Anyone recommend a motor/speed boat for Corfu?

[citygent111]

This may seem an odd question but if I can explain...

We currently have a Fletcher 19gts, and it's a fab boat for our waters. We are planning on spending more time abroad, specifically Corfu, and have a plan (of sorts!)

We'd like to buy a trailerable boat to take to Corfu. No preference over buying in UK or Europe other than the VAT benefit of buying in EU of course. The plan is we take to boat to Corfu, leave it in a boatyard there and then have then launch & recover the boat when we are going over for a holiday, they can do the servicing/maintenance too.

The Fletcher isn't the right kind of boat for the Med - we'd like a front sunpad, an outboard engine sufficient to tow an adult on a board/ringo, and a small cuddy for getting changed, possible overnight, and a ideally a toilet for The Management (apparently weeing in the sea isn't the done thing for the fairer sex?!)

On previous holidays to Croatia we hired a Quicksilver 675 Open, which was perfect - a really nice boat but out of our budget - I'm probably looking at £30,000 give or take. I know it's a lot of money to leave in a boat yard, but if it doesn't work out, we can always sell and re-think.

So, can anyone recommend a model of boat they think might be suitable? Not a fan of RIB's, or at least not for what we want this time. Quicksilver 555 looks a bit small. Doesn't have to be new (although that'd be lovely!) just suitable, affordable and reliable. I won't have the money till April-ish (or sooner if the Fletcher sells!) so no mega rush but planning is most of the fun isn't it?!!

This is my shortlist so far:

My favourite - Jeanneau Cap Camerat 6.5wa

OceanMaster 630WA

Bella 640 DC - not sure if it has front sunpad

Ranieri 24 Shadow - nice but rare!

Bayliner 642 Cuddy

 

[westernman]

Depends on what you want to do.
If you basically want to just go a little bit along the coast to a nice bay to spend the day lounging about, swimming, sipping wine, etc, then may be something like this:-



They are very popular for just that in Spain. You can hang some shade from the "boom" thing there (which I think is absolutely essential).
They come in different sizes. Some of the slightly bigger ones have a hard cuddy.

 

[Cerebus]

Sounds like fun in the sun.

That is all I can offer I am afraid.

 

[Tranona]

Perhaps better buying a boat already there. Would not make sense to buy one here and trail down there as you will only get 18 months nd then take it out of the EU. suspect you may have difficulty in finding somewhere to keep it safely while you are not using it. Maybe better to just hire one for your holidays.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Perhaps better buying a boat already there. Would not make sense to buy one here and trail down there as you will only get 18 months nd then take it out of the EU....

Yup agree with that.

What about drystack instead of using a trailer, would mean you could have a bigger boat and no hassle with the trailer, although if you actually wanted to move it by road then that won't work. I like the Cap Camerat, the other French manufacturers offer similar walk around daybooks. Not sure what the objection to a big RIB would be either TBH, might suit you, might be worth looking.

 

[Tranona]

Don't think there is such a thing as dry stack in Corfu. While some people who have holiday homes there might keep a boat in their home, there is limited yard storage space. On the other hand there are literally dozens of operators hiring out small motor boats from the various bays hotels or small local harbours mostly on the east coast google.com/search?q=boats+for+hire+Corfu&rlz=1C1VDKB_en-GBGB1067GB1067&oq=boats+for+hire+Corfu&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIICAEQABgWGB4yCAgCEAAYFhgeMggIAxAAGBYYHjIICAQQABgWGB4yCAgFEAAYFhgeMggIBhAAGBYYHjIICAcQABgWGB4yCAgIEAAYFhgeMggICRAAGBYYHtIBCDc1MjlqMGo3qAIIsAIB8QVgOuEIBACTDg&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 gives a flavour of what is on offer and includes the sort of boat the OP is looking for.

 

[citygent111]

Thanks all, I've actually got the storage place sorted. Secure, reliable, cheap, and really good communications so far, and we're visiting them this summer to get a feeling for the place.

Not massively worried about the 18 months thing, it's only 7 miles across to Albania so a little trip across the water for lunch and a stamp from the Harbourmaster or customs or whatever will reset the clock.

The search goes on...!

 

[citygent111]

Depends on what you want to do.
If you basically want to just go a little bit along the coast to a nice bay to spend the day lounging about, swimming, sipping wine, etc, then may be something like this:-

View attachment 194438

They are very popular for just that in Spain. You can hang some shade from the "boom" thing there (which I think is absolutely essential).
They come in different sizes. Some of the slightly bigger ones have a hard cuddy.

I think the wife would like this but I suspect towing a wakeboard could be a bit dull!

 

[westernman]

I think the wife would like this but I suspect towing a wakeboard could be a bit dull!

True.
But wakeboarding becomes dull after a while as well.

 

[Seastoke]

Sessa key lago 30 , they have all you need.

 

[bowler]

True.
But wakeboarding becomes dull after a while as well.

Really? I know plenty of people who would disagree with that. Myself included. I suspect the OP also!

 

[stelican]

Consider Karnic.think they are made over that way.

 

[prinex]

Corfu has all the nice places on the west side (where there are no marinas basically), the water between Corfu and the coast is not really exciting in my opinion. That is you often have to travel 20-30 miles to get to the nice spots (if you start from Gouvia for example). Also the east coast in front of Corfu is Albania which is not Eu - that means you have to do the complete paperwork even for one day if you go there - back and forth (not sure if people really do that but in theory).

Afternoon chop is a reality in corfu on the west side - I would get something which can get you fast there in relatively comfort, you write no ribs but a decent 7mt ribs would be very good for it, floor it on the east side, then slow down a bit when you go around the island and have the waves straight on, then is flooring again on the west side. Beside all the advantages of it (size / weight / engines out of the water when in port etc).

Also the crossing to Paxos is 10 miles (and Paxos has it all in my opinion).

 

[ontheplane]

Not sure I agree with the above.

The East side of the island has some lovely bays, beaches and anchorages. From Gouvier down to Benitses is nice and the harbour there is free and lovely. Go further and Messongi has a wonderful beach.

The North West has places like Paliokastritsa which is beautiful but cold springs mean you can be swimming in lovely warm water one second and an ice bath the next!

Where on the island are you going to keep the boat?

Also Albanian was mentioned - at your own risk!!!! All the rental bots specifically prohibit leaving the Corfiate waters that way because of pirates - I have never seen any but the fact everyone bans going too far offshore in that area says something… Paxos far better bet