Epic Navigatorvideo
Single-Handed Sailing in Greece | A Real Passage from Athens to Haul-Out
January 25, 2026 · 20 min · 13K views · Athens
Greek flag flies as sailboat nears Methana at golden hour
What this video covers
Alexandros Retsinas single-hands his sailboat on a roughly 30-nautical-mile passage from Athens to a boatyard haul-out, stopping at Methana on the Saronic Gulf. Pre-departure preparation includes checking engine oil level on a Yanmar diesel — he explains that overfilling forces oil into the cylinders, causing ring damage — and rigging lines to minimize solo departure tasks at dawn.0:49 Departing at first light, he weighs anchor from a hard-bottom anchorage with about 80 meters of chain out, using a technique of applying engine thrust against the anchor direction and using the rudder to break the anchor free rather than overloading the windlass.7:50 He describes Methana as one of his favorite stops: a volcanic peninsula with a well-protected marina, a small anchorage at Agios Georgios to the south, and access to a volcano hike by foot or taxi.13:22 The passage ends at a shipyard where he maneuvers the boat onto the travel lift, emphasizing correct sling placement away from the keel and propeller.15:02 He notes that his hull's unusual shape required him to override the yard worker's sling positioning based on his own knowledge of the boat.17:16
More from Epic Navigator
From Epic Navigator — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analyzed video.
The Sailing Directory Newsletter
One email with the fleet's best finds — the moments, boats, and stories worth your watch time. Enter your own address to get your own copy.