Whats next for Reality and crew.

As the new year starts it is time to make a passage plan for the 2024 sailing calendar and Reality's 3rd sailing season. But first a list of all the things i need to do to get Reality ready for a 1500/2000 mile passage and 5 months at sea . The list is fairly comprehensive , however the basics are as follows new topping lift and main halyard replacement. 2 new dive boxes made and installed on the port and starboard whether decks , both engines and sail drives serviced along with the generator , outboard engine and hot water boiler and a few warranty jobs finished off.

Reality will spend 5 months at sea with 3 full time crew members including myself along with my younger brother David and friend Tony. We aim to leave Porto Montenegro in early may and spend the first month sailing down the coast of Montenegro and Albania , stopping on route and seeing some of the bays and breath taking coastline this area has to offer. Most sailing this area for some reason seem to bypass Albania and yet it has some of the best beaches and bays in the Mediterranean.

In early June we will reach Greece , our first port of call will be the island of Corfu were we will need to check into customs and the start of our Schengen shuffle , we will have ninety days to get across the Greek islands and into Turkey our final destination.

Subject to weather and the Corinth Canal being open , as its always subject to landslides and repairs we aim to visit the following Greek islands , Corfu , Lefkada , Meganisi , Kalamos , Kastos , Arkoudi , Atokos , Ithaca , Kefalonia , Zakinthos , Isthmia , Milos , Paros , Mikonos , Patmos , Leros and Kos then clear customs and head into Turkey. 

Marmaris marina although not yet booked is looking like my favourite marina , as it is well placed for heading north or south and visiting some of the very best Turkey has to offer. We aim to arrive in Turkey late August then spend four to 6 weeks sailing this amazing coastline.

Once the sailing season ends Late September mid October 2024 Reality will venture back to Marmaris for a year where i hope to get a one year resident permit. Whilst in Marmaris Reality will be lifted out put on the hard , power washed and antifouled along with new anodes. If all goes to plan she will also have a new flybridge layout , this will include lengthening the front and back of the Bimini hardtop and rising it 200mm for more headroom and having a better seating and sunbathing layout . 

Although a long way off i plan on leaving Turkey on the 1st of September 2025 and head out of the Mediterranean taking 2 months to reach the Canaries , this will give me the month of November in the Canaries to prepare Reality for her Atlantic voyage to the Caribbean, She will remain here for two full sailing seasons sailing up and down the Leeward islands and up to the Bahamas. After that its through the Panama Canal and North into the sea of Cortez Mexico or over the Pacific Ocean and on to French Polynesia..

So what happens now ?. Now Reality is back in her home berth off Porto Montenegro after sailing 2500 miles from Cartagena Spain to Montenegro via Formentera, Ibiza, Mallorca, Menorca, Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, Favignana, Lipari, Stromboli, Massena straights, Italy, Croatia, and finally Montenegro. 

Well i think she has earned a well deserved break. She may see some sailing over the next few months but at best this will only be the odd trip around the bay of Montenegro , and she may go south as far as Albania. 

Her main journey next year 2024 will be from Montenegro heading East down the coast of Albania through the Greek islands and finally Turkey. What part of Turkey I haven't yet decided on but Marmaris marina is a strong bet. I will need to do some more research as to the full passage , but i aim to leave Montenegro in May 2024 and sail down the Albanian coast , then in June July August sail the Greek island arriving in Turkey in late august , where Reality will have a very short berth probably for just 3 to 6 months , however that could all change as there are some that sail this area for a few years before going over the pond to the Caribbean as there is so much to see and do in this area off the Meditettanean. Its a great area to go for sailors and get in and out of the Schengen shuffle zone with such good sailing offered in Turkey and the stunning Greek islands , and with such great history culture architecture and food why rush it. 

For me now living full time on Reality means i can come and go pretty much as i please , especially with quick flights back to the UK. I have a new scooter coming once my Residency card has been received. And I am planning a camping trip to Bosnia Herzegovina , I may also do some camping in Albania. Although there is lots to do here in Montenegro and the marina is the best i have visited. Montenegro is a small country and i want to keep busy over the next few months and through the winter. I do have a passion for travel and i want to keep active before the next sailing season starts. 

Next year i hope to have Tony Clark from sailing Gurus and my younger brother David on board , they have been great fun over the last two sailing seasons and we get on great and share the same intrest.

THANKS FOR FOLLOWING.

For those that follow my blog i hope you get something out of this content. And a big thanks for all the likes and comments i get especially on Facebook. The sailing season may be coming to an end , but full time living on a boat for me has only just started.

Reality is a Lagoon 46 Catamaran and i hope to sail her around the world. Year 2022 sailed her from the UK to Cartagena Spain. Year 2023 sailed her from Cartagena Spain to Montenegro via Croatia. Year 2024 well i hope to sail her from Montenegro to Turkey via the Greek islands