Sam Holmes Sailing · video

What this video covers

A solo sailor navigates a 200-mile passage from the southern Peloponnese peninsula to Vasiliki, Greece, contending with highly variable winds and steep, short-period swells.0:37 During the transit, the sailor manages heavy weather helm by reefing the mainsail and utilizing a jib-only configuration, eventually relying on a wind vane for steering.13:37 Mechanical issues include a failed snap shackle on the boom vang, which is repaired by drilling out the pin to accommodate a replacement, and a loose motor mount bolt that is tightened to improve engine performance during calm periods.9:13 To address comfort and safety, the sailor installs a companionway glass window to prevent water ingress during upwind sailing and reinforces a failing lee cloth using a Speedy Stitcher and webbing.9:45 The passage involves frequent transitions between light air and 20-knot gusts, requiring constant sail adjustments and occasional motoring.7:05 The trip concludes with an anchoring maneuver at a steep-to beach, where the boat is secured near the shore to wait for favorable winds before continuing toward Corfu.18:27

More from Sam Holmes Sailing

Hundreds of miles of rough sailing only to be turned away from our dream destinationOct 2026Making big miles offshore sailing through IndonesiaSep 2026Orca sighting! we repair one daggerboard only to break another oneSep 2026Sailing to Maratua, a rarely visited Indonesian island Sep 2026

From Sam Holmes Sailing — 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.