we have a trip planned for early June with the Moorings Bareboat charter company. Does anyone have any comments or experiences you would like to share. We've chartered in the BVI but this is the first time in Greece. <BR>Thank you

What's a 'Bare Boat' ?

Bareboat charter means that you charter your boat without a crew or licensed skipper.. however in Greece I know you need to have some type of certificate/license/documentation indicating that you have X amount of hours at sea. <BR>My husband myself and another couple chartered a skippered yacht in Greece through Exas worldwide yacht charter and couldn't have been more pleased. We were especially glad we had chartered with them as we met more then a few people while in Greece who'd had dodgy experiences with charter companies. <BR>Sorry I can't speak for Moorings. <BR>

I hope you have a wonderful time! This was one of our favorite trips. We did in fact have a "dodgy" (to use Thyra's term) experience with the charter company, but it wasn't enough to spoil a great trip. I haven't used the Moorings, but, like you, I chartered in BVI, and we used Sunsail there. My impression is that they are similar companies in terms of professionalism, etc. I would expect the same in Greece. My advice is to check the boat out very carefully, and get things fixed before you leave. But if you do find any shortcomings once you set sail, radio immediately and get whatever it is replaced or repaired. You will not be in a strong negotiating position when you return. <BR> <BR>FYI, if any of your group reads Practical Sailor, they just did an in-depth comparison of charter companies in the Caribbean. I believe it's accessible on line.

Can anyone tell me what the sailing is like...much more challanging than the BVI or just about the same. What are the harbors like, I hear you need to come in stern to (but that is how we need to dock our own boat). I'd like to hear more about the sailing, anchorages.....Thanks, Sandi

Sandra.. well I am not sure which islands you plan to visit, but during the peek sailing season, the little harbors fill up like gangbusters... in Hydra for example, we had to race to get there in time to get a space.. and to my inexperienced eye the boats are just kind of crammed in any which way they fit. <BR>It was not uncommon to have to go across 7 boat decks to get ashore. However we did get the opportunity to visit some of the unpopulated islands were we would simply drop anchor and swim or spend the night virtually alone with just the stars and a few donkeys. It was awesome! <BR>In terms of what type of sailing you shall experience.. so much of that depends upon which islands you are visiting... since we were in the Saronic gulf (The route recommended for NON sailors) we were travelling in protected harbors.. with short sailing times and our biggest problem (until the storm on the last day) seemed to be lack of wind.. however it is my understanding that if you are taking a 2 week trip to the Cyclades from Pireus (Port in Athens..) You need to really know your stuff and they have these serious winds called...Meliti (spelling?) which are similar to what we in So. Cal call Santana winds.. violent and extreme, they are the same winds that trapped Price Charles on.. I believe Mykonos for an extra 5 days, two years ago. In any event, even without the wild winds, the Cylades and surrounding areas are much more windy and tougher to navigate then the islands we visited.

Hi Sandra-- <BR> <BR>I guess the best advice I can give is be prepared for anything as sailors. We expected troubles with the Meltemi, and instead had very little wind much of the time! (We heard that in spite of the ferocity of the Meltemi, sometimes they are counteracted by the prevailing winds of the area, resulting in...nothing!). What I remember most clearly about BVI was a constant breeze that really didn't change direction, and then the influence of venturis as we passed by hills, etc. on land. In comparison, the winds in Greece are more variable. <BR> <BR>You may have to adapt your itinerary as you go. On Syros, an unexpected squall came up that prevented us from setting out for Mykonos, which meant that we never got there. You'll probably just have to get up each morning and gauge the conditions for going wherever you intended to go. I would describe sailing in the Cyclades as challenging, but not out of the league of anyone who would consider a bareboat charter. (If you've done it at all you must have some confidence as a sailor, right?) <BR> <BR>There are cruising gudes for the area written by Rod Heikel (sp?). They are expensive to buy, but maybe you could find one in a library. It will help to give you a better sense of the conditions. <BR> <BR>Thyra's description of the quais and harbors is accurate. Some are extremely crowded, and others are quiet. We weren't nuts about tying off to other boats, or being tied off to, but it is common practice when the quais get crowded. <BR> <BR>There's nothing like coming into the harbors of these islands by boat-- you'll love it! I've written in other threads, so I'll mention it once more, consider renting a car for a day to explore an island. We did this on Paros, and loved seeing parts of the island away from the main harbor.

We cruised Greek Islands last year and were glad we had a crew! Docking each night and pulling anchor in the morning took hours occ. They tie up stern to and everyone drops an anchor right in the middle of the harbor--most harbors are small and all the anchor ropes and chains are a tangled mess!! Hydra was charming, but you are right about getting there early! Luckily, we were tied up in the last slip, so were crowded on one side only. Have a great trip!