Greece Yacht and Marina recommendations

[double-dutch]

I'm considering buying my first yacht. It may obviously be used for sailing but one of its major uses will also be to serve as a remote place to work from and live for a few months a year. I work in the IT industry and all my work can be done remotely and "on-line".

Having looked around - I really like the look of the Beneteau Oceanis 36 Center Cockpit because of the large aft cabin, large galley, general layout and cost. I have to admit: I have never seen one in the flesh.

Having sailed in Greece for a few years now, I have absolutely fallen in love with the Cyclades islands. So my questions:

• Any views on Beneteau 36CC or views on similar yachts, I have read various posts on this forum about it and the feedback, in general, seems to be good.
• Any suggested marinas where I can park my yacht all year round, work/live onboard a few months a year with hopefully good facilities, including good WiFi and close to a town - ideally in or close to the Cyclades Islands.

 

[vyv_cox]

There are no secure marinas in the Cyclades. Several in Dodecanese and East Sporades, e.g. Mytilini, Samos, Leros, Kos (probably no available berths in Kos).

 

[vas]

There are no secure marinas in the Cyclades. Several in Dodecanese and East Sporades, e.g. Mytilini, Samos, Leros, Kos (probably no available berths in Kos).

+1
just a slight correction, there are no Eastern Sporades, the ones you mention as simply Northeastern Aegean. I hear the new marina in Karlovasi (Samos) is massive and good, not seen it myself though.
Meltemi winds are pretty much awful in August in Cyclades, a reason to avoid them mid summer tbh!

V.

 

[AndrewB]

There are no secure marinas in the Cyclades. Several in Dodecanese and East Sporades, e.g. Mytilini, Samos, Leros, Kos (probably no available berths in Kos).

There was availability in Kos when I left my yacht there for a month last year, though nearby Leros has more space and is cheaper.

My log records passing a decent small marina in Naxos Port, Naxos, in the heart of the Cyclades, on our way back from Kos. Don't know anything about it though.

I agree with Vas that the summer Meltemi can make sailing in the central Cyclades quite challenging at times.

 

[vyv_cox]

+1
just a slight correction, there are no Eastern Sporades, the ones you mention as simply Northeastern Aegean. .

Rod Heikell disagrees with you. His Greek waters pilot includes Limnos, Lesvos, Chios, Samos, Ikaria and minor islands in the section Eastern Sporades.

Karlovasi is very exposed in some conditions, boats are often forced to move to moor alongside the outer breakwater.

 

[macd]

Rod Heikell disagrees with you. His Greek waters pilot includes Limnos, Lesvos, Chios, Samos, Ikaria and minor islands in the section Eastern Sporades.

True, but I think it's a Greek thing, Vyv (and they have every right to call bits of their country whatever they wish). References to Eastern Sporades (and Thracian Sporades, and others**) are commonplace on-line, but much less so from the Greeks themselves. The official Greek tourism site makes no reference to Eastern Sporades, but calls them the same as Vas. It also describes the Northern Sporades as simply "The Sporades", which kind of rules out any other group. I think we can agree that they're all quite sporadic

** I suspect that these may even be formal geographic, but not political, terms.

 

[Irish Rover]

+1
just a slight correction, there are no Eastern Sporades, the ones you mention as simply Northeastern Aegean. I hear the new marina in Karlovasi (Samos) is massive and good, not seen it myself though.
Meltemi winds are pretty much awful in August in Cyclades, a reason to avoid them mid summer tbh!

V.

I wasn't aware of a new marina in Karlovasi. Does anyone have any more info - website link, photos, reports?

 

[Tiercel]

We had a few nights in Karlovasi marina in 2008. My memory of it is probably a bit faded with time. Part of it had just opened & It was quite small but further work was going on at the time. The manager there was very helpful and, although it looked pretty full with local boats, he found us a berth. I can't help you re wifi but it did have electicity, was well sheltered (unlike the main harbour) was a good place to stay and there was a substantial town with plenty of shops about a mile or so to the east of it.

 

[vyv_cox]

We visited last year and had a long chat with the yard owner. The 'marina' is very limited but he has plans to improve it. The boatyard is top class with highly qualified staff. They maintain and rebuild coastguard and other professional boats to a high standard. The main harbour is very open to some wind directions and ferry wash.

 

[vas]

Apologies, the new marina is in Pythagorion and not Karlovasi!

Don't know Rod, but no Greek would ever call Lesbos east sporades..
And I do know as I'm half lesbian

V

 

[Irish Rover]

Apologies, the new marina is in Pythagorion and not Karlovasi!

V

Do you mean Samos Marina in Pythagorion? If so, it's hardly new and definitely not a marina I would recommend - it's very run down, few services and unless the manager has changed since the last time I was there 2 years ago it's hardly likely to improve any time soon.

 

[vas]

Do you mean Samos Marina in Pythagorion? If so, it's hardly new and definitely not a marina I would recommend - it's very run down, few services and unless the manager has changed since the last time I was there 2 years ago it's hardly likely to improve any time soon.

IR, I've no idea, just echoing what a sailor friend mentioned in the summer. Never been there myself.

 

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

Just for clarity, nowadays, Sporades refers to the 4 islands (Skiathos, Skopelos, Skyros, Allonisos) together with the two dozens of much smaller islands, which are scattered ( Sporadic / Σποράδες ) around the North Aegian sea, on the east side of the island of Evia. Skiathos is very popular but my favorite is Skopelos (the island with thousands of plum trees) which is quieter. From July onwards, expect the meltemi wind which come down in the afternoon with force 7,8,9, the wind is constant and the seas are horrendous; great wind for adventurous sailing. The Cyclades island suffer less by the meltemis.

 

[double-dutch]

Thanks for all your comments whilst I have never been there: Leros looks really nice so I will definitely consider that as a base. From the website, it seems Leros Marina is very well protected from most thing the weather can throw at it. Is that true? Would you be happy to leave your boat there, unattended for most of the year?

Also: do you know if there any restrictions on how long you can stay on board and if you are OK using external contractors to do work? Any other tips for negotiating an annual contract / any freebies like haul-out, water, electric that you can get included?

 

[AndrewB]

Thanks for all your comments whilst I have never been there: Leros looks really nice so I will definitely consider that as a base. From the website, it seems Leros Marina is very well protected from most thing the weather can throw at it. Is that true? Would you be happy to leave your boat there, unattended for most of the year?

Also: do you know if there any restrictions on how long you can stay on board and if you are OK using external contractors to do work? Any other tips for negotiating an annual contract / any freebies like haul-out, water, electric that you can get included?

I've only been in Leros twice, for a maximum of a week. There are actually two marinas, one in Lakki, the other in Temenia Cove. The latter, which is more sheltered, should be fine as a long-term base, indeed I've had recommendations from others.

Can't speak for this marina but generally in Greece:

- You can stay aboard as long as you like while on the water. Ashore is sometimes limited.
- External contractors are usually allowable provided they have insurance. You may have to pay a small fee to the marina though. Leros is so small you would probably be bringing in an external contractor from elsewhere, and that's expensive.
- Demand is such that prices are non-negotiable. Prices are nearly always quoted without VAT, which adds 24%.
- At most marinas you pay separately for (drinkable) water and electricity, metered at the connection on the pontoon.

 

[vyv_cox]

We have been based in Leros Marina since about 2010. Shelter is perfect, at least in winds up to 58 knots in our experience. Lakki can be very uncomfortable in southerly gales. No restrictions on living aboard, afloat or ashore. Most boat work can be done by the yard. A few outside facilities, e.g. sailmaker, do not enter the yard but there are ways around this. All berths have electricity and water although water not always potable. Alternative supplies are available. The town has good supplies of everything and is active throughout winter. PM me if you have specific questions.