Jonathan Ross Sailing
Mediterranean and Caribbean
I skippered a 35'er as part of a flotilla of boats that sailed from Skiathos in the Sporades islands, back to Athens. It was great sailing in company as we sailed and explored the islands heading south.
It's been 3 years since I did any sailing in the Med so after returning to France recently, one of the first things I did was see what opportunities to go sailing were out there. One thing led to another and I found myself flying to Corfu and a delivery job, helping get a yacht to Barcelona. Not just any yacht though, the boat is Southern Wind 93 that is a very nice 'ride'.
Crossing over from Monaco, skippering a 55' motor yacht, we landed in Saint Florent on the NE coast of Corsica. Motor troubles had us swap to a 42' catamaran for a jaunt down to the La Madellina Islands and the north coast of Sardinia.
An incredibly memorable trip to the San Blas Islands, about a day's sail off the entrance of the Panama Canal. The Kuna indians still live a traditional life there and it really quite unspoilt.
I'm sure most of us have a bucket list destination and for me, Lord Howe Island was certainly on mine. So when I was offered the chance to join the expedition yacht SV Salt Lines as co-skipper, I jumped at the chance.
It was quite an adventure helping with the crossing of the Bay of Biscay on a Catana 62 from La Rochelle to Cedeira in Galicia, Spain. The Catana was a wonderful boat to sail aboard - a performance cat that was extremely comfortable to live aboard at the same time.
Quite a head turner when we pulled into port!
When the call came to help skipper a 84' Palmer Johnston ketch from Palma de Mallorca to Barcelona via Gibraltar, it was an opportunity to interesting to say no to. It turned out to be quite an interesting 3 weeks - here's a few photos that highlight the trip
