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Introduction to yacht charters and sailing holidays on Astral Music
Itineraries
Descriptions of places to visit on the Turkish Coast and Greek Islands
Specifications
Charter yacht layout
The Crew
The people who want to make your sailing holiday a memorable one
Prices
Prices for yacht charter and other likely costs
Enquiry/Booking
How to contact the owners
Pictures
Sailing holiday pictures
Comments
Kind words from our customers
FAQ's
All the things you wanted to know about yacht charters in Turkey and Greece that other people weren't afraid to ask
Combination Holidays
Combine the luxury of a holiday villa with the exhilaration of a crewed yacht charter
Links
Links to other sites to help you get the most out of your trip
Site Map
Navigational aids, accurate to within a thousandth of a web page
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About Turkey
1. What is the weather in Turkey like during the season?
2. What is the wind like during the season?
3. Are there any mosquitos and other insects?
4. What form of money is best to arrange and bring to Turkey?
5. What Visa arrangements do we need to make?
6. Do we need any vaccinations?
About Your Holiday
7. If we are inexperienced, will we be seasick?
8. What insurance do we need?
9. What is the cruising range?
10. Do we need foul weather clothing?
11. Any items we need to bring?
12. Are there any limitations to the charter holiday?
13. Can you arrange transfer from/to airport?
About Safety
14. What fire and safety equipment is there on board?
15. What First Aid do you have?
About Arrangements Onboard
16. Linen and towels etc?
17. What about the catering on board, crockery/cutlery etc.?
18. What are the cooking and food preservation arrangements?
19. What are the cleaning and bedding arrangements?
20. What are the toilet and waste disposal arrangements?
21. What are the sleeping arrangements - accommodation layout and stowage for personal gear?
22. What is the fresh water capacity for drinking and domestic use?
23. What power is available for using or recharging elctrical equipment?
About The Boat
24. Is there a dinghy/outboard?
25. Do you have GPS? (Global Positioning System)
26. Do you have radar?
27. Do you have Internet access?
28. What is the draft and keel configuration?
About Turkey
The weather in this part of Turkey is generally warm after the rainy season ends at about the end of March. There may be a few showers in April and September but between these months, the weather is warm, peaking in August when temperatures can get to the high 30 degrees C. October can be beautiful but again can have occasional showers. Remember to bring ample suntan lotions and start with a high factor.
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The wind normally comes up during late morning, can increase to sometimes 15 to 20 knots and then disappear in the evening. These are ideal conditions for a sailing holiday. From July, the local wind, the Melteme, can come up for a day or two but rarely more than a Force 6 which the boat is quite capable of handling with ease.
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Some of the bays we visit will have some mosquitoes so do please bring repellent and after-bite available from any good chemists. There are some wasps but we have rarely seen anyone stung.
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Bring about £50.00 per person in Turkish Lira and then you can always draw more from the many cash machines on your credit or debit card. Travellers cheques are not recommended unless you want to do so as you can invariably only cash these in a high street bank which often have long queues.
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Visa requirements vary according to your nationality so please check with your local Turkish Embassy. For example, British passport holders pay £10.00 at the port of entry (must be a £10.00 note) per person. Other countries pay different amounts, some countries have to apply for a VISA prior to leaving their own country. Please check well in advance. See also the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs web page on Visa requirements.
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According to The World Health Organisation there are no vaccination requirements for any international traveller to Turkey.
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About Your Sailing Holiday
It is our policy not to scare or make people seasick unless this is unavoidable. Gocek has a wonderful, long bay enclosed by mainland and a string of islands leaving it protected and ideal for flat water sailing. We can acclimatise novices in this area before going further afield. We do however, recommend that you bring some anti-seasick pills or wristbands.
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The vessel is covered by Marine Insurance and includes commercial charter cover.
Damage Excess of €1,000 will be chargeable against any damage claim made by charter party.
Please also ensure that each person in your party has their own holiday insurance cover.
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We can cruise Turkish coastal waters and some Greek Islands, but not much more than about 100 nautical miles from Gocek base, depending on the duration of the charter. We can discuss itineraries before or at the start of your charter and can suggest places of interest with you unless you already have an idea of what you would like to see and do. See also Itineraries.
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We only have our own personal foul weather gear, but depending on the time of year of charter it may be prudent to bring some lightweight waterproof jacket just in case, for spray rather than any rainy weather as generally from May to September, there is unlikely to be any rainfall.
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- Beach towels
- Light foul weather gear, more in case of spray than inclement weather
- We have comprehensive library, games and CD's but bring your own favourites as well.
- Sun tan lotion, block-out for nose and lips, a hat and a light shirt with long sleeves. Sarongs are good for sun protection
- Mosquito repellent and after-bite
- Anti seasick pills if you are worried
- Swimming and snorkelling gear if required
- Please do not bring any hard luggage as we will have to leave this behind. Bring soft stowable luggage only
- Bring Immodium or anything similar just in case your stomach may be a little sensitive to Turkish cuisine
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The cruising range is described above.
Turkish and Greek formalities must be observed if alternating between the countries and this can take up to a day to complete in either country.
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We can arrange minibus transfer from and to Dalaman Airport for your cost - 2007 rates are confirmed and for up to 6 passengers, €40 for collection and drop off. Transfer time is approximately 20 minutes and we only use the most reliable minibuses and drivers.
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About Safety
- 8 Adult, gas inflated life jackets
- 2 Children's, standard foam filled lifejackets
- 4 Standard foam filled Adult lifejackets
- 8 Clip-on Harnesses
- 1 Danbouy attached to flotation horseshoe lifebelt with automatic flashing light - portside
- 1 Flotation horseshoe life raft with automatic flashing light - starboard side
- Avon 10 person life raft, serviced March 2007, (next service March 2008)
- Coastal and offshore flare pack - new, spring 2007
- DSC VHF emergency MOB alert - transmits GPS position on Ch 70, emergency channel.
- Garmin GPS Chart plotter MOB facility
- Jotron GPS Water activated release, SAR and airline frequency beacon
- 4 Fire extinguishers, aft cabin, saloon/galley, fore cabins and automatic engine room
- Fire blanket located in galley
- 2 Escape routes from all cabins in case of fire
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Comprehensive First Aid Kit, fully compliant with MCA merchant shipping code of conduct and crew up to date on First aid course.
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About Arrangements Onboard
Two sets of bed linen for each berth and bathroom towels are provided but not beach towels so please bring your own.
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We have a fully equipped galley with domestic items for min 6 persons including a variety of pots, pans, serving bowls, knives and forks, glasses and anything else you may need are all on board. As we host the boat, breakfast and lunch are provided by the crew. Please let us know in advance of any dietary requirements and likes and dislikes. We will stock the boat prior to your arrival where possible, unless you would like to come with us to the market and choose items yourselves.
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- 4 burner Force 10 gas hob with oven and grill, electronic spark ignition.
- 4 CampingGaz bottles located in starboard aft locker with drain overboard through the transom.
- Remote shut off valve in aft cabin hanging locker and safety shut-off switch located at cooker.
- Separate fridge and large freezer both driven by 220-volt generator or engine compressor.
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The crew will clean the inside and outside of the boat, including cabins, toilets etc., at any opportunity while you are ashore or off the boat swimming. The bedding will also be changed halfway through your holiday.
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There are two toilets on board, both electric, and the aft toilet is also manual in case of electrical failure. Toilet plumbing and kitchen sink can be switched to either the holding tank or overboard. All other sinks and showers are plumbed directly into the holding tank. The tank is emptied whenever we are far enough from the coast. This arrangement is subject to law in Turkey and ensures that the coastal waters and bays are kept as clean as possible.
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- Forward cabin with double bed with insert which can be removed for two singles
- Mid cabin with upper and lower bunks
- Aft stateroom with one double bed and one single bed.
- Lee cloths for all bunks
- Plenty of hanging space in cupboards and storage in drawers in all cabins
See also Specifications for the layout.
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Water capacity on the boat is approximately 1,000 litres which is for washing, showering, cooking, tea and coffee etc. Drinking water is bottled and is supplied as part of the charter fee. It is recommended that each adult should drink about 2 litres a day in high temperatures. Children should be monitored to drink at least 1 litre depending on age. The boat will carry sufficient supply of both types with plenty of places along the coast to re-stock.
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The mains power supply in Turkey is 220V, 50Hz and there are many overnight stops where we can take power from the shore. If we are anchored, we have battery power that should be adequate for most requirements. We also have a generator.
We have UK type plug sockets onboard but, if you need to use or recharge equipment ashore, you will need a German type "two pin with earthing strip" adaptor.
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About The Boat
We have a 3 meter RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) with 15 HP Evinrude which can be used if any of your party has previous experience; otherwise one of the crew will run you around for evening meals, inland tours etc.
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Garmin 2006 GPS Colour LCD Chart plotter with Garmin handheld back up. Both have MOB function.
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Raymarine Radar, model RL 72 mono with 24NM Radome - New 2003 - range, with alarms, 24 nautical miles
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We have a laptop with Internet access through a mobile phone. This is expensive in Turkey so if you need to monitor e-mail while aboard, we will make a small charge.
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- Long Fin Keel - 2.2 Metre draft - sounder offset to reflect depth under keel, in meters
- Skeg hung rudder - 1.8 Metre draft
For more information, contact John & Louise Helliwell, or call us on (+90) 536 720 0392 or you can use the Enquiry/Booking form.
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