Sam Holmes Sailing · video

What this video covers

A solo sailor transits from Santorini to Kos, Greece, to complete the bureaucratic process required to check out of the Schengen zone before sailing to Turkey. During the passage, the sailor manages 30-knot gusts and swirling winds caused by island topography while experimenting with an autopilot connected to a wind vane, noting the system's difficulty in high-heel conditions.6:21 The sailor replaces a high-modulus jib halyard with double-braid polyester to improve handling and reduce stretch.2:18 Upon reaching Kos, the sailor discovers that the initial port of call does not handle international clearances, necessitating a 15-mile sail to the island's main port.9:17 The clearance process involves multiple trips between the port control office, passport control, and customs.18:03 To facilitate the five-mile commute between the anchorage and the government offices, the sailor transports a Brompton folding bike via dinghy.17:10 The experience highlights the logistical challenges of international cruising, specifically the contrast between the ease of open-water sailing and the complexity of navigating maritime border bureaucracy.

More from Sam Holmes Sailing

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