Every month, superyacht owners reveal where they are in the world and share their future plans with BOAT. Panagos Lemos reflects on a summer spent cruising the Peloponnese on board 42-metre classic schooner Arktos – from revisiting her birthplace in Kilada to discovering hidden bays, timeless island towns and the joy of connecting with fellow sailors.
PANAGOS LEMOS
Yacht: Arktos
Length: 42m
Year: 2004
Location: Athens, Greece
How was your summer season?
Very successful. In addition to charters, our family spent around 10 days on board plus a few long weekends. We took part in the Cyclades Cup regatta for the first time, not to compete but just for fun. It was great to be surrounded by other sailing enthusiasts and to see Arktos in her element.
Where did you go?
The Peloponnese, which is closer to Athens. It was a part of the country that we had never seen before by water. It is also the birthplace of Arktos. When my dad commissioned her, he went to the Basimakopoulos Shipyard in Kilada because of their traditional craftsmanship in building wooden boats. So when we were sailing around that area, it felt a bit special, like bringing Arktos back home.
What were the highlights?
Idra is one of my favourite places. There are no cars, just donkeys, and you feel like you have stepped back in time. Spetses, on the other hand, has a more cosmopolitan feel with grand 19th-century villas, horse-drawn carriages and a lively energy, especially around the old harbor. Elafonisos is a hidden gem, with turquoise waters and powdery sand that feels more Caribbean than Mediterranean.
Monemvasia was breathtaking. We call it the Gibraltar of Greece because it is a massive rock connected to the mainland by a small bridge. The old Byzantine town carved into the cliffs is magical, especially at sunset. One night, while anchored in a quiet bay, we heard singing from a nearby sailing boat.
We shouted over, requesting Bohemian Rhapsody, and he started singing it. Then he shouted back that he was 15 years old and it was his birthday, so we tendered over with dessert and a candle for him to blow out. It was one of those moments that reminds you why you love the sea. It brings people together.
Does Arktos charter well?
She has a very specific group of people that like her because she is a classic wooden schooner. Interestingly, more young people have been chartering her lately. Arktos has a warmth and authenticity you do not find on modern steel yachts. It’s nice to see that trend of younger generations valuing the classics.
Arktos is for sale so what are your plans?
We’ve had her for 22 years now and are ready for a change. I’m looking for something even older than Arktos, from the 1930s or 40s. These older boats remind you of an era when sailing was as much about elegance as it was about adventure.
First published in the December 2025 issue of BOAT International. Get this magazine sent straight to your door, or subscribe and never miss an issue.