The chronicle you are about to read is maybe a less exciting one but it reveals a big part of what sailing life really means : boat maintenance! February was all about living in the boatyard and taking care of VAGO, from the inside and out.
Winter showed us our priorities
In the last weeks before hauling out, we sailed from Kefalonia back to Lefkada in the middle of winter. Those months were cold, windy and incredibly wet. Locals told us that so much rain had not been recorded here in a very long time. You can read the full blog post here or our youtube video about winter sailing between Kefalonia and Lefkada.
We could have left earlier, went back home for Christmas, like many sailors do. But we decided to stay.
And in hindsight, that decision taught us more than any calm summer cruise ever could. Those multiple storms tested our motivation, our patience, and the boat herself. They forced us to understand VAGO in detail — where she feels strong, where she needs attention, and what we are willing to compromise on… and what we are not.
For those who don’t know us yet: We are Erica and Stefan, we decided to leave our comfortable lives in Switzerland last year to start a new chapter aboard our 42ft. aluminium sailboat, VAGO. Learn more about us here.
Hauling Out in Preveza
After months at sea, it was finally time to bring VAGO out of the water in the Preveza boatyard area, one of the most well-known places in Greece for sailors preparing their boats.
If you sail the Ionian, chances are you will end up here sooner or later.There are several marinas between Preveza and Aktio, each with slightly different atmospheres and prices, but all of them share something valuable: good chandleries, hardware stores, and services even during winter. That makes this region an excellent base for boat work.
Because the truth is simple: boat ownership means maintenance never really stops. When something needs fixing and you know about it, it’s better not to postpone it. Life at sea is not patient — and the more you sail your boat, the more work inevitably appears.
So we rolled up our sleeves and got started.
When we arrived, the marina was almost empty. Except for one family that welcomed us from the very first day.
A group of stray dogs. Among them were two little puppies who quickly decided that the best place to stay was right under our boat.
Little by little we started feeding them. Soon they became part of our daily routine. They spent their days — and often their nights — right there under VAGO while we worked above them with sanders, paint brushes and tools.
It was not something we expected, but their presence made the long workdays feel much warmer.
Waiting for Better Days
The first weeks of February were still extremely rainy. Outdoor work was almost impossible. Sanding, painting or installing equipment simply had to wait. Instead, we used those days to prepare everything else: buying tools, ordering hardware, planning the projects and organizing materials.
And even with ten different lists and reminders, somehow you always forget something. Every boat owner knows that feeling, I guess.
Not every project on a boat is strictly necessary. One of our small “luxury” upgrades was installing a Hi-Fi sound system with speakers inside and outside the boat.
Is it essential? Probably not.
But we love music, and sometimes it’s wonderful to sail while listening to your favorite songs or to enjoy music during a quiet sunset at anchor. Boat life is about balance — work and enjoyment.
Our list was quite long for this month:
- VHF, AIS
- Adding a Solar
- Opening the Centerboard, sanding the teflon plates, sand the centerboard to bare aluminium, put epoxy and anti-fouling
- Sand and oil all teak wood
- Finalizing the anchor chain counter
- Give a new look to our steering wheel
- Installing a HI-FI Stereo inside and outside
- Having a furler installed for our inner stay
- A new bimini
- Replacing 6 windows
- Changing anodes
- …a lot of investments…
Replacing the Windows
When the weather finally improved, the real work began.
Winter sailing revealed one issue we could no longer postpone: the hull windows. Some of them had reached the end of their life.
So we researched materials, bought the right sealants and tools, and started replacing them one by one.
Every sunny day we removed and installed another window until six of the seven were replaced. The last one was still perfectly fine.
And every sailor knows the golden rule:
If it works — don’t touch it.
Learning by Doing
Another important upgrade was installing AIS and improving our VHF antenna setup. These systems are not optional for us. They make a real difference in safety and communication when sailing. A small disclaimer though: we are not professionals.
We are not electricians, riggers, wood workers or marine engineers. But that’s exactly the point of this journey. We are learning step by step, getting our hands dirty, trying to understand how everything works.
Because confidence at sea comes from knowing your boat deeply.
Another big project was adding a third solar panel.
After switching to lithium batteries and installing a small washing machine onboard, our energy needs increased quite a bit. The wind generator helps, but during cloudy winter days we realized that more solar capacity would make life aboard much easier. Living on a sailboat means constantly balancing energy production and consumption.
The Centerboard Work
One of the most important jobs was inspecting and repairing the centerboard.
When we lifted VAGO out of the water, we noticed several spots showing bare aluminium. That meant we had to act quickly before corrosion could begin. So we sanded the affected areas and rebuilt the protective layers with epoxy and antifouling. Not the most glamorous job — but one of the most important ones.
After four intense weeks in the boatyard, the moment finally arrived. VAGO was ready to go back into the water. The weather was improving, the days were getting longer, and we could finally feel the sailing season approaching.
Ready to Sail Again
Our next destination?
Paxos and Antipaxos, two islands many sailors consider among the most beautiful in the Ionian Sea.
After a month surrounded by sandpaper, paint and tools… we are more than ready to sail again.