Boat Share in the Med...

[mph]

I'm considering buying into a boat share in the Ionian and wanted to know if anyone on here could give some advice, hints or opinions?
Primery objective is to secure a few weeks 'holiday' sailing in the sun for a reasonable cost and if seems to tick all these boxes.
I've looked at various different boats and share % ranging from 1/4 up to 1/10th share - most seem to be 1/5 share which = about 5 weeks minimum use per season. Yes, I do understand that the smaller the share, the less use you get but I'd probably struggle to take much more than 3 weeks there anyway so a smaller share would work for me.
What things should I be aware of?
The one I'm most interested in would initally be based at Gouvia Marina @ Corfu, it' a new group being set up as well so we'll need to find a local 'Guardinarge' to look after the boat and arrange the winter storage/maintainance - does anyone have any sugestions for someone reliable in Corfu? (Or elsewhere - Corfu is not set in stone yet...)
Thanks in advance for all advice!

 

[crown22]

I had a boat share in Spain which I sold last year.Main reason for sale was I got fed up of going to the same place after about six or seven visits although I did on a couple of occasions cruise some distance away.Partners may have different priorities as to what to spend the boat fund on.Comfort versus safety equipment versus routine maintenance if you know what I mean.There may be problems if one or more partners wants to do some of the work and others don't have the time or ability.In theory the arrangement is cheaper than chartering but build into your calculations the loss you will make on the sale of your share and the saving may be less than you think.Unlike Spain you may find that the Greek Authorities require two ICC holders on board instead of just one.Good Luck

 

[itguy]

Gouvia is EXPENSIVE these days. Good facilities but in summer the marina is a heat bowl and a lot of the time the mozzies from the local drained salt marsh are something to behold! PM me if you want some gardianage contacts at the marina. There are a few about but a lot of live aboard brits upped hooks and left last year when the fee structure changed somewhat.

 

[saltwater_gypsy]

Lefkas is an alternative marina with the advantage that you can go North or South (if you know what I mean). I have heard good reports of overwintering nearby in Privesa on the mainland which may extend your options.

 

[mph]

Thanks guys for all the advice, most useful - good tip about the mozzies! that alone would encourage me to look for a base further south!!
Levkas or Nidri look like possable bases now or maybe Preveza.

Anyone got opinions about Nidri/Levkas or Preveza as a base?

 

[Tranona]

Instead of a boat Share, you might consider buying a whole boat through one of the charter management schemes. Some have schemes where you pay roughly 50% of the boat, get your 3 weeks a year , on some this does not have to be on your own boat and at the end of 6 seasons you own the boat. We bought ours, based in Corfu this way 7 years ago. Even if you borrow the money, annual interest charges are equivalent to about 2 weeks charter. Downside is obviously other people using your boat and the risk that it might not be in good condition at the end. You also have to be prepared to take over the boat at the end and either keep it, sell it complete (probably for at least what you paid for it), or sell shares. Many of the boat share schemes involve ex charter boats. Suggest you contact Chris Hawes www.yachtfractions.co.uk who is a mine of information.

We have just taken over our Bavaria 37 after 7 seasons chartering and overall have been very pleased with the arrangement.

Agree with some of the comments about Gouvia, although we avoid July and August. However, access is much better than Levkas with both charter flights and Easyjet. Plenty to do locally in a one week holiday, 2 weeks allows you to get to Levkas and inland sea as well.

PM me if you want more info