kayenox
Well-Known Member
If you plan to go to Greece, borrow or get a copy of Rod Heikel's Greek Waters pilot and have a look before you go / book. Excellent advice and info on pilotage
First Time Bareboat Charter in the Med.
- Thread starter Railbob
- Start date
If you plan to go to Greece, borrow or get a copy of Rod Heikel's Greek Waters pilot and have a look before you go / book. Excellent advice and info on pilotage
RichardS
N/A
20 odd years ago we chartered a boat in the BVI's. We left the marina and sailed away but by the first night realised that the holding tank was full and blocked and the toilet bowl was constantly filling to the brim with the previous charterers stinking effluent.
I called the marina and they said bring the boat back ..... so that was a day wasted. They found a diver the next day who cleared the blockage but by then it was afternoon so, by the time we got back to where we were on the first night, we had wasted 3 days.
I complained when we got back to the UK but it seemed to be slow going so I issued a "7-day until County Court" warning and £1000 suddenly appeared in our account.
Richard
mjcoon
Well-Known Member
We had a very similar experience a few years ago (including reflux). It was the discharge cock that was stuck closed and they eventually said they would have to take the boat out of the water to fix it. So we got a replacement boat half-way through the fortnight flotilla and a night in a hotel during their (failed) attempt at the original fix.
Mike.
ashtead
Well-Known Member
One point that might be worth consideration is that if you or crew want to visit some of these busier ports in say Croatia or Greece then a flotilla package for say first week might address some of the parking issues in first week and give a source of info . As has been said a pilot book of areas is useful to read in advance and plan. If time permits then the SBS always seems to feature more charter companies than boats so maybe take a mooch around there to gain ideas for other locations and package combinations. Turkey we found was always lovely even if local entertainment such as male bellying dancing might not be for all generally the tavernas always seemed much more welcoming than their Croat counterparts and has been said somewhat cheaper.
photodog
Lord High Commander of Upper Broughton and Gunthor
My experience of bareboat chartering in hot climates is that you will grossly underestimate the amount of cold beer you will require on board.
Beyond that, Don’t worry. (The beer helps with this btw.)
Beyond that, Don’t worry. (The beer helps with this btw.)
photodog
Lord High Commander of Upper Broughton and Gunthor
We had an issue with a charter in the West Country... rolled into salcombe on the hottest day of the year in a almost new bav 36 spewing sewage from the breather valve on the system as the holding tank was full and bunged up. We did get a very good mooring as a consequence mind... the charter company sent some lads with a pump. It wasn’t a pleasant job.
Blocked holing tanks were a problem on the 2002 onwards circa Bav 36....
Tamar
Well-Known Member
Speaking of Italians, my boat was based in Gouvia in Corfu, when one evening a cat moored in the vacant berth next door with much commotion and noise and it seemed about 50 crew, although it was just 6. Italians...oh no. Later on sitting in the cockpit having a beer with my crew we were treated to some of the young female crew showering on the stern of their boat absolutely naked without a care. Even though the shower block was nearby. Being gentleman we of course averted our gaze.
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capnsensible
Well-Known Member
Can anyone guess why holding tanks get blocked so often?
Davy_S
Well-Known Member
Some of the older members flush their incontinence pads down the heads?
capnsensible
Well-Known Member
Thats an interesting thought for you and you alone to hold.
Every one that ive had the unpleasure of sorting out has been a thick wad of tissue paper jamming up in the hull valve. :ambivalence:
mjcoon
Well-Known Member
Thats an interesting thought for you and you alone to hold.
Every one that ive had the unpleasure of sorting out has been a thick wad of tissue paper jamming up in the hull valve. :ambivalence:
There should be a tool for that. Maybe based on a corkscrew...
Mike.
Railbob
Well-Known Member
Hi Folks, sorry for the delay in replying to your posts, been floating around the Clyde this week. I think I'll grab an ICC as I'm a RYA member ( might as well get something for free for once LOL). As I have said we have plenty of time to check our options but everyone who has suggested a place to go thank you, it looks like each has its good points with very few drawbacks. I suppose for us its how easy can I get there ? as we have limited flights out of Scotland we may be limited in our destinations.
So many thanks for all your good advice and please keep it coming :encouragement:
So many thanks for all your good advice and please keep it coming :encouragement:
photodog
Lord High Commander of Upper Broughton and Gunthor
Somewhere there is a photo of me swimming beside the boat in Nonsuch bay in Antigua brandishing a unravelled coat hanger attempting to do just that....
Unsuccessfully I might add.
duncan99210
Well-Known Member
As to flights, we recently hosted some friends from Lieth. They flew to Kefalonia from Manchester: very cheap flights even considering the train fares to and from the airport. Might be worth looking at that as an option for travel: may not be so good if you’ve got children along.
alfabeat
New Member
In the South Ionian (Lefkada start point), the Port Police started the 2019 season requesting ICC's as the only acceptable qualification. They relented on this soon after, but it would be prudent to assume that this will become the norm next season, so get one from the RYA. It's simple to do and cheap if you have your RYA Day Skipper practical already.
Ionian is a good starting point for your first charter, and look for an operator offering Assisted Bareboat Charter (a good halfway point between the traditional flotilla and bareboat sailing). That way you can stay out and enjoy the afternoon winds without stressing about finding a mooring.
Check Trip Advisor for the good operators.
Check pricing carefully as to what is included. Nisos Yacht Charter offer all inclusive pricing (fuel, insurance, cleaning etc) for example which is refreshing and transparent.
Check that the boat comes with at least 50m of chain and a decent anchor (Rocna). You will need it.
Check what the back up service is like and again check reviews for confirmation of this.
Consider carefully the check in and check out times. Some operators only give 5 nights away from base, some manage to give you all 7.
Starting point. Avoid Lefkas Marina, as its a pain to get anywhere quickly from (linked to point above). Much better to start from Nidri/Perigiali area on Lefkada so you can be over at Meganissi within 30 mins.
September is a lovely time to sail. Although late September can be a bit interesting from time to time. Usually settles down again in October.
Go direct to the operator. Don't use an agent. That way you can talk direct to the people who know the boat, the area and tell you exactly how it is. It is in their interest to manage your expectations, more so than an agent, who can just pass on any grumbles to the operator to deal with.
Good luck - its a fabulous holiday!!
Ionian is a good starting point for your first charter, and look for an operator offering Assisted Bareboat Charter (a good halfway point between the traditional flotilla and bareboat sailing). That way you can stay out and enjoy the afternoon winds without stressing about finding a mooring.
Check Trip Advisor for the good operators.
Check pricing carefully as to what is included. Nisos Yacht Charter offer all inclusive pricing (fuel, insurance, cleaning etc) for example which is refreshing and transparent.
Check that the boat comes with at least 50m of chain and a decent anchor (Rocna). You will need it.
Check what the back up service is like and again check reviews for confirmation of this.
Consider carefully the check in and check out times. Some operators only give 5 nights away from base, some manage to give you all 7.
Starting point. Avoid Lefkas Marina, as its a pain to get anywhere quickly from (linked to point above). Much better to start from Nidri/Perigiali area on Lefkada so you can be over at Meganissi within 30 mins.
September is a lovely time to sail. Although late September can be a bit interesting from time to time. Usually settles down again in October.
Go direct to the operator. Don't use an agent. That way you can talk direct to the people who know the boat, the area and tell you exactly how it is. It is in their interest to manage your expectations, more so than an agent, who can just pass on any grumbles to the operator to deal with.
Good luck - its a fabulous holiday!!