Relaxed off-season Cyclades sailing with a young crew

This page was translated automatically from German. View the original

From pretty Poros – easy to reach by ferry from Athens – we will sail across to the Cyclades. Remote islands and bays away from the tourist mainstream await us in the off-season, such as Kithnos and Serifos. Volcanic springs, rustic tavernas, perhaps a campfire on the beach? Who's up for an adventure? Another highlight is the port town of Ermoupouli on Syros – a very Greek place. Depending on the wind, we might also explore the truly beautiful Milos, which invites a trip ashore, or enjoy a bit of hustle and bustle and partying in the bars of Mykonos, or even sail "deeper" into the Cyclades if we feel ambitious as sailors – depending on the crew's mood. If, on the other hand, there is a storm in the Cyclades or the weather conditions require it, we can also sail in a relaxed way in the sheltered Saronic Gulf.

All this on a well-equipped owner's boat (including generator, watermaker, air conditioning, 6 HP dinghy, SUP, water toys) with a young internationally mixed crew and experienced skipper at the end of his round-the-world voyage – a taste of a circumnavigation and sailing a "leg", part of the voyage around the world. I mostly sail with crew under 45, sometimes with non-German sailors too, so the on-board language could also be English.

The sailing yacht "Free Spirit" – a Dufour 43 Classic from 1999 – has four double cabins and, unlike "standard charter yachts", is equipped with two pillows for each crew member and real blankets rather than just thin sheets, as well as lithium batteries and solar panels (never having to switch off the fridge at night or worry about power problems again!) and a generator as backup and to run the watermaker – the latter in particular greatly enhances the quality of life on board. I also have some nice toys such as hammocks, a SUP, water toys and snorkelling gear, and a dinghy with a more powerful 6 HP motor on board.

I've been skippering for 15 years, professionally too. I always ensure a good mix of sailing, exploring ashore, swimming and snorkelling, a bit of partying and "messing about", as well as cooking together and just relaxing.

On top of the boat contribution stated in the advert, there's also the boat kitty for food, drinks, diesel and other ongoing trip expenses amounting to 200-300 euros per week.

More information: www.magicaloceansailing.wordpress.com and www.instagram.com/magicaloceansailing