Aegina – Poros

First Sailing Trip with Mom.

After my mom spent a day with us in Aegina, we finally set off together. Our destination: our winter quarters in Poros. The special thing? It was my mom's first time sailing with us.

 

September 17th, 2024: Aegina – Poros

After our first night at anchor together, we set off at 8:30 in the morning. Before that, we conducted a thorough safety briefing—an essential introduction, in my opinion, that should never be neglected. At the beginning of the trip, we had no wind, but we didn't see this as a negative, as it allowed us to show my mom everything slowly and let her get used to the boat's movements. So, we proceeded at 5 knots on a course of 190° southeast towards Poros.

After half an hour, the wind picked up a bit, and we could set our only sail, the genoa. We quickly turned off the engine and sailed at around 5 knots with 12-15 knots of wind. Since our mainsail tore near Patras, our sailing experiences have been mostly underwhelming, so we were especially happy to be able to sail without the engine now. My mom also enjoyed it and was enthusiastic—a reason for everyone to be happy.

 

 

After about 4 hours, we reached the island of Poros. We decided to dock alongside at the City Quay. In Greece, you typically dock with an anchor stern-to and not often with mooring lines. However, since we only have a manual windlass, we prefer docking alongside. Without an electric windlass, we can release the chain with a lever, but once it's fixed, it's blocked, and we can't (easily) let out more chain. This is okay for anchorages, but not ideal for ports.

Arriving in Poros, we were immediately taken by the vibe and started our stay on the island, where we plan to spend the winter from November, at the nearby Taverna Oasis with a Greek salad ("Χωριάτικη,"), tzatziki ("τζατζίκι"), saganaki ("σαγανάκι"), and Mythos beer ("Μύθος"). How lovely!

 

General Infos: Poros

Poros is a picturesque island in the Saronic Gulf. It's a popular destination for sailors and tourists alike, offering charming streets, beautiful beaches, and a relaxed atmosphere. The island is easily accessible by ferry from Athens and provides a perfect blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage. Visitors can explore the historical sites, enjoy water sports, and indulge in delicious Greek cuisine at the numerous tavernas and cafes.

 

Hard Facts

  • Duration: 4 hours 14 minutes
  • Distance: 18.6 nautical miles