History
Provenance
Provenance
History
History
A Floating
Work of art
Work of art
Provenance
Stavros was built in 1967 by Michalis Moschatos, who founded the first shipyard in the port of Kavala. Both in size and comfort, Stavros was exceptionally grand for its time — designed purely for pleasure, when kaikia were traditionally made for fishing or ferrying cargo and passengers.
Stavros was built in 1967 by Michalis Moschatos, who founded the first shipyard in the port of Kavala. Both in size and comfort, Stavros was exceptionally grand for its time — designed purely for pleasure, when kaikia were traditionally made for fishing or ferrying cargo and passengers.
A dozen shipwrights laboured with love for over a year to hand-finish every detail. First, they travelled to the island of Thasos in search of the strongest, straightest pine trees to build the hull and mast. The resin in the pine keeps the wood supple. After felling the trees, the logs were submerged in the sea for several weeks to temper and strengthen the wood. When the logs rose to the surface, they were ready to be bent and planed into shape, piece by piece.
There was no model or blueprint. The boatbuilders laid out the design from instinct and experience, guided by generations of wisdom about the local winds and waves, currents and customs. With no automated machinery, it was rare for a kaiki to have an engine at all — let alone two Rolls Royce engines, which are still in use today. Specialist craftsmen took care of each stage of the process: the lofting and rigging, cabinets, and sails. As a mark of respect for these craftsmen, the original layout has been maintained, every detail meticulously preserved.
Still named after the original owner, Stavros has remained in the same family for over fifty years. A priceless vessel of adventure, discovery, and companionship summer
after Greek summer.
after Greek summer.
The client would come and say:
“I want a boat like Captain
Nikolas’. But it’s impossible
to make the same boat twice.
No matter how hard you try,
each one is different.”
“I want a boat like Captain
Nikolas’. But it’s impossible
to make the same boat twice.
No matter how hard you try,
each one is different.”
The client would come and say: “I want a boat like Captain Nikolas’. But it’s impossible to make the same boat twice. No matter how hard you try, each one is different.”
Michalis Moschatos
shipwright
shipwright
History
Kaiki:
Symbol of
a seafaring nation
Symbol of
a seafaring nation
Legacy
History
Legacy
With around 3000 islands and over 15,000 kilometres of coastline, it’s not surprising that Greece’s history and fortunes were built on the sea. Shipbuilding and seafaring are as essential to Greece’s cultural heritage as poetry and theatre.
With around 3000 islands and over 15,000 kilometres of coastline, it’s not surprising that Greece’s history and fortunes were built on the sea. Shipbuilding and seafaring are as essential to Greece’s cultural heritage as poetry and theatre.
The humble kaikia — traditional wooden boats, used to transport goods and people across coastlines and cultures, long before there were roads or ferries — embody a way of life intimately connected to the sea. The art of building these graceful boats goes back at least 2500 years.
Hand-made by a team of highly skilled craftsmen, kaikia vary in shape and size, according to their use: sail-powered perama, sturdy karavoskara used to transport livestock and passengers, nifty botides and varkalades used as tenders for larger vessels, and trehantiria, the handsome fishing boats built to ride the Aegean waves and withstand the capricious weather gods.
When properly maintained, these boats can outlast generations of owners. But a 1994 EU directive intended to prevent over-fishing in the Mediterranean has put the future of the kaiki in danger. Faced with declining fish stocks and tempted by EU subsidies, many Greek fishermen have agreed to turn in their fishing licences and destroy their boats. So far, almost 14,000 kaikia have been demolished.
For centuries, Greece had the largest fleet of wooden boats in the world. Now the tide of history is turning against this traditional way of life. Only a handful of boatyards skilled in wooden boatbuilding survive. The expertise and knowledge passed down from father to son is disappearing.
No two kaikia are the same. Each boat is unique and irreplaceable. Preserving these boats — and the livelihood they provide for remote island communities — is as vital as effective legislation to prevent over-fishing and damage to the marine environment by commercial trawlers.
Like the gondola in Venice, the kaiki is a timeless symbol of a seafaring nation. Stavros sets an example of how these traditional boats can be converted for pleasure and recreation, preserving the craftsmanship and seamanship that are so unique to Greece.
Discover next
Designed by G design Studio
Developed by codr.run
STAVROS © 2023 | All rights reserved
