Ep 75 | A 35 knot blast to Montenegro

[@jimmerriman6920]

Great sailing, and a great video! Very calm, no drama, just a great approach to telling your stories.

[@saswatchco]

Great video as always, you definitely shoot the most professional videos of all the sailing channels. They are so much more comfortable to watch than the others, no shakey camerawork, quality editing and well presented. You can easily tell you both come from a TV background. I'm looking forward forward to see your video of the boat show. 👍

[@bill8784]

The sea looked absolutely fabulous. We had our first sailing holiday in Lefkas thirty odd years ago and loved it; probably still the happiest and best holiday I ever had.

[@hughburgess4168]

Lovely video….again. Beautiful sea. Interesting destination. Story well told. Utterly professional and so easy to watch and listen. Thank you ⛵️

[@keithgabriel8455]

You were lucky to be in a convoy of yachts going through the Lefkas floating bridge. When I went through in late October 2020, heading south from Cleopatra marina where I had bought my Southerly 5 days earlier (and launched her that morning), I was the only yacht and the bridge operator lived up to their reputation for being less than helpful. He tried to insist that he would only lift the western arm, which means passing through a 5m wide gap which, from the north, one has to approach at a 30 degree angle! Fortunately I had employed a young Greek lad to come with me as crew and after several minutes of negotiation the operator agreed reluctantly to open the bridge for us. Phew! If you haven't stopped at Lefkas before then I would thoroughly recommend spending a few days there, preferably moored on the town quay as close to the mole as possible. I met some Brits there who over-winter their boats in the marina and they have a walking group which explores the surrounding hills (up to 5,000ft high...) so I'm sure you would get a warm welcome there (though it is possible that Schengen restrictions may now have limited the ability for some of them to remain in residence all winter).

[@timmitchell8784]

That looked like a card game I played with my mom when I was a kid. We called it hate and spite. Great fun.

[@svfairisle]

Yes, we call it Spite & Malice!

[@jkjobies]

Lovely video as always! Thank you so much. Look forward to seeing Montenegro!

[@SVImpavidus]

Looking forward to your thoughts on Montenegro. Sail Safe Guys, Ant & Cid.

[@svfairisle]

Well we loved it when we came through last year from Venice & really wanted to come back. Things to keep in mind, you can get an extended stay very easily and cheaply they say ( will report back on how that goes ) but actually you only need to leave for a day and you get another 3 months. So if you’re thinking of maybe a trip to the zUK at Xmas it’s job done. MUCH more important than that though just outside the excellent yacht club there is an Indian restaurant! I’m very much looking forward to doing a full report on every one of their dish’s!!!

[@johnfoster3286]

Ahhhh..... memories of my first flottila holiday out of Corfu port Gouvia in the early 1980s with seven seas. Lots of problems re Albania but what a blast and would I repeat it YES

[@chuckduzzie8529]

Good morning, I am sure we all did, I missed you both last week. 😁

[@gmssails]

Loved the jump into the water. THANK YOU for not wearing what we Americans call a Speedo. It goes by other names, which are more explicit.

[@machiavellian7490]

Yes always make sure the s doesn’t fall off the speedos!

[@glyntutt1586]

@@machiavellian7490 some of us just don’t like swimming shorts, so I use good old fashioned Slazenger cut ‘trunks’ which are ‘speedos’ with leg sections!

[@bobfitzpatrick3913]

Well such a pleasant surprise, I have been an avid follower of so many KZbin sailing blogs, for at least three years now. Yours is the first I have watched (just two so far), and now after reading all the comments below. You answer so many of the questions. That is indeed a pleasure because so many of the questions relate to the video just seen, and it completes the storyline. Thankyou for doing this and taking the time, it adds to the pleasure of watching.

[@svfairisle]

Thanks Bob, yes the interaction is part of the story for us too. We post in real time and often get comments from people in the areas where we are with help and advice, we meet up with a lot of people too as viewers know exactly where we are and often come & say hello. It’s all part of the pleasure of making the films

[@miroslavgranolic7998]

Guys, for the clothing I recommend Una Montenegro shop in Tivat. They have a very good selection of Helly Hansen clothing, footwear and accessories. Send our regards to the staff over there. We are back home in Australia after spending 2.5 months in Porto Montenegro. We love it there and I am sure you will enjoy your stay.

[@svfairisle]

Tanks for the tip

[@rolanddunk5054]

Hi,a great video,thank you for the trip.Cheers Roly 🇬🇧

[@the_ayesha_khan]

Ahh, the ensign at half mast. 😢 Well done guys. Great interesting video as always , thanks

[@tabbycowley5825]

we love the canal part, so lovely to see it again through your eyes. x

[@Outrageousconduct]

Love montenegro 🇲🇪 ,so that's gonna be your winter base ? Enjoy montenegro it's fantastic

[@svfairisle]

Yes, looking forward to winter here.

[@grandsoleil56]

Tivat is awesome

[@Outrageousconduct]

@@svfairisle in kotar there's a restaurant called Galion is pricey but the food is outstanding

[@svfairisle]

Thanks, we we save that one for a treat then.

[@grandsoleil56]

@@Outrageousconduct and Ponta Veranda tivat and Stari Mlini in Kotor bay 👌

[@simonmusgrovewethey]

A pity you didn't have the time to visit Gaios on Paxos island well worth a visit. Interested to watch your video on Montenegro as thinking about sailing around there next year.

[@thefullmonte1902]

So wonderful to see you back in my birth country! We are unfortunately back in Denmark but I wish you a great stay in Montenegro!

[@svfairisle]

Great to hear from you. We are here all winter, are you planning a trip back any time?

[@sandramuis7430]

Lovely location!👍🥰

[@hans-berndzurkuhlen1037]

Great video and great sailing vessel! The Montenegro Marina is very comfortable. Sanitary is clean and modern. But, be aware of the marina supermarket! I paid around 5€ for a peace of butter three weeks ago. And 324€ for two days in the Marina. It’s a pity not to meet you over there. Montenegro is a fantastic area to discover. Have a good time over there

[@maxineparkinson2695]

Beautiful yacht and scenery. I have only recently started to watch your channel and it’s very relaxing. Incidentally, what are the bottle brush thingies on the rigging and their purpose?

[@svfairisle]

They are called baggy wrinkles, they stop sail chafe

[@stephenchapman8344]

Looks nice.

[@dellybel1979]

Is that intro music from “wish you were here” in the 80’s? Sounds a lot like it.

[@gerhardvanwaltsleben8944]

Lekker man lekker 🇿🇦

[@chuckduzzie8529]

I was there at the bridge in Lefkas just a month ago

[@FighterFred]

There's another sailing couple in Montenegro probably who runs the "Breeze" youtube channel. They're from Holland.

[@lweijenborg9035]

Thanks for the video. Did noticed it right away, but it wasn't mentioned in the video. Nor in the comments. And it actually came into view quite prominently; The colours are half-mast. Because of respect for the passing of the Queen?

[@svfairisle]

Yes 10 days at half mast after she died. You can also add a black ribbon if there’s no room to lower the flag

[@lweijenborg9035]

@@svfairisle Good to see propper etiquette observed. Rare these days. And my sympathy for the passing.

[@keithgabriel8455]

Many years ago we dipped our ensign to a passing RN frigate, and a rating was sent scurrying aft (in pouring rain) to dip theirs in response. I sailed past HMS Defender (a Type 45 destroyer) three weeks ago and she wasn't flying any ensign as she departed the Solent - to be discussed with naval friends!

[@martinpalmer5880]

Great show, followed for ages. A question. I’ve got a 2 year old foresail that ripped at sacrificial strip. I’ve seen your caterpillar like attachment to halyards, what are their name please, and do they minimise chafe? M&P

[@svfairisle]

They are called Baggywrinkles and yes they do a very good job at stopping chafe

[@Alex000113]

Nice video, the usual high quality of content and production, you obviously put a lot of work into them. Very informative and entertaining/relaxing. Steve, I like the use of the portable solar setup, a bit clunky to set up and take down though, Are you concerned the solar panels might get blown overboard in a gust ? do you tie them down ? I wonder if you'll make them a bit more permanent if you aregoing to be in the marinafor a while.

[@svfairisle]

The large one is heavy enough to be okay in anything but a gale I think. The smaller ones have clips that I can put on the guard rail and then position them with a halyard, I showed it in the Ecoflow delta test video. I don’t think I’ll use and of the portable ones in the marina over winter. We don’t use the ships inverter, just shore power but I have the two big boat panels charging the boat and the bifacial panel ( all on the stern arch) feeding the Ecoflow Max so we can use the inverter on there for galley stuff. Keeps the marina electric bill nice and low

[@Fyn123]

Thought you were a little unkind to Gyros? Being the Greek alternative to McD’s personally I’d take the gyros every time. Erm which you did?

[@judyaslett6209]

Yes he did. Just time for a change…

[@johnwalker6711]

Check out SV "Feel the breeze" they have based themselves there for months now

[@thearchibaldtuttle]

We towed a boat from the banks of the lefkas channel! His gearbox was damaged and the wind pushed him to the side.

[@judyaslett6209]

Oops not good

[@craigbradley1752]

Great movies guys, really looking forward to joining that lifestyle next year. Is it expensive to winter in Porto Montenegro? Are there limits of being able to stay there on a British passport? Many thanks Craig & Nee - Deja Blue

[@svfairisle]

It's not as expensive as you might think (it's a very posh marina!) obviously depends on size of boat and time of year, but they are really making an effort to attract cruising yachts and not just have super-yachts here so have a look at their website and keep an eye for deals. It's a great Schengan avoider as you can just leave the country for a day then come back and have another 3 months! So we could probably do just that as we are going to Annapolis next week, then we will probably go back for xmas. However it's also easy and cheap to get an extension here so we will do that in case we want to stay a bit longer and not have to stamp in and out all the time.

[@adrianturner4105]

Hi, another great video, very interesting. I have a question about chart plotters. I notice that you use a large iPad all the time. I have an old Raymarine C120 & would like to upgrade sometime but the cost seems very high for the type of local boating around the Solent that we do & am wondering if a chart plotter is really necessary. We are in a completely enclosed wheelhouse & am thinking that a decent sized iPad would probably suit us more. I presume that you are completely happy with yours, any pros & cons? Your advice would be most welcome. All the best to you both, Adrian

[@svfairisle]

Hi Adrian, well we have Navionics on our ships chart plotter and on the iPad and I prefer the one on the iPad. It’s more responsive and very clear ( but our on board plotter is not one of the really big ones) The iPad also means you can plot you trips sitting in the yacht club or wherever you fancy and also move it with you. The key to making it work well is making sure there’s a charging point nearby, just wire in a USB charger nearby. Also try to mount the iPad somewhere out of direct sunlight for the helm position, should be easy in your enclosed cockpit. People turn their noses up at navigating with an iPad but I’ve found the accuracy as good if not better than the plotter, you just need some redundancy, but that goes for anything, we have 4 iPads ( ones a large iPad Pro which is great for planning, I’ve also got Navionics on phones and of course the ships plotter so there’s zero chance of ever being without navigation

[@adrianturner4105]

@@svfairisle Not sure what card I have in the plotter but I know it’s not up to date. I also have Navionics on my iPhone & a small iPad & I agree it is very easy to use & they are always up to date. I think it would probably be a better option for me to investigate getting a larger iPad for use on the boat. Thanks for your help. Adrian

[@MikeHarrison3266]

Due to certain changes you may be aware that wind from Italy can now only come from the right.😁

[@rolybaker7770]

I live in North Corfu overlooking the channel between Corfu and Saranda Albania, I didn't see you wave as you went through 😅

[@judyaslett6209]

Ah we waved!

[@markperrins9485]

Hey peeps. I just love your films, I use them to convince my wife that we should rent our house out and go off and travel the Greek islands in our boat. Montenegro looks like the perfect place. I’m curious about when you mother when the wind is pretty much zero or may be your travelling at say 3 knotts. Do you rune the engine so to do 8 knotts or just say 5 knotts to conserve fuel. ? Thanks for sharing, I want to be you.

[@judyaslett6209]

Hi Mark We motor if the sails flap. Then we go about 6 knots depending on the conditions. Never a good idea to be in a hurry….😅

[@svfairisle]

It’s a bit more complicated than that. Each boat has a hull speed which you can calculate from its dimensions, to get best fuel consumption it’s best to motor at that speed. For us it’s 7.1 knots on a flat sea. You will be slowed by waves & you get used to how much to push the engine in different sea states. Just remember Diesel engines like a load, the worse thing you can do is go for long periods on low revs, if you want to run the engine slowly for some reason then at least make sure you give the engine a blast once an hour or so

[@roberthorsford4266]

I liked Judy’s explanation!

[@Nozzall]

He has to jump off the starboard side to course correct for his port jump.

[@judyaslett6209]

Pretty much yes 😊

[@theglenetivescotchwhiskyco2726]

Nice video that one. Did you guys get a visa for your stay in Montenegro? If so how was the process?

[@svfairisle]

We haven't yet, we are told it's simple and cheap to do though. And in fact the 90 days resets as soon as you leave and return so if we went to the UK for Xmas and left by April there would be no need to even have one.

[@bobbutcher7725]

Come on Steve, own up, what did you do to your finger 🤭

[@svfairisle]

Ha! bizarrely I had a matching black toe nail on the second toe, left foot. Both the result of getting trapped between big rocks while stern tieing. Dangerous business sailing!

[@walterelmore1017]

Apart from make-work for a bureaucrat, what could be the usefulness of checking out?

[@judyaslett6209]

You need a stamp in your passport. The rest is just about checking you paid all your taxes!

[@johnfoster3286]

@@judyaslett6209 Yes but if you dont plan on going back ... stuff them. And as for passport getting stamped in, nah its never happened.

[@Alfa147]

@@johnfoster3286 They're checking out of Schengen. No exit stamp means you continue adding up stay days and you’ll have problems getting back in. You’ll be seen as an over stayer and refused entry.

[@geniexmay562]

😀 👍

[@HeathLedgersChemist]

The dead pixel appears to be yours, not mine. Phew.

[@thomasthornton5737]

😀👍👍👍❤

[@DjiMavicMini58]

May I ask how you get around the 90 day rule in Europe ?

[@svfairisle]

We've covered it many times in the episodes. You can't 'get around it' although if you ignored it I think there's a good chance no one would care. But if you're playing the game then there's lots of ways, it's one of the reasons were in Montenegro

[@DjiMavicMini58]

Ahhhhh I see I take it your now staying there for 180 days {Winter} probably flying home for a spell too

[@svfairisle]

@@DjiMavicMini58 Yes here for the winter, not sure exactly when we’ll leave. We have a trip to the US for the boat show and may go back at Xmas so that will probably make it that we don’t need an extension here as the 90 days resets as soon as you spend a day outside. However getting a prolonged stay here is even cheaper and easier than Turkey so we may do it anyway to save any hassle

[@DjiMavicMini58]

I am regular in Austria and have this issue I have to count the days so I know when my next 180 day period begins and ends I am applying for residency eventually but i find its time to punish Britons cause we left the EU

[@keithowenharvey]

Sorry, how does the Greek police and customs work. You can do a check out in the country and then walk through town have lunch and still stay at anchor overnight. I do not understand. Should check out not happen at customs police and then to leave immediatly?

[@judyaslett6209]

In some countries you have to leave immediately. Greece is not so bothered which makes more sense when you are sailing because you can leave when the weather conditions are safe!

[@keithowenharvey]

@@judyaslett6209 I see your point but why not check out and do formalities when the weather is good and go. Issue is that Greece does it one way and then some sailors think it’s like that in other countries and then bam they are hit with a fine. It is what it is I think it’s up to all to research and realise that’s each country formalities can differ. Looked like a great sail up to MNE. I went Croatia Corfu a few years back and had a awesome sail, 30 hours with a 35 knot NW behind us. Only issue is the current coming into the Adriatic created a bumpy fun ride.

[@sailingcaryatis7507]

@@keithowenharvey I am Greek and despite the beauty of the Greek isles and sailing through Aegean or Ionian, I can tell you one thing for sure: dealing with Greek bureaucracy..well good luck!

[@keithowenharvey]

@@sailingcaryatis7507 agree totally.