jorg470
Date Posted: 15 March 2011 at 18:37
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Hi Hiram, Has Wild say is not a big deal the paperwork in Turkey and is better to take an agent but you should know that some harbor don’t make the formality Sunday and holidays Finike (315NM to Beirut) you have an agent directly in the marina that will make the exit papers for your also you can get fuel easily there Kas (330NM to Beirut) is not so convenient is an municipal crowded harbor (fuel by truck) but if you need you have Ismail (+905553561863) he own Smiley's restaurant on the N/W side of the marina he can arrange everything even a berth for a night if you call him a day in advance . Or you can make it directly from Fethye (370NM to Beirut) nice Marina with all services.
------------- Jörg 540#251 |
Posted By: Hiram
Date Posted: 15 March 2011 at 20:36
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Jorg,
Thanks for the info! I see you are in Lebanon, and you have a 470! Where are you moored? I may get a berth at Marina Dbayeh. All the best Hiram ------------- "Tanit" Hanse 470e Beirut It's much better to be in the Bahamas dreaming of a hot shower than to be in a hot shower dreaming of the Bahamas. |
Posted By: jlskipper
Date Posted: 15 March 2011 at 20:41
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it was a 470 it got bigger with the time.Jork is sailing his 540 of quai B.
And very often in solo also . tomorrow morning I'm at Hanse yachts anybody needs something special ? ------------- JLSKIPPER LEBANON |
Posted By: Hiram
Date Posted: 15 March 2011 at 20:48
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deleted ------------- "Tanit" Hanse 470e Beirut It's much better to be in the Bahamas dreaming of a hot shower than to be in a hot shower dreaming of the Bahamas. |
Posted By: Jorg470
Date Posted: 16 March 2011 at 11:46
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Hi Hiram, Hi Jean-Louis In fact my 540 is at the end of pier C and if you have any question about the 470 let me know Jean-Louis if you are in the factory bring me one standards Stanchion (chandelier) last week during the S/E storm the boat next to hurt one Regards ------------- Jörg 540#251 |
Posted By: jlskipper
Date Posted: 16 March 2011 at 19:38
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Hello Jorg,
I have ordered your Stanchion from Hanse. I'm getting it tomorrow. I'll be back in Beirut on Saturday afternoon. A bientot ! ------------- JLSKIPPER LEBANON |
Posted By: Jorg470
Date Posted: 17 March 2011 at 12:02
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Hi Jean-Louis,
thanks, see you on saturday will be on board
bon Voyage
------------- Jörg 540#251 |
Posted By: jlskipper
Date Posted: 19 March 2011 at 19:31
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je passerai le matin a la marina je le deposerai sur le bateau. ------------- JLSKIPPER LEBANON |
Posted By: Jorg470
Date Posted: 21 March 2011 at 08:35
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Ok Thanks
Jörg ------------- Jörg 540#251 |
Posted By: Hiram
Date Posted: 05 April 2011 at 13:05
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Hello All,
I will be picking up my yacht on the 1st of June. According to all your info, help and advice, I decided not to think about how long it will take me, but think about sailing and visiting! I attach my route after long thought. If anyone is around the area in June please tell me, I'm flying a Maltese flag and I'll be flying the myHanse burgee! Hiram Thanks  ------------- "Tanit" Hanse 470e Beirut It's much better to be in the Bahamas dreaming of a hot shower than to be in a hot shower dreaming of the Bahamas. |
Posted By: holby
Date Posted: 05 April 2011 at 18:44
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Hiram, I know very little on the pro's and con's of your course but what I can say is you lucky, lucky, lucky devil, you will certainly be able to show your Hanse Burgee in many countries. Good luck and I wish you fair winds and fine weather...... Please post some pictures of your ports of call on the forum...... Dave ------------- Hanse 301, tiller steering, Volvo 2010 (10hp)
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Posted By: Jorg470
Date Posted: 06 April 2011 at 09:54
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Nice Routing Hiram, Please be aware that in Turkey in the Mugla province they may apply this year the 2009 law for the special environmental protection that concern waste discharge, black and grey water, anchoring….. The problem is that our boat are not design or equip with grey water thanks also you need to purchase a blue card that will monitor your waste pump out and authority can monitor if you have make any offence. ------------- Jörg 540#251 |
Posted By: holby
Date Posted: 07 April 2011 at 11:24
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Hiram, Just for your information, I have posted today your burgee, it should arrive with Shawn withing about 3 -4 days. You do have a duty when flying this burgee, and that is if a fellow Hanse owner sees it and says to you "thats a lovely boat" you have to supply a free drink to him to toast Hanse owners everywhere. Look forward to seeing pictures posted on here of the burgee and of your voyage home. Dave ------------- Hanse 301, tiller steering, Volvo 2010 (10hp)
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Posted By: Hiram
Date Posted: 07 April 2011 at 11:29
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I'll stock up then, because I have a really lovely boat!
I will try and take some good Lebanese wine with me to Malta! ------------- "Tanit" Hanse 470e Beirut It's much better to be in the Bahamas dreaming of a hot shower than to be in a hot shower dreaming of the Bahamas. |
Posted By: Wild
Date Posted: 07 April 2011 at 21:01
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Hey Hiram,
Dont wory to much about that grey water probleem in Turkey.
This Bleu card system conserning only the bay of Göcek an Fethiye and the can not make it hard because the dont have the facility's to pump up you grey and black water.
I am on the moment in Marmaris preparing the boat for the season,and hope to be one of then who's get a beer from you as a Hanse owner.
Hope to see you somewere in Greece or Turkey. ------------- Wild and Wet Belgium 545e#268 |
Posted By: holby
Date Posted: 21 April 2011 at 16:17
About 6 weeks to go before Hiram picks up his 470, is everything on track? ------------- Hanse 301, tiller steering, Volvo 2010 (10hp)
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Posted By: Hiram
Date Posted: 21 April 2011 at 16:33
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Well the antifouling was done, the AIS and radar arrived and were fitted, all electronics tested.
She is back in the water. I am panicking, as I am building new offices and they are taking too much time, we just got new jobs which won't be finished before 6 weeks and.......... nothing ever goes as planned! Oh yes, Shawn received the Hanse Burgee and it will be flying in 6 weeks! So hopefully I will just drop everything and set sail on the 1st of June! Hope to see many of you on my way! Hiram ------------- "Tanit" Hanse 470e Beirut It's much better to be in the Bahamas dreaming of a hot shower than to be in a hot shower dreaming of the Bahamas. |
Posted By: holby
Date Posted: 20 May 2011 at 22:23
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Hiram, It is not loing now before you set of on your maiden voyage. How is the planning going. For your information, I have another 2 bottles of your local wine to try this weekend, will let you know what ones i like the best.. Dave ------------- Hanse 301, tiller steering, Volvo 2010 (10hp)
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Posted By: BiscayBoy
Date Posted: 05 October 2011 at 10:35
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Hi Good to see crusing started, We cruise the Med having a home base in Cartagena (spain) this year we have been to Formentera, Ibiza, Majorca, Minorca and sailed around Sardinia, where we are currently for the winter. We will leave in April next year for Tunisa , Scilly, Southern Italy and onto Malta for the summer then will head across to Greece for the winter , I think you need to be very flexible with timings if you are sailing and not putting the motor on everytime you drop below 4k which a lot do here in the med , which is a shame as we are on sailing yachts not motor yachts , still everyone to their own, I wish you fair winds and great sailing , hopefully our paths may cross one day ... be safe ------------- I have decided to be happy because its good for my health |