The Admiral & I are planning "The Dream Vacation." We want to charter a boat for two weeks and sail Greece, stopping off at various destinations and living aboard. I'm looking at Sunsail and Moorings as charter options. Boat from 32-36 feet. Hoping to go sometime in mid August. Anyone with experience sailing these waters and/or chartering? Suggestions much appreciated.
Leon
Sailing the Greek Isles
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trumpetguy
- Chief Steward
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- Joined: Wed Jun 14, 2006 11:06 am
- Location: Pensacola FL
Greek Isles
We have chartered in the BVI on two occasions. Once with Sunsail, the other with Moorings. Both experiences exceeded our expectations. A key to having a great vacation was hiring a captain and cook. We did some of the sailing, but it was nice to leave the mooring decisions to someone who knew he local waters. The captain has the authority to anchor in locations that are not allowed for bare boaters. We may do the Greek Isles sometime, but will definitely hire a local captain for safety, as well as to make the trip more relaxing.
BTW. The first charter was a Beneteau 51, the second was a 50' cat. We shared the boats with three other couples...all friends.
BTW. The first charter was a Beneteau 51, the second was a 50' cat. We shared the boats with three other couples...all friends.
Greek Isles
I looked into that at one time and as I recall you needed to have two people on board that were certified before you could charter a boat there. Otherwise, you needed to hire one of their people. I could be wrong though.
I was stationed there for 3.5 years. It was really great. As a matter of fact I am thinking of going back there in a couple of years. I would go to the islands quite often, but I never reall sailed there, but would go by local boats. The islands are pretty cool though. I would think that it shouldn't be to bad to sail there. The waters are usually pretty good. It seemed like the only time the waters would get rough would be in the winter time. The summers were pretty good. We used to see boats all the time at the island of Hydra. The waters are clean and clear, and you can see your anchor at the bottom at most places. There was a buddy of mine that had a sailboat, but I never really thought to go out with him. What a fool I was!!! I sure missed a great chance.
You will have fun !!! It will be something for you to remember.
I was stationed there for 3.5 years. It was really great. As a matter of fact I am thinking of going back there in a couple of years. I would go to the islands quite often, but I never reall sailed there, but would go by local boats. The islands are pretty cool though. I would think that it shouldn't be to bad to sail there. The waters are usually pretty good. It seemed like the only time the waters would get rough would be in the winter time. The summers were pretty good. We used to see boats all the time at the island of Hydra. The waters are clean and clear, and you can see your anchor at the bottom at most places. There was a buddy of mine that had a sailboat, but I never really thought to go out with him. What a fool I was!!! I sure missed a great chance.
You will have fun !!! It will be something for you to remember.
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johnnyonspot
- First Officer
- Posts: 441
- Joined: Thu Oct 06, 2005 9:19 pm
- Location: Elk River, MN.
I spent a lot of time, as liberty would allow, on the island of Corfu during a six-month cruise aboard USS John Rodgers DD-983 enforcing the arms embargo against the Balkan states in the mid-90s as part of Operation Sharp Guard. A friend and I rented a Suzuki Samurai one day and drove all over the island. It was a nice place. Didn't know where were going, but we serendipitously found a resort town in the hills overlooking a beautiful cove with sandy beaches, topless sunbathers.... 
My ship: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_John_Rodgers_(DD-983)
My ship: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_John_Rodgers_(DD-983)
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delevi
- Admiral
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Got the trip booked. I found out that you don't need official training to charter, just a good sailing resume. We'll be in a 32 footrer, which should be ample space for the two of us.
2 1/2 weeks with a few days in Athens, then catching a high speed ferry to Cyros to begin the charter. We plan to hit Mykonos, Santorini, Ios, Naxos, Palos and a few others. Typical winds are from the North ranging from 15-40 knts, usually not exceeding 25. Can't wait
2 1/2 weeks with a few days in Athens, then catching a high speed ferry to Cyros to begin the charter. We plan to hit Mykonos, Santorini, Ios, Naxos, Palos and a few others. Typical winds are from the North ranging from 15-40 knts, usually not exceeding 25. Can't wait
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richandlori
- Admiral
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Yes....that is a DREAM Vacation.
Go check out Paul and Sherly Shard's Crusing DvD's link Hereas they have great one on that exact area! We bought them...and watch them all the time....in addition to being educational about the area...anyone who loves sailing/Traveling would love them!
DISTANT SHORES COLLECTOR'S DVD SERIES
VOLUME 4: GREEK ISLANDS & TURKEY
Sail with us through the Greek Islands! Entering Greece in Corfu we visit Ithaka, Homer’s home for his hero Odysseus. Then we sail through the dramatic Corinth Canal to begin a fall cruise in the Aegean Sea. We explore Turkey starting at Bodrum and sailing north along this enchanting coastline, then through the Dardanelles and on to legendary Istanbul.
Contains 8 X 30-minute episodes.
DISTANT SHORES COLLECTOR'S DVD SERIES VOLUME 5:
GREEK ISLANDS & TURKEY - PART II
Cruise on through the Greek Islands and the Turkish coast. The voyage continues in the North Aegean Sea on the island of Lesbos and then south through the Islands Chios, Samos, Patmos Leros, Rhodes & Symi and others. We also explore the fabulous Turkish Coast around Marmaris and venture into the exotic Lakelands district of inland Turkey. Contains 9 X 30-minute episodes
But hull....I just bought the full Med Set for $60.....you just can't go wrong for the money....15 hrs of $60...
Discount Special!! - All 5 Distant Shores Mediterranean DVDs!
Distant Shores is the ultimate sailing travel adventure! These five DVDs take you across the length and breadth of the most fabled sea - the Mediterranean. From the Rock of Gibraltar in the west to Istanbul in the East, north to Dubrovnik, the fantastic Croatian islands to the Grand Canal of Venice and south to Tunisia where we ride camels into the desert. We explore the hedonistic Balearic islands of Spain, the fabulous Aegean islands of Greece and many other special places you can only reach by a boat! 5 - Disks - 15 hours of sailing adventure!
Go check out Paul and Sherly Shard's Crusing DvD's link Hereas they have great one on that exact area! We bought them...and watch them all the time....in addition to being educational about the area...anyone who loves sailing/Traveling would love them!
DISTANT SHORES COLLECTOR'S DVD SERIES
VOLUME 4: GREEK ISLANDS & TURKEY
Sail with us through the Greek Islands! Entering Greece in Corfu we visit Ithaka, Homer’s home for his hero Odysseus. Then we sail through the dramatic Corinth Canal to begin a fall cruise in the Aegean Sea. We explore Turkey starting at Bodrum and sailing north along this enchanting coastline, then through the Dardanelles and on to legendary Istanbul.
Contains 8 X 30-minute episodes.
DISTANT SHORES COLLECTOR'S DVD SERIES VOLUME 5:
GREEK ISLANDS & TURKEY - PART II
Cruise on through the Greek Islands and the Turkish coast. The voyage continues in the North Aegean Sea on the island of Lesbos and then south through the Islands Chios, Samos, Patmos Leros, Rhodes & Symi and others. We also explore the fabulous Turkish Coast around Marmaris and venture into the exotic Lakelands district of inland Turkey. Contains 9 X 30-minute episodes
But hull....I just bought the full Med Set for $60.....you just can't go wrong for the money....15 hrs of $60...
Discount Special!! - All 5 Distant Shores Mediterranean DVDs!
Distant Shores is the ultimate sailing travel adventure! These five DVDs take you across the length and breadth of the most fabled sea - the Mediterranean. From the Rock of Gibraltar in the west to Istanbul in the East, north to Dubrovnik, the fantastic Croatian islands to the Grand Canal of Venice and south to Tunisia where we ride camels into the desert. We explore the hedonistic Balearic islands of Spain, the fabulous Aegean islands of Greece and many other special places you can only reach by a boat! 5 - Disks - 15 hours of sailing adventure!
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Dimitri-2000X-Tampa
- Admiral
- Posts: 2043
- Joined: Fri Jan 02, 2004 5:36 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Tampa, Florida 2000 Mercury BigFoot 50HP 4-Stroke on 26X hull# 3575.B000
Sounds pretty awesome Leon. I'm planning to bareboat one of these years too, but with an 11 month old, that may have to wait a bit more. I've been to Greece a couple dozen times since I was a kid and mostly learned to sail/windsurf there. Greece has some of the best "summer" wind in the world. Most other places (ie. Florida) have most of their windy season in non summer months.
Its interesting that the places you are going to I happen to be very familiar with and will be going there this summer too. For example, Syros is where my father lives during the summer and I'll be visiting him in late July. Probably will also make a day trip to Tinos, which is not as popular with foreign tourists as Mykonos, but you will find more of the "real" Greece there instead of the touristy Greece.
Then its off for a couple weeks in Corfu, the island where my mother was from and where I have done most of my early sailing/windsurfing. I'll be there during the first half of August. I have friends and relatives who let me use their windsurfers and day sailors when I'm there. I've always been toying around with the idea of buying a Mac and leaving it on a trailer there where I have family property.
So regarding sailing, I can give you a link to my friend Vasilis' site. It is choc full of Med sailing adventures that you could read for hours if you have the time. He has also done a transAtlantic crossing a couple years ago.
http://www.sy-thetis.org/
You will be able to find a wealth of info on his site including links to other sites of interest.
Rod Heikell is usually considered the best author of cruising guides for Greece so you may want to pick one of those up too.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Greek-Waters-Pi ... 0852887019
Its interesting that the places you are going to I happen to be very familiar with and will be going there this summer too. For example, Syros is where my father lives during the summer and I'll be visiting him in late July. Probably will also make a day trip to Tinos, which is not as popular with foreign tourists as Mykonos, but you will find more of the "real" Greece there instead of the touristy Greece.
Then its off for a couple weeks in Corfu, the island where my mother was from and where I have done most of my early sailing/windsurfing. I'll be there during the first half of August. I have friends and relatives who let me use their windsurfers and day sailors when I'm there. I've always been toying around with the idea of buying a Mac and leaving it on a trailer there where I have family property.
So regarding sailing, I can give you a link to my friend Vasilis' site. It is choc full of Med sailing adventures that you could read for hours if you have the time. He has also done a transAtlantic crossing a couple years ago.
http://www.sy-thetis.org/
You will be able to find a wealth of info on his site including links to other sites of interest.
Rod Heikell is usually considered the best author of cruising guides for Greece so you may want to pick one of those up too.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Greek-Waters-Pi ... 0852887019
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delevi
- Admiral
- Posts: 2184
- Joined: Fri May 06, 2005 1:03 am
- Location: San Francisco Catalina 380, former 26M owner
- Contact:
Thanks Dimitri. We'll be arriving in Athens on the 6/27, staying a few days and then catching the Ferry to Syros where we begin the charter, sailing out of the Syros on 7/1 and on to see the Cyclades. We'll be making your way to Mikonos and then south to Santarini, stopping off at most of the isles in between. Then make our way back North to Athens where the charter ends on 7/14. If you happen to be in this neck of the woods around this time, PM me. Would be great to have you come aboard to sail around a few hours or the day, etc.
I do have one question. From what I read, the prevailing winds are North to Northwest. This would make a difficult passage North going from Santorini to Athens. I suppose we can tack around the isles in between, since it will take several days to get there, but I'm hoping not to have to motor for half the curise. If you have some comments on this, I would much appreciate.
Cheers,
Leon
I do have one question. From what I read, the prevailing winds are North to Northwest. This would make a difficult passage North going from Santorini to Athens. I suppose we can tack around the isles in between, since it will take several days to get there, but I'm hoping not to have to motor for half the curise. If you have some comments on this, I would much appreciate.
Cheers,
Leon
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Dimitri-2000X-Tampa
- Admiral
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- Joined: Fri Jan 02, 2004 5:36 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Tampa, Florida 2000 Mercury BigFoot 50HP 4-Stroke on 26X hull# 3575.B000
Hey Leon, how did the dream vacation go? Did you post about it at all? I was there about a month after you, started in Syros also (quite a coincidence with so many islands). My father lives in Syros for half the year. When I got there on 7/23, the temperature was 45C (about 113F) and there was no wind. Quite the heat wave when you don't have A/C. After 4-5 days, the normal winds came back and we went to the island of Corfu (just got back about 2 weeks ago). I got to do a little sailing with a friend's Dabber (English dinghy with a mizzen mast also) but nothing like your trip. Unfortunately, the wild fires this year have been tragic. We even had one close to us which took 2-3 days to put out. They were battling it with 3 fixed wing airplanes and 2 helicopters.