Unveiling Surprising Greece: Experiencing Stunning Sailing and Vibrant Nightlife on Land
The Thomsons, aboard their yacht Namika, have been making their way through the Saronic Gulf, setting sail for an adventurous journey across the Mediterranean. However, their voyage took an unexpected turn when they encountered a problem with their engine.
Fuel clogging or contamination in a sailboat engine can significantly impact performance and reliability. In this case, a gluey slime had clogged the hose, fuel cock, and connections, causing the engine to malfunction. The Thomsons had to call the coastguard for assistance, but they were quick to act, acquiring an outboard fuel tank and some extra fuel hose to prevent further issues.
Faced with the challenge of navigating the Southern Cyclades, the Thomsons made a strategic decision to alter their course. They abandoned their plan to return via the Peloponnese in favor of the Corinth Canal, opting to keep land between them and the Ionian for as long as possible. This route presented a challenge due to the lack of places to run off to before reaching North Africa, but the forecast suggested a window for close-reaching or close-haul along the southern extremity of the Cyclades.
After a successful repair and necessary paperwork, the Thomsons set off for the Dodecanese, completely free of expectation. Two days later, the wind had vanished, and they were greeted by a pod of dolphins as they left their secret haven. They anchored in a large, landlocked bay with a narrow entrance on the northern side of Astipalea.
The Thomsons took torches and warm layers and set off for the peak, summiting the 1,500ft just before the sun began to set on an endless, darkening sea. They anchored alone in 7m on mud with just a few ripples, celebrating with an aperitif after a successful sail.
The following day, they visited the island of Irakleia, drawn by tales of a well-preserved German seaplane wreck. They were all alone witnessing the colors of golden hour from a birds' eye view atop a sheer drop into the Aegean, which they found magical.
As they continued their journey, the Thomsons rounded neighbouring Anafi in the early evening after an eight-hour sail, passing a monastery perched high on a vertical cliff. They enjoyed colorful evenings spent up in the choras with friends, where they enjoyed marvellous dinners in the tavernas.
In dealing with the engine issue, the Thomsons followed common solutions for removing fuel blockages, such as replacing fuel filters, using fuel treatments, draining and cleaning fuel tanks, cleaning injectors, removing carbon buildup, inspecting and cleaning strainers, and maintaining regular engine maintenance. By following these steps, they were able to effectively remove the existing fuel blockage and prevent future clogging issues in their sailboat engine.
The Thomsons' journey continues, filled with new adventures and stunning sights. Their determination to overcome challenges and make the most of their Mediterranean cruise is truly inspiring.
The Thomsons, having dealt effectively with the fuel clogging issue in their engine, shifted their travel plans to navigate the Southern Cyclades, choosing a route via the Corinth Canal to keep land between them and the Ionian. On a subsequent day, they encountered a pod of dolphins as they left a secret haven after two days of sailing, having successfully repaired their engine.
