Looking for a vacation spot with plenty of sunshine and water without the typical large crowds? These qualities make Greece an ideal location for a boat charter. This personalized luxury travel choice is excellent for groups of any size and gives you a lot of ways to make your trip unique.
Renting a boat can help you get to know a place better.
Many consider it their fantasy vacation. The most appealing aspect is that it makes no difference if you have a lot of sailing expertise or none at all; a yacht rental in Greece is open to everyone. The best way to get your feet wet is to find the right charter service because we all need to start somewhere.
This guide will provide all the information you need to choose the right Greek charter in Greece.
Will I Need a Crew?
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Greece is home to many charter businesses that may provide boats with or without crew. When organizing a sailing vacation, one of the first things to think about is if you’d like to hire a captain or a chef/hostess.
Bare Boat
If you choose the bareboat alternative, you are alone without a crew, plan, or schedule. Remember that bareboat sailing requires a license from an approved open-water sailing school or a minimum of one passenger to possess an RYA Day Skipper International Certificate of Competence (ICC). Translating and verifying your license may be necessary if you got it outside the European Union.
Skipper
Charter companies can provide a seasoned local skipper to steer your vessel through the Greek waters. If living in a tiny space with strangers bothers you, remember that crew members are taught to maintain a low profile and will avoid making themselves noticed until necessary.
Types of Boat
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Greece offers a wide range of boat models for charter. These vary in size from a minuscule sailboat to a sizable motorized vessel.
Non-motorized
Examples of non-motorized options are Catamarans and monohull sailing boats.
Catamaran
Chartering a catamaran is the second most popular choice. These are available in non-motorized and motorized options, some featuring a sail. Usually, the best catamaran charter greece has to offer has motors and sails. Getting these options can be a huge plus when you encounter strong winds.
Monohull
The use of monohull sailing boats has one significant benefit. If you properly raise the sails, they can cut through waves like butter. Hence, they tend to gather some exceptional speed.
Motorized
Choosing a motorized yacht offers many clear benefits. These are typically stunning, roomy, equipped with a motorized dinghy, many water toys, and the ability to accommodate a complete crew.
What Qualities a Charter Company Should Have
There is a staggering number of charter businesses available in the market today. How can you tell which one is the most trustworthy? Word of mouth is usually the first thing people look for when everything else fails. So, where do you begin looking?
To ensure that chartering is a true value-for-money experience, the price will primarily depend on the boat’s age. Plus, having a reasonable budget before beginning this research phase will enable you to select the best charter company.
Varieties of Charter Services in Greece
There are typically two sorts of charter companies to choose from.
First Tier
These businesses are owners of first-tier service vessels that are brand new or no more than four to five years old. These boats will come with the latest technology, software, and appliances, such as air conditioning, Wi-Fi, autopilot, GPS, and other features.
Having all these extras does not come cheap, but you’re getting a top-of-the-line boat.
Second Tier
The boats offered by the second-tier charter businesses are slightly older and have recently emerged from the first-tier. These boats are more than five years old. Because of their reasonable prices, these boats are perfect for those on a tighter budget.
One drawback of a second-rate charter service is that their boats may be older than fifteen years old. Even while older ships are secure, they might have only some of the amenities of a newer ship.
You can find charter companies of varying sizes in all tiers that provide the same high-quality service. Some smaller businesses prefer to stay small to offer the finest service possible. Therefore, size does not always equate to better service.
You should also ask the following of a charter company:
- Destinations available
- Fleet size
- The vessels’ ages
- The kinds of base support personnel available
- Which water toys do they offer?
- Does the base provide a shuttle service or any delivery service?
Direct Boat Owners
There’s one secret about Greek chartering! It is possible to directly charter a vessel from an owner for a substantial discount.
The process is straightforward, and the guarantees are identical to those offered by charter companies. They can also find crew members, including skippers, for you. Making a reservation in a foreign country like Greece is somewhat risky, so be sure to choose a trustworthy owner.
Although many of these owners advertise in boating magazines, word-of-mouth works best.
The Cost Involved
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This one is the hardest to answer all the questions people ask about chartering a boat in Greece. Because boat charters are highly individualized, it is pretty difficult to estimate the cost accurately unless the person in need of the charter and the person assisting thoroughly understand the specific requirements.
Costs can vary depending on where you are, the season, the type of boat, and its size. Like other types of trips, different times of the year come with various costs. The busiest time is in the summer, but depending on where you are, it can last into September.
For example, if you rent a monohull with three cabins for seven days during the peak season of August, you may anticipate paying approximately GBP 3000. Hence, the daily cost for each traveler would be around GBP 111. Ultimately, you must shop around and ensure the best value for money.
Conclusion
Remember that opting for additional services can result in a considerable extra expense on top of the charter fee. Make sure you discuss this with your charter provider right away. After you have chosen your vessel and route, they must confidently provide you with approximate costs for everything. This allows you to explore breathtaking archaeological sites, bathe in crystal-clear lakes, enjoy delectable Greek food, and experience the romance, history, and adventure of sailing the enchanted Greek Isles with peace of mind.
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