Charter Help

[Magaz97]

Hi Forumites. Having been a reader of the forum for some time, I thought I would dip my toe in the virtual water and ask one of the all time impoderables.
I am looking for a cheap (ish) bareboat charter for a family of 4 somewhere in the sun (abroad) in early August. Can anyone point me in the right direction, or give me a personal recommendation? Having surfed the web for weeks, I am just getting myself tied in knots.
I usually sail keel boats, but am a secret yachty at heart.....just a matter of time (and money!)

 

[photodog]

Your best bet is probably LATESAIL which lists late deals from all the big operators... In August your best bet is probably the Caribean, with the odvious proviso that you may encounter weather of a exciting nature..... I would say try the BVI's.... loads of boats looking for work, easy shelter if it gets bad.... and very nice conditions if it aint.

If LateSail dont do the Biz... Horizon would be worth a direct call... Wee have chartered from them as well as other operators in the BVI's and thought they were very good....

This is maximum discount time in the Cairbean... so best start there...

Flights wise I would route via Amsterdam on KLM into St Martin.... then LIAT into Beef Island.

/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Norman_E]

I sail in Turkey, and advise that August is just too damn hot for me there.
Another issue is whether you are experienced enough for bareboat charter, if not then I know a very good flotilla run out of Orhaniye by Sunsail. Whilst I was in Turkey recently I also heard that Sunsail are doing very good prices on bareboat charters because bookings are down. I suspect there are also good deals on the flotillas because there were plenty of boats still on their moorings at what should have been a prime time in Turkey. One week when I was there a flotilla went out with just three boats, and one of them was the lead boat.

 

[reddragon44]

Greek Sail in Poros very little business time to get a good deal
cheers bobt

 

[Tranona]

Welcome to the forum.

Early August is not a good time for a first time in the main centres in the eastern med. Expensive, hot and full of Europeans who are limited to that month for their hols.

Leaving that aside, probably the best starting point is Sailing Holidays as their package is probably the best for first timers.

Suspect there will be many deals with the major operators as business is a bit slow and you could get a bareboat deal at a good price. However SH is low risk, competitively priced, all inclusive including flights and gives you a good start to the chartering game.

 

[ravicabral]

You are probably being modest about your yachting prowess but if you wanted a gentle introduction to bareboat then the Ionian is ideal. If anything, you might bemoan the lack of wind. The upside is that the Meltemi doesn't blow there so you won't end up harbour bound for a chunk of your charter in a force 8.

Plenty of snorkelling, swimming, snacking, swigging to be done, though.


We were there in August ast year and the weather was great (not too hot) - although the locals said it was cooler than usual.

Loads of beautiful anchorages, town quays at a couple of Euros a night, etc. Very easy pilotage.

We booked with apollonia-yachts.gr - purely because they were cheapest. Not everything went without a hitch and the Gibsea 36 we got wasn't rigged to a very high standard but ... you get what you pay for ...!

happy hols.

 

[Tranona]

Just a couple more tips. Try to get as big a boat as possible within your budget. 36ft is the most popular size and gives everybody enough room. Don't worry about the size from the handling point of view as the boat should have good gear and an electric windlass.

Keep your luggage to a minimum - light clothing, hat and suncream are the essentials.

Enjoy!