The Non-Sailor's Perspective

First sailing lesson begins... I am John's sister (Maree). My husband (Colin) and I have joined John & Leanne for 6 weeks sailing around the Cyclades in the Greek Islands and Leanne has asked me to do a blog from a "never before sailed" point of view.  This is our first time on a yacht and we have found Sabbaticus to be a lovely boat.  Lots of light and space John & Leanne have worked very hard to bring the yacht up to a very good standard and it is looking great. We have found the boat quite spacious and I love the big wrap-around windows in the main salon. They make the whole yacht feel airy and light. We have our own cabin in the forward part of the yacht, with ensuite! Very spoilt. (We do have some bruises on elbows and knees from climbing into our bunk and also moving around in the head). Colin learning to helm (steer) We have been surprised as to how much cleaning there needs to be done on the yacht. Every time they go out the salt spray has to be wiped off all the windows and stainless steel and the sailing gear has to be cleaned of salt spray, including their jackets, leggings etc. this all takes considerable time on first arriving in port and every couple of days in port, especially after wind.  There is also much work to be done before leaving port. Leanne goes through all the cupboards and shelves and packs anything that might move around. The seats in the salon have to be covered so we don't sit on them with our wet weather gear. Washing lines have to come down and everything on deck packed away and hatches closed. The dinghy has to be re-secured either behind the boat or up on it's rack and the sun covers over the cockpit dismantled. There are no early starts. We usually get away around 10am.  Too hot to eat inside We have "anchored off" quite a few times so food supplies have to be thought about in advance and Leanne has become very creative in making something up with whatever is available.  Colin & I have cooked a few meals and each time have found we have had to adapt the cooking methods to suit our power source. It can get confusing with gas, generators and the inverter. I am never quite sure what to use. Dog bowls when it gets rough Now to the sailing. Yes we have still to obtain our sea legs fully. There has been a little bit of up-chuck but we have had some quite nasty squally weather at several different times (definitely not usual for this time of year. A bit of baptism by fire. We have experienced a couple of calm beautiful sailing days, one very rough day and one day with up to 40 knot winds - at least on that day the trip was short as we managed to get along on the sails so fast.  Unfortunately the horrible wind gusts have followed us all the way and they have several times made it unpleasant staying on board. We don't feel seasick as John takes great care getting comfortable anchorages but it does mean we cannot enjoy going on deck and have to sit around reading downstairs if we stay on the boat. We try to go ashore and enjoy the towns (out of the wind) as much as possible. John and Leanne eat out of dog bowls when sailing in heavy seas as they have rubber grips on the bottom which stops the bowls from skidding around. Enjoying breakfast underway Colin and I try not to go below at all when underway as it is too uncomfortable. We have found the best place to be is sitting outside at the stern. It is lovely there in the sun with the wind in your hair and the view all around can be spectacular. It is also the best place to see where we are going and what is happening all around.  Still no fish! Colin and John have also tried fishing most days, but without success.  We haven't seen any fish at all except tiny wee sprats and we haven't seen anyone else catching any either. When under sail in heavy sea we have to remain in the cockpit as it is too dangerous out on deck. At these times John & Leanne are pretty busy at the helm and working on the sails and Colin & I try to keep out of the way.  When leaving and entering port Colin helps with the lines and securing the dinghy. He has had some knot tying lessons from John and is also securing the fenders and helping with the anchor. We have learnt there is a lot more to berthing at a marina and also anchoring out, than we thought. We have to berth in the marina stern to the wharf. John does very well and is becoming quite adept at this but no two moorings are ever the same. We have found that watching other yachts mooring and leaving port is a great source of entertainment, especially the charter yachts. Some take 3 or 4 shots to get their anchor right. And they can get it tangled with others and there is a lot of shouting between yachts. Everyone is very helpful about throwing lines and this is especially good when the wind is blowing your yacht into the wharf or another yacht as you are trying to back up to the wharf. John has found it is always wise for him to be on deck when someone is coming alongside Sabbaticus to moor. The perfect way to cool off We have enjoyed some lovely sunny days with little wind and have made the most of them. We have enjoyed some sightseeing trips to caves and little bays in the dinghy and have enjoyed several swims a day - some on the lovely sandy beaches and some off the boat which is really great and the water is lovely. Time to ponder your navel... Well, that's all my thoughts on sailing so far.  It's not your usual holiday - more a great adventure and John has managed to give us several surprises along the way.  It has been a wonderful opportunity to join Sabbaticus and an experience we will never forget. We are most grateful to John & Leanne for having us onboard.