ABOUT THE IONIAN
Ionian Mooring techniques
Whilst on your sailing holiday in the Ionian, you will experience many different forms of mooring which you may not be used to. Below we have set out the various techniques which will be useful for you.
The most important aspects to remember when mooring the yacht are:
- Take your time
- Communicate clearly to all the crew what you are planning on doing and allocate the jobs clearly
- Prepare the yacht in plenty of time (fenders, dinghy, anchor, mooring warps, music off, tidy the cockpit, tidy the lines)
- Consider the wind direction and strength
- Devise some hand signals to aid communication along the length of the yacht
- Only the skipper should be giving out orders to the crew
- Skipper – stay on the helm and cover the throttle at all times and keep watch for hazards in the water (swimmers, lines, buoys)
- Take her in as slow as the conditions allow.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask us!
Stern To Mooring (also known as Med Mooring)
This is the most common type of mooring used in the Ionian when visiting harbours or tavernas with their own pontoons. It can be with lazy lines or using your own anchor. The instructional video below explains in detail how to do it like a pro!
Long lining
If you are anchored in a beautiful Ionian bay and you wish to stop the possibility of the yacht swinging with wind direction change, then this is a great technique to employ. You will also find in many bays that when there are other boats moored near by, you will not be able to swing safely, especially if the other boats are long lining. The best knot for tying to the shore is the bowline, as even when it has been put under significant tension it is possible to undo without too much effort. So get practicing! All Nisos yachts come equipped with long floating shore lines. The biggest hazard to consider when mooring like this is the dreaded prop wrap. The floating lines do help minimise this risk, but please do be extremely careful when engaging gear with any lines in the water near the boat.
Free swinging on anchor
There is something very special about spending a night at anchor, free swinging in a beautiful deserted Ionian bay! It is quieter, cooler and less chance of having anchor snags with other boats! This short video will give you some ideas on how to anchor successfully. All Nisos Yachts come equipped with marked anchor chain (and plenty of it) and the excellent holding Rocna Anchors, to give you the very best chance of a successful anchoring experience.
Want to know more?
If you’re looking for any further advice or are wanting to book a holiday, please don’t hesitate to get in contact as we would be delighted to assist you.
Please give us a call or message on Whatsapp or alternatively fill out the form on our contact page, and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
