Sailor’s Newspaper: Can you tell us about yourself and how did you start your skippering career?
Zuzu Sailing: I started sailing when I was in high school. Later we started chartering boats during the summer. The first boat we chartered was an Oceanis 35 from Marmaris in 1988 and we sailed to the nearby bays. In those days there was no GPS or other modern technology. We continued to charter whenever we had the opportunity. We sailed from Athens, Montenegro and Croatia. When Corona started, I started living in Bodrum and had more opportunities to sail. I decided to buy a boat and live on the sea.
S. N: How did you choose the name Zuzu Sailing? Does the name have any special meaning?
Z. S: I heard that Zuzu was for sale in the marina. It was very little used and in good condition. I liked it a lot when I stepped on board. I decided to buy it straight away. The name Zuzu was given to the boat by the previous owner. I think the name of the boat should not be changed.
S. N: What were the biggest challenges you faced in planning this long voyage from Bodrum to Genoa?
Z. S: My biggest difficulty on this long voyage is finding a crew. I am not sailing alone. The crew can suddenly decide to leave the boat or have to leave because of emergencies.
S. N: How will you deal with factors such as weather and sea conditions during the trip?
Z. S: When planning this trip, I set aside a week for distances I could cover in 3-4 days. I left a few days in between to take account of weather conditions or to rest in a bay. During the trip we waited 3 days in Arki and 4 days in Mikonos for the storm to pass. We skipped some of the places I wanted to see to keep to the schedule.
S. N: What are the challenges and benefits of teaching sailing on such long voyages?
Z. S: Some of the crew coming with me are more experienced than others. I enjoy teaching what I know if they want to learn.
S. N: What features do you look for in terms of living space and comfort on your boat?
Z. S: Three, four people are ideal for a boat like this. Space is limited for more people and you cannot please everyone.
S. N: Can you share with us some of the interesting or unforgettable memories you have had while sailing?
There was no space in the marina in Corfu for the weekend. So we anchored in the bay behind the marina and decided to go ashore in the dinghy. When I got into the dinghy there was a lot of water. The bottom was torn apart. We put the dinghy back on the boat. We went back to the shore by asking passing boats. On the way back we waited for a long time, then an Australian man took us back. When he found out we were Turkish, he told us how much he liked Turkey. 2 days later we were going to sail to Italy with 55 miles crossing, I immediately bought a new dingy. Getting the new dinghy into Mandraki Marina, which is located in an old castle, was another challenge. We spent a few days on the Achor in Taormina, taking the dinghy to the shore and visiting the historic sites. It was cloudy all the time. A friend wrote to me that Etna had exploded and asked if I could see it. When I lifted my head, I saw fire exploding from the mountain that was behind the clouds before. It was also a great experience to see the fire from Stromboli.
S. N: What would you like to say about the impact of the voyage on your life and what it has brought you?
Z. S: I have been on this trip for 4 months. It is fabulous to see new places all the time. Getting closer to places I do not know and then deciding where to anchor.
S. N: Can you tell us about your future projects or goals?
Z. S: I would like to continue sailing to the west. The world is round. How far I can go I do not know, but I am looking for crew members to come with me and support me.
S. N: Finally, can you tell us something about your philosophy of life?
I try to change my life by going out of my comfort zone when necessary.
Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule.
Banu Demir / The Sailor's Newspaper
Prepared for Publication: Doruk Agency / Founded by Sailor's Newspaper
