Two Friends and a Wooden Boat: Finding Fellowship on Corfu

The sun is starting to set on a lovely spring day in Corfu as my husband walks through the door. His face and arms are a deep shade of red from a day at the harbor, working tirelessly on his latest project—restoring a charming 21-foot wooden fishing boat.

With sweat still glistening on his forehead, he tells me about his day welding a sturdy frame to fit a sunshade on the boat. Despite his exhaustion, I can see the satisfaction and pride in his eyes as he shares his progress with me.

Last autumn, my husband Sumeru and his friend, Peter, decided to embark on a new adventure, purchasing the boat, called Agios (Saint) Nicholas, from the harbor near our home in Corfu. Little did they know that this vessel would become their passion project… and a gateway to the heart of the Greek community.

If you want to immerse yourself in Greece’s rich culture and vibrant community, consider buying a boat. Whether exploring the dazzling coastline, soaking up the sun on secluded beaches, or just enjoying the company of friendly locals, owning a boat is the perfect way to experience all that Greece has to offer.

The boat boasts a rich history, including a storied career of loyal service to a Greek family, ferrying them around the Ionian Sea to various islands for leisurely family vacations.

In 2020, the boat belonged to a local man named Giorgos, and was "commandeered" by smugglers. The thieves used the boat to transport immigrants to Italy. After a while, Giorgos was informed that his vessel had been impounded in Italy. It took several years for it to be returned to him. Now in his 80s, he decided to put his beloved vessel up for sale.

Sumeru, an accomplished aerospace engineer, loves working with his hands and the wonders of transportation—from trains and airplanes to boats. Peter, from Germany, has a wealth of experience restoring cars. Last October, the two joined forces and became proud owners of Giorgos’ boat.

As winter approached, Peter returned to Munich. But Sumeru is not one to sit idle, and he set about starting an extensive makeover on the boat.

Sumeru plucked the boat from the safety of San Stefanos’s Harbor in Corfu, and welded a steel frame to host a new sun shade on her deck. It added protection and a touch of elegance to her appearance. He then sanded with excruciating care to remove the old, worn-out paint. Finally, he added a layer of waterproof paint to give the boat a polished look and protect her from the harsh marine environment.

In just a few short weeks, Peter will return to Corfu with a brand new engine for his beloved boat.

We’re looking forward to experiencing boat camping, and discovering the hidden gems of the nearby islands. It will be a thrilling journey… filled with breathtaking views and unforgettable memories.

"He’s Become a Part of the Community So Naturally"

Restoring the Agios Nicholas deepened our connection to Corfu’s vibrant community.

Meanwhile, Sumeru has been spending long, lazy afternoons at the harbor, soaking up the warm Greek sun and getting to know the friendly local men who work there. One of his new buddies, Dino, speaks fantastic English and has lived in the United States.

Dino has been an invaluable resource, helping Sumeru find talented workers to help with the sanding and painting of the boat. He’s also shown Sumeru the best local chandler—a boat outfitter who could custom-make steel pipes to the exact specifications for the new sunshade. Thanks to Dino’s help, the boat will be in tip-top shape for new adventures on the crystal-clear waters of Corfu.

Last week, my husband spent the afternoon with Vangelis, an old hippie who wears a red bandana across his head, and sports a beard that reaches to his chest. Together, they searched for logs and telephone poles to support our boat while it was on land. Vangelis, an expert in sanding and painting vessels, will soon be working on our boat.

As my husband drove from town to town, harvesting materials, Vangelis casually drank six beers in the backseat. Vangelis is a well-known local character, and is adored by everyone—his presence is always accompanied by smiles, laughter, and warm hugs. On one occasion, a telephone pole needed to be cut up. Vangelis came to the rescue by calling upon his enormous muscular friend, Yianni. Yianni, perhaps channeling his inner Hercules or Ajax, hoisted the pole easily as if competing in a Scottish caber toss.

My husband has immersed himself in the patriarchal world of fishermen, construction workers, and sea-faring locals via regular trips to the port, the chandler, and the hardware store. Even at the local cafe, he’s now greeted by familiar faces, and it seems everyone knows him.

His efforts to integrate himself into the community have paid off… he’s become a part of it so naturally, in a way that couldn’t possibly be achieved through ordinary shopping trips and dining out.

As the boating season approaches, the plan is to get her back into the water.

This summer, the men will install a table between the seating areas to create a more functional space. The table will be adjustable, so it can be lowered to level with the bench seats to make a bed in the cabin. This will allow us to comfortably spend nights on the boat during our trips. After they wrap up this project, we plan to embark on an exciting adventure to Paxos.

Watching her bob up and down in the harbor’s rolling swell, the boat transcends a mere physical object—it represents a myriad of opportunities and adventures… all waiting for us out on the open sea.