Off to Nisos Kea
37:40.02N 24:19.48E OK so we began our journey for Turkey in earnest.
Having sat out in Olympic Marina a storm we had no winds to work with on the
trip to the north end of the island Kea. We therefore motored along at a relatively
slow speed to save fuel. Since we have about 380 NM to go to Turkey we do
not plan to buy more fuel. So with running the generator and engine fuel
economy is essential. Motoring is not saving fuel but in this case we had
no choice. We picked the harbor because it was well protected from
winds, especially now with the winds coming more from the east and south than
in the summer months. In the harbor there are two places to anchor.
We chose the one to the east because it was further away from the
ferries. The eastern end is occupied with mooring for local boats but
there is still plenty of room to anchor in 10-15 meters of water. At first we picked a spot in 15 meters and dropped anchor
but the small town. After about an hour we realized we are just too close
to the boats having to drop anchor and back into the town quay. Not that
they were going to hit us but just something that makes you think about
it. So I decided to move further away after a smaller sailboat left and
gave us more room to move. Of course I dragged Pat away from lunch to
move, not a good idea. We set anchor, gave some rode and I then realized
we were too close to shore. So up anchor and moved back half way to where
we were. Again dropped anchor and let out 35 meters of rode. Now we
were good, away from the town quay and in good mud for holding. We watched the charter boats berth stern to along the town
key. Always fun to watch. Most got it right without an issue.
One, I think they were American based on the cursing at each other, was totally
worthless and during futile attempts at berthing caught a moored boat’s
anchor chain. Much discussion went on but eventually it worked out okay
and the managed to berth without bloodshed. We learned that the ferried here actually slow down and
create almost no wake so it was a pleasant place. In the past it was an
important coal bunkering port (loading coal into steamships). Now it is a
boaters tourist place but nice. Town quay during the day when all the charter boats
berth. We are at anchor at a safe distance. Waterfront is pleasant
with many Tavernas It looks better at night |