Ionian Bareboat Charter

[mdjfisher]

Hi All. Has anyone had any experience of Nautilus Yachting, Templecraft Flotilla Sailing Holidays or Odysseuss Sailing Holidays? They all appear to be variations of the same outfit. My wife and I are considering a 2 week bareboat in the Ionian in late September. Nautilus have provided a good offer on a Sun Odyssey 34.2 out of Palairos (opposite Levkas). It's not the newest of boats (2000), but the spec looks good. However, it would be good to know if anyone has had any experience of these companies. Does anyone have any other recommendations for bareboat charter in the Ionian, or any general tips? This will be our first charter and our first trip to the Med. Your thoughts would be much appreciated. Many thanks.

 

[Relax]

Only ever used Sunsail (also from Palairos) - who I found to be quite OK - I've nothing to compare them with but there were no surprises and it pretty much did what it said on the tin (Chartered a 37' Bene and 43' Jeunneau).

An eight year old charter boat tho I would say could be VERY tired - you might find the upholstery and living spaces to be a bit bashed and the engine somewhat smoky?

Its a good area for relaxed cruising - get the Rod Heikel book beforehand to plan. You're unlikely to get any very exiting sailing - tho possibly more so in late Spetember.

You should also look at Jim Baerselman's website - very informative of this area.

Enjoy.

 

[starfire]

Just come back from a 2nd 2 week charter with

www.sailionian.co.uk

Nice people, family outfit & have looked after us very well both times.

Based in Vlikho on Lefkas.

 

[Master_and_Commander]

Hi,

I agree that an 8 year old charter boat would likely be very tired. I would expect the engine to be extremely high hours, and the interior of the boat to look its age (though I could be wrong as it depends on the quality to start with and the maintenance carried out by the company).
I have only been with Sunsail and have found them to be excellent on every occasion.
I think most companies are of a similar standard now, the boats have to conform to a minimum standard to comply with Greek law and there are hefty penalties imposed if they don't stack up.

I would recommend that you get Rod Heikell's book (a very good comanion to the area).
I would also suggest getting hold of a rough itenerary of where the flotillas are going if you want to avoid very busy harbours (pm me if you wish as I can get hold of these for you), although it will have calmed down slightly in spetember.

The winds will be higher in sept (you'll prob be getting F4 tops) than in the summer months so the sailing should be good.

Kastos is worth a visit (mini market opened 23rd June this yr but otherwise it's a small harbour but v. beautiful, peaceful etc), Onassis Island (Skorpios) is lovely too, woith a lunch stop for a swim, Kioni is small but perfectly formed.

If you want to provision your best bet is to head for Nidri (I wouldn't stop overnight as it's v busy but it's good for shopping) as they have a wider variety of shops and it tends to be cheaper, or Mitika which is prettier and just as good for shops (some say better than Nidri).

Hope this helps, I've sailed the area for 14yrs so if you want any more info just let me know and I would be happy to help if I can.

Happy sailing /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Tranona]

Odysseuss is a Greek family owned company based in Corfu. The others are UK agents. They have a good range of boats, both old and new. Usually newer boats are better, but they should all meet the basic requirements. On Levkas you also have Sail Ionian and Nisos, both UK run companies and Kiriacoulis, a big Greek operator. Also many smaller operators which you can access through agents such as Late Sail. Sailing Holidays also have a bareboat fleet as do Sunsail. Plenty of choice, particularly at this time of year, and prices reasonable. Brilliant time to go there as still warm, tavernas still open and few crowds.

 

[Dalliance]

Just done the very same thing this July with the same company and it was excellent. Our boat was even older (1993!) but everything worked apart from the fuel tank gauge - we filled up on departure and carried a jerry can in case but had no problem.
I'd sail with them any time. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[AntarcticPilot]

I'd be a bit wary of an outfit called Oddysseus - wasn't he the guy that took ten years to sail from Asia Minor to the west coast of Greece and lost all his crew? And he had a reputation for sharp dealing as well! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Davy_S]

You could try this web page He is called chris,Operates from Kefalonia, yacht in very good nick.

 

[houldsworth]

The best private company in the Ionian, based in Nidri, is Nisos Yacht Charters. www.nisosyachtcharter.com
Tried to pm you with more information and the way to a deal but can't send pm to you!
Charles

 

[charles_reed]

How well you know

your Homer

 

[jimbaerselman]

Odysseus operate the boats; the others are selling agents for the same boats.

Don't worry about boat age. It's a very competitive industry out there, and good maintenance and regular refurbishments for older boats is the norm. I'm aware of a fleet of Jaguar 27s which have been in flotilla service for 28 years - and they're still going strong and in excellent order, very well equipped.

As noted above, my web site covers the 'must sees' of the area reasonably well. And thanks to those various forum members who regularly write in to keep me up to date!

 

[Longshanks]

We found the Greek cos. cheaper than the UK owned operations and the boats better equipped. Used Vernicos twice in 2004, once out of Corfu and once from Levkas. The boats were fine, and so was the service. Booking was done through the usual UK agents (who sometimes imply the boats are "theirs", but they're not).

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Reasonably well!

Well, Oddysseus did have some compensation - spent several years shacked up with Circe (after she's turned his crew into domestic animals). Judging by posts on here, I think some people would regard having their crew turned into animals while getting off with the local witch would be a good exchange!

All very unfair; Penelope (Oddysseus' SWMBO) was expected to be chaste while Oddysseus was gadding around the Med; Oddysseus doesn't seem to have operated under the same constraint!

Mind, anyone who reckons that you get to Ithaca from the Dardanelles by going through the straits of Messina (traditional site of Scylla and Charybdis) can't be much good as a navigator!

I did classical greek O-level a very long time ago!

 

[kennymac]

have chartered with nielsons ,sailing holidays and nautilus over the years..........nautilus have got my money again this year for both sail training in Gibralta in May and a nice little two week flot in the Ionian next week ,good people to deal with and decent spec on boats (odysseus in the Ionian).......check the flot prices before bareboating ,I couldnt bareboat for the price I got a 32 ft boat for 2 weeks in a flot,they are usually pretty flexible with the itinery if you have the paperwork

 

[kennymac]

Hi Jim Baerselman

Thanks for giving the west coast of Scotland 9/10 on your website.

My ikle yacht currently nestles at the head of loch sween ..........and yes it is wet and midge infested but I suppose no where is perfect but for the pittance I pay for a swinging mooring in some of the most 'interesting' cruising areas still to be discovered its a small price to pay..........just dont tell everyone. ;-)

PS. the beer is improving try some of Fyne Ales latest offerings

 

[jay]

I'll echo the reccomendation for Nisos - when my wfee and i were chartering we tried several companies around the Med and Nisos were by far the most superior service. I have no connection - just a very satisfied customer.