Last update 28 May 2002

02 - 12 June 2002

Bareboat Charter Southwest, Turkey

Yacht: S/Y Sun Odessey 44'

Crew:Moshe, Skipper
     On, First Mate
     Michal (the First Mate's mate)
     Amichai
     Doron
     Menachem
     Morris
     Moshe Zarfati
     Michel
     
5 May 2002

Well, here I am again, a whole year later, getting ready for a charter. The difference is that I am more experienced both in the planning & preperation stages as well as sailing (I am in the midst of a competion sailing course - I may write about it).

This time we will be in the southwest of Turkey, known as the Tukish Riviera. I have been there three times in the past. On was with me on one of the deliveries so we should be able to handle the situation quite well.

We were suppose to do this charter in April but because a number of the crew got called up for reserve army duty we postponed it until the beginning of June. This basically doubled the price that we have to pay, but "c'est la vie". Besides the air and water should be warmer and the days a bit longer. I do believe there will be crowding in some areas, but we can't have everything to ourselves....

This time we are going with Galeo Yachting. I just got a nice recomendation on Friday, during our weekly sail, from Gershon (a guy on my racing team) who used them a couple of months ago.

Some of the down payment we put on the previous yacht is still good (700 out of 1400 Euro), they understand the situation we are in. The price has gone from around 2200 EURO to 4075 EURO, but I expected that as we are going into high season. I have requested a spinnaker this time around and hope to use it, now that I know how to. On has requested a windsurfer so we will have one of those on board also (I suppose I'll attempt that too, wonder how I'll do.

I should also make a list of things we need to take from Israel.

At the moment we are scheduled to leave Sunday, 2 June 2002 at 17:20 arriving Dalaman, Turkey (via Istanbul) at around 23:30 (it is about a 40 minute drive to the marina in Gocek). We have the yacht for 10 days but will be leaving on Wednesday 12 June 2002 as people wanted a day to work (4 out of 9 will be leaving the yacht on Sunday 9 June 2002).

More as it happens.

28 June 2002

Last night I met the crew. They are a talkitive bunch. About the same as my daughter's tribe. It should be interesting. I wondeer how many of them will help with the actual sailing of the boat. I showed them the itinerary until Sunday morning and they seemed be enthusiastic. The average sail will be 6 hours a day, with a long sail of 10 hours. Sunset at that time and location is around 19:15 so we should have plenty of light time. We decided that we will buy the food in Turkey.

This morning I got the go ahead to have the tickets printed. So I called Ayalla Tours and ok'd the printing with the changes (that four guys leaving on Sunday).

I bought a hammock and will hang it betweem the forestay and mast at night for sleeping, or during the day at anchor (if someone will want to rest on it).

The trip was a success!! Especially the last 3 days of sailing. Here are a few pictures I took with an "old" digital camera.

Moshe (mogo) Gottesman, Skipper